Creating a sustainable Hawai‘i through profit-driven carbon elimination.
Carbon Lighthouse Hawai’i:
737 Bishop St, Suite 2530
Honolulu, HI 96813
We’re working on building energy efficiency in hotels, commercial real estate & schools to create a sustainable Hawai‘i through profit-driven carbon elimination
Helping one of Hawaii’s largest and long-standing companies turn Efficiency Reserves into guaranteed revenue
Carbon Lighthouse Honolulu
Nowhere is the social and economic opportunity of clean energy and efficiency more recognized than in Hawaii. As the first state to adopt a 100 percent renewable energy requirement for electricity generation, their continued climate leadership energizes us each day.
And we’re further energized by our growing momentum among energy partners on the islands, including Hawaiian Airlines, Alexander & Baldwin, Maui’s Royal Lahaina Resort, Aloha United Way and Parallel Capital Partners, which took over management of The Shidler Group buildings.
In 2019, the Hawaii Venture Capital Association named Carbon Lighthouse Clean Tech Entrepreneur of the Year.
With multiple investments by Pierre Omidyar’a impact investment firm Ulupono Initiative — and as 2016 Cohort Company at Elemental Excelerator — we’re proud to have Hawaii’s leading companies and local real estate investors working with us to build a stronger and more sustainable Hawaii.
Through our process called Efficiency Production, just one of our energy efficiency initiatives — completed in a matter of weeks at a few well-known Oahu retail centers — is expected to result in a total lifetime reduction of more than 9,700 tons of carbon, equivalent to conserving over 22,600 barrels of oil.
That’s pretty significant for the remote island chain, which remains the only state in the nation that burns oil for electricity.
“As a mission-driven company, we’re inspired by Hawaii’s 100 percent clean energy goal,” said Carbon Lighthouse CEO Brenden Millstein.
“By prioritizing efficiency across the state, we can reduce energy use and hopefully help Hawaii achieve its goal faster.”
Toward our goal of eliminating the 20 percent of global emissions caused by wasted energy in commercial buildings, we guarantee the real dollar value of energy savings by continuing to stay engaged with ongoing service to ensure the energy efficiency measures persist long-term.
The result is sustained building financial value, increased tenant comfort and reduced carbon emissions.
All of this reduces the risk for building owners because measures that significantly improve asset value can be implemented without upfront costs or disruptive construction.
Growing Green Buildings for One of Hawaii’s Oldest and Largest Companies
“At Alexander & Baldwin, we prioritize energy efficiency as part of our broader strategy to enhance value,” said Kit Millan, vice president of asset management for A&B Properties.
Alexander & Baldwin is a Hawaii-based public company, the state’s fourth largest private landowner, and one of its most active real estate investors.
Initially partnering with Carbon Lighthouse to reduce energy consumption at a few well-known Oahu retail centers, A&B Properties owns, operates and manages a total of 4.7 million square feet of retail, industrial and office space.
Following that successful energy efficiency pilot, we went deeper into the A&B portfolio to implement our data-driven energy savings process at Pearl Highlands Center, Kaka`ako Commerce Center and Manoa Marketplace.
These energy efficiency initiatives are expected to result in a lifetime reduction of more than 9,700 tons of carbon, equivalent to conserving over 22,600 barrels of oil.
Greater Efficiency On the Ground for Hawaiian Airlines
Buildings may not be the first thing to pop into your head when thinking about an airline, but all maintain significant ground support operations — and all of that support requires energy.
That’s just one reason why Hawaiian Airlines partnered with us to deploy our engineers to Airport Center, a 14-story multi-tenant office building located near Hawaiian’s corporate headquarters on Koapaka Street and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
“As Hawai’i’s airline, we are headquartered in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and so we are mindful of the impact our flying and ground operations have on the environment,’’ said Peter Ingram, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions, we expect Efficiency Production to increase the overall value of Airport Center by improving the asset’s net operating income.
“The progress is both rewarding to me personally and to everyone at the company,” said Louis Concato, executive account manager at Carbon Lighthouse.
“The team that we worked with at Hawaiian Airlines has been mission-aligned, both in terms of protecting Hawai‘i and making buildings more efficient. It’s awesome to see a company whose core is not real estate invest in this initiative.”
More Sustainable Commercial Real Estate in Hawaii
Our partnership with The Shidler Group, one of the nation’s most innovative CRE investment firms began with a program focused on identifying energy efficiency opportunities at the historic Waterfront Plaza in downtown Honolulu.
Waterfront Plaza is a mixed-use property located on Ala Moana Boulevard, covering nearly 535,000 square feet. Among its seven, five-story office buildings you’ll find Restaurant Row’s upscale restaurants, small specialty eateries and retail shops, as well as financial institutions and healthcare tenants.
Shidler is laser-focused on finding fresh ways to improve tenant experience and advance environmental sustainability, and our partnership became an opportunity to advance both through value-driven carbon elimination.
Energy Efficient Hotels Will Win the Future
Over on Maui, the 511-room Royal Lahaina Resort is nestled amid 27 acres of tropical gardens alongside a secluded half-mile stretch of Kaanapali Beach. We’ll focus on the the 12-story Lahaina Kai Tower, in addition to enhancing the resort’s original beachside cottages, 10-court tennis ranch and two championship golf courses.
While hotels historically have perceived a conflict between, sustainability is good for guest comfort, as more hoteliers recognize that sustainability measures such as energy efficiency drive new and significant value for hotels.
And on a more practical level, when your energy service company (aka ESCO) can make complex efficiency measures happen with zero disruption to guests, tenants and staff, hotels like Royal Lahaina can maintain their dedication to five-star service, relaxation and tranquility.
Our Commitment to a Clean Future for Hawaii
If any sector stands to benefit immensely from profit-driven carbon elimination, it’s education.
As a company committed to stopping climate change, we at Carbon Lighthouse spend a lot of time thinking about the next generation — and schools exist to prepare the next generation for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.
“Every day, we’re excited to work toward a fossil-fuel-free future for Hawaii.”
It’s no secret that schools can always use a fresh stream of financial resources — and Carbon Lighthouse has helped schools across the nation tap into their own Efficiency Reserves to eliminate carbon while uncovering millions in savings and creating new financial value.
We founded Carbon Lighthouse on the belief that capitalism can save the planet by making it profitable for building owners to reduce carbon emissions, improve ESG ratings and fight climate change.
By aligning ESG and sustainability goals with market forces, we turn energy efficiency into a tangible asset for CRE owners and investors — but the most meaningful payoff will be enjoyed by our children and all who come after us.
There is another way to achieve carbon neutrality that is little know about in business circles but well regarded in the energy and environmental community. They care called carbon allowances. Like Renewable Energy Certificates, carbon allowances have as a strong suit that they are verifiable. They are also limited in number, and cleared through the government and therefore much less susceptible to fraud.
Carbon neutrality in theory is also not only a great way to improve the world, but also among the most market-efficient way to get there. If practiced universally would thwart the climate-changing gasses like carbon dioxide that pollute our air and oceans.
How do we get to Carbon Neutral reliably? There is always a limit at which point it’s no longer cost-effective to reduce your carbon impact, and that is where carbon offsets and allowances come in.
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