Honolulu
City Scorecard Rank
24
Honolulu, HI
41.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 4.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The city adopted the 2020-2025 Climate Action Plan in 2021.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The 2020-2025 Climate Action Plan includes a goal to reduce emissions 45% from 2015 levels by 2025. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will not meet its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal.
Energy Reduction Goal
The city does not have a community-wide energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
The city has a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045.
Last updated: September 2021
Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All
Equity-Driven Community Engagement
We were unable to determine whether relevant decision-makers have taken a unique and expanded approach in conducting engagement for multiple clean energy initiatives with marginalized groups compared to engagement with other city constituencies.
Equity-Driven Decision-Making
We were unable to determine if the city has created a formal role for marginalized community residents or local organizations representing those communities to participate in decision-making that affects the creation or implementation of a local energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.
Equity Accountability Measures
Pillar I of the city's resilience strategy has several time-limited goals focused on energy and housing affordability outcomes. Pillar IV has several goals focused on city-community coordination.The city also reports that they have weekly meetings to report on progress towards these goals.
Last updated: September 2021
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
Honolulu has issued a Request for Proposal for the construction of a seawater air conditioning project for city-owned buildings in the downtown area.
Last updated: September 2021
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
Honolulu has set a goal to increase the urban canopy to 35% coverage by 2035 and to plant 100,000 trees on O’ahu by 2025.
UHI Policies and Programs
Though it has not yet been used to inform policy or programs, the city worked with NOAA and CAPA Strategies to conduct a heat-mapping survey. The city developed a report and a heat-mapping tool with the results. The city has not adopted a private tree protection ordinance, however the city runs the Exceptional Tree Program.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 9.5 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Honolulu derives many of its energy policies from the state, but advocates for changes to the state codes. The city requires third-party plan reviews and inspections for energy code compliance and offers training in the form of webinars to educate stakeholders about the building codes compliance. The city offers incentives for solar and energy efficiency projects on low-income properties.
Last updated: October 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Hawaii requires all counties to adopt the Hawaii Energy Code in 2015. The code adopted the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2013 with state-specific amendments. The city is also active in the State Building Code Council, and actively weighs in on state policies to change codes. To learn more about Hawaii’s building energy code requirements, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must adhere to the 2015 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 58.8.
Residential
Residential properties must adhere to the 2015 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 66.1.
Solar-readiness policies
As of 2020, per ordinance 20-10 requires new residential buildings to be solar PV-ready.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
As of 2020, per ordinance 20-1 requires new residential buildings to be EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
Honolulu requires municipal buildings greater than 5,000 square feet to achieve LEED Silver standards.
Last updated: October 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Honolulu does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires third-party plan reviews and inspections of new developments, but does not require performance testing. The city has actively aimed to educate stakeholders about the building codes, for example in webinars with partners.
Last updated: July 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
The Honolulu Solar Loan Program provides income-eligible homeowners with zero-interest loans for the installation of solar hot water heaters and solar photovoltaic systems.
The Honolulu Home Repair Loan Program offers income-eligible homeowners acess to low-interest loans for home repairs including the installation or replacement of Energy Star certified appliances.
The city offers expidited permitting for clean energy projects including solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal or solar electric hot water heaters, and EV charging stations.
Single-Family Energy-Use Disclosure Policies
Hawaii Law 508D-10.5 requires residential property owners to disclose energy-use information at the time of sale.
Other
Hawaii Law 508D-10.5 requires multifmaily property owners to disclose energy-use information at the time of sale.
Last updated: August 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
This city does not have programs committed to developing an energy efficiency and/or renewable energy workforce.
Last updated: July 2021
Transportation
Score: 14.5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The 2020-2025 Climate Action Plan was adopted by City Council in June of 2021. Four of the nine strategies in the plan focus on sustainable transportation.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
At this time, the City does not have a codified vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
We could not determine if the City tracks VMT or GHG numbers.
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
The City has a transit-oriented development (TOD) plan in conjunction with Honolulu’s rail transit system. The TOD special district design guidelines will require sustainable development around 19 or the 21 planned new stations. All projects within the TOD special district or subject to these guidelines.
Residential Parking Policies
In 2020, the City made comprehensive updates to its off-street parking requirements, including the removal of minimum parking requirements in large sections of Oahu. The city also began incentivizing joint/shared-use parking.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
As part of the TOD planning, the City offers density bonuses for projects seeking a major special district permit.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
At this time, the City does not have a codified mode share target for trips within the city.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.
Complete Streets
Honolulu adopted its complete streets policy in 2012 through Ordinance 12-15.
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve Honolulu has received $363,790,908.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $381.65 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the Authority's service area.
Access to Transit Services
The Transit Connectivity Index measures transit service levels. It is based on the number of bus routes and train stations within walking distance for households scaled by frequency of service. The City of Honolulu’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 7.9, scoring 1 point in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Nissan in partnership with Hawaiian Electric and the City of Honolulu is offering rebates related to the purchase of a new 2021 Nissan Leaf.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Hawaii Energy offers incentives for EV charging.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 259 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 26.6 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Honolulu does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
The Mayor’s commitment to convert the City’s fleet to 100% renewable energy by 2035 will transition the City's vehicle and bus fleet to electric. This commitment was codified in 2020 with passage of Ordinance 20-47. In fall of 2020 the Resilience Office also began working with key city departments and ICF to develop a plan for converting all city vehicles to electric vehicles by 2035. The Department of Transportation procured its first electric bus in 2020 with another 16 under contract for delivery in 2021, and is installing bus charging equipment to kick start the transition to 100% electric.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Honolulu does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
As part of the TOD planning, when developers seek additional height or density above the underlying maximum, or flexibility to the TOD Special District development standards, applicants will be required to provide demonstrable community benefits to justify the bonuses. Community benefits, often thought of as a “benefits package,” are elements of a project designed to mitigate adverse impacts on properties and areas within the TOD Special District. Under these guidelines, affordable housing is considered a “community benefit.”
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
The City offers a Bus Pass Subsidy Program that provides each person in an eligible household with a discount voucher to use toward the price of a monthly bus pass.
Last Updated: November 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 9 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Hawai’i Electric, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Honolulu. Hawai’i uses very little natural gas and therefore does not have natural gas energy efficiency programs. Hawai’i Energy is a third-party administrator that manages Hawai’i Electric’s efficiency programs across its service territory. To learn more about the state requirements for electric efficiency, please visit the Hawai’i page of the State Database.
The Board of Water Supply is the municipal utility that provides the City of Honolulu with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Hawai’i Electric reported 106,362 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.62% of its retail sales. In 2019, Hawai’i Electric spent $$27,447,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.54% of its electric retail revenue.
In 2019, Hawai’i Gas did not run any natural gas programs in Honolulu, due to the low amount of natural gas Hawai’i consumes. These spending and savings figures cover the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not just Honolulu.
Hawai’i Electric offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers.
Hawai‘i Energy is working with specific agencies within the State of Hawai‘i on targeted, building and equipment-level efficiency. These include the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Hawai‘i Public Utilities Commission. These agencies and Hawai‘i Energy have an agreement through Hawai‘i Energy’s Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program, which offers in-depth energy use analysis, savings opportunities, support overcoming internal barriers, support for financing and green revolving funds, and more, for a time frame ranging twelve to thirty-six months. Another strong SEM participant is the County of Hawai‘i. Their Department of Water Supply and Hawai‘i Energy teamed up to purchase and install hundreds of leak detection loggers as a means of identifying and locating leaks much faster than without the loggers. Significant energy savings have been measured and quantified, with of course the added benefit of considerable water savings as well. Hawai’i Energy partnered with the State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) to advocate for County-level adoption of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), offering trainings together across each of four counties to the construction, architecture and engineering industry.
In partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, the utility implemented its Energy Smart 4 Homes program with over 1,000 city-owned units. Through the program, professionals installed energy-efficient showerheads and faucets, along with ENERGY STAR® LED bulbs at no cost that will allow residents to save up to $160 a year. The utility is also heavily integrated with the City & County of Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency. The utility regularly participates in Honolulu’s various Climate Action and Resiliency stakeholder meetings, ensuring energy efficiency is cornerstone in the conversations of reduced fossil fuel usage and equity in access to clean energy.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Hawai’i Energy offers the Energy Smart 4 Homes (ES4H) program, which residential single-family and multi-family customers with direct access to turnkey energy efficiency solutions, such as high-efficiency lighting and water measures and energy management devices. The properties serviced through the ES4H program were provided at no-cost to residents and ownership management, including all labor and materials. Although the access to large multi-family complexes decreased on O‘ahu, the program deployed more resources in Maui and Hawai‘i Counties and increased its service to single-family residences at targeted communities. The program worked with a channel partner to retrofit properties in both the public and private sectors.
Hawai’i Energy also offers the Bulk Appliance Purchase Program. Residents of geographically isolated areas, such as the island of Lāna‘i face multiple barriers in the supply chain including accessibility to retailers, transportation & field services, and disposal & recycle options. Hawai‘i Energy collaborated with the island’s largest landowner, Pūlama Lāna‘i, to provide energy efficiency measures through the Community-Based Energy Efficiency framework (refer to the Transformational Programs section for further details). At Iwiole Hale, a low-income and affordable multifamily property, over 100 inefficient refrigerators were replaced with new, discounted 18 cubic-foot ENERGY STAR® models. The effective delivery and installation of the new units was attributed to the quick responsiveness from supply chain allies and the clear communication between Hawai‘i Energy, Pūlama Lāna‘i management, and the tenants.
Data on Hawai’i Energy customers served, savings, and spending for low-income customers was not available in 2019.
Multifamily Programs
Hawai’i Energy offers the Energy Smart 4 Homes (ES4H) program, which provides multifamily customers direct access to no-cost energy efficiency solutions, such as high-efficiency lighting and water measures and energy management devices. In addition to work in individual units, the program provides common area lighting retrofits at enhanced incentive levels. Savings, spending, and participation data for 2019 was not available.
Last Updated: June 2021
Provision of Energy Data by Utilities
Neither Hawai’i Electric nor Hawai’i Gas provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings.
The city of Honolulu does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes.
The City, through its Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency submitted supportive testimony urging passage of Hawai’i Senate Bill 1442 which would have required the public utilities commission to improve utility data access and transparency. The City is in the process of implementing a Building Energy Benchmarking and Transparency program with assistance from the Institute for Market Transformation through a grant award from the American Cities Climate Challenge. The goal is to propose and adopt a benchmarking ordinance, and access to utility data is a significant element of this program. In addition, the City is an intervening party in PUC Docket 2018-0088 as an advocate for better access to utility data for ratepayers and the establishment of data-sharing agreements between the city and its utilities.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither Hawai’i Electric nor Hawai’i Gas provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The city of Honolulu does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City does have access to and use energy data for internal planning purposes.
The City, through its Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency submitted supportive testimony urging passage of Hawai’i Senate Bill 1442 which would have required the public utilities commission to improve utility data access and transparency. The City is in the process of implementing a Building Energy Benchmarking and Transparency program with assistance from the Institute for Market Transformation through a grant award from the American Cities Climate Challenge. The goal is to propose and adopt a benchmarking ordinance, and access to utility data is a significant element of this program. In addition, the City is an intervening party in PUC Docket 2018-0088 as an advocate for better access to utility data for ratepayers and the establishment of data-sharing agreements between the city and its utilities.
Last Updated: August 2021
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
Hawai'i Energy does not currently have a carbon emissions reduction goal in place.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
The City and County of Honolulu plays an active role in encouraging more utility-scale and distributed energy generation. For example, in 2018, the City and County intervened in the PUC Docket 2018-0088, advocating for renewable portfolio standards amongst other priority outcomes from reforming Hawai’i Energy’s incentive structure. The City is also in the process of developing two new energy service performance contracts to expand energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment across city facilities and parks. The City participates in Powering Past Coal Task Force. The City is also an active member of Drive Electric Hawaii which was formed through an MOU with utilities and other stakeholders across the State to advance vehicle electrification.
Last Updated: August 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
Although the energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, the utility program does have a partnership with Hawai’i County’s Board of Water Supply that includes providing funding for water leak detectors. Additionally, Hawai’i Energy manages the State’s Public Benefits Fund, and the Board of Water Supply (BWS) is in the process of executing an Energy Saving Performance Contract project.
The City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply has water conservation goals detailed in their 2016 Water Master Plan. This document includes a comprehensive program that looks ahead 30 years to evaluate the entire water system, quantify future demands and source options, identify necessary improvements, and balance needs and costs of providing water to residents and visitors. The City’s Board of Water Supply also has a goal of achieving an average of less than 145 GPCD (gallons per capita per day) by 2040. This goal was formed via a 2016 baseline of 155 GPCD based on current island-based regional trends and projection for future conservation.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The City’s Board of Water Supply is currently implementing a $33 million “efficiency plus” contract to reduce the City’s Board of Water Supply energy use by 12% or 8 million kWh and ~6k MT CO2e annually. These projects target the water authority and wastewater treatment improvements financed by $143 million in taxable green bonds.
The city has a pilot wastewater plant that generates approximately 800,000 therms of energy annually, enough to power 0.86% of O‘ahu households. In December 2018, Hawai‘i Gas became the first in the state to capture and process biogas from the City and County of Honolulu’s Honouliuli Wastewater Treatment Plant on O‘ahu. Hawai‘i Gas was awarded the contract for capturing and processing biogas at Honouliuli from the City and County of Honolulu in August 2016 after a competitive bidding process.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
4 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Honolulu municipal government follows many of the State of Hawaii’s climate and renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
Climate Mitigation Goal
As part of the Chicago Climate Charter, the City and County of Honolulu committed to greenhouse gas emissions reductions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. The city's municipal greenhouse gas emissions goal is to reduce emissions 45% from 2015 levels by 2025.
Energy Reduction Goal
The municipal government's energy reduction goal aligns with the state’s Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard, which sets a goal to meet 70% of energy demand through energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.
Renewable Energy Goal
Honolulu's Ordinance 20-47 requires 100% renewable energy use by 2045. This target is also enacted in Hawaii's Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
The City and County of Honolulu adopted a Fleet Procurement Policy, which prioritizes the purchase of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric, and alternative fuel vehicles. Honolulu does not have a fuel efficiency requirement for public fleet, but it plans to shift its entire fleet to renewable resources by 2035 and procure only zero emission buses after 2025.
Honolulu’s fleet is composed of 0.6% efficient vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
Honolulu has not adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. In 2019, the City completed conversion of all 53,000 street lights to LEDs. This was completed in conjunction with Hawaii Energy who implements the public benefits charge-funded energy efficiency programs in Hawaii. The upgrades are expected to use 60% less energy, equivalent to eliminating 14,400 tons of greenhouse gases each year and save $5 million annually.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
Honolulu has instealled 8MW of onsite renewable energy generation capacity on city facilities.
Inclusive procurement
The city has not instituted inclusive procurement and contracting processes.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
As required by Ordinance 20-47, Honolulu is beginning to benchmark municipal buildings above 10,000 square feet. Several city buildings have been completed, and the City is currently procuring support to complete the rest of the covered buildings above 10,000 square feet.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
The City is in the process of issuing an efficiency performance contract that will include a prioritized set of energy efficiency retrofit projects, as well as renewable energy generation and storage opportunities, and EV infrastructure development. The Board of Water Supply (BWS) has entered into a 20‐year, $33 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with NORESCO LLC. This partnership allows the BWS to implement comprehensive energy efficiency, renewable energy, and operational improvements which guarantees enough energy savings over the next 20 years to pay for the contract. The project is being financed by a loan from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, managed by the State of Hawaii Department of Health. Honolulu also has 2 ongoing ESCO contracts for major facilities.
Last updated: June 2021