Sustainability Matters
A swimmer enjoys Hilo’s new, energy efficient Student Life Center
Hilo’s Student Life Center goes for gold
UH Hilo’s new Student Life Center opened in fall 2008 with fitness facilities, a juice bar, an Olympic-size pool and design elements aimed at earning a LEED gold rating. The Student Life Center’s application for a gold rating is supported by two dozen steps taken to earn LEED credit points.
Most projects achieve LEED goals by working in harmony with the surrounding environment or promoting changes in everyday practices with a design that employs natural elements to reduce energy use.
The south wall, where the sun’s rays are strongest, is built with concrete blocks topped by windows to block out the sun’s heat. The north wall of the cardio room is largely comprised of windows, which allows significant light to enter the area and requires less energy to power the artificial lighting.
Skylights and dormers throughout the building diffuse natural light, while the placement of a deep roof overhang, windows and louvers create spaces that can be cooled through natural ventilation.
During construction, the project turned an astonishing 17 tons of scrap drywall into usable products. Twelve tons of cut-off scraps were incorporated into the free mulch mix, offered by Eko, the Big Island green waste recycling station at the East Hawai‘i landfill. The rest were crushed and used on site in place of calcium as a soil amendment. The landscaping will also utilize native or adapted species that require no irrigation.
An official rating by the U.S. Green Building Council is expected within the next four to six months.
Our strategic vision for the University of Hawai‘i’s 10 campuses is grounded in Native Hawaiian values, including a strong sense of community, mutual respect and the need to conserve and care for limited resources.
This weekly update highlights projects and programs systemwide that demonstrate that, at UH, sustainability matters.
Sustainability Matters updates
Select a topic below to learn more.
Focus on alternative fuelsJuly 27 — A panel of representatives from local companies engaged in the research and production of alternatives to fossil fuels will discuss current developments and visions for the future.
Training a green workforceJuly 20 — Maui Community College is partnering with Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. to train an eco-friendly workforce.
TechHui conferenceJuly 13 — The TechHui Conference at UH Manoa includes breakout sessions on renewable energy and other sustainability topics. EarthDance environmental film festival July 6 — Outreach College presents environmental film festival with international offerings for families and adults.
New Windward library goes green June 29 — Windward Community College Library Learning Commons will feature solar panels, motion-activated lights and waterless urinals.
Free eWaste recycling June 22 — Free electronics recycling program for educational institutions during Summer 2009. Sustainability film to premiereJune 15 — A documentary short co-produced by Maui Community College will premiere at the Maui Film Festival June 20.
New program to redouble recycling effortsJune 8 — A new mixed recycling program will divert at least 94 cubic yards of waste from landfill—twice the current current amunt. Clean Car CorridorJune 1 — East-West Road on the UH Manoa campus will become the Clean Car Corridor as part of Hawai‘i Clean Energy Day on Saturday, June 6. Hawaii Clean Energy DayMay 26 — The Outreach College hosts Hawai‘i Clean Energy Day, a day-long program of speakers, panels and vigorous discussion centering on the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative. Energy conservation tipsMay 18 — Information Technology Services provides energy conservation tips related to computers and other office equipment. Manoa chancellor appointed to national committeeMay 11 — Virginia S. Hinshaw has been appointed to serve on a national energy advisory committee. Sustainability grant awardedMay 4 — A team of Manoa researchers has been awarded a $1 million research grant on the broad topic of sustainability Study renewable energy on MauiApr. 27 — Maui Community College is offering a special eight-week summer program focused on the principles of renewable energy. UH campuses celebrate Earth DayApr. 20 — UH campuses statewide are celebrating Earth Day 2009 with a series of educational events and presentations. UH Hilo launches solar panel project Apr. 13 — UH Hilo turns on the first solar panels designed to promote energy efficiency through greater use of renewable sources. Earth Day 2009 Apr. 6 — Manoa invites the community to join in for Sustainability Fest in honor of Earth Day 2009 on April 22. “Sustain Your Brain” at Manoa this summerMar. 30 — Manoa Outreach College Summer Sessions include an array of programs on sustainability, energy and the environment. 
New Site Highlights Sustainability EffortsMar. 23 — Kapi‘olani Community College launches new sustainability website. UH Hilo Going Green Mar. 16 — UH Hilo considers over 100 projects and ideas for sustainability and energy savings on campus.
Leeward’s International Festival Mar. 9 — Leeward Community College’s International Festival explores "Global Sustainability" over six days starting March 14.
Kaua‘i’ Sustainable Food MovementMar. 2 — Kaua‘i Community College leads island’s sustainable food movement, hosts open meeting Sunday, March 8.
Making the Sustainability GradeFeb. 23 — Windward Community College is recognized as “Exemplary” in a national report gauging trends in campus sustainability. Maui’s Upcountry Sustainability ExpoFeb. 17 — Maui residents who want to help create solutions for a more sustainable Maui are invited to the first Upcountry Sustainability Expo.
Shidler College of Business goes solarFeb. 9 — New solar system saves 9,323 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere every year. Faces and Places, 2009 Feb. 2 — Faces and Places, 2009 highlights UH system sustainability efforts.
New sustainable campus breaks groundJan. 26 — UH West O‘ahu recently celebrated a ground blessing ceremony at the site of its future new campus in Kapolei, an event more than 30 years in the making. Taking gardening to a new levelJan. 20 — Windward Community College prepares students for careers in biotechnology and bioprocessing entrepreneurship.
Growing Green WorkshopsJan. 12 — Manoa’s Outreach College presents a series of sustainable gardening workshops beginning in February. Sustainability research worth $1 millionJan. 5 — Manoa’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education announces an internal competition for a $1 million research grant in the broad area of sustainability.
UH community colleges explore sustainabilityDec. 29 — Kapi‘olani Community College’s Sustainability Committee is leading efforts for a new Learning Communities Institute dedicated to sustainable thinking and practice. UH Manoa goes “green” for the holidaysDec. 22 — More than a dozen facilities will help save electricity costs by volunteering to shut off building air–conditioning from Christmas Eve through January 4.
Medicine Building Environmentally HealthyDec. 15 — The Kaka‘ako medical complex receives national recognition as an environmentally responsible and healthy place to learn and work.
Students Investigate Sustainable IssuesDec. 8 — Students in Honolulu Community College’s environmental science and general biology courses host an environmental forum.
Sustainability at Kapi‘olaniDec. 1 — Campus community helps transform Kapi‘olani Community College to be more environmentally-friendly and sustainable.
Student Life CenterNov. 24 — Hilo’s new Student Life Center targets gold LEED certification.
Sustainable Designs for New DormNov. 17 — Frear Hall designed to reduce impact on the environment. Leeward Going GreenNov. 10 — As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, Leeward Community College is going green! Maui as a National ModelNov. 3 — The Maui campus is recognized for groundbreaking practices in sustainability and for meeting workforce and institutional development needs.
Sustainable SaundersOct. 27 — A student-led initiative aims to transform a 34-year-old building into a modern model for saving energy and reducing demands on the environment.
eWaste Disposal Days 2008Oct. 20 — UH leads a statewide effort to reduce pollution through earth-friendly disposal of unwanted end-of-life electronics in an environmentally safe manner.