HONOLULU -- Gov. Linda Lingle said getting Hawaii off oil is the most important thing her administration can do.

With that said the governor on Monday signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop clean, renewable energy sources.

The goal is to reduce Hawaii's use of oil by 70 percent over the next two decades.

Hawaii has abundant sources of renewable clean energy. From the waves that crash on the island shores, to the winds that can drive wind turbines, the tropical sun that beats down on the islands, geothermal energy and other sources that may be harnessed through technological advances.

However, Hawaii is dependent on oil and has the highest gas prices and electricity rates in the nation.

"We simply have to take kind of giant strides to enable us to make significant progress. Today is one of those giant strides," Lingle said.

On hand were lawmakers, landowners, investors, leaders in technology and energy developers. The goal is to integrate renewable energy like solar, wind, and advanced technologies into existing systems.

The assistant secretary for renewable energy praised Hawaii as an ideal location to make these changes.

"It is the most pristine natural paradise that we have, and the place that is most blessed with the potential for cost effective affordable, abundant, available renewable resources," said Andy Karsner of the Department of Energy.

The Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative will plan for several projects in order to achieve the government's goals by 2030.

Here is a list of some of the goals provided by the Lingle Administration:

Designing cost-effective approaches for 100 percent use of renewable energy on smaller islands

Designing systems to improve stability of electrical grids operating with variable generating sources, such as wind power plants on the Island of Hawai‘i and Maui

Integrating renewable energy, including solar, wind, energy storage and advanced vehicle technologies into existing systems to meet the islands’ energy need

Minimizing energy use while maximizing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies at new large military housing developments

Expanding Hawai‘i’s capability to use locally grown crops as byproducts for producing fuel and electricity

Developing comprehensive energy regulatory and policy frameworks to promote clean energy technology use

Maui may soon be the first island to generate some of its power from the sea.

Maui Electric Co. is working out details with Australian based Oceanlinx limited to build several offshore hydrokinetic plants. The plants use the rise and fall of ocean waves to turn a turbine, which generates power.

Plants would be located offshore, but no specific site has been announced for the project.

The plants would generate enough power for more than 2,000 homes on the Valley Isle, officials said.