Honolulu, Hawai‘i – Following the January 1, 2026 implementation of the Hawaiʻi Clean Lighting Standards Act (Act 225, 2023), which prohibits the sale of linear and pin-base fluorescent lamps, Hawaiʻi Energy, the state’s energy conservation program, has increased incentives to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations complete the transition to LED lighting. Through its Energy Advantage Program, incentives for qualifying businesses in Hawaiʻi County and Maui County have doubled, while incentives for businesses in the City and County of Honolulu have increased by 50%.
“LED lighting is now the standard across Hawaiʻi, and these enhanced incentives are designed to help businesses manage upfront upgrade costs as the market fully transitions away from fluorescent products,” said Caroline Carl, executive director of Hawaiʻi Energy. “Lighting can account for a significant portion of a commercial electric bill. Upgrading to LED delivers immediate savings, lower maintenance costs, and long-term financial benefits for local businesses.”
The Energy Advantage Program provides qualifying businesses and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with lighting retrofits at significantly reduced costs through Hawaiʻi Energy-approved contractors. Eligible participants must be located in Hawaiʻi, Honolulu or Maui counties and be one of the following:
- A small business on electric utility billing rate Schedule G or Schedule J with demand of
30 kW or less; - A restaurant;
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; or
- A multi-tenant affordable housing property with lighting in a common area.
Qualified businesses must select an approved Energy Advantage Contractor. Contractors will
provide businesses with a free lighting assessment and help complete the Energy Advantage
Program application. Once an application has been completed and approved, the selected
contractor will schedule and complete the lighting retrofit at no cost.
Since 2011, the Energy Advantage Program has helped more than 6,400 customers install lighting upgrades, generating an estimated $292 million in lifetime electricity bill savings. For more information about Hawai‘i Energy and the Energy Advantage Program, visit HawaiiEnergy.com/EnergyAdvantage.
ABOUT HAWAI‘I ENERGY
Hawai‘i Energy helps island families and businesses make smart energy choices. We encourage and reward energy decisions that will allow our state to reach 100% clean energy faster and cheaper. To date, we have saved the people of Hawai‘i more than a billion dollars off their energy bills. Let Hawai‘i Energy be your trusted energy advisor to help save you money and protect what makes Hawai‘i so special. For more information, please visit hawaiienergy.com/about.