News Releases from Region 09

EPA honors Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as Federal Green Challenge winner

HONOLULU - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with the EPA's Federal Green Challenge Regional Overall Achievement award as part of its efforts to encourage federal departments to reduce their environmental footprints through sustainable practices.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, located on Hawai'i Island is one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the world. Located nearly 2,500 miles from the nearest continental land mass, the park stretches from the summit of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet down to sea level. It encompasses two of the world's most active volcanoes, and attracts more than 1.6 million visitors a year.

"We applaud National Park Service staff for leading the way towards zero waste, and educating the millions of visitors to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "This unique landscape deserves protection, and that starts with the commitment by the federal employees who work there."

"We are extremely honored to receive this level of recognition for our climate-friendly efforts," said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. "Our staff is dedicated to implementing environmentally responsible practices, and we encourage our visitors and park partners to do the same," she said.

The park had top regional achievements in the Federal Green Challenge Waste and Purchasing target areas, increasing recycling by 167 percent to achieve an overall recycling rate of 76 percent, while decreasing copy paper purchases by 89 percent. In addition, 95 percent of its cleaning products met Environmental Preferable Purchasing criteria.

Not only does Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park walk their talk behind the scenes, but park employees reach out to the community and visitors throughout the year through programs, exhibits and presentations on the values and importance of being climate friendly and sustainable.

The park actively works to reduce their environmental footprint in all six Federal Green Challenge target areas: energy, water, waste, electronics, purchasing and transportation.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is home to Hawaii's largest public rainwater catchment system that stores 5.3 million gallons of water. The water is treated, filtered with cartridge and sand filters, and disinfected to supply water to 56 areas throughout the park. Water bottle refilling stations, posters, and sale of refillable stainless steel water bottles educate the public to "Step Away from the Plastic."

In addition, the park's Visitor Emergency Operations Center, which opened in 2011, earned a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council - and is currently the only federal building in Hawai'i to receive LEED Platinum certification. The 4,896-square-foot building is powered by photovoltaic panels and is constructed from mostly recycled or reused materials.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has made more great strides in conserving energy. Park rangers ride electrically powered "Eco Bikes" to their programs along the Klauea summit, saving fossil fuels and parking spaces. The Klauea Visitor Center features special yellow LED lighting to conserve energy and keep night skies dark. Solar panels generate renewable energy, and electric and alternative fuel vehicles further reduce energy and transportation-related emissions.

The Federal Green Challenge is a national effort challenging federal agencies to lead by example in reducing the Federal Government's environmental impacts. In 2014, more than 400 participating facilities, representing nearly 1.3 million federal employees, "walked the talk" in various target areas and reduced their environmental footprint, which in many cases also resulted in significant cost savings. In EPA's Pacific Southwest Region, $3,486,990 was saved through reductions in energy, purchasing, transportation and waste.

For more information on the Federal Green Challenge, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/fgc
For more information on Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/havo
For photos and a link to the e-media kit, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/hi-volcanoes/