Special Report

Electric Dreams

For the past 125 years, Hawaiian Electric Co. has helped shape Hawaii’s development, its politics and its culture. We explore its past to see what we can learn about its future.
What’s Next For The Company That Shaped Hawaii History?

What’s Next For The Company That Shaped Hawaii History?

The president of Hawaiian Electric Co. discusses how the utility plans to get Hawaii to a 100 percent renewable energy future and the difficulties it faces.

How The Quest For Clean Energy Sank HECO’s Biggest Deal Ever

How The Quest For Clean Energy Sank HECO’s Biggest Deal Ever

Hawaii political leaders and regulators didn’t think selling Hawaiian Electric to a mainland company would help get the utility off oil.

Why It Took A Republican Governor To Get Blue Hawaii On The Path To Clean Energy

Why It Took A Republican Governor To Get Blue Hawaii On The Path To Clean Energy

When Gov. Linda Lingle pushed for sweeping renewable energy legislation, Hawaiian Electric pushed back. But Lingle eventually won.

Big Risks Led To Big Losses For Hawaiian Electric

Big Risks Led To Big Losses For Hawaiian Electric

Hawaiian Electric leaders tried to turn an electric utility into an investment powerhouse. It didn’t quite stick.

How A Mideast War Made HECO Start To Think Green

How A Mideast War Made HECO Start To Think Green

The Arab oil crisis brought聽a new awareness of聽the promise of聽renewable energy. But the spark fizzled. Hawaiian Electric was hooked on oil.

What Happened When HECO Went To Wall Street

What Happened When HECO Went To Wall Street

Energized by statehood and a booming economy, Hawaiian Electric began to reach beyond Oahu聽for investors and investments.

Why Everyone Wanted To Work For Hawaiian Electric

Why Everyone Wanted To Work For Hawaiian Electric

With a devastating war behind it, Hawaii embraced聽the promise of a bright future. And it needed HECO more than ever.

How HECO Helped Pull Hawaii Through The Tough Times

How HECO Helped Pull Hawaii Through The Tough Times

Hawaiian Electric played a key role in Hawaii’s economic recovery from the Great Depression. And then World War II hit the islands.

Learning To Live In The Electric Century

Learning To Live In The Electric Century

Hawaiian Electric Co. saw its profits skyrocket as people began using newfangled electric appliances.

Friends In High Places Helped HECO Tighten Its Grip On Hawaii

Friends In High Places Helped HECO Tighten Its Grip On Hawaii

The federal government’s takeover of Hawaii proved extremely fortuitous for Hawaiian Electric. So was the involvement of leading local families.

How One Company Turned ‘Darkness Into Day’

How One Company Turned ‘Darkness Into Day’

From its beginning in 1891, Hawaiian Electric Co. has been deeply entwined with the economic, political and social history of Hawaii.