The world we live in faces some major challenges, from climate change to plastic pollution to equitable access to resources. There are reasons to be pessimistic about our future, of course, but there are fantastic reasons to be super optimistic about our future, too, and they don’t get the headlines they should. I want to tell you our story…I hope you’ll see we absolutely can make this world whole again. Pono Home is now 5 and a half years old, and has
We are excited to again offer free home efficiency services for qualified residents on Kauai this fall in partnership with Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), County of Kaua’i, and Kanu Hawaii. The service will include a free home energy audit along with free installations of eco-upgrades, including new LED lighting, high-efficiency water fixtures and advanced power strips that save electricity and protect electronics. We first provided this free program in 2016, and it was well-received. 1,329 free fixtures were installed in 66
We launched our Live Pono program and Patreon page in March this year, and thanks to our generous funders, we have greened our first home for a local Hawaii farmer! Teachers, first responders, farmers, certain volunteers and students are keystone members of a thriving and livable society, and yet earn less than many careers that don’t contribute as much to our society. Our company has been fortunate enough to have the support of an energy conservation program in Hawaii
In November 2017, Elemental Excelerator announced the Just Innovation Prize, a $100k funding opportunity for three EEx portfolio companies that were looking to accelerate access to clean technology in some of California’s low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. They requested proposals for projects in CalEnviroScreen 3.0/ disproportionately-polluted and low-income communities in California that increase access to clean technology and provide economic opportunities. We are excited to have been one of three cohort companies selected for the
We are happy to share our case study on Backpackers Vacation Inn & Hostel, a four-property vacation hostel complex on the North Shore of Oahu we did energy and water efficiency work for in summer 2015. Six months after the Pono Home service, the hostel’s energy and water use has dropped by an average of 30.3% and 16.8%, respectively, resulting in an average of 490 fewer kWh and 21,000 fewer gallons of water used per month, and an estimated
We are beginning to tap into the commercial market with Hawaii’s first pono hostel, The Polynesian Hostel Beach Club! Having trouble with their water conservation, the Polynesian decided to utilize our customizable service and take advantage of the water savings opportunity we presented. An estimated 27,000 gallons of water (much of it heated water) will be saved monthly, yielding nearly $900 in electrical costs in addition to the water efficiency benefits. If you would like to learn how you can find these
