LIHUE — National Drive Electric Month, observed from Sept. 12 through Oct. 12, is an opportunity for individuals and communities to learn more about electric vehicles and the environmental, economic and community benefits of electric vehicles and the importance of continued leadership in clean energy.
Through the efforts of Drive Electric Hawaii Network, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii EV Association, and Kauai EV, EV owners and the county brought out a fleet of electric vehicles to give individuals and families an opportunity for close-up views, and even experience driving the cars in the Kukui Grove parking lot that normally houses the weekly Pau Hana Market.
Christina Kaser, the county’s Economic Specialist with the Office of Economic Development, was excited to represent Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in presenting the organizers with a government proclamation celebrating Drive Electric Month.
Beyond that, she was also excited because this was her second big presentation in less than a week on alternative transportation after meeting with the House Finance Committee on the mobility hub which is designed to reduce traffic congestion.
The mobility plan also parallels some of the concerns raised about the need for shuttle buses in Kapaa during the recent Destination Management discussions hosted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
The county, through the proclamation, said Kauai Island Utility Cooperative already sources approximately 58 percent of its electricity from renewable resources, including solar, hydro and biomass. This places KIUC among the national leaders in clean energy transformation.
KIUC has implemented groundbreaking projects such as the Anahola and Kapaia solar-plus-storage facilities that were among the first utility-scale solar and battery systems in the nation, helping Kauai achieve record levels of renewable integration while maintaining grid stability.
Additionally, AES Hawaii has issued a call to a community meeting on Sept. 24 where area residents and interested parties can learn more about Kaawanui Solar, a proposed utility-scale project in Makaweli that includes 43 MW of renewable, locally produced energy paired with four hours of battery storage.
The County of Kauai has advanced clean energy goals by transitioning its fleet toward a 100 percent light duty, zero-emission standard by 2035, installing EV charging infrastructure at public facilities, and partnering with community organizations to support energy self-sufficiency. In demonstration of its commitment, the county had several of its Subaru electric vehicles in the fleet for people to inspect.
Electric vehicles directly support the county’s commitment to sustainability by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality for residents and visitors alike, the proclamation states.
As people listened to the proclamation, an electric Cadillac rolled past the line of electric vehicles parked that included a several generations old Chevy Bolt belonging to Westside resident Liz Hahn. This was followed by an electric Volkswagen van.
Source: The Garden Island