HCC-Palamanui earns high rating for sustainable campus design

The Hawaii Community College-Palamanui campus earned a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, the highest rating possible in the sustainable building program.

“Hawaii CC-Palamanui is committed to being a community leader in West Hawaii in the areas of science, culture and conservation,” HCC-Palamanui director Marty Fletcher. “By designing a campus to achieve the highest possible rating in the LEED sustainable building program we are demonstrating our commitment to those principles.”

The first phase of HCC-Palamanui was completed in August 2015 and includes 24,000 square feet of learning space comprised of classrooms, culinary arts kitchens, science labs and more.

The campus earned the LEED Platinum rating by incorporating numerous sustainable design elements. This includes on-site photovoltaics for electricity, efficient use of water, including a “living machine” natural wastewater recycling system, certified sustainable wood, and low-emitting paints and adhesives.

The campus was designed by Honolulu-based architecture firm Urban Works. In 2016 the design won a Renaissance Building &Remodeling Grand Award for new commercial construction from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

This is the second HCC building to earn an LEED rating. Hale Aloha on the Manono campus in Hilo earned an LEED Gold rating for a renovation project that incorporated sustainable design features such as a green roof and use of recycled materials.

Students interested in enrolling at HCC-Palamanui for the fall 2017 semester can visit hawaii.hawaii.edu/palamanui or call 969-8816. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1.