Hālau Hoʻolako

HĀLAU HOʻOLAKO est. 2005

Meeting Both Ancient and Modern High Performance Standards

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Minimal site grading
Rock and topsoil from site used for landscaping
75% of the construction waste diverted from land fill
Only materials with at least 10% recycled content utilized in building
System to collect water and reuse for irrigation
Low-maintenance landscape with minimal pesticide used
Used and/or recycled furnishings
Vinyl flooring strips made from 30% recycled materials
Window shades made from hemp and bamboo, which are rapidly renewable resources
Cupboards made of bamboo
Use of already fallen and then harvested ʻōhiʻa posts
Low maintenance, recycled carpet tiles manufactured through efficient, waste free “cradle-to-cradle” process
Dual flush toilets for improved water efficiency
Waterless urinals with 7,000 flush filters breakdown urine and manage odors
Motion sensors on washbasins prevent water waste

TEACHING SUSTAINABILITY

Landscape

Values-based curriculum prepares K-12 students for future green jobs
Involvement of Kanu o ka ʻĀina NCPCS students grades 6–12 in maintenance of facility and plant propagation
Educational programs teach self-sufficiency through creation and maintenance of functional, edible landscape
Landscape educates learners of all ages about proper native plant selection and natural planting design; adequate treatment of the interface between different elements of the design (e.g., where shrub beds, buildings, trees, etc., meet turf); use of geotextiles for weed control, surface stabilization, and material separation; configuration, placement, specification and detailing of materials and features
Underground water catchment harvests rain water from storm drains to be used for landscape irrigation
Compost area assures organic fertilizer for landscaping, as well as encourages green waste recycling efforts
Student created paper-crete stepping stones for easy access to plants

Interior

Students in grades 6-8 (SY 05-06) created four canvases of four primary gods: Kāne, Kanaloa, Kū, and Lono, under the guidance of artist Solomon Enos, displayed throughout building

Lokahi Conference Room

Students in grades 1 & 2 (SY 08-09) conducted waste audit discovering that milk made up most of school’s waste
Students in grade 12 (SY 08—09) completed science project on creating milk-based paint adding native pigment made from ʻalae
Students created low VOC milk-paint and painted it on the wall above the counter

Lua

Students in grades K – 12 (SY 07—08) created bathroom tiles using native design patterns, Lehua in women’s and koa in men’s bathroom

REDUCING OPERATING COSTS

Use of air conditioning limited to 10% of building (computer server room only)
Innovative window design uses trade winds for natural ventilation of 90% of building
Rain runoff and other waste water used for irrigation to reduce county water costs
Efficient lighting and mechanical systems to reduce energy use by 32%
Occupancy sensors activate lights to assure no wasted energy
Day lighting strategies replace 42% of electrical lighting used
Production of 7.2 k Watts of electricity from roof mounted photovoltaic panels to decrease electricity costs by more than 50%
Long range goal to achieve Zero-net energy costs

IMPROVING HEALTH, SAFETY, AND COMFORT

REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT

Solar panels produce over 50% of energy
Occupancy sensor adjust light capacity based on motion, sound and heat fixtures to manage lights to provide even light distribution leading to optimal lighting
Clerestory with south and west facing glazing reflects sunlight on ceiling and exposed heavy timber trusses from an interior light shelf to prevent glare and unwanted heat gain
High performance windows surround reading room and bring in daylight on three sides
Decorative skylights with light pipes transfer daylight into various spaces
South facing façade in multi-media labs, with light shelf to block direct heat gain, reflect daylight onto ceiling
20% of materials and products made in Hawaiʻi
Bicycle racks are alternative transportation accommodations
VIP parking stalls for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
Acoustical ceiling tiles enhance sound quality
Natural ventilation is used for 90% of the building
All adhesives, sealants, paints, carpet, coatings, cleaning agents have low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

INTERGRATING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

Design, construction and maintenance of building grounded in Hawaiian cultural values and practices
Incorporation of Mālama and Aloha ʻĀina
Values-based decision-making process incorporating community input
Use of local labor, local expertise and local materials
Developing community infrastructure by connecting the current 8 inch county water line to the Hawaiian Home Lands water line to increase water pressure for the entire community
Stone for veneer wall surrounding entire building gathered from Puʻu Holoholokū
Students in grade 8 (SY 08-09) participated in traditional protocol before gathering these stones at Pu’u Holoholokū
Wide variety of materials and plants donated by community members
Hundreds of hours of in-kind donations and volunteer
Students, staff, extended family members and community involved in all aspects of the design, construction and maintenance