HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
Hawaiian Electric opens 12th EV fast charger in Iwilei

Hawaiian Electric Company opened a new electric vehicle fast charger in front of Max's of Manila across the parking lot from the Costco in Iwilei. It is the 12th utility owned and operated fast charger in the Hawaiian Electric Companies service territories. Kahu Kelekona Bishaw of Kamehameha Schools offered the blessing and led the untying of the traditional maile lei.

"We're glad to add another charger location for those who live near downtown or want to drive home to other parts of the island," said Brennon Morioka, Hawaiian Electric manager for electrification of transportation. "Electric vehicles are a great way to save money on your total home energy bill while helping Hawai i reach a clean energy future, reduce fossil fuel use and protect the environment."

The Iwilei fast charger supports CHAdeMO (used mostly by EVs like the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Kia Soul EV) and CCS (used by American and European EVs like the BMW i3 and as an option on the Chevy Bolt.)

A fast charger recharges a typical EV battery to 80 percent capacity in less than half an hour, reducing "range anxiety" and helping more people take advantage of the benefits of electric vehicles. In addition to being less expensive to drive and needing less maintenance than gasoline vehicles, EVs on O ahu get free parking at municipal lots and metered parking and may use high-occupancy vehicle lanes with only one person aboard. Federal tax credits are available for those who purchase an EV.

Other publicly accessible fast chargers are at Dole Plantation in Wahiawā, Ko olau Center in Kāne ohe, Kapolei Commons, 7-Eleven in Hawai i Kai, Wai anae Mall and two at Hawaiian Electric's Ward Avenue customer parking lot. Hawai i Island has three and Maui Island one. Additional sites on Oʻahu and neighbor islands are being sought.

The Hawaiian Electric Companies have approval from the Hawai i Public Utilities Commission to install up to 25 fast chargers to promote electric vehicles by reducing range anxiety and making it easier to own an electric vehicle for residents of apartment buildings and others who cannot charge at home.

Hosting a fast charger helps with compliance of the Hawai i state law that requires public parking lots with at least 100 parking spaces to have at least one exclusive parking space equipped with a charging station for electric vehicles. Hawaiian Electric will operate the equipment at no cost to the host for installation, maintenance or electricity. More information is available by contacting 808-543-GoEV (4638), GoEV@hawaiianelectric.com or Hawaiian Electric GoEV, CP10-SR, P.O. Box 2750, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 96840-0001.

The dedication precedes a series of National Electric Drive Week events:

• Big Island EV Association -- Saturday, Sept. 9, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Waimea Town Market
• Blue Planet Foundation -- Waimea Ride-and-Drive, Saturday Sept. 9, Parker Ranch
• Big Island EV Association -- Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Home Depot in Hilo
• Blue Planet's Electric Island Drive & Fair -- Sunday, Sept. 17, Kapi olani Community College parking lot (cosponsored by Hawaiian Electric and Ulupono Initiative)