Hawaii Electric Light commemorates 125 years of service
Honoring our past, our people, our Hawaii Island
Release Date: 7/26/2019
HILO, July 26, 2019 – This year, Hawaii Electric Light commemorates 125 years of providing electric service to Hawaii Island. The company will mark this milestone with free community events, historic power plant tours, and fun trivia games on local radio.
Hawaii Electric Light’s history dates back to Dec. 5, 1894 when Hilo Electric Light Company, Ltd. was formed under a franchise granted by the Legislature of the Republic of Hawaii. The forerunner of Hawaii Electric Light started modestly with a small ice plant and a 500-light dynamo, or generator. This hydroelectric unit used water leased from the Hilo Boarding School’s irrigation ditch to produce ice and power. At the time, 100 percent of the energy generated was from a renewable resource.
Today, electricity is generated from a diverse mix of traditional and renewable resources including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal. Hawaii Electric Light continues to look for ways to better serve and empower customers, improve resilience, and offer more products and services that can best meet customers’ energy needs.
“We’re honored to be able to serve our Hawaii Island communities for more than a century. We take this responsibility to heart and reaffirm our commitment to serving our customers for generations to come,” said Sharon Suzuki, president, Maui County and Hawaii Island Utilities. “Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without the company’s dedicated employees who are woven into the fabric of our unique communities. We’re committed to doing what’s right and making Hawaii Island a better place for all.”
The celebration begins with a free drive-in movie night at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium parking lot on Friday, Aug. 2. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase starting at 5 p.m. In addition to the movie, the family celebration includes games, prizes and the Hawaii Classic Cruizers. This is an alcohol and drug-free event. Chairs and mats are welcome but tents are not allowed.
Tune in to KWXX radio weekday mornings from Aug. 5 through Dec. 6 for weekly prizes. Other free community events include:
- Sept. 7 Shipman Power Plant Tour, Hilo (Banyan Drive)
- Dec. 5 125th Anniversary Celebration, Downtown Hilo (Kalakaua Street)
- Dec. 7 Kona Movie Night, Kona Commons
For more information, please visit www.hawaiielectriclight.com, Twitter (@HIElectricLight), Facebook (HawaiianElectric), and Instagram (@HawaiianElectric).
