The County of Kauaʻi and Johnson Controls are working collaboratively to support the County’s financial, sustainability, and resiliency goals. Through this partnership, the County is advancing the development of a sustainable island community by leveraging proven, state‑of‑the‑art energy and water technologies. This resiliency‑focused infrastructure initiative is designed to deliver long‑term operational savings, environmental benefits, and enhanced system reliability across County facilities.

Delivering Energy & Water Savings

FOR A SAFE & SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Project Objectives

This project will create hundreds of local jobs for our community and will help contribute to Kauai’s economy.

Cut Costs

Create Jobs

Utility cost-savings are guaranteed by Johnson Controls. Construction costs are 100% paid for by the savings, resulting in zero out of pocket spending by the County or taxpayers.

Taking action toward sustainability goals, this project will save energy and water in addition to reducing carbon emissions and other pollutants in line with the County’s Climate Adaptation and Action Plan.

Climate Action Results

He Nohona ‘Ae‘oia - A Culture of Sustainability

In 2014, Kauai County committed to the Aloha+ Challenge alongside the State of Hawaii, City & County of Honolulu, Maui County, Hawaii County, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The initiative set forth Hawaii’s statewide sustainability goals with targets for clean energy transformation, local food production, natural resource management, waste reduction, smart growth, climate resilience, green jobs and education by 2030. The Kauai County’s project with Johnson Controls will deliver tangible results across energy, water, and carbon emissions throughout Kauai County to make measured progress toward the County’s commitment to the Aloha+ Challenge and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

On December 17, 2025 Mayor Derek Kawakami officially signed the Kaua’i Climate Adaptation and Action Plan. This plan is a roadmap to ensure the County meets the goals they have set forth to protect and preserve for generations to come.

OUR FUTURE

  • Johnson Controls is supporting the County’s vision for a more sustainable and resilient island by creating positive change around energy, water, carbon emissions, and resilient infrastructure.

  • Efficiency is critical to serving the public effectively. Many existing building systems are aging, costly to maintain, and consume significant amounts of energy and water. Strategic modernization of County facilities can reduce utility consumption, lower operating costs, and improve system reliability.

  • Renewable energy solutions play a key role in advancing Kauai’s clean energy goals. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels strengthens energy resiliency and supports climate action, helping protect local communities and natural resources.

  • Provide cost savings to taxpayers through energy and water improvements. Upgrades to the County’s buildings and facilities infrastructure are 100% paid for through utility bill savings, with millions of dollars left over for the city to repurpose for other community needs.

Performance Based Contracting 

Johnson Controls delivers innovative infrastructure improvement solutions that directly contribute to our clients’ core mission and their bottom line. Energy savings performance contracting (ESPC) is a natural solution to reducing energy and operating costs, improving comfort and updating building infrastructure for local government agencies across the nation.

We develop a complete suite of energy efficiency building upgrades that significantly reduce clients’ energy and operational costs. These costs are then redirected to pay for the improvements, delivering additional savings on top of the debt service payments. With the cost and the savings guaranteed by Johnson Controls, the project represents an incredible opportunity for the County to upgrade their facilities. .

The National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) has continuously recognized Johnson Controls as an accredited ESCO since 1997. NAESCO designated us as an Energy Service Provider in 2003 (the first year ESP accreditation was available). We are one of only 14 companies in North America to receive this designation.