Earlier this year, Tony Honda achieved ENERGY STAR certification, becoming one of only four Honda dealerships nationwide to earn the distinction. Dealer Principals (pictured below, from left) Stan Masamitsu and Tim Dagenais, along with Director of Technology & Projects Bryan Hsu, share more about their roles and the initiatives that earned Tony Honda both the Honda Green Dealer Environmental Leadership Award and ENERGY STAR Certification. Tony Honda is located on the beautiful island of Oahu, making their energy-conscious projects essential for business.

Tony Honda has received the Green Dealer Award for an impressive five years in a row. Why is this important to your dealership?

While being recognized for our energy efforts is always appreciated, we believe the “why” behind the accolade inspires us to maintain our standing every year. In Hawaii, there is a profound cultural emphasis on environmental stewardship. Our beautiful oceans and skies are not just scenery; they are integral to our way of life and deserve our utmost respect. At Tony Honda, part of our commitment to our community is contributing to our shared responsibility of preserving the land for future generations.

What prompted you to join the Honda Environmental Leadership Program in 2014?

We work with other manufacturers who don’t offer similar programs. We were impressed with Honda’s commitment to sustainability, which extends beyond energy-efficient vehicles to include green practices in their own facilities.

By the time the program began, we had already implemented photovoltaic (PV) systems, installed LED lighting and upgraded our HVAC system to more energy-efficient models. The Green Dealer Program aligned perfectly with our existing sustainability efforts and further supported our goals.

Speaking of PVs, tell us about Tony Honda’s extensive solar panel installation.

Hawaii’s electricity costs are among the highest in the country, so 10 years ago, we installed PV panels. More recently, we upgraded to more efficient panels and added a battery storage system. These improvements have significantly reduced our electricity bills by storing excess energy and lowering our reliance on the grid. We also benefit from valuable federal and state tax credits. Solar panels are widely used here, visible on many homes, businesses and even at the local Costco.

How do you think an energy-efficient store sets you up for success in Honda’s electrified future?

There are benefits to focusing on energy-efficient setups at dealerships. Our PV solar panels and battery storage systems helped offset the increased electrical demand, especially with the introduction of Level 3 chargers and handle demand usage spikes that typically would lead to higher utility costs. These systems also decrease our reliance on utility companies and their increasing rates, while protecting against power outages and similar disruptions.

Upgrading to a PV system made sense for the Tony Honda facility, and it continues to prove worthwhile for the business years later. However, we understand that some dealerships might not have the electrical infrastructure to support all the current and future EV chargers that American Honda will require their dealers to deploy.

What are some of the biggest benefits to being part of the program?

The Green Dealer Program provides substantial cost savings and ensures we stay up to date with evolving award and certification requirements. Knowing the benchmarks we need to meet has been incredibly valuable. The Green Dealer Program is also a pivotal resource for research, planning, design, and navigating available tax credits, rebates and grants. Being a part of the Green Dealer Program has saved us a significant amount of time.

What has been your biggest learning through the process of implementing energy-efficient measures?

It’s crucial to partner with high-quality vendors when developing your PV and battery storage systems. With so many options available, vendors must be capable of designing and engineering extensive systems to meet your specific size and capacity needs. It is essential to be confident in your vendor’s technical expertise and know-how as panels and batteries evolve, making compatibility and ongoing support possible.

Out of all the sustainable initiatives you’ve put into place, which has had the biggest impact as far as cost savings?

PV solar and battery storage have had the most significant impact on cost savings. Upgrading to LED lighting for energy efficiency is another major contributor.

Tell us about the brand new, ground-up facility you’re building in Kona on the Big Island.

Starting from the ground up presents exciting opportunities. We aim to make our new Kona facility as green and off-grid as possible, incorporating a PV system with battery storage and a backup generator. We’re also integrating extensive recycling programs and innovative water conservation measures, including brackish water landscape irrigation, grey water recycling and atmospheric water generation. Green Dealer is assisting us by reviewing our plans and offering practical feedback. It’s an exhilarating project.

To learn more about the program, visit greendealer.honda.com.