Hawaiian Electric Company Names Winners of 2006 Energy Efficiency Awards

HONOLULU (November 29, 2006) – Case Middle School at Punahou School was named Energy Project of the Year in the 7th Energy Efficiency Awards sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO). The awards, presented every two years, honor and encourage Hawaii businesses, individuals and organizations that implement innovative energy-efficiency projects. Winners were announced today during the 7th Biennial Efficient Electro-Technology Exposition and Conference at the Hawaii Convention Center.

“Companies that take advantage of technological advances are setting the bar for energy efficiency across the state,” said Dr. Karl Stahlkopf, HECO senior vice president for energy solutions and chief technology officer.  “Their investment in upgrading their facilities has reduced their utility bills, conserved electricity and lessened the impact on the environment.  The return on investment pays for itself almost immediately.”

 The Case Middle School complex was lauded for use of photovoltaic technology to generate electricity, a chilled-water plant to serve air conditioning needs, architectural elements of sustainable design, lighting efficiencies, and the creative use of recycled components in the building’s construction. 

 The combination of green design and conservation practices beyond energy use also earned the Case Middle School honors as the Innovation in Design winner for new construction, a new category this year.  Also winning the Innovation in Design award for a renovation was the Hawaii Medical Services Association (HMSA) building on Keeaumoku Street.  HMSA improved its HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system and installed advanced lighting which improved energy efficiency and safety while reducing maintenance time and expense.

The Trade Ally of the Year award, another new award, was presented to Darren Kimura of Energy Industries, Inc., in recognition of his company’s impact on the landscape of energy efficiency in Hawaii.  The Honolulu-based company provides energy consulting, project engineering and contracting services to hotels, businesses, schools and organizations to help them save energy, reduce their utility bills and take advantage of utility rebate programs such as HECO’s Energy$olutions for Business.  From a one-person shop, Energy Industries has grown to nearly 200 employees assisting clients in Hawaii and around the globe to improve their energy efficiency.

Other winners and their categories were:
COMMERCIAL
   New Construction:  The Honolulu Advertiser - Kapolei Production Facility
   Renovation:  Ohana Waikiki Malia Hotel

INSTITUTIONAL
  New Construction:  University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine
  Renovation:  The Queen’s Medical Center

MIILITARY
  New Construction:  Hickam Air Force Base C-17 Flight Squadron
  Renovation:  Tripler Army Medical Center

RESIDENTIAL:  Kaanapali Shores by ResortQuest

SMALL BUSINESS:  Bougainville Flooring Super Store

MULTIPLE FACILITIES:  Sheraton Hotels

Honorable mentions were given to Central Pacific Plaza, Pioneer Plaza, Sprint Hawaii, The City & County of Honolulu’s Neal Blaisdell Center and Kapolei Hale, Food Pantry and Topa Tower.

Projects recognized this year received HECO rebates totaling more than
$1.1 million and are saving over $2.1 million a year on energy as a result of the projects completed.   

In over a decade of work to improve energy efficiency on Oahu, HECO’s Energy$olutionssm for Business programs have awarded companies more than $19.6 million in rebates for installing a variety of energy-efficient lighting, air conditioning, heating, motors and related applications. Customers are saving in excess of $253 million over the life of the installed energy-efficient equipment.

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