Climate Hawai’i, an initiative of the Hawai’i Executive Collaborative, recently announced the winners of its first Climate Leadership Awards.
The awards were presented to two individuals, one nonprofit, and one business during a dinner event at Washington Place last week. The final recipients were chosen from 21 nominees by a panel of five judges.
Maui’s Pacific Biodiesel received the Pacific Climate Business Climate Champion award for its nearly 30-year leadership in renewable fuels. The company was recognized for its role in local biodiesel production and its contributions to the national biofuel industry, reported The Maui News.
Co-founders Bob and Kelly King accepted the award and expressed their gratitude, with Kelly stating, “It was humbling to be surrounded by the movers and shakers of climate action in Hawai’i at the awards event. We share this honor with our staff and community who have supported us through three decades on our sustainability journey.”
Jeff Mikulina, executive director of Climate Hawai’i, noted that the awards celebrate the innovative climate leaders in the state across various sectors.
“Climate Hawai’i aims to connect, leverage, and amplify the efforts of these individuals and organizations throughout the islands. Our awards spotlight those making significant strides toward a clean energy and climate-resilient future,” Mikulina said.
Other award categories and recipients included:
- Individual Climate Hero**: Former Governor David Ige was honored for his leadership in signing legislation that made Hawai’i the first state to set a 100% renewable electricity goal.
- Innovative Climate Solution**: The Nature Conservancy, Hawai’i and Palmyra, was recognized for creating the first U.S. parametric insurance policy for coral reef protection.
- Nonprofit or Government Climate Advocate**: Gwen Yamamoto Lau, Executive Director of the Hawai’i Green Infrastructure Authority, was celebrated for her efforts in providing thousands of clean energy loans to low-income residents through Hawai’i’s Green Bank.
During the Climate Leadership Awards dinner on October 9 at Washington Place, Climate Hawai’i Chair Chris Benjamin also acknowledged the parties involved in the Navahine transportation climate lawsuit for their collaborative settlement efforts. Special recognition went to Isaac Moriwake (Earthjustice), Ed Sniffen (Hawai’i Department of Transportation), Gov. Josh Green, and the 14 youth plaintiffs.
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