Hawaii will attempt to be the first state in the country to establish a wave energy project. Initially, the wave energy project will convert wave power to electricity for 3000 homes on Maui. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2009.
Through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, Hawaii has set a goal of having at least 70 percent of its power come from clean energy by 2030.
Governor Linda Lingle stated that Hawaii will be a "testbed" for solar, wind, wave, geothermal and bioenergy projects.
A press release from her office adds, "Hawaii is the most oil dependent state in America, with 90 percent of our energy supply derived from imported fossil fuels. The unconnected power grids of our islands and our location as the world’s most isolated archipelago add to the challenges. As a result, we pay the highest utility rates and transportation fuel costs in the nation."