Senate Bill 243 calls on the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), a unit of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at UH Manoa, to create a strategic plan to execute this goal.
The bill would require the HNEI to develop a strategic plan with benchmarks to achieve a 100% renewable energy portfolio standard and to submit the strategic plan to the Legislature before the convening the Regular Session of 2023.
It would also require that HNEI conduct a feasibility study on the State’s ability to achieve its renewable energy goals by 2045, and submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.
Introduced on January 22 by 13 senators, the bill was received by the House on March 9 and House Legislatures most recently voted to pass the bill, with amendments, on March 16.Get more information about  Latest Hawaii News Today If enacted into law, HNEI will be responsible for all aspects of executing the actions outlined by the bill.
HNEI has already stated its willingness to work alongside the governor, the State, and all other stakeholders “to envision and explain how Hawaii’s several related statutes regarding renewable energy, energy efficiency, and zero emissions clean economy target will be synthesized and achieved.” Source.
Hawaii Natural Energy Institute was founded 1974 within the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and has been led by Director Richard E. Rocheleau since 2000.