Kuhio Shores Saves Energy by not Offering Air Conditioning
In my recent post, “Hawaii resorts looking to save energy by turning of the air conditioning“, I discussed 2 resorts using a technology that turned off air conditioning when you left your room. Then a reader commented asking, “Why do these resorts even need air conditioning?”. It’s true, this is Hawaii and median temperatures are about 75 degrees year round. If you planned well in the development phase and made sure your resort took full advantage of the prevailing trade winds, there should be no need for ac.
So my next task was to find a resort that didn’t use air conditioning. Easier said then done. After some research and several phone calls, I might have been more comfortable in a Princeville Vacation Rental, but I came across Kuhio Shores. Kuhio Shores is a resort built right on the water and the building was designed with trade winds in mind, which come right off the ocean. This is a clever design that allow the rooms to stay cool and keep guests comfortable.
Upon further inquiry into the resort, I found out that the reason for not having air conditioning was because of how the building was wired for electricity. The owners decided not to redo the condominium complex’s wiring because they felt there is no need for ac. I think this is admirable since one of the key ingredients to conservation is reducing. And Kuhio Shores is reducing a lot by not retrofitting the building to accept air conditioning.
