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Energy Efficient BEQ Breaks Ground at Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100222-14
Release Date: 2/22/2010 7:25:00 PM

By Denise Emsley, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- A groundbreaking ceremony and traditional Hawaiian blessing for new energy efficient bachelor housing was held Feb. 18 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) in Kaneohe.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver specifications are incorporated into the new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) project, including energy conservation and various sustainable features, such as an efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, low wattage lighting, storm water quality control, night time light pollution reduction, reduced potable water usage that reduces wastewater sent to the sewage system, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and optimizing energy performance with special glass, good insulation, and shaded overhangs.

"I've been on a sustainability kick since taking command at Marine Corps Base Hawaii," said Col. Robert Rice, MCBH commander. "Doing the right thing by the taxpayers, by reducing our energy output, consumption, and reliance on foreign fossil fuels, as well as doing the right thing by the environment and using our resources better and more wisely, has been a priority."

In August 2009 Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii awarded Nan Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii, a $39.7 million design/build contract to construct the first, five-story Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) at MCBH, which will increase and upgrade enlisted housing facilities significantly.

The base has a current need for 300 housing spaces for enlisted personnel E1 to E5. The 150 new rooms will help lessen the lack of barrack facilities and will improve morale, retention and readiness.

"The need for new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters at MCBH for our young Marines is very critical," said Unaccompanied Personnel Housing Director Raymond Rippel. "We have some extremely old facilities from the 1940s through 1970s that require high maintenance, and do not provide modern and efficient living accommodations that our troops deserve."

The new BEQ complex will be built of reinforced concrete masonry that will be able to withstand the corrosive sea-salt air environment of Kaneohe Bay. The buildings will be five stories tall with interconnected walkways, and community and service areas such as laundry facilities, lounges, duty officer and bunk room, housekeeping, vending area, and public restrooms.

The BEQ complex will be 95,595 square foot. Its construction will move the base closer towards the Marine Corps' goal of achieving set living area standards for E1 to E5 enlisted personnel of 2+0 rooms by 2012. The 2+0 is a design configuration which includes double occupancy sleeping area, two personal closets, a shared toilet with a shower compartment and a sink service area.

The ceremony included speakers Rice, Cmdr. John Bennett, NAVFAC Hawaii operations officer, Jim Stone, Group 70 International architect, and Stan Sagum, project manager, Nan Inc. The Hawaiian blessing was provided by Deacon Sherman Thompson of Kamehameha Schools. A maile lei was untied and shovels were used to turn the soil at the new construction site, signifying the start of the new project.

Construction is set to begin in mid to late March, and the project's expected completion date is February 2012.