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VISUALIZING KONA TomoRRow
<br />2. Interaction with Nature. Only through opportunities to interact
<br />with nature can we develop knowledge and respect for natural
<br />environment. The vision is to establish an Open Space
<br />Network Program (see Section 4.3 Environmental Resources)
<br />to guide the provision of such opportunities through
<br />subsistence activities (e.g., fishing, diving, hunting, gathering),
<br />recreational activities (e.g., swimming, surfing, hiking, camping,
<br />biking), and educational activities (e.g., interpretive signage
<br />and printed material).
<br />Building Standards. The Leadership in Energy and
<br />Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is
<br />the nationally recognized standard for green buildings (see
<br />sidebar). The vision supports LEED design of buildings and
<br />neighborhoods. LEED embraces all the aforementioned
<br />principles—waste reduction, toxics reduction, conservation of
<br />resources, and energy efficiency— by recognizing performance
<br />in five key areas of human and environmental health:
<br />sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,
<br />materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED
<br />certification provides independent, third -party verification that a
<br />development's location and design meet accepted high
<br />standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable,
<br />development. LEED certification recognizes and rewards
<br />builders for meeting the highest performance standards, and
<br />gives users confidence that their building is durable, healthy,
<br />and environmentally friendly.
<br />4. Energy Efficiency. The energy policies aim at reducing
<br />greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., conservation measures,
<br />renewable energy conversion), reducing energy costs to the
<br />CHAPTER 3
<br />Specific LEED programs include:
<br />• Homes
<br />• Neighborhood Development
<br />• New Commercial Construction and
<br />Major Renovation projects
<br />• Existing Building Operations and
<br />Maintenance
<br />• Commercial Interiors projects
<br />About LEED for Homes
<br />LEED for Homes is a voluntary rating
<br />system that promotes the design and
<br />construction of high performance "green"
<br />homes. A green home uses less energy,
<br />water, and natural resources; creates less
<br />waste, and is healthier and more
<br />comfortable for the occupants.
<br />About LEED for Neighborhood
<br />Development
<br />LEED for Neighborhood Development is a
<br />collaboration between the U.S. Green
<br />Building Council, the Congress for the New
<br />Urbanism, and the Natural Resources
<br />Defense Council. The LEED for
<br />Neighborhood Development Rating System
<br />integrates the principles of smart growth
<br />and green building into the first national
<br />standard for neighborhood design.
<br />LEED for Neighborhood Development
<br />recognizes development projects that
<br />successfully protect and enhance the
<br />overall health, natural environment, and
<br />quality of life of our communities. The
<br />rating system encourages urban smart
<br />growth best practices, promoting the
<br />design of neighborhoods that reduce
<br />vehicle miles traveled and communities
<br />where jobs and services are accessible by
<br />foot or public transit. This framework can
<br />serve as the means of measuring the
<br />sustainability of the Kona CDP's Village
<br />Design Master Plans.
<br />consumer (e.g., net metering, alternatives to driving), and
<br />developing a more resilient system, such as reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports, and
<br />decentralized distributed energy systems. Although most changes require action by the State,
<br />County, or utility company, the vision expresses Kona community's aspirations to do its part. The
<br />largest consumer of electricity on the island is the County Department of Water Supply, to pump
<br />and distribute water. Therefore, water conservation and leak detection, besides conserving water
<br />resources, is also a significant energy conservation measure.
<br />5. Non -degradation. Whether intentionally or inadvertently, we degrade our resources by clearing,
<br />introducing invasive species, introducing sediments or chemicals to our water resources through
<br />non -point or point sources and depleting our water, soil, fisheries, and other resource consumption
<br />activities. To prevent degradation, the vision is to support biodiversity through protection of native
<br />KONA CDP 3-5
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