Tetris and Hawaii

The Tetris movie was just released on Apple TV. But did you know that Tetris founder Henk Rogers has close ties to Hawaii? This Dutch-American video game designer and entrepreneur has not only made significant contributions to the gaming industry but also to sustainability and community-oriented initiatives in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Tetris house, A Piece of Tetris History for Sale

Before we delve into the deep ties between Tetris and Hawaii, it’s worth noting that a significant piece of Tetris history is currently on the market. Henk Rogers’ home in Honolulu, known as the “Tetris House,” is now for sale.

This exquisite property, located at 2835 Round Top Dr, Honolulu, HI 96822, is listed for $7.9 million. The house offers panoramic ocean and sunset views from Diamond Head across the Waikiki/Downtown skyline to the Waianae mountain range. The residence features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and spans over 6,269 sq ft of refined interior living space.

The house is situated on a 30,128 sq ft rim lot and offers expansive covered lanais ideal for entertaining. The property is also energy efficient, with 99 owned PV panels producing 30 kW of power, LFP batteries providing 90 kWh of storage, and a solar water heater. This home is an excellent example of sustainability and can be taken entirely off the grid.

Now, let’s explore the fascinating story of how the creator of Tetris became a significant figure in Hawaii’s sustainability and innovation sectors.

Henk Rogers: The Man Behind Tetris

Henk Rogers is a name that resonates with many in the gaming industry. He is known for producing Japan’s first major turn-based role-playing video game, The Black Onyx. However, his most notable achievement is securing the rights to distribute Tetris on video game consoles. This move catapulted the game to immense popularity, making it a household name.

Rogers founded Bullet-Proof Software, now known as Blue Planet Software, and The Tetris Company, which licenses the Tetris trademark. He played a crucial role in resolving licensing disputes that brought Tetris to the Game Boy. Today, he serves as the managing director of The Tetris Company, continuing his legacy in the gaming industry.

Henk Rogers and Hawaii: A Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond his work in the gaming industry, Rogers has made significant strides in sustainability and community-oriented initiatives. In 2007, he founded the Blue Planet Foundation, a public charity focused on advocacy for clean energy in Hawaii. The foundation led the campaign to make Hawaii the first state in the U.S. with a 100% renewable energy law in 2015. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the United States’ journey towards sustainable energy.

Rogers’ commitment to sustainability extends to his entrepreneurial ventures. In 2015, he founded Blue Planet Energy, one of the leading providers of energy storage systems. The company’s lithium-ion batteries use a lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which Rogers believes to be more environmentally friendly as the batteries are noncombustible and do not require rare earth elements.

Blue Startups: Fostering Innovation in Hawaii

Rogers’ entrepreneurial spirit is not limited to the gaming and energy sectors. He co-founded Blue Startups, a Honolulu-based startup accelerator, with his daughter Maya Rogers and local angel investor Chenoa Farnsworth. The accelerator aims to mentor, invest in, and encourage the founding of young technology companies, particularly those serving the cross-Pacific region or several targeted interest areas. This initiative is a testament to Rogers’ commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Hawaii.

Henk Rogers and Space Exploration in Hawaii

Rogers’ interests are not confined to the earth. He is also the chairman of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) and founder of the International MoonBase Alliance. These organizations developed the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), a Mars and moon analog habitat on Mauna Loa. PISCES’ mission is to develop and grow an aerospace industry in Hawaii through applied research, workforce development, and economic development initiatives. This endeavor showcases Rogers’ vision for Hawaii as a hub for space exploration and research.

Henk Rogers in Media

Rogers’ life and achievements have not gone unnoticed by the media. He is portrayed by Welsh actor Taron Egerton in the 2023 film Tetris, released on Apple TV. The film offers a glimpse into the life of the man who brought Tetris to the world and his ongoing contributions to Hawaii’s sustainability and innovation sectors.

Conclusion about Tetris and Hawaii

Henk Rogers’ story is one of innovation, commitment, and vision.From the creation of Tetris to his ongoing work in Hawaii, Rogers has consistently demonstrated his ability to foresee trends and opportunities. His work in the gaming industry, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and space exploration has left an indelible mark on both the global gaming industry and the state of Hawaii. As we enjoy the Tetris movie on Apple TV, let’s also appreciate the man behind the game and his significant contributions to making the world a better place.

I am lucky to have met Henk Rogers when he was Inauguration of the Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Honolulu. View the article here

Disclaimer:
Tetris logos, Tetris theme song and Tetriminos are trademarks of Tetris Holding.
The Tetris trade dress is owned by Tetris Holding. Licensed to The Tetris Company.
Tetris Game Design by Alexey Pajitnov.
Tetris Logo Design by Roger Dean.
All Rights Reserved.