Going green has become a new building trend, as a focus on the environment moves into the places we live, work, and even go to school.

Anyone who thinks it isn't easy being green should check out ideas from those literally building it in.

"We wanted to be known as an environmentally friendly facility, and we wanted our students to have an understanding of the importance of being friendly into the environment," said George Moyer, vice president of Hawaii Baptist Academy.

Hawaii Baptist’s middle school is one of just a handful of buildings in Hawaii with what's called a LEED certification -- the U.S. Green Building Council’s measure of attention to energy and environmental sustainability.

Punhou’s Case Middle School is another LEED-certified project.

Hawaii Baptist's $11 million project could have been built for less money without some of the LEED features -- like buying lumber from a renewable forest in the Pacific Northwest.

"We felt that the longterm benefits certainly outweighed the cost," Moyer said.

The buildings at these schools are oriented to get the most from the natural Hawaii breeze.

"We have an absolutely gorgeous setting, so you wouldn't want to throw up an ugly concrete building," Moyer said.

Over at Punahou's middle school, ice generated during off-peak electric hours chills the air when school is in session, and rooftop photovoltaic cells help cut energy costs by 40 percent.

Energy saving features at Hawaii Baptist Academy include 21st century skylights that often bring enough light into the classroom to turn off the switch. And if the class leaves the room with the lights on, this smart sensor will shut them off.

"Otherwise you'd just be burning up utilities, electricity, and you know what the cost of electricity is right now, going up, up and up,” Moyer said.

Recycled and renewable materials are used wherever possible, including the lockers. At Punahou they come from recycled milk cartons. At Hawaii Baptist, from recycled egg containers.

"The first time we saw them we couldn't believe it,” Moyer said, “and when parents come for tours they can't believe these are egg cartons."

The schools are also water conscious, including some waterless restroom facilities, and catching rain water to use for landscape irrigation.

"It comes down off the downspouts, the water flows into the tank, which will hold 20,000 gallons,” Moyer explains, “and when we need it, we can then use that water to pump it out to water and irrigate our plants."

The environment isn't just about the buildings -- it's helped these schools make it part of the curriculum, too.

"I know they're all proud of their school, and we see that all the time," Moyer said. “It's been a great place for them to learn, but it's also a great place to make a statement about the environment."