Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is not an afterthought at Koa Ridge, it’s embedded into the design of the community. The Master Plan for Koa Ridge equally considers, the three tenets of sustainability: Economic Prosperity, Environmental Sensitivity, and Social Equity. And we’re not stopping here. As we delve deeper into community design and product development we’ll continuously look for opportunities to incorporate sustainable practices to improve our community.
Economic Prosperity
- Creating an average of 760 direct development related jobs per year during construction. Total employment created, including direct, indirect, and induced jobs could represent 1,830 full-time equivalent positions per year through build-out of Koa Ridge and Waiawa.
- Creating 2,460 jobs on-site at completion.
- Providing 3,500 homes, including affordable homes, to address the shortage of housing on Oahu and accommodate future population growth.
- Providing opportunities for new light industrial, retail, and restaurant establishments.
- Stimulating $11 million per year in new County revenues and $13.7 million in new State revenue at completion.
Environmental Sensitivity
- Reducing our carbon footprint by creating a walkable and bikeable community and locating services, jobs, and schools near homes.
- Reducing water pollution by integrating storm water containment and treatment facilities in open space and landscaping.
- Conserving water by using water conserving fixtures, thoughtful landscape design, and using non-potable water for landscape irrigation.
- Building a compact community that relieves pressure to develop elsewhere, thereby preserving open space and agricultural land.
- Undertaking more energy efficient home design and construction.
- Creating a hierarchy of open space – tot lots, neighborhood parks, community spaces, and natural areas- all linked by a pathway system.
Social Equity
- Designing homes to accommodate a diversity of household types and family sizes, from young persons moving into their first home to seniors looking to downsize.
- Pricing homes for a range of household incomes, from affordable rentals to upper-level homes.
- Creating public and private spaces for residents to meet and socialize.
- Providing a range of recreational spaces to encourage health, fitness, and social interaction.
- Providing “social infrastructure” such as churches, recreation centers, and an elementary school.
