School Cafeteria Wins ‘Green Design’ Award

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Students, teachers and community leaders gather in the
Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria to celebrate their
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design award.
Photo courtesy of the state Department of Education.

Waipahu Intermediate School has won a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design award for the state Department of Education.

The U.S. Green Building Council recognized the school in a May 14 ceremony attended by state Board of Education, DOE and government officials.

The green design of the school’s cafeteria is what caught the council’s eye. The cafeteria’s environmentally friendly features include 100 percent daylighting of the dining area, 65 percent reduction in irrigation water consumption and effective natural ventilation. A 15-percent reduction in energy consumption saves the school $3,000 a year. Building materials were locally made, some with recycled content, and 88 percent of the construction waste was diverted from landfills.

Completed in April 2006, the cafeteria measures 19,175 square feet and can accommodate 750 students.