Green Economy

Greening the Island Economy

In September 2010, Dept. R&D Resource Center published the Island of Hawai‘i Green Economy Report, a first county level snapshot on the State of the Island Green Economy.  The report confirms investment in a green economy is essential to end fossil fuel dependence and defined "Green Economy" as made up of businesses and people that provide products, services and knowledge related to areas such as: renewable energy and fuel; sustainable agriculture; green construction and energy efficiency; and environmental conservation and pollution mitigation.  Some of the key findings:

• Three hundred and eighty two (382) private, public and community organizations are working to reduce Hawai‘i Island’s dependence on

  

  Green Investment

  imported fossil fuel.

• Approximately $388 million was marked for energy related projects state-wide (County of Hawaii did not receive any state funding via Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative).  The Hawaii State Government received over $142 million on 'green' related programs, including $6 million to develop a green job training program and $3.25 million to develop a smart grid training program.

Program Support - Supplemental Funding FY2010.11: 

• Sustain Hawaii - Building Island Capacity and Creating Connections to Build a Local, Green Economy
  
• North Kohala Community Resource Center - North Kohala Eat Locally Grown Campaign
  
• Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council - Value added agriculture product guide
  
• Arc of Hilo - Value Added Agricultural Processing Facilities
  
• Mala'ai - The Culinary Garden of Waimea Middle School
  
• Big Island Sustainable Communities Association - Summer Sustainable Education Workshop
  

Program Participation: 

• State Energy Sector Partnership Steering and Selection Committee - $6 million State Green Job Training Initiative

Statewide Report: 

State of Hawai‘i Depart of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) released Hawai‘i Green Workforce: A Baseline Assessment in December 2010.  This report provides a comprehensive framework for assessing green jobs in the private sectors.  Some of the key findings for Island of Hawaii:

1. 42% increase in anticipated demand for skilled green labor force by 2012 (510 additional jobs from 1,222 green jobs today);

2. 198 existing green job vacancies;

3. Green labor force makes up 2.5% of total jobs.

Visit www.greenjobshawaii.org, a state sponsored portal for greening the economy. 

For more local information or presentation about the Island of Hawaii Green Economy Report please contact afrost@co.hawaii.hi.us or call 323-4702.