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HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC SUPPORTS WORK OF UH MĀNOA CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION FUNDS SUPPORT A GHG EMISSIONS INVENTORY THAT MAY BE MODEL FOR OTHERS

(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) — A check for $25,000 to support the work of the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa Climate Change Commission was presented today to new UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw by Mike May, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company.

"Global climate change is one of the most important issues facing our state and our world today. We have the good fortune to have some of the leading experts on climate change already on the faculty here at the University of Hawaiʻi," May said. "We are happy as part of the UH Manoa - Hawaiian Electric energy partnership to support the work of the Manoa Climate Change Commission."

The funds will be used to inventory the electricity, natural gas, transportation fuel purchased, the airlines miles traveled and to survey commuter travel by students, faculty and staff at Manoa and its off-campus sites. Inventory results will then be registered in a new Honolulu Greenhouse Gas Registry to be established by the Manoa Climate Change Commission.

"The work of this Commission will lead the way for Hawaiʻi to better understand the significant consequence of climate change and develop new directions in reducing our energy use," Hinshaw said. "We very much appreciate both Hawaiian Electric’s financial assistance and its technical support to monitor and control energy use on our UH Manoa campus."

The University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa and Hawaiian Electric Company Energy Partnership was formally initiated in April 2007.

The Manoa Climate Commission was created to address climate change concerns by developing and promoting research, education and outreach on issues and also by measuring the greenhouse gas emissions of the Manoa campus and taking steps to reduce them.

Two key members of the commission were also on hand for the check presentation today. Professor of Economics Denise Konan established the commission during her time as interim UH Manoa chancellor. Commission Chairman Lorenz Magaard was also present. Magaard, a professor of oceanography, also serves as director of the International Center for Climate and Society.



About the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation
The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is an independent, university-related, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise private funds according to priorities determined by the academic leadership of the University of Hawaiʻi and approved by the Board of Regents. Founded in 1955, the Foundation provides a full range of fund raising and alumni relations services for all 10 UH campuses. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.uhf.hawaii.edu.