Hawaii State Capitol Building - Honolulu, HI

Briefly describe 3 projects your organization has undertaken during the 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition to improve your building’s energy efficiency.

Held ten iConserve training sessions and workshops open to all State employees; identified Green Champions in each agency and office. The Governor issued a personal email to all personnel in support of the iConserve Campaign, which was highlighted with a Capitol Rally on June 29.

The State Energy Office and Department of Accounting and General Services worked with NORESCO, its energy service company partner, to identify and implement a number of improvements at the State Capitol, with all energy conservation measures (including the behavior change ECM) scheduled to be installed by September 2011.

The team has strategically used social and traditional media as well as personal interaction to involve leadership, employees at all levels, and the community. The team implemented a concurrent top-down and bottom-up approach, used posters, and went door-to-door to engage building occupants.

How has the 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition made a difference in your organization’s efforts to save energy?

Energy consumption has continued to drop steadily, and the energy management team has achieved three consecutive months of declining usage. The competition has been a great catalyst for spurring awareness among a wide range of groups through interpersonal connections and meetings. There is now strong leadership, from the Governor who issued an email to all employees and his Cabinet encouraging them to be thoughtful about their role in conserving energy. The Administration has been supportive of energy efficiency, and with the efforts surrounding the building competition, has taken a stronger advocacy role. Feedback from iConserve workshop attendees has been excellent with many expressing their appreciation for learning something new and enthusiasm for the program. The competition also has built a stronger and wider “team” of those interested in energy conservation among State employees who will carry practices beyond the immediate Building Competition.

Briefly describe ways you have engaged your community in your efforts during the 2011 ENERGY STAR National Building Competition (e.g. events, posters, signs, contests, open houses, web forums, etc).

The State of Hawaii’s Department of Accounting and General Services, NORESCO, and the State Energy Office have partnered to develop the iConserve Initiative, which is intended to inform and encourage state employees to save energy through simple steps.  4 X 8 posters are on walls at the Capitol to declare participation in the National Building Competition as well as to promote the three simple energy-saving steps. The team held a rally for Green Champions from all State offices, government officials, legislators, and the public to kick off the initiative, and has maintained ongoing engagement with state leaders (including the Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s offices). Information about the iConserve effort was also posted on the Hawaii State Capitol Building Facebook page as well as the NORESCO iConserve site.

If your efforts have been covered by online news outlets, please provide the Web link(s) here:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/05/06/hawaii-buildings-competing-in-epa.html

http://blogs.starbulletin.com/inpolitics/battle-of-the-buildings/

http://www.greenmagazinehawaii.com/6.30.11_iconserve.html

http://thegreenleaf.honadvblogs.com/2011/06/28/the-iconserve-rally/

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/15001027/state-capitol-rally-promoting-energy-efficiency?clienttype=printable

http://www.enigin.com/about/enigin-plc/news/-/enigin-news-hawaii-s-capitol-enters-energy-efficiency-battle

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