Opportunities to make commercial buildings more environmentally friendly will be the focus of an Aug. 28 pau hana at the University of Hawaii Maui College. The event, hosted by UHMC’s Sustainable Living Institute, will feature Green Building Hawaii’s John Bendon and Alex de Roode, who are recognized throughout the state as consultants for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects. They will discuss several topics including energy efficiency, lighting, PV/renewable energy, air-conditioning, purchasing and facilities management.
LEED is an internationally recognized rating system that evaluates buildings for their wise resource management. The rating system is most often publicized when new buildings are certified with a LEED Silver, Gold or Platinum rating. In 2009, the Montessori School of Maui was the first facility in Maui County to gain LEED NC certification with a Silver rating. This year, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort achieved LEED NC Silver.
But designing a new building to meet qualifications for a LEED certification isn’t the only way businesses can improve their environmental impact. Bendon and de Roode will present an overview the less well known Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (EBOM), a sustainability rating systems which can help existing buildings addresses issues to improve their place in a green environment. Event organizers say that the information provided about EBOM could be quite beneficial to Maui County.
Green Building Hawaii has recently guided the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, and Maui Economic Development Board (MEDB) through the process of applying for LEED EBOM. With attention to energy efficiency, water use, waste management, landscape strategies, housekeeping products and habits and customer engagement, these large facilities are leading the way in internationally recognized standards.
The event will take place in Ike Lea, the LEED Silver Science Building on the UHMC campus. The public is invited to attend and no registration is required. The event starts at 6pm. If you have questions, contact Melanie at mvstephe@hawaii.edu or visit Sustainablemaui.org and Greenbuildinghawaii.com for more information.
Photo: Jen Russo
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