The U.S. Green Building Council presented the Hawaii State Department of Education with its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification award for the DOE's innovative "green design" of the Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria. The LEED award was presented at the school.

The cafeteria is only the sixth LEED-certified project in Hawaii and the first DOE project of its kind. The LEED rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

Primary sustainable achievements and design features of the cafeteria include: 100 percent daylighting of the dining area; 65 percent reduction in irrigation water consumption; and effective natural ventilation. The school saves $3,000 per year due to a 15 percent reduction in annual energy consumption. Construction used locally manufactured materials and materials with recycled content, and 88 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills.

"The Waipahu Intermediate cafeteria will be our LEED model for future public schools built in our state," said Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto. "Our department worked diligently to attain LEED certification and we are proud of this major facilities milestone."

Ferraro Choi and Associates, Ltd., designed the 19,175-square-foot cafeteria, and Okada Trucking Co., Ltd., was the general contractor. The facility was completed in April 2006 and can accommodate 750 students during each meal shift. Total design and construction costs were approximately $5.8 million.

New schools and facilities will follow Waipahu Intermediate's "LEED." House Bill 2175 HD2 SD1 CD1, passed by the 2006 Hawaii State Legislature and signed into law as Act 96, directs all state agencies to implement energy efficiency and environmental standards such as LEED for new state facilities. For example, upcoming schools such as Ewa Makai Middle and Wailuku II Elementary will be seeking LEED certification.