David Y. Ige

KAPOLEI, OʻAHU – The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) welcomed current and emerging leaders from around the world this week to discuss alternative energy development on Hawaiian home lands.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair Jobie Masagatani hosted 22 participants from 20 countries, including Brazil, Ghana, India, and Russia. Participants are taking part in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). The IVLP cohort includes professionals from government agencies, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, business, and grassroots organizations.

Professionals in this IVLP cohort specialize in fields such as renewable energy, climate change, and environmental policy. They are here to explore Hawaiʻi’s innovative solutions to the state’s unique energy and environmental challenges.

The visit comes just two weeks after Governor David Ige signed a bill making Hawaiʻi the first state in the nation to set a 100 percent renewable energy goal. The IVLP cohort sought DHHL’s experience in developing alternative energy projects and supporting energy conservation measures on Hawaiian home lands.

DHHL staff shared best practices in developing utility-scale solar farms on Hawaiian home lands in Kalaeloa, Oʻahu, and Anahola, Kauaʻi; and lessons learned from developing its first affordable, net-zero energy homestead community – Kaupuni Village in Waiʻanae, Oʻahu.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands carries out the vision of Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole of rehabilitating native Hawaiians by returning them to the land. Established by U.S. Congress in 1921, with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program run by DHHL includes the management of over 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing homesteading opportunities for native Hawaiians.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL VISITOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The U.S. Department of State’s premiere professional exchange program hosts current and emerging leaders who travel to the United States for programs that reflect their professional interests and U.S. foreign policy goals. Since 1940, the IVLP has engaged more than 200,000 participants, including more than 335 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government.

Media Contact: 
Paula Aila
Public Information Officer
(808) 620-9591
[email protected]
dhhl.hawaii.gov