Column: ‘Hawaii Must Heed The Powerful Warnings Of Climate Change’

Sep 27, 2023

Ulupono Initiative’s Director of Energy, Michael Colón, recently authored an insightful Community Voices column in Honolulu Civil Beat, highlighting the importance of strengthening Hawaii’s energy infrastructure resilience. The August wildfires in Lahaina and Kula have brought the urgent need for increased efforts in climate resilience and disaster mitigation into the spotlight.

“The recent wildfires have been a tragic reminder of our vulnerability,” he wrote. “Rebuilding Lahaina will take time and require a community-driven approach. As attention shifts from response to recovery, the recent disaster — and the risk of future ones — demands urgency around the acceleration of funding and regulatory processes already in motion to strengthen the resilience of our power grid.”

Colón also discusses shifting land usage, integration of various priorities, and the importance of utilizing modern technologies in the energy, water, transportation and agricultural sectors as vital to Lahaina’s future. In addition to disaster mitigation measures, including investing in and improving the power grid, the importance of community voices will be paramount in rebuilding Maui and shaping its future.

Read the full column here.