Elementary school students pledge to save energy in 2010

Out of the hundreds of creative and imaginative entries sent in by elementary school students from across the island, each with a New Year’s Resolution to help save energy and the environment, four students from Kamiloiki, Pearl City Highlands, and Mililani Mauka were selected as winners.  The winners selected will receive a classroom performance by the popular Mad Science of Hawaii, madcap “scientists” who bring science education to life with fun, hands-on workshops.

Congratulations to...

Matthew Ogawa, Gr. 2, Mrs. Nashiro

Cassidy Silva, Gr. 4, Mrs. Horie

As part of Hawaiian Electric's school-based energy conservation competition, the Home Energy Challenge, elementary school students from participating schools were asked to create their own New Year's Resolution to help save energy, and to draw a poster of their ideas.

“We wanted to show that everyone, including children, can make a resolution to help protect our environment by using energy wisely,” said Kaiulani de Silva, director of Education & Consumer Affairs. “Through energy conservation, all of the children who entered and our island ecosystem are really winners.”

Thirteen schools from across the islands have signed up to learn about energy conservation and compete for a grand prize of $10,000 as part of the fourth annual Hawaiian Electric Home Energy Challenge, a school-based competition sponsored by the State of Hawaii Department of Education and Hawaiian Electric Company. There are also prizes of $6,000 and $3,000 for the second- and third- placing schools and four additional, special $1,000 prizes for creating an Energy Conservation Project.

Of course, everyone participating wins with resulting lower electric bills, a better understanding of an energy-conservation lifestyle, and the feeling of active involvement in taking care of the environment.