He Ala Pono EV and Sustainabilty Fair 2025
Hawaii EV's Big Island EV club (a chapter of Hawaii EV) co-hosted the fourth annual He Ala Pono EV and Sustainability Fair at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on September 27. The event included tabling by Hawaii EV and several local organizations involved in climate, sustainability, and resilience, as well as an outdoor EV show.
Electrifying EV Show
Many local EV owners from across the Big Island joined the event. Several offered their EVs for rides and test drives. We had a Cybertruck, Chevy Bolt, and Kia EV6 available for test drives.
We also had the local dealers – De Luz Chevy brought the Silverado EV, Equinox EV, and Blazer EV. Kamaaina Nissan brought a Nissan Ariya (the representative shared information about the incoming LEAF).
The turnout of EVs was satisfying. Guests had the opportunity to see the latest, from many manufacturers: BMW i4, Chevy Bolt, Chevy EUV, Chevy Silverado EV, Chevy Blazer EV, Chevy Equinox, Ford Lightning, Ford Mach-e, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Soul, Kia EV 6, Kia Niro, Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model S, and Tesla Model X.
Our Big Island EV and Tesla Hawaii Club booth handed out information regarding EVs and charging. There were questions raised about charging, rebates, battery technology, recycling, and the Hawaii Road Usage Charge. Thanks to the Electric Vehicle Association and the National Drive Electric Week organizers, we had brochures featuring the latest vehicles, EV information, and charging to hand out to guests.
Here are scenes from our outdoor EV Show: Photos courtesy of Hawaiian Electric, Gary Miller, and Noel Morin.
Inside the Prince Kuhio Plaza - A Sustainability Fair
The Sustainability Fair allowed mall guests to engage with participating organizations and for organizations to learn from one another and identify opportunities for synergy. Our passport activity encouraged guests to visit each table for a chance to win prizes given out at the end of the event. The plaza had over 1,000 people during the fair.
We had a local radio station broadcast from the plaza and the EV show during the event. A popular DJ provided coverage, interviewing mall guests and representatives from various organizations. He helped call attention to our event. (The radio station also advertised our event a whole week prior.)
Benson Medina, Hawaii County Director, read the Mayor's Drive Electric Month Proclamation on the air during the event.
We shared our table with the Tesla Hawaii Club and the Hawaii State Energy Office. We shared information and addressed questions regarding electric vehicles, EV charging, the Hawaii Road Usage Charge (currently applied to EVs), the State's Diesel Vehicle Replacement Rebate program, and the Hawaii Sea Glider initiative.
This year's participating organizations included:
American Red Cross
Citizens Climate Lobby
County of Hawaii
DeLuz Chevy
Green Infrastructure Authority
Hawaii Community College
Hawaii Energy
Hawaii Island Realtors
Hawaii Keiki Museum
Hawaii State Energy Office
Hawaiian Electric
Kamaaina Nissan
Kokua Harvest (Food Basket)
League of Women Voters
NexTech Hawaii
Pacific Biodiesel
Provision Solar
Rizome Bamboo
Sustainable Energy Hawaii
Vibrant Hawaii
Here are scenes from the Sustainability Fair. Photos courtesy of Hawaiian Electric, Gary Miller, and Noel Morin.
This year’s event was made possible by local supporters and sponsors (County of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, De Luz Chevy, Provision Solar, Sustainable Energy Hawaii, Vibrant Hawaii, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, and Big Island EV volunteers), and the Electric Vehicle Association.
National Drive Electric Week is an annual celebration presented by Plug In America, the Electric Vehicle Association, the Sierra Club, EVHybridNoire, and Drive Electric USA.