Building Industry Magazine - January 2012 - (Page 60)

NewsBeat Sunetric Illuminates Honolulu City Lights The popular Honolulu City Lights holiday display last month featured the first-ever exhibit entirely powered by solar energy. Called “Santa Goes Solar,” the nonprofit Blue Planet Foundation’s 8-foot diorama of Santa’s workshop and village was powered by a state-of-the-art, solar photovoltaic canopy designed and built by Sunetric. The display was constructed by members of the Lego Enthusiasts Association of Hawaii with members of the University of Hawaii Solar Decathlon Team Hawaii engineering its array of high-tech LED lights. The solar canopy produced 3.6 kilowatt hours (kWh) a day, with an on-site battery pack storing up to 6.9 kWh. “It’s an honor to put the ‘green’ in the green and red at Santa’s village this holiday season, and highlight the importance of renewable energy in Hawaii,” said Alex Tiller, chief executive officer of Sunetric, when the display was constructed in late November. Sunetric’s donation included hours of engineering, design and construction work, as well as more than $5,000 in materials. Blue Planet Foundation’s “Santa Goes Solar” is the first Honolulu City Lights exhibit powered entirely by solar energy. Hyatt Place Opens in Waikiki A blessing and maile lei untying ceremony in December marked the opening of the first of two towers at Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach “Today marks a special moment in our company’s history, with the opening of Kokua’s first Hawaiian property and the opening of the first Hyatt Place in Hawaii,” said Rob Kline, co-chairman of Kokua Hospitality, the management company overseeing the development of Hyatt Place Waikiki, at the event. In addition to an expansive pool deck that features a fire pit and seating for up to 200, Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach currently features 191 rooms, with an additional 235 rooms to become available when the second tower, the Diamond Tower, opens in spring 2012. All rooms feature balconies, complimentary Wi-Fi access and a 42-inch high-definition television. Hotel amenities include a business center and tourism desk, a bakery café, StayFit@Hyatt fitness center, and 4,200 square feet of function space for meetings, receptions and conferences. Swinerton Builders began the renovation of the former Waikiki Ocean Resort in April 2011 and will continue to work on the Diamond Tower. Architects for the project are Looney Ricks Kiss and Group 70 International. Kokua Hospitality also hosted a traditional “LuWOW” reception complete with performances by hula dancers and fire eaters on the third-floor pool deck. “As the first Hyatt Place property to be located in Hawaii, we plan to provide our personalized service to each and every guest to ensure that we exceed all of their expectations and create a wonderful trip, no matter why they are in town,” concludes Bonnie Kiyabu, general manager of Hyatt Place Waikiki. Participating in the traditional maile lei untying are Kahu Kalehua Featheran, Imre Gonzy, Samantha Say, Bonnie Kiyabu (general manager), John Yamanishi and Stephen Weldon. The ceremony was followed by a “LuWOW” reception. Photos by Will Runk 60 | Building industry | JANUARY 2012

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

Building Industry cover
Table of contents
Datebook
BIA Installs New 2012 Leadership
Partnering for Smart Grid Project
Scholarship Opportunity
ABC Honors Best Merit Shop Projects
Contracts Awarded
Military
Best Practices
CCPI Resource Directory
Spotlight on Success: Submarine Drive-In Magnetic Silencing Facility, Beckoning Point
Hawaii County Dedicates Transitional Housing
IBEW Renovation Earns LEED Gold
Hyatt Place Opens in Waikiki
Forecast: Fairly Sunny with a Few Scattered Clouds
Concept to Completion: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Renovations
Construction Preview Highlights
Good Neighbors
Low Bids
News Makers
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - January 2012