Hawaii's Demand for Eco-Friendly Practices

Joe Root, president and CEO of Kohanaiki

HAWAII—Consumer demand for sustainable and environmentally conscious communities, combined with advances in technology, have allowed developers to incorporate sustainable design and building practices from the early stages of construction. That is according to Joe Root , president and CEO of Kohanaiki . We recently chatted with Root on all things eco-friendly including what the public is looking for in terms of sustainable living and how developers are getting on board. GlobeSt.com: What is the public looking for in terms of sustainable living? Root: People want to know that they live in a community that embraces sustainability and a reduced environmental impact in a real and meaningful way. There is a pride of ownership that comes from knowing that they are making a positive choice to live in a more sustainable way. Expectations are higher than ever in the marketplace. Developers today must go beyond simply installing some solar panels on the roof to impress consumers. They are looking for things that enhance their lives through improved health, reduced costs of living, and improved quality of life. GlobeSt.com: What are new ways communities are considering the environment before and during construction? And ways they are remaining sustainable years down the road? Joe Root: Consumer demand for sustainable and environmentally conscious communities, combined with advances in technology, have allowed developers to incorporate sustainable design and building practices from the early stages of construction. Selecting locally-sourced building materials for the homes, building water reclamation facilities for use on golf courses, landscaping, and amenities are just two examples of some of the practices that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the community. At Kohanaiki, on Hawai’i's Big Island, we have implemented a number of these types of systems, including a desalinization plant that allows water to be repurposed for golf course watering and landscaping, a state-of-the-art system in the clubhouse that captures heat waste from the HVAC system to heat the outdoor pool, and an onsite recycling facility for the community. These and other systems are ensuring both long-term savings for our homeowners and minimization of the community’s impact on the environment. GlobeSt.com: How does implementing eco-friendly practices benefit developers? Root: Although there may sometimes be higher costs up front, these measures will cut water and electricity costs for homeowners as well as the club for years to come. For developers, these practices help differentiate their community in the minds of potential purchasers and can foster good will with the local community. At Kohanaiki, we take great pride in being good stewards and honoring Hawaiian traditions of respecting the land for generations to come. GlobeSt.com: What are other factors to consider, aside from the environment, when protecting lands that have been designated a special purpose (such as cultural or historical significance)?  Root: The land Kohanaiki was built upon has historical significance dating back many generations. Because of this, we preserved significant historic and cultural sites which, for generations to come, will tell the story of how people lived on the Big Island. These include rock formations known as ahu and ponds used for bait, refrigeration, aqua farming, and bathing. We also built public facilities at the beach that everyone can enjoy.