LIHU‘E — Reducing their environmental footprint earned the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa and the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club “green business awards” from the state earlier this week. Slashing more than 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by installing
LIHU‘E — Reducing their environmental footprint earned the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa and the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club “green business awards” from the state earlier this week.
Slashing more than 700,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by installing a photovoltaic system, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa was one of nine hotels that garnered “outstanding efforts in sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices,” according to a press release.
“It is certainly an honor to be recognized by the state for all of our efforts,” said Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa Public Relations Manager Diann Hartman Wednesday.
The resort’s 18,500-square-foot photovoltaic system reduced its energy consumption by more than 1.5 million kilowatt-hours during its first year of operation and produced some 465,000 kilowatt-hours, says the press release.
“Doug Sears has such a commitment to Kaua‘i,” said Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho. “It’s nice to see somebody take such an approach to our island and do what’s right long-term, despite where their careers may take them.”
Also honored this week was the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club whose corporation as a whole reportedly replaced “1.2 million plastic key cards purchased annually with those made of 50 percent recycled material, thus saving 4 tons of plastic from being dumped in landfills,” according to the same press release.
“We are extremely excited and happy to be selected,” said Director of Facilities Al Hoffman.
Other efforts to reduce their footprint include heat rejecting window film to decrease air conditioning use, low flow toilets and shower heads, as well as CFL or LED light bulbs used throughout the property, Hoffman said Thursday.
In addition, the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club has attempted to reduce the amount of water used for landscaping by regulating the irrigation to the soil’s moisture levels, he said.
And always seeking new ways to reduce their impact, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa’s “green team” is currently in the process of reducing the number of water bottles people utilize while on vacation, Hartman said.
Another “exciting” green project “involves expanding our herb garden that is located outside of Dondero’s,” she said. Currently the garden provides the restaurant with herbs, Hawaiian chili peppers and Japanese eggplant.
“These two properties are really trying to move the needle on our sustainable efforts in the industry,” Kanoho said.
Other resorts across the state which received recognition were the Aqua Bamboo and Spa (O‘ahu), Fairmont Kea Lani (Maui), Ko Olina Marriott Beach Club (O‘ahu), Maui Marriott Ocean Club, Ritz Carlton Kapalua (Maui), Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani (O‘ahu) and Wailea Beach Marriott (Maui).
“Hotels are taking different approaches to everything,” Kanoho said. “It’s a trend that will hopefully continue and it’s especially nice for our island because we only have limited resources to work with.”
Visit www.hawaii.gov/greenbusiness for more information.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
