The University of Hawaiʻi at ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Bachman Hall earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED Gold certification on April 22, exceeding the university’s standard sustainability target for major renovations. ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ has the largest inventory of sustainable buildings in the state, with 28 buildings certified under the LEED program.

The certification recognizes the building’s performance in energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, water conservation and indoor environmental quality following its recent modernization. University policy calls for a minimum LEED Silver certification, making Bachman Hall’s rating a notable achievement for a historic campus facility.

Originally built in 1949 and designed by Hawaiʻi architect Vladimir Ossipoff, Bachman Hall is one of the most recognizable buildings on campus. It houses administrative offices, including the Office of the President and Board of Regents (BOR), and features two lobby murals by artist Jean Charlot.

“We are proud to be leaders in energy and environmental designs for our campus built environments,” said ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability Director Miles Topping. “With this project, we have reduced our dependence on fossil fuel, conserved water, and preserved historical significance. We are committed to a sustainable future, and will continue to lead by example.”

Maintaining historic character

From 2021 to 2023, the renovation maintained much of the building’s original structure, reducing the need for new materials and limiting construction-related impacts. Design elements were updated to improve performance while maintaining the building’s historic character.

Energy-efficient lighting and a new air conditioning system reduce energy use by about 22%. A 47-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system further lowered consumption, bringing the building to roughly 45% of baseline energy use. Water efficiency improvements such as low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce water use by 37%, saving an estimated 56,661 gallons annually. Permanent water meters were installed to help monitor usage and identify future conservation opportunities.

Indoor environmental quality was addressed through the use of low-emitting materials, including paints, coatings and flooring, along with improved ventilation and occupant-controlled lighting and temperature systems. Original-style jalousie windows were replaced with energy-efficient double-pane windows that include operable awnings. A reflective roof and added landscaping help reduce heat absorption, while exterior lighting was designed to minimize light pollution.

The renovation also addressed long-standing maintenance issues, including damage caused by roof leaks linked to earlier mechanical installations. The building was fully updated inside, creating flexible office space for approximately 65 employees, six conference rooms and a 2,500-square-foot boardroom used for BOR meetings.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has leveled up its commitment to a greener future, earning a (STARS) Silver rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. This achievement recognize is publicly available on the STARS website.

“Earning a STARS Silver rating is a testament to the incredible collaboration across our campus to integrate sustainability into everything we do—from the classroom to our physical facilities,” said ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa (ISR) Director Makena Coffman. “This framework not only celebrates our current successes in teaching and research but provides us with a clear roadmap to further reduce our environmental footprint and enhance resilience both for our campus and island community.”

STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. The rating marks a significant step forward from previous benchmarks, aligning ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa with top-tier peer institutions dedicated to environmental stewardship.

The successful reporting process was a joint effort between ISR and the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability with essential contributions from a range of departments and offices across campus. By documenting data ranging from energy-efficient infrastructure to sustainability-focused curriculum, the university has established a clear baseline for future growth.

“In the process of compiling data for this year’s STARS Report, I probably sent over 50 emails to individuals and departments across campus,” said Elisabeth Earley, administrative officer at ISR. “Everyone I reached out to was so kind and helpful and I am very thankful for their support in the reporting process. This Silver rating could not have been achieved without the wonderful folks from all corners of ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa.”

Leading by example

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ already maintains the largest inventory of LEED-certified buildings in Hawaiʻi, including the recently awarded LEED Gold certification for historic Bachman Hall. University policy currently requires all new construction and major renovations to meet a minimum of LEED Silver standards.

“We are incredibly proud of this milestone, which showcases that we are not just talking about sustainability, but actively measuring and improving our impact,” said Miles Topping, director of the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability. “Our goal is to continue pushing these ratings to the highest level possible. By tracking these metrics, we are better equipped to lead by example and ensure a sustainable legacy for the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System and the state of Hawaiʻi.”

A $14-million investment is set to transform the through the design and construction of a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) system paired with battery storage. This major renewable energy initiative will significantly expand the campus’s sustainability efforts while securing its energy future.

The project will feature solar panel canopies installed over existing parking areas, transforming them into dual-use infrastructure that generates clean energy while providing shaded parking for the campus community. Planning and design are currently underway, with construction anticipated to begin in August 2026.

Supporting critical functions

Once completed, the system is projected to produce approximately 2.38 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power the equivalent of about 270 Hawaiʻi homes each year. The project is expected to support the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System’s broader net-zero energy goals, contributing to both systemwide sustainability targets and supplying an estimated 50% of the net-zero energy needed to power the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ West Oʻahu campus. The next phase of the university’s efforts to become fully net-zero is the replacement of its chillers with new high efficiency units and control systems. That upgrade is planned for fiscal year 2027.

The solar canopy will span multiple parking lots across campus and include an industrial-scale battery storage system designed to enhance operational resilience. In the event of a power outage, the system will be capable of supporting critical campus functions, an especially important feature within ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s isolated island electrical grid.

“The new PV system is designed to offset 100% of the campus cooling load, significantly reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels while lowering greenhouse gas emissions,” said Miles Topping, director of energy management for the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System. “Producing clean energy while providing shade just makes sense, it’s the right thing to do, and it also strengthens our resilience as a community.”

Campus buildings

All campus buildings at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ West Oʻahu are LEED-certified and incorporate energy-efficient systems, each supported by approximately 100-kilowatt solar installations. The campus also utilizes rainwater catchment systems for irrigation and benefits from proximity to public transportation, including on-campus bus and rail service.

The project is being delivered through a combination of funding sources, including roughly one-third campus funding, one-third state capital improvement program funds, and one-third federal tax incentives.

Project management is led by the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Project Delivery and the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ West Oʻahu Office of Planning and Design. The team also includes local industry partners Elite Pacific Construction and RevoluSun.

The University of Hawaiʻi has 28 buildings certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, part of the nation’s green building standards, which is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We have the largest inventory of sustainably designed buildings out of all the state agencies, and we are about to increase our inventory by 14%, once again leading by example,” said Miles Topping, director of energy management.

The certification system evaluates projects across multiple categories, including energy efficiency, water use, materials selection, waste management and indoor environmental quality. To achieve certification, projects must first meet prerequisite requirements and then earn points by meeting specific sustainability criteria. Projects undergo a verification and review process before being awarded one of four certification levels: certified, silver, gold or platinum.

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System ratings

Across the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ system, certified facilities include two platinum, 14 gold, 10 silver, and two certified buildings, reflecting the university’s commitment to sustainability and efficient campus development.

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ has adopted green building practices that require new construction and major renovation projects to meet LEED standards, with a minimum certification target of silver. These standards are incorporated into university policy to ensure sustainability is integrated into the planning and design of campus facilities.

Several upcoming ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa construction projects also aim to meet the LEED Silver standard, including the Student Success Center, the Bachman Hall renovation, the Seed Lab, and the Snyder Hall Replacement Building. Once completed, these additions are expected to increase the university’s LEED-certified building inventory by 14%, growing from 28 to 32 certified facilities.

While LEED projects may involve slightly higher upfront construction costs due to sustainable design and materials, the long-term benefits often outweigh the initial investment. Many certified buildings incorporate features such as low-flow toilets and faucets to conserve water, bike facilities, natural landscaping and energy-efficient systems, including renewable energy technologies.

Find more information on ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½â€™s LEED Portfolio.

In 2025, the University of Hawaiʻi System has achieved 20.49% of its goal to become net-zero, according to a recent report submitted to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The target is for all 10 ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ campuses to produce as much renewable energy as they consume by January 1, 2035.

The report details the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System’s progress toward the initial production target of 198 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). For the reporting period of July 2024–June 2025, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ successfully generated 40,577,541 kWh of renewable energy. This figure is expected to rise as several recently constructed solar systems were not yet energized during this performance period.

“Reaching this 20% milestone is a testament to our ingenuity in the face of a mandate that requires us to hit net-zero by 2035 (a full decade ahead of the rest of the state) without additional resources,” said ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia. “Because this aggressive goal came without financial support, we have had to be creative, securing our own funding through long-term strategic partnerships. Most importantly, we have turned these practical challenges into opportunities for our students, utilizing the pursuit of net-zero as a living laboratory to train the next generation of leaders in environmental innovation.”

Future plans for energy independence

To maximize its energy independence, the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ System has outlined several key plans. These include refining its strategic energy plan to better balance renewable generation with improved energy efficiency measures.

“Reaching over 20% of our net-zero goal is a critical milestone that reflects years of strategic planning and dedicated effort across all 10 campuses,” said Miles Topping, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ director of sustainability. “This progress shows our deep commitment to a sustainable future for Hawaiʻi and demonstrates the tangible impact of our investments in renewable energy and efficiency. Our focus now is accelerating the deployment of new PV projects and energy storage to maintain this momentum and hit our 2035 target.”

Future efforts will focus on maximizing the development of photovoltaic (PV) and other renewable energy sources, and expanding energy storage capacity to increase overall grid resiliency. ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ will continue to upgrade lighting, HVAC and lab equipment. New construction and major renovations are required to aim for at least LEED Gold certification and strive for net-zero designs, ensuring ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½â€™s infrastructure supports its long-term sustainability mission.

Aspiring filmmakers are invited to submit a short film pitch for the Sustainability Pitch and Media Competition 2025. Hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi System Office of Sustainability and the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ , this year’s theme is Local Food Production and Consumption.

The competition encourages filmmakers to turn their creativity into impact by using storytelling skills to pitch eye-catching short films that do good for the planet. Three pitches will be chosen. Winning pitches will earn $200 each. Those produced within the academic year will earn an additional $800.

online. Submissions are due November 20, at 11:55 p.m.

Application requirements

• Written pitch for a short film between 15 seconds and 2 minutes long.
• A written description of your idea (100–300 words max).
• A single PDF (4–8 images) showing your concept, visual style, and story progression.
• Pitches must be original (no overlap with class assignments).

Pitches will be judged by community professionals, and finished films will be shared with the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ community and beyond.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Laura Margulies at lmarguli@hawaii.edu.

Members of the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ recently visited Normal Robotics Lab, an innovative technology startup based in Kailua.

For ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students engaged in energy and sustainability research, the visit provided a firsthand look at how local startups are addressing global challenges through innovation rooted in Hawaiʻi. Normal Robotics Lab offers internship and job opportunities to students, with the goal of keeping talented graduates in the islands while contributing to renewable energy and sustainable design.

“Tours like this are so valuable because they connect students with innovative local companies and job opportunities, highlighting Hawaiʻi’s potential to be self-sustaining,” said Miles Topping, director of sustainability at the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability.

Normal Robotics Lab develops energy-efficient, modular heat pump .

During the visit, students and faculty heard directly from co-founder Ashten Akemoto, who shared the lab’s journey from passion project to growing startup. What began as a side project when its founders converted a 1968 Volkswagen bus into an electric vehicle sparked a larger mission: to create sustainable technology that blends hardware innovation with climate-conscious design.

“The tour was very interesting and informative,” said student Kiet Nguyen, “The thing that stood out to me the most about the heat pumps was how simple they were to have working but also how complex they could get.”

Five University of Hawaiʻi campuses—ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Community College, Windward Community College, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Maui College and Honolulu Community College—have been featured in on October 21.

The guide profiles 388 colleges that foster a culture of environmental responsibility and demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability.

“We are continuously growing sustainability across ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½â€™s planning and operations,” said Miles Topping, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability director. “These efforts have been ongoing for many years and getting recognized is reinforcement that this is the right thing to do. We will continue to work with departments, students, agencies, and utilities to advance sustainability through engagement, outreach, planning and projects, and continue leading by example.”

The Princeton Review chose the colleges based on a 2024–2025 survey of administrators at 401 colleges about their institutions’ sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The company also surveyed students attending the colleges about their “green” campus experiences. The school selections were based on more than 25 data points from the surveys.

“It’s great to see ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa recognized for its sustainability efforts across the spectrum of academics and campus life,” said Makena Coffman, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa director for the institute of sustainability and resilience. “Sustainability is a focal point for ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa curriculum, and it’s been so rewarding to see the rapid growth in student engagement.”

Of the more than 7,000 students the company polled for its 2025 College Hopes & Worries Survey, 59% said having information about a college’s commitment to the environment would affect their decision to apply to or attend the school.

The profiles in the Guide to Green Colleges detail the schools’ uses of renewable energy, their recycling and conservation programs, and the availability of environmental studies in their academic offerings. The guide also provides a “Green Rating” for each school on a scale of 60 to 99.

Campus distinctions:

• ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa received a Green Rating of 82.
• Hawaiʻi CC received a Green Rating of 84.
• Windward CC received a Green Rating of 81.
• ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Maui College received a Green Rating of 84.
• Honolulu CC received a Green Rating of 85.

The Princeton Review has published its Guide to Green Colleges annually since 2010.

Significant upgrades across the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ campus demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. With the support of , ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ has completed several energy-saving projects including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and LED upgrades that reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs.

“These projects happening around campus are all important steps toward a more energy efficient campus and ultimately becoming a ‘net-zero energy’ campus,” said engineering student Nicolas Atkins.

Lighting the way

Several buildings on the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ campus have transitioned from outdated, inefficient lighting systems to new LED installations.

Teams replaced nearly 1,800 dim, high-pressure sodium lights in the Zone 20 parking structure, saving ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ around $470,000 on its annual energy bill and earning a rebate amount for $260,000 from Hawaiʻi Energy for this retrofit.

ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Office of Sustainability, Hawaiʻi Energy, and ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Athletics teamed up to improve the lighting at the Stan Sheriff Center. Funded by the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ , 139 outdated lights were replaced with state-of-the-art LEDs, bringing the arena up to broadcast quality while cutting energy use by 462,630 kWh annually. That’s more than $138,000 a year saved in electricity—plus a $46,000 rebate from Hawaiʻi Energy to reinvest in future projects.

The machine shop upgraded its 20 HighBay fixtures, earning nearly $750 by improving lighting quality and reducing maintenance. On top of the rebate, the new lights are projected to save enough energy to power a 10-minute hot shower for 40 days, or 5,645.26 kWh annually—resulting in about $1,600 in savings per year.

The Agricultural Science Building’s 29 downlights and 12 corn cob lights were replaced, earning a $532 rebate and cutting annual energy use by approximately 8,011 kWh per year.

“Small but impactful upgrades like this help us move closer to our sustainability goals,” said Miles Topping, director of sustainability at the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability. “By switching to LED lighting, we’re not only cutting costs but improving lighting quality, reducing maintenance and also contributing to a more energy-efficient campus.”

Additionally, one of the latest initiatives includes the installation of an advanced HVAC occupancy control system at Sakamaki Hall, which earned an estimated $13,642.20 rebate. This system is designed to optimize HVAC usage, reducing energy consumption during off-peak hours and when the building is unoccupied.

For more on ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s energy efficiency, go to the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability.

Eight University of Hawaiʻi students showcased their research, hands-on practice and community collaboration at the inaugural Office of Sustainability open house.

The student presenters detailed their projects’ data and research, and laid out plans for action toward ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½â€™s long-term sustainability goals.

Projects included waste reduction, energy monitoring, green purchasing and renewable energy initiatives across ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.

“These projects are like a living learning lab,” said Ruby Aliason, Office of Sustainability marketing coordinator. “The students are applying what they learn in the classroom to real-world challenges at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ and they’re making a real difference.”

Taking ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ into a sustainable future

Kristine Joyce Locquiao, a senior electrical engineering student centered her research around outdated analog gas meters at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.

“Currently, someone has to physically walk around once a month to record [gas] readings. This process is not efficient, and it also means we do not get any live data or early insights if there is a problem,” Locquiao said.

She and her team in the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) program are installing a small computer to take photos of gas meters and automatically read the dials.

A student-centered approach

The Office of Sustainability hopes the event will highlight student contributions in sustainability beyond the classroom as many students are interested in sustainability but do not have the capacity to take related courses. However, their work often informs campus decision-making on issues such as recycling and energy efficiency.

Plans include making the open house an annual event and expanding project opportunities for students to create stronger links between student-led projects and the university’s sustainability goals.

“These student projects aren’t just important to the mission of our office, but they’re important for promoting sustainability for the future of all of ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½,” Aliason said.

—By Grant Nakasone

A survey by the University of Hawaiʻi Office of Sustainability found that more than one million plastic bottles were kept from piling up in landfills thanks to water refill stations around the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ campus.

Cherish Hose, a ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ student and sustainability analyst at the Office of Sustainability, led the refill station project. In June 2024, she identified which buildings on campus had a water refill station compared to a water fountain.

She found that there are a total of 38 water refill stations, and that out of all 46 upper campus buildings, 20 were equipped with a working station.

Using the digital meter on every station, she then calculated the amount of water dispensed and the equivalent of plastic bottles that were saved from landfills.

According to her survey, from June 2024 to March 2025, a total of 1,070,251 plastic bottles were saved over 273 days, amounting to about 3,920 bottles saved per day. The two stations at the Warrior Recreation Center saw the most usage with a combined 680,000 bottles saved in less than a year.

Cherish said the real number of bottles saved is most likely much higher as more stations could be installed in buildings with little to no refill options.

“The numbers prove the effectiveness of these stations,” she said. “Every bottle matters when you’re trying to minimize pollution, especially from plastic.”

A student-centered approach

Cherish, a student at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, said she was taken aback by students buying water from the campus market or using their meal plan swipes to fill up their bottles. Instead, she wants to spread awareness to students, faculty and community members that free water refill stations are available.

“Until I worked for the Office of Sustainability, I didn’t know that many buildings around campus have free refill stations,” she said. “I started this project to spread that awareness to the community, especially ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ students.”

Through this project, Cherish hopes that students will take advantage of the current stations to both save money and decrease plastic pollution and waste from disposable water bottles.

Before she expects to graduate in December 2025, Cherish’s end goal is to spread as much awareness about the effectiveness of the current water refill stations as she advocates for more to be installed at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.

“Easy and free accessibility to water, especially for our busy students and faculty, is one of the most important and overlooked parts of our day-to-day lives,” she said.

— By Grant Nakasone

The University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Moore Hall recently improved recycling efforts with 12 new Tri-Stream waste bins through an Office of Sustainability pilot program in partnership with . This makes Moore Hall the first upper campus building to implement recommended improvements to waste management conditions, leading the way for future recycling initiatives at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.

The new bins are on the first through fourth floors, matching the Tri-Stream bins already in use at the Life Sciences building.

These updated bins combine three waste streams in one container: Trash, HI-5 recycling and paper. Previously, students, staff and faculty only had two options: Trash and HI-5 Recycling.

“The more waste options you give people, the better decisions they make,” said Miles Topping, the director of energy management at the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability. “Especially with clearly labeled streams, people are able to make informed decisions about where to put their waste.”

Reducing waste, lowering costs, lessening environmental impact

The added paper section makes it easier to divert paper waste and HI-5 containers from the landfill, while reducing the total weight of campus trash, lowering hauling needs and costs, and lessening ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s environmental impact.

Diverted paper is sent to be picked up and repurposed for composting or recycled into new products.

“I think that everybody should have access, to be able to recycle and make a small change in their lifestyle,” said Giada Colombo, an incoming ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ graduate student and energy policy analyst at the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability who helped to install the new waste bins. “A lot of students that I’ve talked to on campus are always looking for new ways to be sustainable.”

The ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability has assessed the rest of the building throughout upper campus for their existing waste management conditions and made recommendations for improvements.

“We are excited to bring this pilot program to Moore Hall, and hope to expand our efforts across campus,” said Topping.

—By Josslyn Rose

Students from the University of Hawaiʻi at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Energy and Sustainability Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) team toured and learned about Kauaʻi renewable energy landscape over spring break in March 2025.

The group visited Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) at Port Allen Station and the AES
Lawaʻi Solar Farm, gaining hands-on experience with the island’s grid and energy innovations.

“ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ing the KIUC facility and AES Lawaʻi PV system was an eye-opening experience,” said Kristine Locquiao, a ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ engineering student.

The students got a rare behind-the-scenes look at KIUC’s operations as they explored future energy strategies, battery storage technologies and the unique challenges of maintaining grid stability on an island.

Energy storage, grazing sheep

The team then visited AES Lawaʻi Solar Farm, where students learned how the site uses agrivoltaics—grazing sheep to manage vegetation beneath 64,800 solar panels—and a cutting-edge battery system to store excess solar energy, providing power even when the sun isn’t shining.

“Seeing firsthand how Kauaʻi is leading the way in renewable energy was inspiring,” Locquiao said. “This opportunity gave us valuable knowledge that will shape our future careers in engineering.”

Part of the broader campus-wide VIP program, the Energy and Sustainability team is made up of students and faculty across disciplines who collaborate on long-term sustainability projects.

Learn more about sustainability efforts at the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability.

Three student films are finalists in the University of Hawaiʻi at ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s inaugural Sustainability Media Competition that will be shown this spring. The competition is a collaboration by the with the .

Launched in 2024, the competition aims to foster creativity and raise environmental awareness by challenging students to create short films centered on sustainability. This year’s focus was on clean energy transformation, inspiring students to explore themes like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation.

The competition ran from October 24 to November 22 giving students a chance to develop their projects into full productions that will premiere in Spring 2025.

Finalists:

“Dear Keiki,”—Ryan Bodine and Hannah Parkus
A young girl, stuck in traffic, daydreams of a renewable energy-powered future. As her pinwheel spins, she envisions wind turbines, solar farms, tidal energy, and wave generators, all contributing to a cleaner world. The dream inspires her to take action for a sustainable future, and she gazes at real wind turbines, feeling hopeful and motivated.

Parkus is a senior majoring in the School of Cinematic Arts with a focus on Digital Cinema. Bodine is a fourth-year Cinematic Arts student.

“Sustain My Life!”—Matthew Iwamasa
In this two-minute fake movie trailer, Dexter Gear, an engineer, is targeted by oil companies after agreeing to help a town transition to clean energy. After a close call with an assassin, Dexter receives a letter from a child he’s helped, inspiring him to face the danger. The trailer ends with Dexter humorously trying to talk his way out of a perilous situation, combining humor and a message about sustainability.

Iwamasa is a freshman in SCA.

“The Clean Energy Prophecy”—Anne Di Martino, Aim Mizobe, Jay Shimabukuro and Brandi W.
In a world once powered by the harmony of four great spirits—Sun, Wind, Tide, and Earth—the Everflowing Breath kept the land thriving. But the Blacken Breath, a dark force of decay, threatened to destroy it. The spirits united to defeat it, restoring balance before fading into legend. Now, centuries later, the Blacken Breath returns, stronger than before. A new hero must rise, wielding the power of the spirits to save the world. Will the Everflowing Breath return, or will darkness consume all?

Di Martino and Shimabukuro are both seniors in ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa’s SCA Computer Animation program, while Brandi W. is an alumna of the same program.

Participants submitted pitches featuring a written concept description and images illustrating their visual storytelling approach.

A panel of esteemed judges, including professionals from animation, filmmaking and sustainability sectors, evaluated the submissions.

The 2024 judging panel

• Gavin Arucan—is a Filipino and Japanese-American artist from Hawaiʻi. He graduated from ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa with a BA in animation. Gavin is currently a storyboard artist for the animated shows Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss.
• GB Hajim—For the past 30 years, GB has been producing, directing, shooting, and editing Hawaiian language dramas and educational programs. His directorial feature debut, the animated sci-fi lesbian musical Strange Frame, attracted an all-star team including Tim Curry, Academy Award winner Gary Rizzo and Pink Floyd. His most recent film, the psychological drama steeped in magical realism Mermaids’ Lament was nominated for Best Feature at Dances with Films in Los Angeles and won Best Feature at the UN-sponsored Big Syn Festival in London.
• Philip Johnson—Philip Johnson is a retired professor of Information and Computer Sciences at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. He was an active member of the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Sustainability Council and has participated in many sustainability initiatives over the past 20 years.

To symbolize and illustrate the University of Hawaiʻi at ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s sustainability efforts, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa student Micah Colson was chosen as the design contest winner for the Sustainability Design Contest, after a community voting process.

The contest was a collaboration between the Institute of Sustainability and Resilience, the and the Office of Sustainability, centered on the theme #ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½Earth, showcasing the university’s commitment to renewable energy, resource conservation and ecological harmony.

Participants were invited to submit digital designs that illustrated ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s campus sustainability. The top four designs were showcased at the Discover Mānoa event on October 26 where attendees could vote for their favorite at the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa Sustainability Booth.

Colson’s winning design was inspired by a deep love for Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystem as Hawaiʻi being the ‘epicenter of extinction’.

“I felt that it was most important to reflect what we aim to protect by being sustainable,” said Colson. “I hope to remind people that sustainability is about preserving the irreplaceable natural heritage that surrounds us today.”

The winning design was transformed into stickers, and Colson received a special sustainable swag bag as a prize.

To receive a sticker, attend a meeting or reach out to Ruby Aliason at raliason@hawaii.edu.

Is it possible to keep large amounts of trash out of our landfills?

Students at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are exploring innovative ways to manage waste, create compost, and improve soil health on campus. They took part in the Tour de Trash, a hands-on exploration of °¿ʻ²¹³ó³Ü’s waste management practices to inspire them to implement ideas on campus. The tour, organized by the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa Office of Sustainability and the Student Sustainability Council, featured visits to Hawaiian Earth Recycling and the (Oʻahu Wormery Ohana).

At Hawaiian Earth Recycling, students saw how hot pile composting transforms yard waste into nutrient-rich soil. This large-scale process not only keeps organic materials like tree branches and grass clippings out of landfills but also contributes to environmental sustainability. Many students were inspired by the potential of large-scale composting to reduce landfill waste and improve soil health.

The group then visited the Magoon Wormery, a collaborative project led by Hui Koʻe ʻĀina and the (CTAHR). Participants were introduced to the world of vermicomposting under the guidance of a master vermicomposter, Mindy Jaffe. They learned how worms transform organic waste into vermicast, a nutrient-rich product that serves as an essential resource for regenerative agriculture.

“All of the attendees were interested in the wormery tour as well as the applications of this waste management system,” said Meggie Perkins, a CTAHR student and volunteer at the Magoon Wormery. “Students watched the worms at work and felt the finished vermicast product, which shocked them with its unique characteristics.”

“Exploring waste management, particularly how green waste is processed, offers an exciting opportunity for students and staff,” said Ruby Aliason, a tour organizer from the Office of Sustainability. “The experience brought classroom knowledge to life and left participants inspired and more informed about composting practices.”

Agrivoltaics, which combines solar energy generation with agricultural production, represents a cutting-edge solution to land use challenges. The University of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±â€™s Office of Sustainability and participated in a tour of the Hawaiʻi Agriculture Research Center (HARC) Agrisolar project in November. The event highlighted the intersection of renewable energy and agriculture, offering students a firsthand look at an innovative approach to sustainable land use.

The HARC Agrisolar project, established in collaboration with AES Corporation, Longroad Energy and Clearway Energy Group, spans a 230-acre solar farm in Mililani. Underneath the panels, researchers have successfully cultivated crops such as lettuce, strawberries, radish and poha berries since the project’s inception in June 2022.

“We learned and witnessed how growing agriculture under solar produces higher yields of both food and energy,” said Miles Topping, director of the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability.

The dual-use system enhances sustainability by creating microclimates that reduce heat stress, conserve water and support biodiversity.

Hands-on experience for students

For engineering students, the tour offered a chance to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Participants observed thriving crops beneath solar panels and engaged with researchers to understand the challenges and successes of agrivoltaics.

“It was really cool seeing land being used for both agriculture and clean energy production,” said Nicholas Atkins, a ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ engineering student. “I am excited to see where their research will take sustainability on Oʻahu.”

The HARC Agrisolar project showcases dual-use systems that address land scarcity, enhance food security, and advance renewable energy while prioritizing Indigenous and locally significant crops. Learn more about the project at .

A new HI-5 recycling pilot program spearheaded by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students in partnership with the local nonprofit organization, Bottles4College, is transforming sustainability efforts in student housing facilities. The students identified a lack of accessible recycling options and collaborated with the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability to develop a project to bring recycling to Frear Hall.

The program launched with an event on four floors of Frear Hall where participants sorted two 48-gallon bins of recyclables. The initiative, created through Bottles4College’s platform, provided student residents with a convenient way to recycle HI-5 bottles, reducing waste and promoting sustainability while also creating more accessibility to higher education. The next event is scheduled for February 8.

“I witnessed firsthand the limited recycling options available,” said Giada Colombo, a former student housing resident. “I wanted to improve that for future students, making sustainability not just an option but a convenient choice for everyone living on campus. It’s exciting to see the positive impact our efforts are having on both the environment and our community.”

Reducing waste, funding the future

Through the collaboration, all collected HI-5 bottles at Frear Hall were donated to Bottles4College’s program to help create college scholarships for students in Hawaiʻi.

“We want to thank the students and staff at Frear Hall for making this happen,” said Miles Topping, director of ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability. “We hope this type of effort continues to grow across the campus with more students getting involved at more ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ facilities.”

“Bottles4College is very excited to be able to bring sustainability through recycling to ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ ²Ñā²Ô´Ç²¹â€™s Frear Hall and cannot thank the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ students, Mr. Topping, Giada, and the rest of their team for making this possible,” said Genshu Price, Bottles4College founder. “We look forward to building a greener future through this initiative and more.”

If successful, the program plans to expand to other ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Mānoa residence halls to continue promoting sustainable practices into student life.

Participants of the holiday clothing swap at the Campus Center Courtyard had the opportunity to refresh their wardrobes by swapping or taking gently used clothing at no cost. Organized by the Student Sustainability Council (SSC) and the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability, the event aimed to help minimize waste and promote sustainable practices for the holiday season.

“Clearing out your closet at the end of the semester can be a challenge—whether your style has evolved or you’re out of space,” said Ruby Aliason, marketing coordinator at the Office of Sustainability. “The event offered a creative solution, letting students refresh their wardrobe without buying new clothes this holiday season.”

The event featured items donated by the Women’s Campus Club Thrift Shop and contributions collected through donation bins at student housing buildings, including Gateway House, Frear Hall and Hale Wainani Apartments, over the course of a week. More than six trash bags of clothing were donated. While participants were encouraged to donate clothing, donations were not required to take items.

“Within just a few days, the donation bin was already full and nearly overflowing,” said Téa Loren, a freshman resident at Gateway House and member of SSC. “The residents were happy to participate, and the event was a huge success in diverting clothing from landfills and allowing students to engage in sustainable practices.”

The remaining items from the clothing swap will be donated to local charities to further support the community and reduce waste.

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As the University of Hawaiʻi aims for zero-waste goals, students got a close up look at how waste is handled on Oʻahu through participating in a tour coordinated by the City and County of Honolulu to two waste management facilities: H-POWER and Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill in December.

This initiative, coordinated by the ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Student Sustainability Council, was part of the broader “Tour de Trash” program at ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½, which aims to explore the path of our ʻōpala (trash).

“The tour de trash was very eye-opening in learning how our waste gets managed and what gets done to it,” said Alexander Ah-Tye, a ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ student participant. “Typically we don’t give throwing away trash a second thought since it’s out of sight and out of mind. Seeing it in person really makes you consider how much waste we produce within our island. It made me a little self-conscious of all the times I have haphazardly thrown tons of non-recyclable and non-renewable materials away.”

The first stop was H-POWER, a waste-to-energy facility in Kapolei. Participants witnessed how municipal solid waste is incinerated to generate electricity for Oʻahu. A highlight was observing crane operators maneuvering massive amounts of waste into the incinerator. H-POWER processes approximately 700 tons of waste annually, showcasing its role in reducing landfill reliance while generating renewable energy.

The second stop was the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, which manages the final destination for °¿ʻ²¹³ó³Ü’s non-recyclable waste. Participants noted the landfill’s operations and commitment to minimizing its environmental impact.

“This tour was designed to give students a firsthand look at how our waste is managed and transformed into energy,” said Ruby Aliason, ÌÇÐÄVlog¹Ù·½ Office of Sustainability event organizer. “By seeing these processes up close, we hope to inspire students to think critically about waste reduction and sustainability efforts on campus and beyond.”