Mayor Michael Victorino hosted a blessing today of a new electric vehicle charging station in the South High Street parking lot of the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku.

In addition to the County Building charging station, the County of Maui already has installed EV charging stations at the Maui County Service Center in Kahului, the Lahaina Aquatic Center and the South Maui Gym. These chargers will be available free to the public for a two-month introductory period.

“Today, we took a small, but important step toward our state’s goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2045,” Mayor Victorino said. “These are the first four of 15 County charging stations to be available to the public. Maui County is proud to be a leading partner in helping provide the infrastructure needed to support our transition to electrified transportation and eventual independence from imported fossil fuels.”

Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata conducted the official blessing this morning. Also, joining in the ceremony were Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Director of Community Relations Mahina Martin and Leslie Wilkins and Frank DeRego of the Maui Economic Development Board.

“It’s a big job to make the transition from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles,” said Maui County Energy Commissioner Alex De Roode. “But we can do it through partnerships with federal, state and county agencies, as well as the private and non-profit sectors. Together, we can build a green infrastructure that prepares our community to reduce the impacts of climate change.”