The state Department of Education is recognizing six Hawaii schools for energy conservation and environmentally friendly efforts in the first year of the Green Ribbon Schools program.

Kalani High, Kahuku High and Intermediate, Pahoa High and Intermediate, Ewa Makai Middle and Waikiki Elementary are the winning public schools. Hawaii Preparatory Academy is the only private school selected.

The program honors schools that have significantly reduced their environmental impact and achieved energy efficiency. They also positively impacted their health of students and staff and produced students with high levels of environmental and sustainability literacy. 

Pahoa High and Intermediate, Ewa Makai, Waikiki and Hawaii Preparatory will be nominated for national recognition. The U.S. Department of Education will announce national winners on April 23.