For Immediate Release: December 28, 2007
DBEDT News Release 07-34

Energy-efficient building part of State's ongoing effort to 'Lead by Example'

HONOLULU—A fifth State of Hawai‘i building has qualified for Energy Star® certification as part of the state's continuing efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce dependence on imported fuels.

The downtown Keoni Ana building, also known as the Capitol Center, has met stringent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for efficient energy use, indoor air quality, air ventilation and building comfort conditions as recommended by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The building also achieved office lighting standards of the Illumination Engineering Society of North America.

"The Keoni Ana building recently had its electrical and mechanical systems balanced, tested and verified," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "To achieve Energy Star® compliance, it must be in the top 75 percentile in energy efficiency benchmarked against other buildings of similar type, size and location. We are proud that Hawai‘i's state government continues to lead by example when it comes to energy conservation and efficiency."

"We are proud that the state is making progress in reducing its utility bills and providing a healthy, productive environment for our employees and the general public," said Russ Saito, Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services. "With increasing energy costs, we must do all we can to reduce our energy use and environmental pollutants."

"We send our congratulations to the State of Hawai‘i," said Jean M. Lupinacci, director, Commercial & Industrial Branch, Energy Star® Program. "The Energy Star® is the mark of superior energy performance and identifies your building as one the most efficient buildings in the nation. By taking this important step along the path to energy efficiency, you are not only saving money - you are preventing the release of greenhouse gases and protecting the environment."

The six-story Keoni Ana building scored 83 points out of 100 in the EPA's rating system, far exceeding the minimum 75 needed to qualify. Located on the corner of Alakea and Beretania streets, the Keoni Ana building has a total floor space of 58,500 square feet, houses more than 250 workers, and uses about 902,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year.

ENERGY STAR® is a joint program of the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to protect the environment and reduce costs through energy efficient products and practices. ENERGY STAR® certified buildings rank in the top quartile of an EPA performance rating system calculated from actual energy use. The goal of this program is to identify buildings where financially attractive improvements can reduce energy use by 10% and then to make the improvements through low-cost building tune-ups, lighting upgrades, and replacement of old equipment.

Saito said that partnerships with the private sector will be key to designing and building energy efficient buildings.

Hawai‘i joined the EPA Energy Star Challenge in October 2005.

Other Energy Star® certified state buildings are:

The Hilo State Office Building;
Abner Paki Hale Courthouse (Koolaupoko District Courthouse, Kaneohe);
Kapolei State Building (Kakuhihewa Building); and
The State Office Tower (Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building).

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov