(Above: Standard University students tour the solar project. Below: The 300-acre project has been underway in Waikoloa Village for four-and-a-half years.)<\/span><\/p>\n Four-and-a-half-years in the making, the project was created by AES Hawai`i in a partnership with Hawaiian Electric. The clean energy generated by Waikoloa Solar + Storage goes straight to Hawaiian Electric\u2019s Hawai`i Island grid, meaning everyone connected to the grid receives energy from the project, including residents, visitors, hotels and businesses at Waikoloa Beach Resort.<\/p>\n According to Hawaiian Electric Company, the project also provided around 200 jobs to the island, with a total economic output of $47 million toward Hawai`i’s economy.<\/p>\n Waikoloa Solar + Storage produces enough clean energy to replace the use of more than 511,000 barrels of oil over its 25-year lifespan. It will also reduce the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that are generated by the use of fossil fuels.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s critically important to the health of our environment and the future of our children that we implement clean energy solutions to fulfill our daily needs for electricity,\u201d Larsen explains.<\/p>\n AES Hawai`i also partners with its close neighbor, the nonprofit Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. This past January, employees helped plant four types of native trees \u2014 \u2018a\u2018ali\u2018i, \u2018\u0101weoweo, ohe makai<\/em> and wiliwili<\/em> \u2014 on Dry Forest land next to the project. AES Hawai`i has also adopted an acre of the forest, is planting 300 native trees, making a donation to the organization and supporting educational programs that teach school students about the importance of reforestation and protecting the environment on Hawai`i Island.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative\u2019s mission to preserve Hawai`i Island\u2019s native trees is admirable,\u201d Larsen says. \u201cTheir goal embodies AES Hawai`i\u2019s commitment to a greener energy future and our goal to protect the environment for future generations. It\u2019s an honor to support this impactful organization and contribute to its consequential work in reforestation and preservation of natural resources.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawai`i is the nation\u2019s most dependent state on imported fossil fuels, making its clean energy targets all the more critical for supporting the state\u2019s economy, the environment and energy security.<\/p>\n \u201cThe long-term challenge we face is building out the renewable energy infrastructure quickly enough to meet Hawai`i\u2019s 2045 carbon-free goal. The need for renewable energy is real and we need to work together to understand how it can be incorporated into our communities,\u201d Larsen says. \u201cMaking the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy has been talked about for years, but the time is now. Hawai`i, like the rest of the world, has been impacted by climate change and other forces beyond our control, including the supply chain delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating energy prices because of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. AES stands ready to help Hawai`i meet these challenges and continue on the path toward a cleaner energy future.\u201d<\/p>\n Governor Josh Green, AES and Hawaiian Electric executives, and state and county lawmakers will celebrate the grand opening of Waikoloa Solar + Storage in May.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.waikoloabeachresort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar4-1024x492.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.waikoloabeachresort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar2-300x145.jpg\")
\u201cOur entire team at AES Hawai`i is proud to be bringing the largest renewable energy project to the Big Island this spring, as our Waikoloa Solar + Storage facility will deliver 42 megawatts of clean, renewable power to the Big Island backed by a 120-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system,\u201d says Sandra Larsen, AES Hawai`i\u2019s Market Business Leader. \u201cThat\u2019s enough energy to provide electricity for nearly 14,000 homes and will go a long way toward helping the Big Island be more energy self-sufficient and less reliant on imported fossil fuels.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.waikoloabeachresort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar3-300x155.jpg\")
\u201cAES Hawai`i is fully committed to helping our state achieve its goal for a clean energy future, and the start of the Waikoloa Solar + Storage is a great example of how we are doing our part to make that a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.waikoloabeachresort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/solar-300x215.jpg\")
AES has been working to provide low-cost energy to Hawai`i since 1991 as a partner with Hawaiian Electric and other utilities. AES Hawai`i supports the state\u2019s vision of a 100 percent renewable energy future by 2045, and has nine renewable projects currently in operation or under development statewide to accelerate Hawai`i\u2019s transition to a carbon-free energy future.<\/p>\nMaking a Splash in the Eco Industry<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.waikoloabeachresort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/eco-fashion-190x300.jpg\")
At Queens\u2019 Marketplace\u2019s newest boutique store, Coconut Ave, owners Mahea Gambill and Kelly Pila have set themselves apart by featuring eco-friendly merchandise. Three Hawaiian swimsuit collections they create each year comprise a large part of their merchandise, all made from recycled plastic bottles and prints using eco-friendly dyes. \u201cSustainable fabric options have become more readily available than ever and we are so excited to jump on board the eco train!\u201d said Mahea, who graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. \u201cKelly and I have always tried to lead a minimal-waste lifestyle so this was the perfect opportunity to create a brand that reflects our values.\u201d Their newest styles are featured in the Guava Jam Spring to Summer swimsuit collection. \u201cWe purchase fabric made from recycled plastic bottles instead of virgin polyester,\u201d Mahea explained. The men\u2019s section features the Vissla and Western Aloha brands, in addition to a separate plastic-free home and body care products section. \u201cWe try to bring is as many sustainable products as possible with a mix of local brands, and just some really fun products,\u201d Mahea added.<\/p>\n![\"Waikoloa](\"https:\/\/www.waikoloabeachresort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/wbr-cultural-map-300x226.jpg\")
Waikoloa Beach Resort’s New Cultural Brochure<\/h3>\n