HI-Okinawa co.

Hawaii and Okinawa have interests and experience in solar, wind, geothermal, biodiesel, and bioethanol energy technologies, as well as electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and energy efficiency. Both island economies have an interest in promoting ecotourism and foresee the need for significant increases in clean electric power production to alleviate their dependence on imported and expensive fossil fuels. Currently, Hawaii and Okinawa are developing comprehensive energy regulatory, policy, and financing frameworks for promoting clean and efficient energy technology use. In 2008, Hawaii created a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy that launched the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative with the goal of achieving 70% Clean Energy in Hawaii by 2030. Similarly, Okinawa has announced plans to formulate an "Okinawa Energy Vision" to achieve both energy security and low-carbon goals by 2030. This common background forms the basis for future cooperation between the two islands.

Partnership has following objectives:

• To define the structural transformation that needs to occur to help transition the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture of Okinawa to sustainable clean energy economies
• To exchange information on best practices learned by the participants and other stakeholders in both the United States and Japan to accelerate deployment of sustainable technologies and investment
• To demonstrate and foster the use of clean energy and energy efficient technologies, financing methodologies, and enabling policies designed to support social, economic, and political acceptance of clean energy economies
• To establish a network of policymakers, scientists, and academicians working effectively together on a sustained basis to support the efforts of Hawaii and Okinawa to achieve deployment of the maximum amount of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies as possible

The participants intend to hold symposia and send technical mission on clean energy in Hawaii and Okinawa to initiate and deepen the exchange of information on progress achieved to date and on the energy efficiency goals of Hawaii and Okinawa. During and following the symposia and technical missions, the participants plan to develop a work plan for cooperation, including the following activities:

• Exchanges of information on lessons learned in policy development and implementation
• Investigation into the potential for joint research into technology issues affecting both island economies
• Demonstration projects focused on proving the technical and economic viability of technologies relevant to both island economies
• Exchanges of information on legislative best practices, including a dialogue between the two island economies' legislatures
• Academic exchanges to include, but not limited to, the University of Hawaii, and relevant institutes such as universities or laboratories in Okinawa

To supervise the cooperation under the Memorandum, each participant intends to designate a Lead Co-Coordinator. In addition, the participants may establish sub-groups composed of experts from participating entities tasked with identifying problems and solutions relevant to both island economies' clean energy goals and implementing activities.

The Cooperation under this Memorandum may commence upon signature and continue for five years. The Cooperation can be extended to consecutive periods of five years, as determined by the participants.