Press Release

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Reduces Energy Consumption With Installment Of Gridsmart Solar Lighting

Oceanfront resort taking the lead for Marriott Resorts Hawaii

WAIKIKI, OAHU – March 12, 2010 – Building on its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and being “green,” the 1,310-room Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has installed a new gridsmart solar panel lighting system in its outdoor parking lot, reducing its power consumption from 30,000 watts to 12,000 watts a day. The gridsmart solar lighting technology harnesses solar energy to power more than 45 percent of the needed electricity to run the lights at night.

“We continue to seek ways in which we as hoteliers and community members can do our part in protecting our environment and take action,” said Chris Tatum, general manager of Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, and vice president of Marriott International – North Asia, Hawaii and South Pacific. “We plan to install similar systems at our other Marriott Resorts in Hawaii in the future. It’s all part of Marriott International’s Environmental Conscious Hospitality Operations (ECHO) program, which focuses on the five key areas of water and energy conservation, respecting and preserving wildlife, clean air initiatives, waste management and clean-up campaigns.”

Maui Solar Project, a Hawaii-based renewable energies firm specializing in the design and sales of solar electric, hot water and wind turbine systems, spearheaded this project and installation of the gridsmart solar lighting by Solar Street Lights USA.

“Gridsmart solar lighting is beneficial for the environment because it eliminates the need for battery systems which require maintenance and physical disposal every three to five years,” said Eddie Alberton, owner of Maui Solar Project. “We are pleased to partner with Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, furthering their ‘green’ initiatives and helping to protect our environment. This technology has countless numbers of applications for us here in Hawaii to help reduce our need on imported fossil fuels.”

Benefits of gridsmart solar lighting:

• Energy efficient – 85+ lumens per watt
• No flickering, strobing or noise
• Long life – 100,000 hours
• Minimal maintenance – can go 10 years without change out
• Minimal color shifting – light quality doesn’t decrease with age

How it works:
Gridsmart solar lighting uses existing electrical grids (instead of batteries) to store energy during the day. The local utility sells that power to others during peak hours, reducing the amount of fuel consumption to supply the city with electricity. The solar power generated throughout the day is credited and returned to Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa after peak hours, providing electricity to light the parking lot and thus reducing hotel costs.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is actively committed to being green. In 2009, resort associates recycled:

• 24.14 tons of glass
• 314.47 tons of wet waste which is provided free of charge to local farms to feed their animals
• 19.13 tons of cardboard
• 10.93 tons of fryer oil which is used to make biofuel by a local vendor
• 19.43 tons of white paper

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa’s guestrooms and suites in the oceanfront Kealohilani Tower were renovated in 2008 with eco-friendly highlights including compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, four efficient chillers that provide air conditioning, air conditioning sensors in guestrooms that turn off the air conditioning when the lanai (balcony) door opens, tinted lanai doors to help reduce the heat load as well as the demand for increased air conditioning, low flow toilets and shower head, and automatic sensors for toilets and sinks in public restrooms.

The oceanfront resort was the recipient of the ENERGY STAR award by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy in 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

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WAIKIKI BEACH MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA fronts the best stretch of Waikiki Beach. Conveniently located in the heart of Waikiki, the hotel offers 1,310 refurbished guest rooms and suites with private lanai providing spectacular views of world-famous Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. Other amenities include Kuhio Beach Grill, featuring the best in Pacific Rim cuisine; Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and d.k Steak House; Arancino di Mare Italian Restaurant; contemporary sushi bar; Moana Terrace, offering live Hawaiian entertainment nightly; Seattle’s Best Coffee; Paul Brown’s Spa Olakino * Salon; Faith Riding Company Surf School; two freshwater, heated swimming pools; 10-person whirlpool; 24-hour fitness facility; business center with 24-hour Internet access; high-speed and wireless Internet access throughout the resort’s guest rooms and public spaces; shops and boutiques; and Hawaiian cultural activities. For more information, visit www.marriottwaikiki.com.

For More Information, Contact:
Bernie Caalim or Erin Kinoshita
1003 Bishop Street, 9th Floor
Honolulu, HI 96813-6429
(808) 531-0244 phone
(808) 521-7163 fax
E-mail: bernie.caalim@mwc-anthology.com or
erin.kinoshita@mwc-anthology.com

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