Lai Opua, Kona | DHHL | Department of Hawaiian Home LandsArmstrong Builders Hawaii | Home Builders and Commercial Construction | General Contractor

LEED-H Gold Certified

Embrace the Land, the Spirit Shall Endure

Lai Opua features innovative “green” homes by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in partnership with the Armstrong companies. These homes are comfortable, part of a vibrant community, and in harmony with the land.

Located in Kealakehe, Kona, Lai Opua homes use modern technology and Kona’s abundant natural renewable resources. The homes harness Kona’s sun, wind, and rain to provide comfortable Hawai’i living in a way that is in harmony with the land and saves homeowners money each month.

Latest Update

Currently Available Lots:

Lot	Model
96	A
95	B
100	A
112	C
117	C

Newsletters:

Lai Opua’s Unique Features

The Land will bring the wind and the rain

THE HOMES’ GREEN FEATURES

The Wind
The Lai Opua homes are designed to enhance natural ventilation and cut cooling costs. Each home is positioned to take advantage of the Olauniu, the wind that moves lightly from ocean to shore, and A’e, the northeast tradewind that cools the baked lands of Kekaha. The windows are sized and placed to promote natural ventilation. In addition, the included whole house fan gently removes hot air from the house and draws in the cooler outside air. Eliminating the need for air conditioning for most (if not all) of the year greatly reduces electricity consumption.

Sun
Every Lai Opua home has solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed. These PV panels use the abundant Kona sunlight to produce electricity to power the home or to offset the electricity drawn from the grid during non-daylight hours. Combined with features that reduce electricity consumption, the included PV systems can help homeowners save as much as $300-$500 per month on their electricity bills.

Rain
Rainwater harvesting systems installed along the side of the carport collect rainwater that can be used for watering the yard, plants and garden or for washing down the driveway.

Forest
Makai of the Lai Opua homes is a dryland forest preservation dedicated to the survival and health of many native and endangered species that naturally grow there, and elsewhere within the villages including Aupaka, Uhi uhi, Ilie’e, Ohe makai, Maiapilo and Mamane. Careful stewardship and malama is being planned including upcoming cultural ecology and educational programs that offer “learn while doing” opportunities.

Diagram of Specific Green Features