AfterHours ft. Kuleana Green Business Expo at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ranch, Earlier Option Open to Tour Blue Planet Energy Research Lab
April 09, 2025
AfterHours, Kuleana Green Business Expo at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ranch, Earlier Option Open to Tour Blue Planet Energy Research Lab
Celebrating the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Sustainability Committee hosts the April AfterHours Networking Event featuring the Kuleana Green Business Expo on April 16 at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ranch in North Kona. From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the fun will include booths by KKCC green businesses, networking, and refreshments.
AfterHours guests who want to take an exclusive tour of the Blue Planet Energy Research Lab should arrive at 3 p.m. Enjoy an eye-opening and educational experience exploring the wonders of Henk Rogers’ ranch, which operates on a micro-grid solar system. This customized energy system includes a state-of-the-art battery storage utilizing hydrogen as a secondary storage medium. In addition, the ranch is home to a hydrogen fueling station for a Toyota Mirai, an EV that converts hydrogen into electricity.
KKCC President and CEO Wendy Laros explains, “This expo is part of the Kuleana Green Business Program, an original program of the Kona-Kohala Chamber that was first launched in 2006, and the Chamber’s Sustainability Committee does a fantastic job overseeing and promoting it.” She adds, “We strongly encourage members to participate in this upcoming AfterHours and Expo at the fabulous Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ranch. Don’t miss out - this is a very special opportunity!”
Signup for the event and get detailed driving directions on our event page.
Kuleana Green Business Program – Take the Pledge
According to the Hawaiian Dictionary, the definition of kuleana includes “responsibility.” The Chamber’s Kuleana Green Business Program promotes sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. It starts with a pledge to raise awareness. Businesses that take the pledge recognize their responsibility to minimize their impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future for our island community. The program also includes the Kuleana Green Business Expo, where companies share ideas and insights about implementing green
practices.
“Fair Wind has long been a KKCC member, and becoming involved with the Kuleana Green Business Program was a natural choice,” shares Mendy Dant, president of Fair Wind Cruises and South Kona Vice Chair of the KKCC Board of Directors. “We are very concerned about our environment and have seen it change dramatically over the decades; we need to worktogether to bring awareness to businesses and become active in changing behaviors to benefit our natural resources.”
Take the Kuleana Green Business Pledge here. Members who take the pledge are listed on the Chamber’s website and highlighted in the annual business magazine and member directory, The Source.
Sustainability Committee – Join Us
“We joined the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce over 20 years ago because we wanted to be a part of what is now the Sustainability Committee,” recalls Teri Leicher, managing partner at Jack’s Diving Locker and co-chair of the committee. “We wanted to be a part of something that could help our island protect our resources, encourage thoughtful growth, and be a place where we could safely raise our children and grandchildren. It takes a village to keep on top of it all, and we encourage all businesses to join us and the Chamber’s sustainability efforts.”
KKCC members wishing to learn more about the Chamber’s sustainability initiatives are invited to a Sustainability Committee meeting held virtually from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Contact info@kona-kohala.com to get on the committee invite list. For more information, call the Kona-Kohala Chamber office at 808-329-1758.
Celebrating the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the Sustainability Committee hosts the April AfterHours Networking Event featuring the Kuleana Green Business Expo on April 16 at Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ranch in North Kona. From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the fun will include booths by KKCC green businesses, networking, and refreshments.
AfterHours guests who want to take an exclusive tour of the Blue Planet Energy Research Lab should arrive at 3 p.m. Enjoy an eye-opening and educational experience exploring the wonders of Henk Rogers’ ranch, which operates on a micro-grid solar system. This customized energy system includes a state-of-the-art battery storage utilizing hydrogen as a secondary storage medium. In addition, the ranch is home to a hydrogen fueling station for a Toyota Mirai, an EV that converts hydrogen into electricity.
KKCC President and CEO Wendy Laros explains, “This expo is part of the Kuleana Green Business Program, an original program of the Kona-Kohala Chamber that was first launched in 2006, and the Chamber’s Sustainability Committee does a fantastic job overseeing and promoting it.” She adds, “We strongly encourage members to participate in this upcoming AfterHours and Expo at the fabulous Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ranch. Don’t miss out - this is a very special opportunity!”
Signup for the event and get detailed driving directions on our event page.
Kuleana Green Business Program – Take the Pledge
According to the Hawaiian Dictionary, the definition of kuleana includes “responsibility.” The Chamber’s Kuleana Green Business Program promotes sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. It starts with a pledge to raise awareness. Businesses that take the pledge recognize their responsibility to minimize their impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future for our island community. The program also includes the Kuleana Green Business Expo, where companies share ideas and insights about implementing green
practices.
“Fair Wind has long been a KKCC member, and becoming involved with the Kuleana Green Business Program was a natural choice,” shares Mendy Dant, president of Fair Wind Cruises and South Kona Vice Chair of the KKCC Board of Directors. “We are very concerned about our environment and have seen it change dramatically over the decades; we need to worktogether to bring awareness to businesses and become active in changing behaviors to benefit our natural resources.”
Take the Kuleana Green Business Pledge here. Members who take the pledge are listed on the Chamber’s website and highlighted in the annual business magazine and member directory, The Source.
Sustainability Committee – Join Us
“We joined the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce over 20 years ago because we wanted to be a part of what is now the Sustainability Committee,” recalls Teri Leicher, managing partner at Jack’s Diving Locker and co-chair of the committee. “We wanted to be a part of something that could help our island protect our resources, encourage thoughtful growth, and be a place where we could safely raise our children and grandchildren. It takes a village to keep on top of it all, and we encourage all businesses to join us and the Chamber’s sustainability efforts.”
KKCC members wishing to learn more about the Chamber’s sustainability initiatives are invited to a Sustainability Committee meeting held virtually from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Contact info@kona-kohala.com to get on the committee invite list. For more information, call the Kona-Kohala Chamber office at 808-329-1758.