Big Island EV, Hawaiian Electric, and Sustainable Energy Hawaii hosted National Drive Electric Week 2023 event (He Ala Pono Electric Vehicle and Sustainability Fair) at the Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on September 23.
This year, we held two events in parallel – a car show in the mall parking lot and an indoor sustainability fair.
Our outdoor car was well-visited. About 150 guests came by to check out the owner and dealer EVs: the BMW i4, BMW iX, Chevy Bolt, Kia EV6, Kia Niro EV, Tesla Model 3, Ford Mach-E, Ford, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Tesla Roadster, Tesla Model S, Toyota Prius Prime, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Hyundai Kona EV, and Subaru Solterra.
The indoor EV and Sustainability Fair ran from 10 AM – 2 PM and featured the Nissan Arriya, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Jeep Cherokee 4xe. Additionally, several organizations shared their mission, activities, information, and programs. They included the American Red Cross Pacific Region, Citizens Climate Lobby – Hawaii Island, County of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaii Community College, Hawaii Energy, Hawaii Farm Trails, Hawaii Island Realtors, NexTech Hawaii, Sustainable Energy Hawaii, and United Nations Association USA Hawaii Island.
The event kicked off with a blessing by Kumu Moses Kahoʻokele Crabbe and a keynote by County of Hawaii Mayor Mitch Roth.
Mayor Roth with his County NDEW2023 Proclamation.
Many guests stayed through the end of the event to participate in an electric bike giveaway.
Prize winners
Our e-bike winner!
Photos
Event Photos, courtesy of Gary Miller and JD Wacker.
He Ala Pono EV and Sustainability Fair 2023 was co-hosted by the Big Island EV Association, Hawaiian Electric, and Sustainable Energy Hawaii. This could not have been possible without the support of sponsors and supporters – Hawaiian Electric, County of Hawaii, Hawaii County Councilmember Jennifer Kagiwada), Big Island Motors, Kamaaina Nissan, Blue Planet Foundation, Drive Electric Hawaii, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii EV, and our volunteers.
This national event is presented by Plug In America, the Electric Vehicle Association, the Sierra Club, and EVHybridNoire.
