BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION
Clearing the path for 100% clean energy
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Global climate change, largely due to carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, continues to destabilize Earth’s life-support systems. Hawaii is ground zero for the destructive impacts of climate change. Over the past few years, Hawaii has set more record high temperatures than any previous time in recorded history. Devastating downpour events have become more common, with one downpour on the North Shore of Kauai breaking the U.S. record for the most amount of rain in a 24-hour period. Given the existential threat of climate change and economic burden that fossil fuels impose, humanity must rapidly transition to an affordable, clean energy future
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Clean Energy Policy
We’re trusted experts helping leaders solve pressing energy problems. As Hawaii’s principal clean energy advocate, we propose and advance game-changing policies at the Public Utilities Commission and through legislation.
Youth Energy Education
We’re empowering the next generation of clean energy leaders to take control of their energy future. Through education, innovation, and leadership, we give them essential tools for change.
Clean Transportation
Our 100% clean energy future isn’t only about electricity. Moving Hawaii beyond oil also means cleaner transportation options, and building the road to 100% clean transportation starts now.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of K-12 students reached
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Children
Related Program
Youth Energy Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Amidst the daunting climate projections, Hawaii has emerged as a global leader on clean energy policy, adopting a number of bold, first-in-the-nation targets that have helped inspire other jurisdictions to take similar action. Launched in 2008, Blue Planet Foundation is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) committed to accelerating the transition to a just and sustainable energy future. Our organization is founded on the belief that by making Hawaii a model of clean energy progress, we can inspire and catalyze climate solutions around the world. By using the lever of bold policy change and the power of storytelling, we create momentum and inspire change in Hawaii and beyond.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
To animate our theory of change, Blue Planet applies the following three strategic levers.:
(1) Shaping Opinion - We use creative communications and engaging education tactics to shape public opinions, influence new ways of thinking, and motivate actions and engagement for big impact.
(2) Shaping Behavior - Our action-oriented outreach and programs empower Hawaii youth & residents to complete transformational Acts of Climate Leadership in their own life.
(3) Shaping Policy - We challenge and encourage policymakers to champion and adopt bold and inclusive climate policies and inspire the accelerated adoption of similar policies in other jurisdictions.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our team of eight come from diverse backgrounds ranging from media, environmental law, education, tourism, and community activation. We embody the following team values:
Vision - We rise to accept the daunting challenge of solving climate change with positive energy. We are fueled by optimism and hope for a more secure, sustainable and just future.
Imagination - We are expansive thinkers who break the mold, using imaginative ideas to solve problems where others see obstacles.
Bold - We’re not afraid to take difficult positions and we challenge the status quo when necessary. We do what’s right, even when it’s hard.
Heart - We engage with heart, listen with intention, and act with kindness. We celebrate one another for the unique gifts that we each bring to our work and to life.
Curiosity - We’re curious learners. We approach the world and our mission from a place of wonder.
Extraordinary - We are committed to doing extraordinary work that reflects our best thinking and highest professionalism.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Policy Shapers:
We are trusted experts helping leaders make smart decisions about our sustainable energy future, in Hawaii and beyond. Since 2008, we have driven key policy outcomes--from being early advocates for equity efforts like on-bill financing and community solar to championing Hawaii's first-in-the-nation 100% renewable energy and a tax on fossil fuel. Hawaii's youth are a cornerstone of our efforts to change the status quo. Our Climate Crew empowers cohorts of civically engaged youth climate experts inspired to help shape the future they will inherit. We seek to amplify students' voices and their power to drive the systems change our planet requires. In its first year, the Climate Crew completed over 60 acts of leaderships to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.
Community Activators:
Our annual Student Energy Summit brings together more than 200 middle and high school students from across the state for an immersive clean energy, and climate learning experience. Students walk away with sharpened energy leadership and advocacy skills needed to participate in clean energy and climate action. We recently expanded the summit to welcome international students and build global connections among youth. To tackle carbon pollution in the transportation section, Blue Planet has worked to increase knowledge of the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) with our EV Expert certification program, which provides dealership sales associates with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the EV marketplace and gives customers the confidence of knowing they will have the best possible EV buying experience. We have certified over 70 EV Experts statewide to date.
Storytellers:
We use viral videos, clever social media campaigns, provocative presentations, and imaginative infographics to reshape our energy conversations. Our creative communications tell stories that connect, inspire, and spark action. For example, our We Are 100 campaign is showcasing 100 stories of individuals and businesses across Hawaii that are taking actions--big and small--to accelerate our transition to 100% clean energy. Through neighbors inspiring neighbor, we aim to bring everyone along on the journey to 100%. Blue Planet also tracks Hawaii's progress toward 100% clean energy through our Energy Report Card. The report card takes a systems-wide view of our challenges and opportunities across five sections: transportation, efficiency, renewables, smart grid, and economics.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION
Board of directorsas of 02/11/2022
Ernest Nishizaki
George Ariyoshi
Former Gov. of Hawaii
Ernest Nishizaki
Visitor Industry Consultant
Colin Yost
RevoluSun
Lorraine Akiba
LHA Ventures
Andrew Rosen
Hawaii State Federal Credit Union
Dana Barbata
U.S. Department of Justice
Betina Mehnert
AHL
Noelani Kalipi
Progression Energy
Keala Francis Dickhens
Jeff Mikulina
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
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Gender identity
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Sexual orientation
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Disability
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