The new Manoa Public Library has been awarded the coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification established by the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. The joint announcement by the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSPLS) and the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) is the result of both agencies' cooperative efforts to ensure that the Manoa Public Library is now LEED Gold, New Construction.
LEED(r) is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. A LEED facility involves building with recycled products and materials, and environmentally sustainable design features such as reduced water use, renewable energy and natural lighting.
"Manoa Public Library, which opened on June 9, 2012, is the first Oahu library to be honored with a LEED Gold Certification," said State Librarian Richard Burns. "Manoa Public Library and North Kohala Public Library on the Big Island, the first HSPLS library to achieve LEED Gold Certification, are outstanding examples of future public libraries in Hawaii."
Manoa Public Library is a $10.3 million, 29,425-square-foot library located at 2716 Woodlawn Drive, the site of the original library. Designed by architect Gary Kawakami of Architecture Plus, Inc., the Library achieved LEED Gold certification for energy, lighting, water and materials use as well as for incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, a LEED-certified building saves money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; and contributes to a healthier environment for residents, workers, and the community as a whole.
"Manoa Public Library's LEED Gold Certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Manoa Public Library serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish."
"Under the leadership and vision of Governor Abercrombie's energy efficiency initiatives outlined in his New Day in Hawaii Plan, we are very excited to learn that the Manoa Public Library project was awarded LEED Gold Certification," said Comptroller Dean H. Seki of DAGS. "This significant achievement demonstrates the State's commitment to lead by example in environmental and social responsibility for sustainability and conservation. These achievements bring the State closer to our goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030, which includes 30 percent for our Energy Efficiency Portfolio target. We look forward to the new library being a wonderful part of the Manoa community."
LEED certification of Manoa Public Library is a third party verification based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
* 48 photovoltaic solar panels capable of generating 16.6 percent of the facility's energy usage
* a high-efficiency air-conditioning system
* a 3,000 gallon rainwater catchment tank capable of providing all the water needed to sustain outdoor landscaping
* sensor-operated electronic faucets, automatic flush toilets and waterless urinals reduce potable, or drinkable, water use by 40 percent
* the library makes maximum use of daylight to reduce electricity costs
* light from the clerestory and windows provides natural daytime lighting for most of the main floor
* all plants outside the Library are either endemic or indigenous to Hawaii, or canoe plants (brought to Hawaii by the ancient Hawaiians)
* use of low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials in the building to reduce indoor air contaminants
* use of carbon dioxide sensors to help the air-conditioning system adjust the amount of outside air needed to keep fresh air levels safe
* provides preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
Manoa Public Library's public service hours are Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.; Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed on Sunday. For more information, please call the Library at 988-0459.