The world and everyone on it are headed towards a "flash point," said Luis Salaveria, director of Hawaii's department of business, economic development and tourism, at VERGE Hawaii 2017. 

That includes communities, businesses and governments that have both benefited from modern advancements in agriculture, medicine and science and contributed to the environmental crises facing the planet. 

Innovation is needed to bring America, and the world, across the renewable energy finish line. How do you cultivate an environment where utilities, regulators and buyers will increase their risk appetite? Start with local solutions to the energy transition. 

Pono Shim, leader of nonprofit economic development organization PBR Hawaii and one of Hawaii's most gifted storytellers and business influencers, talks about the importance of pulling together to achieve the goal of a sustainable society. 

Throughout the VERGE Hawaii conference where Shim spoke, there was a theme of all paddling forward in the same canoe. But if everyone jumps headfirst into the same canoe, he said, the boat will capsize. 

Hawai'i is the United State's most isolated populated landmass, but its experiences, approach and solutions to sustainability can resonate through the world. 

The island state is internally navigating the challenges of balancing economic growth, energy independence, economic stewardship and community resilience. Furthermore, it is still strongly committed to the Paris Agreement on climate. 

Hawaii is leading the U.S. in becoming the first state to legally mandate using 100 percent renewable energy in the electric sector by 2045. 

Like any great goal, it will take team thinking and consideration of customer's changing needs.