U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz announced Wednesday that a Molokai energy cooperative will receive federal support from the Department of Energy.

Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative Molokai is a community owned and managed energy cooperative that focuses on utilizing renewable energy sources. Its profits are shared with subscribers, and it has a goal to hire only local Molokai residents for installation, maintenance and management. 

“This kind of hands-on federal support will help us expand clean energy production on Molokai as the community moves to take its energy future into its own hands. That means more jobs, more reliable energy, and cheaper electric bills for Molokai residents,” said Schatz in a press release.

Through the federal government, Hoʻāhu Energy will receive support from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a DOE National Lab. The Lab will help Hoʻāhu Energy address the specific energy challenges that face Molokai. 

“Molokai, which is 60% Hawaiian by population, is challenged with energy rates nearly 400% higher than the national average,” said Todd Yamashita, president of Ho‘āhu Energy Cooperative Molokai. “We are excited about this opportunity because it’s helping us create, on our own terms, an energy future that is reflective of the resilient and resourceful nature of our people.”

In particular, PNNL will help Hoʻāhu Energy with training, economic analysis, workforce assessments, engineering guidance and grant application assistance. 

The DOE assistance is part of a federal project aimed at supporting communities that face problems with energy systems. It assists with access, affordability and reliability by helping communities design energy storage solutions.