Sunset Beach Wins Energy Challenge

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Sunset Beach students (front, from left) Noah Doak, Makana Damate, India Pyzel and Zoe Curtis and (back) Kaiulani de Silva (HECO), curriculum coordinator Bonnie Huff, Sam Nichols (HECO E&CA) and acting principal Phyllis Shipman show off their grand prize. Photo courtesy of HECO.

Sunset Beach Elementary School won the annual home energy challenge this spring and collected a $5,000 cash prize for its efforts.

Sponsored by the DOE and HECO, the competition began last fall when schools pledged a six-month commitment to energy conservation through lessons, contests, workbooks, videos, guest speakers and more. As a result, the school ohana cut its home-energy use by 1.8 percent.

“We are so proud of all of the students and their families,” said Kaiulani de Silva, Hawaiian Electric Co.‘s director of education and consumer affairs. “Many of our participants had an extra challenge this year, with furloughs keeping students and some parents home for a couple of days per month, when they might watch television, use their computers and video games, or run the air conditioner.

“We really commend all of the students and their families for being extra energy-conscious.”

Also recognized for its conservation project were the students of Mililani Mauka Elementary, who offered creative ideas designed to teach the schools and community how to use energy wisely.