Enterprise Rent-A-Car is giving Hawaii a lift toward the state's goal of reducing its dependency on oil, improving fuel efficiency and creating a cleaner environment.

The St. Louis-based national rental car chain announced in conjunction with Gov. Linda Lingle and other state officials yesterday that it has designated four rental locations in the state as hybrid branches. They are in Honolulu (677 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 101), Kailua (345 Hahani St.), Maui (40 Hana Highway, Kahului) and Waikiki (1778 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 202).

“;As we strive to build a cleaner, more sustainable Hawaii, we welcome opportunities to work with the business community to offer more options to our local communities,”; said state Sen. J. Kalani English, chairman of the Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs and vice chairman of the Committee on Energy and Environment.

“;Increasing the number of hybrid vehicles in Hawaii — along with the benefits they bring in terms of lower fuel consumption and fewer greenhouse gas emissions — are an important step toward our preferred future.”;

Enterprise, which has been in Hawaii since 1994, has 20 city branches throughout the state as well as locations at five airports: Hilo, Kona, Honolulu, Maui and Kauai. The company has 180 local full-time employees. Nationwide, Enterprise operates nearly 100 hybrid locations in 30 major markets.

“;The ability to choose an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicle is important to many of our customers here in Hawaii,”; said Paul Kopel, vice president and general manager for Enterprise in Hawaii. “;Increasing the number of hybrid vehicles in our fleet means customers can reserve them online from our hybrid branches, making the process that much more convenient.”;

Customers can choose hybrids such as the Honda Civic and Insight, or the Toyota Prius.

House Speaker Calvin Say called Enterprise's investment in more hybrid vehicles “;an important, positive step toward a more sustainable future for our community.”;

“;This is a great example of how much there is to gain from working with the private sector to increase sustainable transportation options throughout the state,”; Say said.

Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares said Enterprise's hybrid branches provide another way for residents and visitors to be “;greener in their daily lives”; and will create a more sustainable Maui.