Hawaiʻi Energy EmPOWER Grant

This grant provides funding for energy efficiency improvements for Hawai‘i small businesses and nonprofits that are pursuing pathways to reducing energy use at their facilities to improve their resilience, and ultimately, reduce their operating costs.

Hawai‘i Energy is offering small businesses and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations a reimbursement of up to $6,000* for an eligible energy efficiency project. Applicants must apply for specific project that qualifies for a Hawai‘i Energy commercial incentive on the EmPOWER Grant Eligible Equipment Types list. Organizations are limited to two (2)applications per facility.

All applications will be reviewed and processed on a first come, first served basis. EmPOWER Grants will be offered to applicants with complete, eligible, and qualified project applications on a first come, first served bases until program funding is exhausted or until the end of the calendar year, whichever comes first.

Applications open August 1st. Learn more here!

County of Hawai‘i Nonprofit Grants-in-Aid

Hawai‘i County is offering the Waiwai Grant Program to support nonprofits working to enhance life on Hawai‘i Island. This program, managed with the County Council and Department of Finance, offers up to $50,000 per application, with two applications allowed per organization. Total annual funding is over $2.5 million for initiatives in areas like education, health, and social services. Applications must meet program guidelines, including limits on administrative costs. Submit by 11:59 PM HST on January 31, 2025.. For detailed instructions and to begin your application, please visit the Waiwai Grant Program page.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

The USDA’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) offers critical funding to support the conservation of Hawai‘i’s agricultural lands and wetlands. Through Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE), ACEP provides landowners, land trusts, and local organizations with resources to limit non-agricultural land uses, restore wetlands, and protect agricultural viability. Applications are accepted year-round, with an upcoming priority date on December 20, 2024. To learn more and apply, visit your local NRCS office or find additional details on the ACEP page.

Grants-to-Projects Bridge

This program helps bring resources for state and county active transportation projects, and resilience projects for natural and working lands.

Such projects support the State Climate Commission’s mission statement of a clean, equitable, and resilient Hawai’i. Also included on their website is grants/funding information which may be useful in funding these and other projects. It is hoped that this resource will help make grant and project information more accessible to community members and government agencies, and coordinate funding to ensure these projects are completed and so, move us to a Climate Ready Hawaiʻi!

If you have a climate resilience, mitigation, or adaptation project please submit your project to The State of Hawaiʻi’s Climate Commission’s Grants-To-Projects Bridge.

They have already connected community, non-profit, county and state projects to funding opportunities that can leverage resources and share knowledge on creating a climate ready Hawai’i.

Hawaiʻi Community Foundation's Grants

This resource hosts various open funding opportunities available to organizations and individuals in Hawaiʻi. The page provides details on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and links to more information and application forms. Current open applications include grants for community improvement projects, educational programs, environmental conservation, and healthcare initiatives. The foundation aims to support projects that have a positive impact on Hawaiian communities, aligning with their mission to enhance the quality of life for the people of Hawaiʻi.

For more details, you can visit their open applications page.

Kupu ʻĀina Corps is inviting participants, ages 17-38, and host site applications for the 2024-2025 Program Year from across the Hawaiian Islands. KAC is a workforce development initiative established through the State of Hawaiʻi's legislation for a Green Jobs Youth Corps. The year-long program employs individuals seeking experience in Hawaiʻi's agricultural, environmental, and green energy sectors.

Part-time and full-time position options are available. You can learn more on their website and apply here.

The Telehealth @ Your Library initiative, a partnership between the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, the Department of Health, and the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center, helps Hawaiʻi residents access telehealth services. Select libraries offer Telehealth Tech Bags, including Chromebooks and hotspots, available for check-out to connect with healthcare providers. Additionally, Telehealth Navigators at select locations provide assistance with setting up telehealth appointments, learning how to use the technology, and accessing health resources. This program is a valuable resource for improving healthcare access in local communities.

Published in June 2023, the Integrated Climate Action Plan (ICAP) for the Island of Hawaiʻi outlines the County of Hawaiʻi's strategic roadmap for climate action. This plan identifies actions the County government itself can take and is a first step for the County to hold itself accountable for climate action.
 
The development of the ICAP was a joint effort between the Department of Planning and Research and Development. A key short-term priority for 2023-2025 is to establish a centralized coordinating authority to oversee and manage County-wide actions and mainstream interdepartmental collaboration. We are proud to announce that the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience (OSCER) has taken on this role, successfully meeting this key milestone.

We will continue to provide regular updates on ICAP implementation progress

The State of Hawaiʻi’s Climate Action Pathway (CAP) will build on the State PCAP (Priority Climate Action Plan), identifying major GHG sources and sinks, setting reduction goals, and establishing strategies. It will analyze current and projected emissions under both current practices and full GHG reduction efforts.

The CAP will focus on including disadvantaged communities in planning and ensuring accessibility. Engagement aims to build a coalition of local organizations and leaders for broad representation.

We invite your input to shape Hawaiʻi’s CAP, to be submitted in Summer 2025. Please share your feedback here to help shape Hawaiʻi’s climate future!

Are you interested in experiencing the realities and opportunities of climate action with your friends, family, and neighbors in a fun interactive way?

The Hawaiʻi County Climate Action Simulation is an interactive, game-like activity that simulates island-specific effects of and solutions to climate change. In the simulation, each player becomes a real-life character possessing special abilities to reduce emissions and limitations that would ordinarily prevent the character from reducing emissions. Players work together on a board game to make Hawaiʻi County carbon neutral through pono practices by 2045.

Gather a group of eight players and we will help you host your very own simulation by providing materials and facilitation in the place of your choosing in Hawaiʻi County. Complete this online request form and we will contact you with the details and schedules.

Feel free to contact us at OSCER@hawaiicounty.gov.