High-energy Effort Saves $14,822 On Kaneohe’s Fuel Bill

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(Back, from left) Kaneohe Elementary School principal Mitchell Otani, schools superintendent Patricia Hamamoto, BOE first vice chairwoman Lei Ahu Isa, Castle/Kahuku complex area superintendent Lea Albert, Energy Star partner Michael Chong and DOE energy conservation coordinator Bill Denham stand with a group of very proud and thrifty students. Photo by Nathalie Walker, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Kaneohe Elementary School stepped into the (low-wattage) limelight last week as the first Hawaii school to earn an EPA Energy Star banner for superior energy efficiency.

Through diligent effort on the part of all members of the school’s ohana, KES has reduced its annual energy bill by $14,822 to date and has prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use from 15 households for a year.

“Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while lowering our energy costs,” said principal Mitchell Otani

at the Dec. 17 campus ceremony. “I would also like to extend a special thank you to Michael Chong from The Chong Group for making our school an Energy Star.”

Chong is an engineer who volunteered his time to coordinate the efficiency campaign by verifying the school’s building label application and other tasks. The DOE still

seeks 50-60 engineers like Chong to help other schools cut their electric bills between now and Sept. 30, 2010. (Call Bill Denham at 586-3452 to volunteer or e-mail Melissa Totten at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).)

Kaneohe lowered its thermostat for air-conditioned spaces like the library, removed personal refrigerators, turned off all lights and computers when not in use, and switched to energy-efficient lighting in all classrooms.

The Energy Star label indicates that the build-ing’s energy performance rates in the top 25 percent of facilities nationwide.

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