Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Hawaii State Energy Office
For Immediate Release: June 29, 2022

HONOLULU—The Hawaii State Energy Office today unveiled a new logo and website that reflect the agency’s increasing role in achieving Hawaii’s clean energy goals.

The rebranding initiative follows the Legislature’s restructuring of the agency in 2019 that elevated the State Energy Office to have a stronger and more direct voice in state energy policy led by a governor-appointed, senate-confirmed chief energy officer.

“HSEO plays a very important role in developing and implementing state energy policy,” explains Scott Glenn, Hawaii Chief Energy Officer. “It is important for us, as a state agency, to honor the role that energy has played within the Hawaiian cultural value system, which has long respected nature’s life-giving and life-sustaining energy. Beginning with land rising from the ocean, to where life flourishes in concert with the sky, the logo depicts the natural and renewable flow of energy that is so much a part of our daily lives.”

In addition, Glenn added the following symbolism associated with the new logo:

The minimalism of the design calls us to conserve energy, as energy efficiency is the most important step we can take to achieve a resilient, clean energy economy.

The blocks symbolize the archipelago of Hawaii. Each island stands alone as an electricity grid, yet interdependent for our overall energy system and livelihood. The Hawaii State Energy Office name is paired with the three blocks, reminiscent of an outrigger to provide guidance and resilience in navigating to Hawaii’s renewable energy future.

The top block symbolizes the morning sun, the bright future and hope. The color matches the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy to show Hawaii’s alignment with the world as well as Hawaii’s global leadership on clean energy.

The middle block symbolizes energy from the earth and life, the vitality of the islands, and our call to be better stewards of our home. The pali is a distinguishing feature of Hawaii, found throughout the islands. While reminiscent of Diamond Head (Lē’ahi) to those passingly familiar with Hawaii, it is not Diamond Head specifically. This is a way to communicate to those outside of Hawaii that this logo is a Hawaii one while not favoring any one island over another.

The bottom block symbolizes the constant flow of energy from the water and wind, and the ocean as the foundation of existence in Hawaiian ike (‘ike).

The blocks also acknowledge the climate crisis and the resulting challenges Hawaii faces with sea level rise, storms, flooding, and hotter days.

The new website (energy.hawaii.gov) is designed to make information easier to find and provides a strong platform for new interactive features that will be implemented in the coming weeks to enhance data availability and community engagement.

The logo and website were designed and built by Essense Partners with funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

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Attention editors: A jpg of the new logo is attached to this email. To request a different format, please email Claudia Rapkoch and specify what file format and platform you prefer.

About the Hawaii State Energy Office
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) is an attached agency of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The HSEO’s mission is to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy. HSEO is committed to developing and deploying high-impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, HSEO is positioning Hawaii as a leader in clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities, and accelerate economic growth. For more information, visit energy.hawaii.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Claudia Rapkoch
Public Affairs Officer
Hawaii State Energy Office
(808) 460-5998