West

Hawai‘i

As a small island state with non-energy intensive industries and a mild climate, Hawai‘i ranks almost last for both total and per capita energy consumption among all states. The state was the first to legally commit to a zero-emissions economy by 2045 and has decreased emissions by 19% from 2005-2021. Both in-state electricity generation and consumption are dominated by petroleum, with about one-fifth of generation coming from renewables, a majority of which is solar. Hawai‘i has the highest average electricity price of any state because of high fuel import costs.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 2005 levels

2030

50%

2045

Carbon negative

Governor

Josh Green (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Supermajority

Senate Party

Democratic Supermajority

Legislative session

1/17/24 - 5/3/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

21

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 6 policy areas

See all

41

Policy Opportunities

across 6 policy areas

See all

West

11 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted
In-progress
Partially Enacted
Not Enacted

Glossary of Terms

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	YR Enacted
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column Hawai‘i Pathways to Decarbonization Establishing Policies Act 238 (2022) Hawai‘i Pathways to Decarbonization (2023)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2023
Enacted	Climate Advisory Bodies Empty column Climate Advisory Team (CAT) Establishing Policies Climate Advisory Team (CAT)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2024
Enacted	Climate Bureaucracy Empty column Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission Establishing Policies Act 32 (2017) Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2017
Enacted	Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column 50% by 2030 \| Carbon negative by 2045 Relative to 2005 levels Establishing Policies Act 15 (HB 2182) (2018) Act 238 (HB 1800 CD2) (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2022
Enacted	State Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Empty column The 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was published in May 2024. Establishing Policies Hawaii Revised Statutes Division 1. Government § 342B-72. 1990-2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2024)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2024
Enacted	Environmental Justice Mapping Tools Empty column Justice40 Disadvantaged Tracts in Hawai‘i Establishing Policies Justice40 Disadvantaged Tracts in Hawai‘i (2022)	Climate Governance and Equity	Environmental Justice and Equity	2022
Enacted	Green Banks Empty column Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority Establishing Policies Act 211 (2013) Hawai‘i Green Infrastructure Authority	Cross-Sector	Climate Finance	2013
Enacted	Clean Energy and Renewable Portfolio Standards Empty column 40% renewable energy by 2030 \| 70% by 2040 \| 100% by 2045 Establishing Policies HB 623 (2015)	Electricity	Energy Plans and Targets	2015
Enacted	Interconnection Standards Empty column Hawaii received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies Freeing the Grid Hawai‘i Grade (2023)	Electricity	Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Storage	2023
Enacted	Coal Phaseouts Empty column The public utilities commission is prohibited from issuing or renewing permits for covered source facilities that burn coal for electricity generation after December 31, 2022. Establishing Policies SB 2629 (2020)	Electricity	Coal Retirement	2020
Enacted	Commercial Energy Codes Empty column The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2016. Establishing Policies Hawai‘i State Energy Code (2021)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2021
Enacted	Residential Energy Codes Empty column The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2018 IECC with amendments. Establishing Policies Hawai‘i State Energy Code (2021)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2021
Enacted	Appliance Standards Empty column The Hawai‘i Appliance Efficiency Standards apply to 10 products. Establishing Policies Act 141 (2019) SB 691 (2023) HB 192 (2023) Hawai‘i Appliance Efficiency Standards	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Standards	2023
In-Progress	Building Performance Standards Empty column Hawaii will receive $18.1M to develop and adopt a building performance standard through the federal Inflation Reduction Act Support for Building Energy Codes and Innovative Codes. Establishing Policies Inflation Reduction Act Support for Building Energy Codes and Innovative Codes – Round 1 (2024)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Standards
Enacted	Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS) Empty column Electric utilities are required to achieve annual savings equivalent to 1.4% of electricity sales; utilities must achieve a 30% reduction in electricity usage by 2030, relative to a 2008 baseline. Gas utilities are not subject to an EERS. Establishing Policies HRS §269-96 (2009) Hawaii Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Efficiency	2020
In-Progress	Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Empty column Hawaii has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and is developing programs. Establishing Policies HB 2088 (2022)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Efficiency	2022
Enacted	Public Fleet Electric Vehicle (EV) Procurement Targets Empty column 30% of the state's light-duty vehicle fleet are ZEVs by 2025 \| 60% are ZEVs by 2030 \| 100% are ZEVs by 2035 Establishing Policies HB 552 (2021)	Transportation	Lead by Example	2021
Enacted	Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Rebates Empty column The EV Charging Stations rebate program offers rebates for the purchase and installation of EV chargers for commercial entities, workplaces, and multifamily dwellings, up to $4,500 for Level 2 and up to $35,000 for direct current (DC) fast chargers. Establishing Policies HB 1585 (2019) EV Charging Stations rebate program	Transportation	EV Charging Infrastructure	2019
Enacted	Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets Empty column Net-zero emissions by 2045 Establishing Policies SB 1024 (2023)	Transportation	Transportation Plans and Targets	2023
Enacted	Agriculture Financial Incentives Empty column The Hawai‘i Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Pilot Program provides compensation to producers for practices that increase soil health. Establishing Policies Act 185 (SB 3325 CD1) (2022)	Natural and Working Lands	Agriculture	2022
Enacted	Agriculture Technical Assistance Programs Empty column The Farmer Apprenticeship Mentoring Program (FMAP) aims to improve soil health and support a whole farm system approach to sustainable agriculture. Establishing Policies SB 3197 (2022)	Natural and Working Lands	Agriculture	2022

Hawai‘i

Key Offices & Links

21

41

West

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands