Paper lesson handouts are kept to a minimum at Ewa Makai Middle School. Sustainability and green living are discussed in every subject in every grade. The school’s cleaning products are environmentally friendly. No pesticides are used on school grounds.

Earth-friendly actions taken daily by the school’s students and staff — coupled with the school’s environmentally friendly features — earned Ewa Makai Middle designation Monday as one of 78 Green Ribbon schools nationwide.

Hawaii Preparatory Academy also received the federal recognition, with federal officials applauding its work in creating an "energy lab" that uses solar panels to attain a net zero power consumption level.

The Green Ribbon Schools program was announced in September, and those recognized Monday were its first honorees.

"Beyond my wildest dreams, I didn’t think we would win this national award," Ewa Makai Principal Edward Oshiro said. "For us, doing the right thing, working as a green school, is more important to us."

Oshiro said the school’s mission is to not only live green, but to spread the message of sustainability to the community. Ewa Makai opened in 2011 and has a host of environmentally friendly building features. The public school is the first in Hawaii meet federal "gold" energy efficiency ratings.

On Hawaii island, private school Hawaii Prep is working to revamp its older buildings on the campus, making them sustainable, with students’ help. Bill Wieckling, director of HPA’s energy lab, said the school wants to come up with a model for overhauling older buildings to make them environmentally friendly.

Schools in 28 states and Washington, D.C., were selected for the Green Ribbon Schools program after demonstrating what they do to reduce their environmental impact, promote health and ensure a high-quality environmental and outdoor education.

More than 350 schools sought the recognition. The list of winners includes 66 public schools and 12 private schools. Eight winners are also charter schools.

"Science, environmental and outdoor education play a central role in providing children with a well-rounded education, helping prepare them for the jobs of the future," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in announcing the winners.

The U.S. Department of Education’s "Green Ribbons" are one-year recognition awards. Next year’s competition will open in the summer.