Electric vehicle (EV) drivers, local EV dealers, and several organizations actively contributing to Hawaii Island’s sustainability and resilience gathered at the Prince Kuhio Plaza on Saturday, September 24, to celebrate the climate, clean air, and pocketbook benefits of electric cars and the progress being made in the areas of energy, transportation, agriculture and food, and STEM education. 

Big Island EV organized this event in partnership with Hawaiian Electric, Blue Planet Foundation, Ulupono Initiative, and Drive Electric Hawaii. Our partners covered the venue and a state-wide radio campaign that raised awareness to Drive Electric Week and the events held across Hawaii. It was part of National Drive Electric Week, a coast-to-coast celebration of electric vehicles (EVs), held from September 25 to October 2.  

Local EV dealers – Big Island Toyota, BMW of Hawaii, EZ-Bikes, Kamaaina Nissan, and Orchid Isle Auto Center – and EV owners shared the latest EVs shared the diversity of EVs and the benefits of ownership:

• Low cost of maintenance and operation
• Superior performance with a quiet, vibration-free ride with excellent acceleration 
• Zero tailpipe emissions that enable climate action and contribute to clean air

Club members from Big Island EV Association and Tesla Hawaii Club provided residents with information on EV ownership, including tips on buying and charging. We handed out all the Plug In America brochures but gave access to the online content (courtesy of the QR codes).

Between owners and dealers, guests had many electric vehicles to check out: Chevy Bolt, Toyota bZ4X, BMW i4 M50, Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, Ford Mach-e, Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Kia Niro, Toyota Supra conversion, and electric bikes. We did not get to see the Ford electric F150 Lightning (the 3 that landed were quickly taken by lucky residents so the dealer ended up bringing a Mach-E).

Climate, Energy, Transportation, STEM, Food, Sustainability

Residents were treated to information on clean energy and transportation, energy efficiency, mass transit, climate action, STEM education, native plants, and sustainable food production by several organizations. They shared information about their mission and what’s being done in their sectors. Several had interactive displays and all participated in a passport activity that offered the chance to win prizes – an electric bike (courtesy of EZ-Bikes), a one-day Tesla Model 3 rental (courtesy of Aiona U-Rent a Car), and a Tello EDU Mini-Drone (courtesy of NexTech Hawaii). Participating groups included:

• Citizens Climate Lobby Hawaii Island Chapter 
• County of Hawaii 
• Drive Electric Hawaii 
• Hawaii Community College 
• Hawaiian Electric 
• Hawaii Energy 
• Hawaii Farm Trails 
• NexTech Hawaii 
• Sustainable Energy Hawaii 
• United Nations Association – USA – Hawaii Island Chapter

The lucky e-bike winner with sponsor (EZ-Bikes Hawaii)

Speeches and Talking Story

Local leaders joined the celebration. Doug Adams, County of Hawaii Research and Development Director, shared Mayor Mitch Roth’s message proclaiming Drive Electric Week on Hawaii Island. House Representative Nicole Lowen and Jennifer Kagiwada from the office of Councilmember Heather Kimball acknowledged the progress on Hawaii Island and the State in its efforts to achieve sustainability and resilience. Colton Ching, Sr. Vice President, Planning and Technology at Hawaiian Electric, shared their appreciation for the focus and progress on sustainability and his company’s contribution to the island’s transition to clean energy and transportation. Morin shared Governor David Ige’s proclamation of Drive Electric Week across Hawaii. We also had the honor of Brittany Zimmerman, Founder and CEO of Yummet, facilitating a Q&A with several participating organizations.

Here’s a slideshow of images taken by Gary Miller, Big Island EV leader.

NDEW is presented by national organizers Plug In America, the Electric Auto Association, the Sierra Club, and EVHybridNoire. Nissan LEAF® is the exclusive automotive sponsor of NDEW 2021 and Wells Fargo is the exclusive banking sponsor of NDEW 2021. ClipperCreek and Electrify America are silver level sponsors. Edison International and Enel X are bronze level sponsors. IBEW 11 is a green level sponsor.