HomeIncentives by StateHawaii
Hawaii Energy pays for networked lighting controls.
Its business rebates for 2026-27 name networked and fixture-level controls, paid on the energy they save and the evening peak they cut. With fluorescent tubes off the shelves since January 1, 2026, a relight is the time to add them. We design it, ship it ready to install and test it.
Programs as of October 2026. We confirm what your building qualifies for before you buy. Sources
How it works here.
Hawaii Energy is the state's efficiency program, run for the Public Utilities Commission and funded by a fee on Hawaiian Electric bills. It covers businesses on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island. Its rebates for July 2026 through June 2027 list networked lighting controls and luminaire-level controls by name, paid on the energy saved plus the drop in demand between 5 and 9 pm. Fixtures need to be LED and on the DesignLights Consortium list. Ask Hawaii Energy for pre-approval before anything is bought; we prepare the lighting worksheet and the savings behind it. New construction and major renovations are paid for savings beyond code.
On Kauai, KIUC's Commercial Retrofit Program covers lighting controls through its approved trade allies, with the project submitted before purchase.
Programs as of October 2026. Hawaii Energy's program year runs July to June.
Upgrading lighting anyway?
All four counties enforce the 2018 IECC with Hawaii amendments. It calls for occupancy sensors that turn lights off within 20 minutes in offices, meeting rooms, restrooms and storage, open offices zoned at 600 sq ft, daylight controls near windows, and testing before sign-off. Replace 10% or more of the fixtures in a space and that space comes under these rules.
Honolulu adds two things. Spaces that use 80% or less of the allowed wattage can skip the schedule and daylight rules, though rooms on the sensor list still need sensors. And the final inspection checks that the controls actually work. A controller in every fixture handles sensors, schedules and daylight in one system, and Hawaii Energy pays for it on the savings.
See how a project runs- OccupancyLights off within 20 minutes in offices, meeting rooms and restroomsCovered
- RetrofitsReplace 10% or more of a room's fixtures and the control rules applyCovered
- TestingControls are tested before sign-off, and Honolulu inspectors check they workCovered
Benchmarking and the fluorescent ban.
Honolulu asks commercial and multifamily properties over 25,000 sq ft to report energy and water use each year by June 30, and it publishes the results on a public map. Since January 1, 2026, new linear fluorescent tubes can't be sold anywhere in Hawaii. Existing fixtures can stay, but the next relamp is a relight, and that's when controls go in for the least extra work.
Your building can be anywhere in the US.
We design remotely and ship the kit set up and labeled by room. A local electrician installs it, and we test on site or remotely.
Questions owners ask.
Does Hawaii Energy pay for networked lighting controls?
Yes. Its business rebates for July 2026 through June 2027 list networked lighting controls and luminaire-level controls, paid on first-year energy saved plus the cut in weekday evening peak demand. Fixtures have to be LED and on the DesignLights Consortium list. It covers Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island. As of October 2026.
What about Kauai?
Hawaii Energy's efficiency programs don't cover Kauai. KIUC does: its Commercial Retrofit Program covers lighting controls through KIUC-approved trade allies, submitted before purchase. Kauai's small business energy grant runs through December 31, 2026.
Which energy code applies?
All four counties enforce the 2018 IECC with Hawaii amendments. Honolulu's version took effect November 23, 2023. Only Honolulu changed the lighting control rules, with an exemption for low-wattage spaces and a final inspection that checks the controls work.
Do I have to replace my fluorescent fixtures?
No. Since January 1, 2026, new linear fluorescent tubes can't be sold in Hawaii, but existing fixtures can stay. When the tubes run out, the fix is LED, and Hawaii Energy no longer pays for simple tube swaps. Adding networked controls on the same visit opens up its controls rebate.
Is there anything for new construction?
Yes. Hawaii Energy's New Construction & Major Renovation program pays for savings beyond code, through an energy model at the design stage or a systems path during construction.
Tell us about your building.
An address is enough. Your free Lighting Controls Assessment comes back within 48 hours.
Networked lighting controls, start to finish.