Meet the Alternate Energy Hawaii Team
Family-owned on Oʻahu since 1993, with our own employee installers on every job.
Alternate Energy Hawaii (Alternate Energy, Inc.) is a family-owned solar company in Pearl City, run by founder and president Bruce Ekimura since 1993. Our project developers, electricians, roofers, plumbers and solar installers are all AEI employees. Together we've installed more than 59 MW of solar for Oʻahu homes and businesses, plus batteries, solar water heating, AC and EV chargers.
Here's who you'll meet when you work with us, and how each part of the team fits into your project.
Our Story: A Family Business Since 1993
More than 35 years ago, Bruce Ekimura, a plumber by trade, set out to help Hawaii families lower their electric bills with the sun. He and his father became early specialists in solar water heaters and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Alternate Energy, Inc. was incorporated in 1993, and it is now a third-generation, family-run business and, in AEI's words, one of Hawaii's largest PV solar providers (AEI careers).
The company is still locally owned, and the office is still on Oʻahu: 96-1276 Waihona Street, Suite 114, Pearl City. Read more about why Oʻahu homeowners choose Alternate Energy.
Meet the Team That’s Changing How Hawaii Powers Up
Leadership
Bruce Ekimura
Founder and PresidentBruce started the company with his family and still leads it. The family started out installing solar water heaters, and AEI still installs them alongside solar panels and batteries.
Radford Nakamura
Director of Sales“Everyone at AEI is like an extended family working together to take care of our customers.”
Project Developers: Your Main Contact
When you call AEI, a project developer takes your project from the first conversation to the day your system turns on. They visit your home or business, review your Hawaiian Electric bills, check your roof, and explain your options for solar, batteries and incentives in writing. After the contract, they stay your contact while our team handles design, permits and utility approval.
In the same way you search for the best company to hire, I searched for the best company to work for. AEI was my choice.
Roy Skaggs
Project DeveloperI enjoy meeting great customers and seeing how happy they are after working with AEI.
Darrel Yamate
Project DeveloperFrom the owners to the administrative staff, everyone at AEI genuinely cares about customer satisfaction.
Faith Texeira
Project DeveloperIt brings me great satisfaction knowing that I am helping save our planet by encouraging local families to go green.
Miles Yoshimoto
Project DeveloperI pride myself on getting to know each customer's needs and earning their trust.
Sam Nomi
Project DeveloperEach name links to that person's profile, with their direct phone and email.
In-House Crews, Not Subcontractors
Every AEI installer is an employee. That includes our PV and solar installers, licensed electricians, roofers, plumbers and site survey staff. The open roles on our careers page show the trades we hire for: journeyman plumbers, solar plumber technicians, experienced roofers, PV installers, experienced electricians and site survey assistants.
Keeping these trades in-house means one team can plan a roof replacement, a solar array, a battery, solar water heating or ductless AC together, without handing your home between contractors.
Recognition for the Team
Tesla Premier Installer
Tesla promoted AEI to Premier Installer in December 2023 (announcement).
Residential Installer of the Year
Panasonic named AEI its 2023 Residential Installer of the Year (details).
Hawaii contractor license C-26041
You can look up any contractor's license on the state's licensing search before you sign.
Giving Back to Oʻahu
Hawaii Business magazine named AEI one of Hawaii's Most Charitable Companies of 2013. That year the company gave about 80,000 dollars to groups including Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Kaiser High School and Aiea High School scholarships (Hawaii Renovation). The team has also supported groups such as AccesSurf (AccesSurf). See how AEI gives back.
Join the Team
We hire installers, electricians, roofers, plumbers and site survey staff. Full-time roles include medical, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and profit sharing after one year. See current openings on our careers page.
Questions About the AEI Team
Who owns Alternate Energy Hawaii?
Alternate Energy, Inc. is a family-owned Oʻahu company led by founder and president Bruce Ekimura. Bruce, a plumber by trade, and his father were early installers of solar water heaters and PV systems before the company was incorporated in 1993. Today it is a third-generation, family-run business based in Pearl City.
Who will I work with when I call AEI?
A project developer handles your project from the first visit. They look at your roof, your Hawaiian Electric bill and your goals, recommend a system in writing, and stay your contact through permits, installation and Hawaiian Electric approval. Call (808) 842-5853 to be matched with one.
Are AEI's installers employees or subcontractors?
Employees. AEI's solar installers, electricians, roofers and plumbers work for Alternate Energy, Inc., not a subcontractor, so the company that designs and sells your system is the same one that installs and services it.
Talk to Our Team
Read customer stories about working with our project developers, or get started now. Already a customer? Our support team can help with your existing system.