Burning Questions, Cleaner Answers: Biofuels and Hawaii’s Grid
When people think of Hawaii, they often picture Waikiki Beach, lush rainforests, or dramatic volcanic craters. But beyond the postcard scenery, Hawaii is also one of the most fascinating and challenging places in the U.S. when it comes to clean energy. As an isolated island grid, Hawaii can’t exchange electricity with neighboring states. At the same time, it faces high electricity costs and a heavy reliance on imported fuel. Yet, despite these structural challenges, the state has made one of the boldest climate commitments in the country — 100% renewable energy by 2045. All of this makes Hawaii’s energy transition not only urgent, but uniquely complex and deeply compelling.
This summer, I’ve worked with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC), the regulatory agency tasked with ensuring that essential utility services are delivered safely, reliably, affordably, and in an environmentally sound way. Though utility regulation often operates behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in preventing the kinds of economic, social, and environmental harm that can arise when monopolistic industries are left unchecked. At HPUC, my work focused on helping the Commission build internal capacity to evaluate the lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of biofuel-based electricity projects. Specifically, I supported the development of a Hawaii-specific life cycle assessment (LCA) framework, so that HPUC can independently assess the climate impacts of proposed fuel contracts — in line with the legal requirements of HRS 269-6(b). This involved using the GREET model to simulate GHG emissions, conducting sensitivity analyses to identify critical parameters, reviewing emissions criteria used in other states/countries, and unpacking the technical uncertainties baked into LCA modeling.
Each week, I met with my mentor (Clarice Schafer, Supervising Utility Analyst) to share progress, receive feedback, and refine the scope of my work. I also reviewed fuel-related dockets, collaborated with attorneys, and joined weekly policy team meetings to understand the broader regulatory landscape (I have to say that, apart from GHG emission, numerous fascinating and innovative ideas are happening here at HPUC!). Outside of modeling, I participated in stakeholder conversations with groups like the Hawaii State Energy Office, Par Hawaii, Pacific Biodiesel, and Hawaiian Airlines — all of which helped connect my technical work to real-world challenges on the ground.
What stood out most was working with a team of people deeply committed to energy equity, climate action, and public service. The wide range of backgrounds, the collaborative culture, and the genuine aloha spirit made me feel not only welcomed but energized. Coming from an academic research background, it was refreshing — and honestly, a little exhilarating — to apply my skills to something with real regulatory impact. In Hawaii, I learned that energy policy isn’t just about models and numbers. It’s about people, place, and the kind of future we want to build together.
