Transportation Committee Chair Applauds Hawaiian’s Green Efforts

Sen. J. Kalani English, along with Mark Dunkerly, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines and Governor Neil Abercrombie

HONOLULU–   Senate Committee on Transportation Chair J. Kalani English applauds Hawaiian Airlines for earning the first-ever aviation based carbon credits.  Hawaiian reduced its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by nearly 22,000 metric tons over the past six years using an innovative, eco-friendly engine washing technology developed by Pratt & Whitney.

“I congratulate Hawaiian Airlines for being a leader in the aviation industry through this significant achievement in being environmentally friendly,” said Senator J. Kalani English.  “Hawaiian has demonstrated great efforts in being progressive in its green initiatives.”

A carbon credit is a verified means of measuring the reduction of industrial CO2 emissions from the environment, with one credit equal to the removal of one ton of CO2. Hawaiian’s earning of carbon credits has been quantified and certified under the Verified Carbon Standard, the world’s leading independent standard for the measurement and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of carbon credits.

The engine washing technology has saved the company more than 2.5 million gallons of fuel, along with an estimated 26,000 gallons of water that would have been used with traditional washing methods.  Hawaiian’s engine washing program is part of a broader continuous effort to mitigate high fuel costs and their impact on its customers.

Hawaiian implements green initiatives, including recycling of waste materials and use of renewable and biodegradable resources in onboard meal packaging and utensil.

“Future generations will definitely benefit from what Hawaiian Airlines is doing today to be earth-friendly.”