The Wilcox Medical Center in Līhuʻe received the 2026 Energy to Care Award from the American Society for Health Care Engineering, earning national recognition for reducing energy use and advancing sustainability initiatives.
The award recognizes health care facilities that cut energy consumption by at least 10% in one year or 15% over two years. The organization also evaluates water use and greenhouse gas emissions when determining recipients.
At Wilcox Medical Center, sustainability efforts include a solar farm with more than 3,500 panels that generates an average of about 4,465 kilowatt-hours of electricity each day.
The hospital also has upgraded more than 750 light fixtures to energy-efficient LED lighting, implemented scheduled overnight HVAC shutdowns in unused areas, and recycled more than 400,000 pounds of paper, batteries, electronic waste and other materials over the past year.
Hawaiʻi Pacific Health also received the national society’s highest distinction, Sustainability Champion, for year-round environmental leadership. In addition, each earned a Sustained Performance Award for maintaining energy efficiency standards for three consecutive years.
“Finding ways to conserve energy benefits everyone,” Wilcox President and CEO Jen Chahanovich said in a statement to Kauaʻi Now. “We’re proud of our Wilcox team for their dedication to caring for our patients and our community.”
Pali Momi CEO Terence Young credited the hospital’s employees for continuing to improve environmental practices.
