Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with Carbon Lighthouse to pilot a clean energy initiative at its Honolulu Airport Center.
Using Carbon Lighthouse’s data-driven methodology, called Efficiency Production, Hawaiian Airlines will install dozens of sensors across the Airport Center building. These sensors will monitor air and water temperatures, HVAC flow rates, lighting, occupancy and other operational parameters. By combining sensor readings with utility usage, weather and additional contextual data, Carbon Lighthouse will identify practical, cost-saving improvements that also reduce environmental impact.
“As one of Hawaiʻi’s most influential brands, Hawaiian Airlines is uniquely positioned to lead on value-driven carbon elimination,” said Brenden Millstein, CEO and co‑founder of Carbon Lighthouse. “We are honored to work with them to uncover efficiency reserves within Airport Center, converting energy waste into guaranteed financial and environmental value. This collaboration supports our shared objective of strengthening a sustainable local community in the islands for generations to come.”
“As Hawaiʻi’s airline, we are headquartered in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and we are mindful of the impact our flying and ground operations have on the environment,” said Mark Berg, managing director of corporate real estate at Hawaiian Airlines. “We continually seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and we expect the Carbon Lighthouse pilot will help us make meaningful progress toward a more sustainable Hawaiʻi.”
The pilot focuses on measuring building performance at a granular level and turning those insights into guaranteed actions that lower energy consumption and operating costs. Typical recommendations from Efficiency Production projects can include HVAC schedule adjustments, control optimizations, lighting retrofits and other measures that improve comfort while reducing waste. By validating opportunities with real-time data and financial modeling, the program aims to deliver measurable emissions reductions and operational savings without disrupting daily operations.
Hawaiian Airlines’ decision to test this program reflects a broader trend among organizations in Hawaii to adopt pragmatic, data-backed solutions for energy efficiency. For a company with deep ties to the islands, demonstrating leadership on sustainability through targeted building improvements aligns with both environmental stewardship and long-term cost management. The pilot at Airport Center will serve as a model for how focused, evidence-based interventions can generate tangible benefits for businesses and communities alike.
Both partners emphasize that the pilot is designed to be scalable. If successful, the same approach could be applied to other facilities across the airline’s network or to buildings owned by other local organizations seeking practical ways to cut emissions and operating costs. The combination of on-site sensor data, external datasets and financial guarantees is intended to reduce uncertainty and accelerate implementation of energy-saving measures.
By collaborating on this initiative, Hawaiian Airlines and Carbon Lighthouse aim to demonstrate that sustainability and economic performance are complementary goals. The pilot represents a concrete step toward minimizing the airline’s environmental footprint while supporting resilient, cost-effective building operations in Hawaiʻi.