DOE breaks ground on first Ka Hei photovoltaic projects

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A groundbreaking was held at McKinley High School Thursday as part of the Department of Education's efforts to go green.

The ceremony marks the first phase of the DOE's "Ka Hei" program, which is aimed at energy generation. Initially McKinley and eight other public schools in the state that will receive photovoltaic panels. Over five years, the goal of Ka Hei is to integrate energy technology with learning while reducing energy costs.

"This is a win-win situation for all involved," said incoming McKinley Foundation president Neal Takamori.

"We get to reduce our energy cost, we get to give our students the opportunity to explore their horizons with energy, and clean the environment."

The 480 P-V modules that will go up over the McKinley parking lot will reduce the school's electrical load by an estimated 13 percent every year.