Programs
Kanu o ka ‘Aina Director Dr. Kū Kahakalau receives Mayor’s Laulima Award.
Dr. Ku Kahakalau, of Kanu o ka ‘Aina New Century Public Charter School in Waimea, was the recipient of this year’s Laulima 09 Leadership Community Award, presented by Hawai’i Mayor Billy Kenoi at a recent luncheon in Honolulu. The award states, “In recognition of your environmental leadership in keeping the Hawaiian Islands beautiful, please accept our heartfelt appreciation for your commitment and contributions to Hawai’i nei.” The annual Laulima award is sponsored by Keep Hawai’i Beautiful, which is the local chapter of Keep American Beautiful. Each year, each island mayor selects three individuals who are making a difference in taking care of our island environments. These individuals are then recognized at a luncheon in Honolulu.
Dr. Kahakalau, founder and director of Kanu o ka ‘Aina, was chosen for her leadership in constructing Haālau Ho’olako, Hawai’i Islands first green educational facility. Located at Pu’ukapu in Waimea, Halau Ho’olako is a 9,300 square foot high performance facility which houses Kanu’s 100+ middle and high school students during school hours, and is used by the community for after-school and evening programs. Student-led tours of Hālau Ho’olako, which is scheduled to receive gold or possibly even platinum LEED certification by October 2009. may be arranged upon request.
As one of Hawai’i’s first high performance teaching buildings, Hālau Ho’olako features solar energy, a variety of regional and recycled materials, including furniture and cradle-to-cradle certified carpeting, as well as other green innovations like occupancy sensors, and VIP parking stalls for fuel-efficient vehicles. In addition to reducing carbon footprint, Hālau Ho’olako has also been designed to improve academic and job performance through acoustical ceiling tiles, high performance windows etc.