HONOLULU, HAWAII—Aqua Hospitality is donating a portion of room reservations on Earth Day to celebrate a number of green improvements throughout its collection. Aqua Hospitality’s hotels and resorts will be doing their part to care for the oceans via room reservation donations to Hui o Koolaupoko, an organization whose mission is to protect 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 for April 22 can be for stays at any of Aqua’s hotels and no minimum number of room nights is required.
“We are very supportive of Hui o Koolaupoko’s mission to protect ocean health,” said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua’s senior vice president of sales & marketing. “As a company with 24 hotels in Hawaii, water is an intrinsic part of our culture. Hui o Koolaupoko does excellent work to protect our waters.”
Recent Examples of Green Projects
Aqua Kauai Beach Resort recently installed an extensive array of solar panels. The solar installation consists of approximately 2,400 photovoltaic panels and 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. 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.
Since beginning its effort in 2007, the Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki has reduced its annual electrical consumption by 301,440 KWHs. At the current rate of electricity, it reflects a savings of $90,000 per year. Its programs include various recycling and water conservation efforts, as well as an electronic room key sensor program, drought-resistant plants and non-illuminated building signage. The property also recycles old towels to a local car wash and the Humane Society, and recycles paints to Restore Our Community Kalihi Area—a volunteer group that wipes out unwelcomed graffiti.
As an environmentally-aware boutique hotel, the 92-room Aqua Bamboo Waikiki has numerous sustainable and environmental practices in place which were recognized with a 2010 Hawaii Green Business Award. Initiatives include CFL or fluorescent lights throughout the property, Energy Star-rated appliances, low flush toilets and recycling receptacles in the rooms. Behind the scenes, green practices include measures which reduce paper, water and energy consumption, diverting of waste from landfills and air pollution prevention.
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