GREEN SCHOOLS Presentation for AIA Hawaii Island Section

Charles Kaneshiro, AIA, LEED

April 3, 2010

What is LEED?

Who is the US Green Building Council?

200 New Computers OR2 New Teachers OR5,000 New Books

In Hawaii: 7 of 20 Certified Projects are Educational

Dept of Education, State of Hawaii

Waipahu Intermediate Cafeteria (LEED Certified)Ewa Makai Middle School Kihei High SchoolWailuku II ElemBaldwin H.S. Library Naalehu Elem Classroom Building

Pilot Portable Project = Passive Cooling for Existing PortablesEnergy Neutral Portable Project = Develop a new net-zero energy portable prototype

Waipahu Intermediate Cafeteria

University Projects

University of HawaiiUHM Frear Hall (LEED Silver)UH Hilo Imiloa Astronomy Center (LEED Certified)JABSOM (LEED Certified)UHHilo Student Center UHM CMORE LabUHM IT CenterUHM Gartley HallHIMB Coconut Island LaboratoryUH West OahuWCC Library/Learning CtrMCC New Science Building

Hawaii Pacific University1132 Bishop St Offices UH Hilo Student Life CenterUHM Frear Hall

Independent SchoolsPunahou Case Middle School (LEED Gold)HBA Middle School (LEED Gold)Montessori of Maui (LEED Silver)Iolani School Phase IPunahou K-1 ComplexCentral Union Church PreschoolHawaii Prep Academy Living Building Challenge

Charter SchoolsKanu o Ka Aina Halau HoolakoIndependent Schools & Charter Schools

HBA Middle School

Why built Green Schools?Its about the next generation

There can be no keener revelation of a societys soul than the way in which it treats its children. - Nelson Mandela

There is NO age limits to advocate for Green Schools!

How can you help?

Senator Akaka with Matthew Kaneshiro (Age 4)

Promote Green School development at your school Encourage your legislators to support Green School policiesVisit www.buildgreenschools.comGet involved in the Green Schools advocacy committeePromote and attend the next Green Schools Symposium

September 12, 2009Hawaii Baptist Academy Middle School150+ people in attendanceNational & local speakersSessions on design & curriculumTours

*Lets build more of them*The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the nations foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry. Industry-led and consensus-driven, the Council is as diverse as the marketplace it serves. Membership includes building owners and end-users, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, product and building system manufacturers, government agencies, and nonprofits. Leaders from within each of these sectors participate in the development of the LEED Rating Systems and the direction of the Council through volunteer service on USGBCs open committees.*Our 13,000+ member organizations include some of the largest companies and most highly respected professional service firms, government agencies, schools, trade associations and other non-profits. *70 chapters, affiliates and organizing groups are the front door of USGBC across the U.S. Heres where the work is delivered in city halls, county commissions, zoning boards and permitting offices. Heres where the network is forged that allows a single voice for green building to be shaped and used to move the transformation forward. From our rapidly growing emerging green builders network to our CEO Roundtables, Federal summits, NGO briefings, and member circles, we link common interests in ways that can advance the larger common good.Chapters: 59Affiliates: 6Organizing groups: 5

*LEED addresses the complete life cycle of buildings. It started with the crating of a new construction program, which expended to include core and shell, commercial interiors and the ongoing operations of a building through the LEED for Existing Buildings program. LEED for Schools was launched earlier this year.*Thanks for having us today. I want to talk for a few minutes about green schools and the fact that Green schools make sense both for the students and the taxpayers who fund them.Green schools use less energy, water, and natural resources; create less waste; and are healthier and more comfortable for the students and facultyGreen schools deliver lower energy and water bills; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure for students to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins, along with lowering incidence of flu, colds and asthma.*Lets give schools a little context. More than 55 million students and more than 5 million faculty, staff and administrators go to school every day. More than 20% of Americas population that spends about six hours a day in a school building*In 2007, over $35 billion tax dollars will be spent on K-12 construction. Its the largest construction sector of the economy.*Typically schools are built to meet code, and nothing more. They have poor ventilation, poor lighting and far too many of them are simply old, requiring expensive maintenance and upkeep just to keep the doors open. *Its an important topic because buildings have a huge impact on the environment. They tax our resources, they contribute to global warming, they are where we spend as much as 90% of our time*But If we build our buildings green we can have a huge impact. According to a study by Capital E, green building save at least 30% in terms of energy, reduce carbon emission by 35%, reduce water use by 30-50% and save costs on waste of 50-90%.*Computing the benefits of green buildings requires us to use a bit of new math*Heres the results of a study from Capital E that looked at 30 schools. LEED Schools are cost effective to build.As in other commercial buildings, the net cost of building a LEED school is comparable to building conventional schools. Somewhat higher first costs are offset by lower utility and water bills immediately, saving taxpayers operational costs over the long term. Integrated design, based on building science, is the surest way to take advantage of substantial cost streamlining opportunities that can reduce the overall cost of green upgrades by as much as 40 percent. These hard cost savings are realized from several specific practices.*These savings can add up. In fact the average school saves about $100,000 in direct savings per year.*And if we build our schools green weve done something important both for the students and the taxpayers who fund the schools.Beyond their energy, water, and natural resources conservation they; create less waste; and are healthier and more comfortable for the students and facultyGreen schools deliver lower energy and water bills; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure for students to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins, along with lowering incidence of flu, colds and asthma.Green schools have a significant contribution to make in improving the health and well-being of Americas students and the faculty and administrators who guide them. *These learning benefits of green schools create a new math type balanced equation where learning and productivity improves by about 3% and teacher turnover is reduced by 3%, according to Capital E*Green schools have a significant contribution to make in improving the health and well-being of Americas students and the faculty and administrators who guide them. *What is green school anyway? Design and construction practices that meet specified standards, resolving much of the negative impact of buildings on their occupants and on the environment.So what is a green building anyway? Design and construction practices that meet specified standards, resolving much of the negative impact of building on their occupants and on the environment.*Adequate levels of the right kind of light can save energy and enhance learning conditions. Adding remote sensors, individual controls and task lighting can greatly reduce electricity costs.*Roof mounted solar panels turn sunlight into an alternative energy source for the school and provide excellent opportunities for hands-on learning*Green roofs are cooler, saving energy and providing a filter for stormwater run-off. The natural habitat for birds and butterflies also creates an interactive learning environment for students. *Low-flow sinks, waterless urinals and dual-flush toilets reduce total water use by as much as 50%. Toilets that use harvested rainwater instead of potable water help ease the strain on municipal water systems. Students get a first-hand lesson in how to use water more conservatively.*The total financial benefits of green schools are 20 times greater than the initial cost, and include significant energy and water savings. That $100,000 a year $100,000 divided by the average teachers salary nets two new teachers.$100,000 divided by the average cost of school computers equals 200 new computers$100,000 divided by the average cost of middle school text books equals more than 5,000 additional booksIf all new school construction and school renovations went green starting today, energy savings alone would total $20 billion over the next 10 years. *Green schools also stress improved indoor environmental quality because of its impact on student health and learning. Skylights and large windows allow daylight to stream in, reducing energy costs and improving student concentration and performance. Adjustable blinds and shades help reduce glare. Lightshelves bounce sunlight deep into the room and provide even light distribution*Improved acoustics can be achieved with acoustical ceiling tiles, lined ductwork and quiet HVAC systems with appropriately placed vents. Classrooms with improved acoustics create a more productive learning environment for children and allow teachers to be heard without straining their voices.

Comfortable indoor temperatures enhance productivity and keep students more alert. Fresher, cleaner air can be achieved with windows that open or ventilation systems that provide a constant supply of air. *These learning benefits of green schools create a new math type balanced equation where learning and productivity improves by about 3% and teacher turnover is reduced by 3%, according to Capital E*In terms of student and teacher health, green schools deliver.

Providing adequate ventilation and keeping relative humidity below 60%, inhibits mold growth. The presence of mold can lead to serious health concerns, especially in children.*Using paint and carpet that dont emit toxic gasses and using ceiling tiles, wall systems and furniture made with non-toxic materials will improve air quality in the classroom and throughout the school. High indoor air quality keeps students and faculty healthier and reduces absences related to respiratory conditions and other environmental illnesses.*Applying these benefits to a new math equation is soft math, but equally important. If the 500 kids in a school are healthier and their learning environment is better the long-term benefits are infinite.*Green Schools have benefits that extend beyond the actually building. Alternative transportation options Alternative fuel buses reduce C02 emissions and reduce smog and ground level ozone. Bike racks, safe bike paths and sidewalks encourage an active lifestyle and decrease emissions.*Recycling programs that involve students directly teach responsible environmental habits they can apply at home. Diverting solid waste from landfills reduces impacts on municipal services.*By making school spaces available for use by the larger community, the need for additional facilities goes down, saving costs community-wide and decreasing the environmental impact of the community as a whole.*I want to tell you a story about dreams. Last year, USGBC had the privilege of hosting the regional finals of CEFPI's School Building Week School of the Future design competition - a competition that challenges middle school students to design and build a scale model of their dream school. It is an exercise in dreaming big. Anything is possible.

The first two teams were from a well to do school district in Maryland - Montgomery County, which was one of the first school districts in the country to establish a green building program and require that all new construction and major renovations be built green.

The students for these teams had designed the greenest schools you had ever seen - they had living walls, solar gardens, fisheries and wind turbines. Everything was an opportunity for hands-on, project based learning. There was no distinction between nature and the classroom. Their model schools were more sustainable, more green and yes, more fun than any real school that I've ever seen.

And then it was the DC students' turn to present their dream school. And when they put the model down on the table, the judges looked at one another, confused. The school was made of brick. It had small windows and nothing of visual interest. The students from DC said "this is our dream school." What we want are windows we can see out of, bathrooms that work, a place where we can all be together to do our homework, and 4 basketball hoops instead of 2 so we won't have to wait in line all recess just to get a turn.

This was the biggest dream these kids could muster. If you ever for a moment doubt the impact that school facilities can have on the education and the dreams of our children; if you ever question the role that school buildings play in a child's ability to envision a better future - remember this story. Every child is entitled to a healthful, clean and sustainable learning environment. We owe this to our children.

I want to tell you a story about dreams. Last year, USGBC had the privilege of hosting the regional finals of CEFPI's School Building Week School of the Future design competition - a competition that challenges middle school students to design and build a scale model of their dream school. It is an exercise in dreaming big. Anything is possible.

The first two teams were from a well to do school district in Maryland - Montgomery County, which was one of the first school districts in the country to establish a green building program and require that all new construction and major renovations be built green.

The students for these teams had designed the greenest schools you had ever seen - they had living walls, solar gardens, fisheries and wind turbines. Everything was an opportunity for hands-on, project based learning. There was no distinction between nature and the classroom. Their model schools were more sustainable, more green and yes, more fun than any real school that I've ever seen.

And then it was the DC students' turn to present their dream school. And when they put the model down on the table, the judges looked at one another, confused. The school was made of brick. It had small windows and nothing of visual interest. The students from DC said "this is our dream school." What we want are windows we can see out of, bathrooms that work, a place where we can all be together to do our homework, and 4 basketball hoops instead of 2 so we won't have to wait in line all recess just to get a turn.

This was the biggest dream these kids could muster. If you ever for a moment doubt the impact that school facilities can have on the education and the dreams of our children; if you ever question the role that school buildings play in a child's ability to envision a better future - remember this story. Every child is entitled to a healthful, clean and sustainable learning environment. We owe this to our children.