Hawaii Gateway Energy Center

Photo credit: jeffBrink Virtual Arts

Land Use & Community

The 6.5-acre HGEC site was selected for its visibility. It is the gateway to the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELH) campus, an 870-acre development along the south Kona coastline on the Big Island of Hawaii, at Keahole Point near the Kona International Airport. The HGEC site was established by the 1989 Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park master plan.

Although designated urban, the HGEC site is essentially isolated from the nearest urban population in Kailua, approximately seven miles to the south. Since the Big Island has no public transportation system, access to the site must be via automobile despite its proximity to the primary coastal highway. Alternative transportation, including bicycles and electric vehicles, is used within the HOST/NELH development. NELHA staff often commute on site with battery-powered golf carts.

Approximately one-third of the HOST/NELH site has been developed. Density is moderate and typified by commercial tenants with various aquaculture businesses that utilize the deep seawater provided by NELHA.

The visitor complex, available to the community for outreach, demonstrations, and education, expresses traditional values within its state-of-the-art passive-solar design. Built on a platform similar to the Hawaiian heiau, the building shows respect for the region's habitat by using native coastal landscaping.

HGEC's visible presence along the highway was intended to spark interest in and renew dedication to accomplishing the State's goal of achieving independence from fossil fuels. (At the time the project was completed, 92% of Hawaii's energy came from imported oil.)

Green Strategies

• Responsible Planning
  • Ensure that development fits within a responsible local and regional planning framework
• Support for Appropriate Transportation
  • Provide safe access for bicyclers and pedestrians
  • Provide showers and changing areas for bicycle and pedestrian commuters
  • Provide storage area for bicycles
  • Provide access to public transportation
  • Provide vehicle access to support car and vanpooling
  • Provide incentives for non-automobile commuting options
  • Provide for electric vehicle charging

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Our thanks to the ENERGY STAR program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and to the U.S. Department of Energy, and to BuildingGreen, Inc. for hosting the submission and judging forms.

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