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Donalyn Dela Cruz

When Hawaiʻi committed in 2014 to becoming 100% renewable by 2045, it signaled a new era of sustainability.

For Kanaka ʻŌiwi innovator Olin Lagon, then a member of the Hawaiʻi Clean Energy Initiative Steering Committee that pushed for the goal, it also revealed a deeper challenge: ensuring that the benefits of clean energy reached everyone, not just those who could afford it.

Lagon realized that underserved communities and renters would face major financial challenges.

“Upwards of 75% of Native Hawaiian families live under the ALICE poverty threshold, which is absolutely criminal. And when I’m talking about the underserved, I’m talking about our Hawaiian community,” said Lagon. ALICE stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.”

Two years later, Lagon and his business partner, Forest Frizzell, founded Shifted Energy in his garage to enable widespread access to energy solutions. The company combines smart hardware and software to help utilities balance the grid using everyday devices like water heaters. Powered by advanced machine learning, the system automatically shifts energy use to lower-cost times and stabilizes circuits without users ever noticing a change.

The water heater was just the first of many devices Lagon and Frizzell realized they could manage and control.

“In Hawaiʻi, the water heater is the number one user of energy in most homes,” said Lagon, who explained that many underserved homeowners have cheaply made and inefficient electric resistance water heaters. Shifted Energy sought out to target lowering cost and ensuring quality products.

It took years of tinkering, testing and perfecting. Between pitching to investors and expanding the company, Shifted Energy remained focused on helping those who needed it most. They knocked on doors, talked story, identified issues and sought to solve them. This also included securing funds to get additional work done.

One Waimānalo homestead family had been spending more than a $1000 a month on electricity. Lagon and Frizzell were puzzled. The home had no major electrical appliances such as air conditioning. They traced the issue to a leaking water heater and then identified grant funds to replace the water heater for the family.

“Their bill the next month dropped to $100. There was a $900 swing – and it stayed at that level,” said Lagon.

They also came across homeowners who were sold a bill of goods by unethical companies with no follow-up services. In other cases, Shifted Energy upgraded homes with energy-efficient heat pump water heaters and foresaw other issues.

“They were installed outdoors and started to get damaged,” noted Lagon. “So Forest got some more philanthropy dollars, and we came back out and built enclosures for them, like we don’t have to do that, but we want them to have that thing for 20 years.”

Not only did they introduce their product to households, they also helped people in other ways.

In one house visit, Frizzell came across a kūpuna who could not afford to furnish his home. Lagon said he received a call from his co-founder who was determined to find a bed for him to sleep on that night. After calling friends, they were able to deliver a futon.

Lagon calls this “leaning in” to the work they do. “It’s not just about energy. It’s about people and community. And we do that over and over and over again,” he said.

Both founders practice traditional Native Hawaiian farming on weekends and volunteer with the state’s largest technology education nonprofit, Purple Maiʻa, which works in Native Hawaiian communities throughout Hawaiʻi.

Shifted Energy has grown to manage more devices, so they use energy when it is cheapest. Air conditioning systems, electric cars, heat pumps, solar, and batteries can ramp up when power is abundant and ease off when it is costly. The mission never changed. Serve the people most often overlooked.

The company has completed thousands of installations in underserved neighborhoods in Hawaiʻi, on the continent, and in Canada. They have even expanded pilot programs to Europe and Aotearoa (New Zealand).

“I don’t think there’s another company on this earth that is better than us and we’ll beat anyone in any RFP (request for proposal) head-to-head. That is our legacy of Indigenous innovation and here, like you know, we’re the smartest people in the world and not smart in the ʻwestern’ sense but smart in the community sense. We lean into the strength of diversity,” said Lagon.

Lagon’s pride in what they’ve built is well-founded. On Oct. 9, Shifted Energy announced its acquisition by San Francisco-based Resource Innovations (RI), a major move to advance grid-edge technology and bolster energy equity.

“Adding Shifted Energy’s capabilities to RI’s offerings enables us to deliver scalable, end-to-end DSM (demand-side management) and grid-edge solutions to more customer segments than ever before,” said Lauren Casentini, founder and CEO of RI.

Following the announcement, Frizzell said, “Tomorrow we get back to building solutions that are equitable, innovative, and rooted in the communities we come from.”

Shifted Energy is Lagon’s third social venture to grow from small Native Hawaiian nonprofit roots to national and international work. Two of his previous social ventures were acquired by larger firms.

“When Kanaka ʻŌiwi values guide entrepreneurship, solutions can scale here and then everywhere,” said Lagon. “Of course, this is not easy but when you are doing the right thing, how can you not be inspired to bust your ʻēlemu (butt) for the community?”

He continues to lean in – inventing and building to solve problems in new ways that honor community and create equity.

This article is reprinted with permission from 

," OHA's Ka Wai Ola newspaper, November 2025, Vol. 42 No. 11. Read more at 

Shifted Energy Creators

<title>Community Voices: Startup founders aim to make clean energy affordable in Hawai'i, beyond</title>

Honolulu-based Shifted Energy was created in 2016 by co-founders Olin Lagon and Forest Frizzell "to enable widespread access to energy solutions," particularly for renters and underserved communities. Learn how the business has grown from a garage to thousands of installs in the Islands, Mainland and Canada.

Community Voices: Startup founders aim to make clean energy affordable in Hawai'i, beyond

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Government & Politics

The 44-day shutdown of the federal government was a painful reminder of what we already know. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Hawai‘i is so damn expensive. "}]

Now this isn’t breaking news, but we have this inordinate ability to rationalize, ignore or even justify the 500lb gorilla in the room.  

There was anticipation that the shutdown would happen, and it did on October 1st. The ripple effect across the country was profound, including airline travel, furloughs and job losses, evictions and foreclosures, and more. But one aspect was the most urgent and troubling of all. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Americans were going hungry. "}]

The politics of the whole thing can be debated, discussed, or even coin-flipped as to who bears the blame. I blame Sen. Chuck Schumer the most. I blame Rep. Hakeem Jeffries in the House. And, of course, their sychophants who politically pandered then called it quits when it was clear that the public was sick of it. And the actual or perceived blame lay with the conduct of Schumer, Jeffries, and their ilk. The democrats caved in by accepting the basic tenets of the initial clear CR submitted by the republicans. This proves that leverage was the objective and marginalizing, even bullying the GOP, setting up a talking point strategy before the mid-term election. Lose the leverage and, well, you just lose. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"But I digress. "}]

Those who rely on SNAP benefits to achieve a level of food security were gravely in the crosshairs. Both nationally and locally. 

For several weeks, more than 40 million Americans faced uncertainty about the status of federal food assistance through the SNAP program. Those worries have been especially sharp for residents of Alaska and Hawaii—two states with the highest food costs in the nation.  

To put this in perspective, according to the most recent USDA report (August 2025), the agency that administers SNAP, a “thrifty” household of four could eat on $999.50 a month in the contiguous 48 states. But the cost is nearly 28% higher in Alaska, and almost 51% higher in Hawai‘i, as 

Again, the government shutdown was a grim reminder that Hawai‘i’s Cost of Living (COL) is not only a statistic nobody wants, but also a cause of stress, anxiety, the outmigration of families, and, even more so, a threat to survival. 

Cost of Living refers to the expenses of living in a particular area of the country. The formulation includes the cost of shelter, food, transportation, healthcare, and other ancillary costs. A Cost of Living Index is used to establish a national average, which is expressed at 100. Areas below the national average will have an index below 100, and regions with indexes above 100 will have low and high COL, respectively. 

Let’s compare the two states’ indices. 

Kansas has a Cost of Living index of 86.5. 

Hawai‘i has a Cost of Living index of 193.3. 

We have the following breakdown of index components for Hawai‘i: 

Our cost of living is almost double the national average, and our housing prices are over triple the national average. 

We import over 90% of food and consumables; our kW/hour price for electricity is approximately 37 cents, making us by far the most expensive state; gas prices are legendary high, vying with California’s Bay Area as the highest; and simply compare, well, everything, and we pay, pay, and pay. 

The saddest thing in all of this is, when is it ever going to stop? 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"And I submit — never. "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"This is the reality of Hawai‘i.  "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Nobody is going to save us.  "}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"We can only save ourselves. "}]

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Groceries i Stock 1194709125

<title>Hamada: Government shutdown showed Hawai‘iʻs vulnerabilities</title>

Groceries cost a "thrifty" family of four nearly $1,000 per month on the Mainland. In Hawai‘i, itʻs more like $1,500.

Hamada: Government shutdown showed Hawai‘iʻs vulnerabilities

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

Honolulu Kitchen is popular for its deep-fried mini manapua. While the original location is in Waipahu, Honolulu Kitchen Little Corner Cafe opened this past year in 

While its steamed and deep-fried mini manapua are still customer favorites, the cafe offers an extensive menu.

Both steamed and deep-fried manapua feature a variety of sweet and savory fillings. Savory options include char siu — the most popular flavor — kalua pork, barbecue chicken and curry chicken. Sweet fillings include custard, ube cream cheese and Azuki bean.

[{"type":"text","text":"Ube cream cheese is especially popular because of its vibrant color."}]

Besides manapua, you’ll find a variety of dim sum and snacks like gyoza, spring rolls, wontons and more.

The homemade dumplings ($11.95) are a customer favorite, but if you prefer some heat, go for the spicy garlic wontons ($11.95). 

The char siu look cheong fun ($7.50), which features steamed rice noodle rolls, is a unique option. The noodles boast a nice chew, and we liked how we could adequately taste the char siu.

The café’s assorted dim sum selection includes pork hash ($1.60), shrimp dumplings ($1.60), half moon ($1.85) and mini sticky rice ($1.95). While these snacks aren’t as popular as the mini manapua, they’re still a nice option, and we’re told the sticky rice is a customer favorite.

If you want a sweet treat, opt for the café’s acai bowl ($14.95), which is topped with blueberries, strawberries, bananas, granola and a honey drizzle. The acai is refreshing, but not overly sweet. 

 The café’s drink menu is extensive, ranging from fruit teas($6.50) and milk teas ($5.95) to smoothies ($6.95-$11.95).

The most popular smoothie flavors include strawberry banana ($6.95), passion fruit mango ($6.95), dragon fruit mango ($7.95), matcha green ($7.95) and lychee strawberry ($6.95).

[{"type":"text","text":"Limited customer parking stalls are available in front of the cafe."}]

Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays-Fridays, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, 2-9 p.m. Sundays, closed Tuesdays

Honolulu Kitchen ube manapua 103125

<title>You can now find this deep-fried manapua in Honolulu</title>

Honolulu Kitchen Little Corner Cafe opened earlier this year in Mōʻiliʻili. The café offers steamed and deep-fried manapua, along with dim sum and smoothies.

You can now find this deep-fried manapua in Honolulu

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

In a historic quarterback matchup as far as Hawai‘i high schools are concerned, it was Tua Tagovailoa who outdueled Marcus Mariota on Sunday as the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime in Madrid, Spain. 

The matchup between the Dolphins and Commanders featured a 

pair of starting quarterbacks from Saint Louis in Tagovailoa and Mariota

, the first time an NFL matchup featured two starting quarterbacks from the same Hawai‘i high school. 

Sunday's game took place in front of 78,610 at Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, one of the world's iconic soccer clubs.

Tagovailoa completed 14 of his 20 passes, while Mariota went 20-for-30 with 213 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

In the fourth quarter, both teams turned the ball over on downs at the opposing 1 yard line. Washington kicker Matt Gay missed a 56-yard field goal late in the fourth, paving the way for overtime. 

Mariota threw an interception in the first play from scrimmage in overtime, allowing Miami to win on a 29-yard Riley Patterson field goal. 

The Commanders dropped to 3-8, losing their sixth straight game. Meanwhile, the Dolphins improved to 4-7, gaining their first winning streak of the season. Both teams will be on bye next week. 

"All these trials and tribulations that we're going through I think ultimately is going to build us better, and we just have to kind of take it on the chin," Mariota said after the game. "It is what it is. We're not where we want to be, but the only way that we can dig ourselves out of it is learning from these mistakes and learning from these games."

Although Mariota was not asked about Tagovailoa in his postgame press conference, Tagovailoa was asked about Mariota. He acknowledged the two shared a moment following the game but chose not to share more details. 

"I got a chance to speak to him after the game," Tagovailoa said of Mariota. "I told him great job, great seeing him. More of things he wanted to share with me that I really appreciated that I won't share here."

Mariota and Tagovailoa both expressed gratitude towards being able to play the NFL's first game in Spain. When asked where else he'd like to see the NFL hold a regular season game for the first time, Tagovailoa couldn't miss a chance to pitch a trip back home. 

"Hawai‘i," Tagovailoa said. "Just go play in Hawai‘i. I think that'd be pretty cool."

Tua Tagovailoa 111325

<title>Tua Tagovailoa outduels Marcus Mariota in historic Hawai‘i QB matchup</title>

Sunday's matchup marked the first time a pair of quarterbacks from the same Island high school started a game against each other.

Tua Tagovailoa outduels Marcus Mariota in historic Hawai‘i QB matchup

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

With a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony on Thursday, James Campbell Co. marked the start of construction on Nāliko, its newest residential community in Kapolei. The $170 million development will bring 300 rental homes to the West O‘ahu community.

, president and CEO of James Campbell Co. since 2024, says the project is “more than new construction. It is an investment in people, in community and in the future of West O‘ahu.”

It’s also a historic moment for the company.

“Over many decades, our lands have supported thousands of homes across Kapolei and West O‘ahu,” he told the crowd gathered Thursday. “This is the first time we are developing a housing community that we intend to own as part of our long-term portfolio.”

The project can be found on 2.7 acres across from Kapolei Regional Park, at the corner of Kama‘aha Avenue and Manawai Street. It’ll feature five stories of residences built around a six-story parking garage, according to an announcement Friday.

TCA Architects designed the project and Moss & Associates is leading construction, which is expected to be finished in 2027.

Penn told Aloha State Daily that there will be a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units, but a bulk of those — 175 — will be one-bedroom.

Matthew Caires, vice president of development affairs for the company, told ASD after the groundbreaking that there’s a critical need for rentals, especially affordable rentals.

Of the 300 units in the new development, 80% will be market rate while 20% will be reserved for households earning 80% of the area median income or below, he says. Income limits vary depending on the household size, but you can see the City and County of Honolulu’s 

A project that has been several years in the making, Caires says the company is “incredibly grateful” to get to this point.

Housing continues to be a major challenge in the Islands. Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corp.'s 

, found that Hawai‘i will need an estimated 64,490 additional housing units by 2027 to meet demand.

“This project reflects our deep, ongoing commitment to building communities that meet Hawai‘i’s real housing needs,” Penn said in the announcement. “Every element of this development was created with the community in mind — from its walkable design to its access to parking, schools, and jobs. This project represents another step in our shared kuleana to meet Hawai‘i’s housing needs and to create opportunities that allow West O‘ahu families to build their futures right here at home.”  

James Campbell Co. is a Hawai‘i-based, nationally diversified real estate company with a portfolio that spans 11 states and Washington D.C. It has played a pivotal role in the development of Kapolei.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

James campbell co groundbreaking kapolei 111325

<title>James Campbell Co. breaks ground on Kapolei rental project</title>

Nāliko is the real estate company's newest residential community in Kapolei, a $170 million development that will bring 300 rental homes to the West O‘ahu community.

James Campbell Co. breaks ground on Kapolei rental project

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Along with the bill that ended the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Congress voted this week to pass another passel of measures.

Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act

 for more than a month, causing the shutdown of the government for 43 days. The measure continued funding for federal agencies, including appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Defense and more.

It did not, on the other hand, include the extension for health insurance subsidies that Senate Democrats demanded in order to ensure their support of the measure; the shutdown ended when eight Democrats broke ranks to vote in support of the bill, with a final Senate vote of 60-40. None of those eight senators were Hawai‘i’s, as Sen. Brian Schatz and Sen. Mazie Hirono consistently voted against the measure.

Nor did Hawai‘i representatives Ed Case or Jill Tokuda vote in favor of the bill when it passed before the House on Nov. 12. The bill passed 222-209, and President Donald Trump signed it into law that same day.

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act

 requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase its payments to beneficiaries commensurate to the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients, effective Dec. 1. The Social Security Administration announced in October that beneficiaries will see a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment in January. The bill passed the Senate with unanimous support and is currently before the House.

 the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients, increasing from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 per month. It would also establish a monthly pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients, at a rate of $1,406.73 per month. Both pensions would be adjusted annually for inflation. An uncontroversial bill, it passed the House with unanimous support in February, and similarly passed the Senate with no opposition last week.

 the VA to include hygienic lactation spaces — required to be shielded from view, private, ADA-accessible, and clearly identifiable — in at least 80% of its medical centers within two years, and in 100% of them within three. Despite the name, the spaces would also be “available for use by women veterans and members of the public.” Passed the Senate with unanimous consent.

Senators

<title>CONGRESS WATCH: Shutdown ended, vet benefits extended</title>

How did Hawai‘i's lawmakers vote this week?

CONGRESS WATCH: Shutdown ended, vet benefits extended

Donalyn Dela Cruz is passionate about storytelling and strategic communications. From reporting to guiding communications for notable leaders in Hawaiʻi, she now runs DDC Consulting. A Wahiawā native who once danced hula under the guidance of the late Kumu Hula Hokulani DeRego, Donalyn earned her BA in journalism at UH Mānoa and a master’s in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Donalyn Dela Cruz

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Community Voices: Startup founders aim to make clean energy affordable in Hawai'i, beyond

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