Clean Energy Wayfinders
By Allison Young

Madelyn Hartshorn was working at a fishery in Henrys Lake State Park in Idaho with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. She was surveying creel, electrofishing, maintaining riparian fences and conducting lab work for fish when her sister, who lives on Kauaʻi, told her about the Kupu ʻĀina Corps in Hawaiʻi.

“One of my key interests is the intersection of environmental conservation, renewable energy and energy accessibility,” Maddy says. “When the opportunity to work with HSEO came up, I was excited.”

The Kupu ‘Āina Corps was established during the pandemic by the State of Hawai‘i as part of legislation to start a Green Job Corps, encouraging people to stay in Hawaiʻi and work in environmental and sustainability-related jobs. Positions are available at a variety of conservation, agriculture, technology and clean energy-focused host sites throughout the islands of Hawaiʻi.

One of the host sites is the Hawaiian State Energy Office (HSEO). As a part of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, HSEO's mission is to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation to help achieve a resilient clean energy economy. The Clean Energy Wayfinders program is an outreach and workforce development program for young professionals interested in a career in energy and conservation. As energy ambassadors, Wayfinders engage Hawai‘i’s schools, community organizations and households in energy planning and decision making.

This year, HSEO hosts five Wayfinders across O‘ahu, Moloka‘i and Hawai‘i Island. Maddy and her fellow Wayfinders received training from various energy and sustainable organizations. Maddy described this training as “a firehouse of information.” Prior to becoming a Wayfinder, Maddy graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho, obtaining a bachelor's in biology with an emphasis in environmental biology.

Maddy came to KIUC to learn more about ways to collaborate and share information with our members.

“Before becoming a Wayfinder, I didn’t really understand what a cooperative was,” Maddy says.

Her visit with KIUC included learning about the cooperative difference, KIUC's strategic goals set by its board of directors, and information about our renewable energy portfolio and rebate programs.

Since coming to Kauaʻi, where she lives in Hanapēpē with her sister, Maddy has volunteered in community activities, such as plastic recycling, reef cleaning and beach cleanups. She has attended Hoʻolauleʻa No Ka Honua, Anaina Hou Earth Day and farmers markets, educating residents of all ages about energy and climate change.

“I hope to help bridge the communication gaps between energy organizations and the community and help bring awareness to the growing energy careers in Hawaiʻi,” she says.

For information about the Kupu ‘Āina Corps and the Clean Energy Wayfinders, visit kupuainacorps.com and energy.hawaii.gov/clean-energy-wayfindershttp://energy.hawaii.gov/clean-energy-wayfinders.