Hawaiian Electric prioritizes two ‘Renewable Energy Zones’ – Kunia/Schofield, Koolaupoko – for future solar projects

Hawaiian Electric prioritizes two 'Renewable Energy Zones' - Kunia/Schofield, Koolaupoko - for future solar projects

Areas show promise for near-term renewable generation

Release Date: 7/8/2026

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HONOLULU, July 8, 2026 - Following extensive analysis and community input, Hawaiian Electric is recommending two Renewable Energy Zones - Kunia/Schofield and Koolaupoko - as areas of focus for future renewable generation projects.

The selections were announced in a filing last week with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. The PUC directed Hawaiian Electric to designate at least two REZ on Oahu by June 2026.

Renewable Energy Zones, or REZ, are designated areas with high potential for clean energy generation, such as grid-scale solar, that can be easily connected to the grid. They help focus development where renewable projects will be most efficient, cost-effective and impactful.

"Hawaiian Electric remains committed to building a clean energy future for generations to come, and the thoughtful and inclusive approach to developing renewable energy zones focuses our efforts on areas that make the most sense for renewable generation," said Colton Ching, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of planning and technology. "We look forward to working closely with community leaders in the priority zones to help build a more resilient grid."

Third-party data analysis and input from community working group members narrowed a pool of eight REZ to the four best suited for siting renewable projects:

• Zone 1 - Kunia/Schofield
• Zone 4 - Mililani Mauka, Waipio-Waiawa
• Zone 5 - Kualoa/Hauula to portions of Halawa/Moanalua
• Zone 6 -- Koolaupoko

Further input was gathered in April when Hawaiian Electric hosted public workshops on REZ at Leeward and Windward community colleges. Community members also provided anonymous input and comments on an interactive online map, which is included in the PUC filing.

Workshops also were held with state and federal government officials to identify government-held land that could possibly be used for renewable generation projects in the designated REZ.

Oahu Zones 1 and 6 are favored for near-term development because they:

• Show high scores across all priority areas
• Involve a relatively contained level of transmission upgrades
• Balance renewable capacity with manageable cost and risk
• Can inform future REZ as projects grow more complex

Prioritizing two REZ is the first step toward future renewable energy and transmission projects. Any future projects within the two REZ would undergo a rigorous process of community input and environmental review before approval and construction. Limited land and many competing land use needs remain a primary challenge to REZ development.

Key next steps for REZ development include:

• Holding discussions with state agencies and private landowners
• Tracking updates from the State of Hawaii's integrated land use study
• Advancing conceptual design
• Preparing developer procurement packages
• Continuing to engage and communicate with communities
• Coordinating project timing with regulatory approvals and capital planning requirements

Although other zones were not selected for near-term renewable energy generation development, all REZ will likely be considered for future development to meet the state's clean energy goals by 2045. To learn more about Renewable Energy Zones, read the report filed with the PUC.