HONOLULU, HAWAII—Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, an Aqua Hospitality property, has completed a series of enhancement projects that are equal parts innovation and renovation. Leading the list of projects is a large solar array built over the parking lot, providing cover and shade for vehicles while greatly reducing the popular beachfront hotel’s carbon footprint.
“We are blessed with 25 beautiful acres along the coast, so we had plenty of land to erect our solar array,” said David Sosner, general manager of Aqua Kauai Beach Resort. “Our guests suggested covered parking would be a nice addition to the resort, so we’ve met that need while taking advantage of the abundant Hawaiian sunlight. We’re helping Mother Earth and lowering our energy costs by at least 20 percent. It’s a win for the planet, a win for our guests and a win for our owners.”
The solar installation, which consists of approximately 2,400 photovoltaic panels, is projected to save almost 100,000 kilowatt hours per month—the equivalent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions for 167 passenger vehicles. It is also the equivalent of the amount of energy needed to power 120 homes for a year.
New Filtration System for Pool
Among the many other projects at the resort was a conversion of the property’s two waterfall-draped lagoon pools to a saline-based filtration system that eliminates the strong chlorine smell and airborne irritants. The mineral-based system produces water that is very similar to a human tear and feels much smoother. “A day in our pools feels a lot like a day at the spa,” said Sosner.
Other environmentally-friendly initiatives include an amplified recycling program that encompasses metal, paper, plastic, cardboard, e-recycling and aluminum cans. An enhanced waste removal program will utilize grease traps, capture and dispose of batteries and convert food waste into pig food for delivery to Kauai sties. The cost for the green initiatives to date is approximately $3.3 million.
Aqua Kauai Beach Resort will also join other Aqua Hospitality properties in an effort to care for the oceans via room reservation donations to Hui o Koolaupoko, an organization whose mission is to protect Hawaii’s ocean health. One dollar from each reservation booked on Earth Day (Monday, April 22) will go toward helping Hui o Koolaupoko’s programs for monitoring ocean conditions and watershed health by working with various stakeholders on natural resource coordination and community education. Bookings confirmed on April 22 can be for stays at any of Aqua’s hotels statewide and no minimum number of room nights is required.
Go to the Aqua Kauai Beach Resort.
