On March 17, Hawaii State Governor Neil Abercrombie presented in his Executive Chambers at the Hawaii State Capitol the Hawaii Green Business Award to JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina. Here's Jim Tollefson, president and CEO of The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, JW Marriott Ihilani's Roger Nitta and Steve James, Department of Energy's Gary Gill, and Governor Abercrombie.
Here is a clip of the award presentation.
On behalf of the resort, Steve and Roger accepted the award which is the shape of a Hawaiian poi pounder made out of recycled glass materials.
This is JW Marriott Ihilani’s first ever State of Hawaii recognition for its green initiatives. Under the banner of Marriott’s Spirit to Serve, the resort hotel implemented green measures such as lighting retrofits and provision of recycling bins in common areas, as well as its exemplary energy and water conservation practices, pollution prevention, solid waste reduction and recycling efforts. Click here to learn more ways in which the hotel continues to be green.
The hotel was recognized based on criteria including completing a self-audit checklist evaluating their environmental practices ranging from pollution prevention to water and energy conservation, recycling, environmental purchasing, sharing their information with other participants, attending forums and workshops on greening practices, and participating in quarterly meetings.
Here in front of the Hawaii State Seal are Roger, Department of Health - Hazardous Waste's Travis Hiramoto, Steve, Department of Health's Gail Suzuki Jones, and JW Marriott Ihilani's Brian Soma.
The Hawaii Green Business program was designed to focus on working hotels and resorts, due to the visitor industry’s cumulative impact on the environment. The industry’s efforts help to support the state’s clean energy goal of achieving a 70% clean energy economy through energy efficiency and conservation as well as renewable energy.
