STATE HONORS BUSINESSES AND EVENTS FOR GREEN PRACTICES

For Immediate Release: April 22, 2016

HONOLULU — The state honored 16 businesses and five events today for their innovative work to conserve energy and implement sustainable practices that will protect the environment and help Hawaii meet its clean energy goals.

“These businesses are demonstrating that you can improve your bottom line while supporting the transformation to a more sustainable Hawaii,” Gov. David Ige said. “Through a host of innovative measures, such as installing high-efficiency lighting systems and utilizing rain catchment systems, these businesses are doing their part to reduce our impact on the environment and help end our reliance on imported fossil fuels.”

The businesses and events were recognized during the 2016 Hawaii Green Business Program (HGBP) awards ceremony. HGBP provides assistance to businesses committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The awards were presented by Gov. Ige and hosted by the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Department of Health and the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association.

“We commend the leadership shown by these businesses to reduce their impact on our environment and energy systems,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “In Hawaii, the continued push for sustainability and carbon reduction are widely embraced across the state from the smallest towns to the urban core of Honolulu.”

Recognizing the state’s commitment to conservation and sustainable development, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Council selected Hawaii as the venue for the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress – the world’s largest conservation event.  This will be the first time the World Conservation Congress will be held in the United States.  A number of this year’s Hawaii Green Business awardees will host some of the 6,000-8,000 delegates who will be in Honolulu this September for the conference.

The businesses and events honored at this year’s HGBP awards ceremony undertook a wide array of green initiatives that included installing LED and CFL lighting, recycling food scraps, growing their own organic produce, taking steps to reduce water use, and equipping dishwashers with heat recovery units. The businesses can be viewed in an interactive map on HSEO’s Green Business Program website: energy.hawaii.gov/green-business-program

The honorees of the 2016 Hawaii Green Business Awards are:

  • Ala Moana Hotel
  • Aqua Palms Waikiki
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Alana-Waikiki
  • Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki
  • OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger
  • OHANA Waikiki Malia by Outrigger
  • Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
  • Trump International Hotel Waikiki
  • The Kahala Hotel and Resort
  • Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
  • Mariott’s Maui Ocean Club
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
  • Valley Isle Excursions
  • Lanikai Juice – Kakaako
  • Honeywell Energy Solutions

The Hawaii Green Business Awards also honored five green events:

  • Honolulu Museum of Art – Plastic Fantastic?
  • UH Manoa – 4th Annual Sustainability in Higher Education Conference
  • Hawaii Tourism Authority – 2016 Hawaii Tourism Conference
  • HPU – Presidential Lecture Series on Global Leadership and Sustainability
  • Sony – 2016 Sony Open in Hawaii

For a description of the awardees and their energy efficiency accomplishments, please see separate Awardee Accomplishments document.
Awardee Accomplishments (PDF)

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ABOUT HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.  With the state’s goal to reach 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2045, HSEO is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. HSEO is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, HSEO has positioned Hawaii port as a leader in clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth.

For more information, visit energy.hawaii.gov

For more information, contact:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]

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