Building Industry Magazine - March 2012 - (Page 8)

NewsBeat Seawater A/C in Downtown One Step Closer Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning, LLC (HSWAC) announced on Feb. 1 that its renewable energy project had moved closer to construction start. The firm has been granted special management area (SMA) use approval and shoreline setback variance by the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) Office of Planning. The SMA permit system provides guidance through state law for managing coastal development and allows HSWAC to construct a pumping and cooling station as well as install underground piping in the Kakaako area. “The rigorous permit process was an important step in assuring all stakeholders that the project is moving forward correctly. Being granted this permit is a major milestone in the construction of this renewable energy project,” says William Mahlum, president and CEO. The approval follows a January announcement that One Waterfront Towers, the twin 45-story towers located across from Honolulu Harbor and Aloha Tower Marketplace, has signed an agreement to utilize the HSWAC system. The project is anticipated to generate more than $200 million in construction spending in Honolulu and create more than 900 construction jobs. Once constructed and operating, HSWAC’s downtown cooling system will significantly decrease the state’s dependence on oil. The system will eliminate the need for 178,000 barrels of oil, reduces potable water consumption for air conditioning by more than 260 million gallons, reduces sewage by up to 84 million gallons, and avoids emissions of 84,000 tons of carbon dioxide – per year. Groundbreaking is anticipated for the first half of 2012. BIA Home Show Draws 20,000-plus Attendees Produced by the Building Industry Association of Hawaii (BIA), the 18th annual Home Building & Remodeling Show that was held from Jan. 27 to 29 at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall generated 22,884 attendees. This is a 1 percent increase over the 2010 show and is the third largest attendance in the event’s history. Besides the 116 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services, the show also included daily seminars conducted by award winning designers and industry experts. The most popular exhibitors, according to the BIA, were those businesses that featured environmentally friendly, energy-efficient items, such as photovoltaic solar panels and windows, kitchen & bathroom products of sustainable materials that offer low maintenance and energy savings to homeowners. “We are thrilled with the tremendous public response and our exhibitors are very excited to start 2012 with this level of interest and leads from the commercial and residential markets at the (show),” comments Karen Nakamura, BIA’s CEO and executive vice president. “For many people, their home is their most valuable asset and we are proud to provide ‘The Big Show’s’ array of products and services under one roof.” Left: Now in its 18th year, the three-day event generated 22,884 attendees, a 1 percent increase over the 22,655 attendees in 2011. Middle: The expo featured 116 exhibitors. Right: The most popular exhibits featured energy-efficient products and services. 8 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | MARCH 2012 http://youtu.be/SHVl45HNpI8 http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com/photos.html

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - March 2012

Sitework
Residential Construction
Guam
GCA Celebrates 80th Anniversary at Installation
Carpenters Name ‘Builder of the Year’
BIA Home Show Draws 20,000-plus Attendees
$12M Grant Funds New Chaminade Parking
Construction Begins on Kawailoa Wind Farm
St. Francis to Build Multifamily Center
ACECH Spotlights Best in Engineering
UH to Get $42M IT Center
Datebook
Contracts Awarded
Best Practices: Without Working 80-Hour Weeks
Spotlight on Success: Kroc Center Hawaii
Architects Corner: AIA Welcomes New Year with New Board
Concept to Completion: Safeway Beretania
Low Bids
News Makers
New Products
Cover March 2012

Building Industry Magazine - March 2012