Seagliders could be a game changer for Hawai’i’s sustainable future

December 19, 2024, by Naida Hakirevic Prevljak

Seagliders will have a positive impact on Hawaiʻi, according to a study commissioned by the Hawaiʻi Seaglider Initiative (HSI), a coalition of local stakeholders working to increase awareness and adoption of seagliders in the state.

The key findings, released on December 18, 2024, show that 78% of Hawaiʻi residents support the introduction of an inter-island seaglider service.

HSI also announced that three government agencies — the Hawaiʻi Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies (HCATT), the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), and the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) — have joined the coalition to explore the benefits of seagliders to local communities, signaling a growing momentum to bring affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation solutions to the state.

HSI was founded in January 2024 to increase awareness and adoption of seagliders, high-speed, all-electric vessels manufactured by Rhode Island-based REGENT that operate exclusively over water to transport people and goods between coastal destinations.

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Today, HSI has grown from about a dozen organizations to more than 30 members across government, business, and community groups.

“We are honored to welcome HCATT, OHA, and HCDA to the initiative and look forward to working together to respond to local needs,” Veronica Rocha, Co-administrator of HSI, commented.

“The expansion of the initiative is a testament to the shared need to connect communities across Hawaiʻi with affordable, sustainable transportation solutions that unlock access to essential goods and services,” HSI Co-administrator David Uchiyama added.

Across 12 meetings and events throughout the year, HSI members examined the potential effects of seagliders on areas including community and culture, the environment, infrastructure, resiliency, and workforce development and education to identify needs and deliver actionable recommendations.

The analysis showed that seagliders will increase accessibility for residents, creating pathways to high-paying jobs and educational opportunities and providing lifesaving medical care and timely natural disaster relief.

The adoption of zero-emission vessels will also advance public- and private-sector decarbonization efforts. Seagliders can offset up to 30% of CO2e emissions from inter-island commercial aviation travel, based on existing energy sources, the study found.

“We’re collaborating with the Hawaiʻi Seaglider Initiative to advance our mission to inspire and transform Hawaiʻi’s clean energy future,” David Molinaro, Director, HCATT, said.

“Together, we can make Hawaiʻi the leader in zero emission transportation technologies to improve lives and reduce climate risks.”

This year, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office cited all-electric seagliders as part of the state’s decarbonization plans, and HSI was featured in the Southwest One Report as Southwest Airlines’s first public engagement on battery-electric propulsion technologies with zero direct emissions and Hawaiian Airlines Annual Sustainability report as a key partner in reducing emissions in the state.

The study also found that seaglider operations would be technically feasible at most Hawaiʻi harbors, based on analysis of factors including climatic conditions (waves and wind), utilities, parking, lease availability, accessibility, modifications, potential user conflicts, and major permits.

“Kewalo Basin Harbor could provide the ideal space to host seagliders,” Craig Nakamoto, HCDA Executive Director, explained.

In 2025, HSI intends to focus on the necessary seaglider implementation efforts to enable these benefits. The initiative will explore how to modernize the state’s maritime transportation network and facilitate renewable energy infrastructure; develop education and workforce development programs; and continue to host community events to engage residents and cultural groups.