HONOLULU, Hawaii – April 10, 2006 – The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has been awarded the Energy Star seal of approval for the second consecutive year, distinguishing the resort as one of the top 25 percent of environmentally efficient buildings.

The award was presented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), acknowledging the resort’s accomplishment as a top energy performer and recognizing its role in environmental leadership. Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) which assumed hotel management of the 1,310-room property in 2000 was also named Energy Star 2006 partner of the year, emerging as the only lodging company to receive EPA’s highest honor.

“At the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, our associates (employees) from various departments have worked closely to conserve energy and protect the environment, whilst ensuring the additional comfort of our guests,” said Chris Tatum, general manager at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. “This award truly recognizes the cohesive efforts of this resort to achieve energy efficiency.”

Having recently completed a $60 million renovation program, the resort has actively explored and pursued new and innovative methods of energy conservation. Among the initiatives implemented in the past year included replacement of aging air conditioning units with newer energy efficient units.

The resort also installed variable frequency drives to larger horsepower motors to reduce consumption; upgraded air handling, pumps, supply fans and exhaust fan motors with premium energy efficient motors; and upgraded the Energy Management system, adding more systems on and expanding load shedding of systems to control demand spiking.

With an investment of over a million dollars in four new chillers and energy efficient lighting fixtures, the resort recorded an annual savings of $350,000. In addition, the resort received over $220,000 in rebates from Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) as part of the company’s Energy$olutions for Business Program.

“Our strong involvement in Marriott’s ECHO program proved to be advantageous in our selection as an ENERGY STAR partner as we were already promoting and implementing the best practices and procedures identified through internal benchmarking,” said Gerald Okamoto, director of engineering for Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. ECHO (Environmentally Conscious Hotel Operations) offers guidance to hotels worldwide in five key areas: water and energy conservation, respecting and preserving wildlife, clean air initiatives, waste management, and clean-up campaigns.

“Energy conservation is a continuous process and our plans for this year include upgrading five more elevators and more in 2007,” continued Okamoto. “We are also looking into upgrading guestroom air conditioning controls and occupancy sensors for energy conservation and will continue to upgrade facility lighting with energy efficient lighting as newer technology becomes available. Naturally, these enhancing features will provide a more comfortable environment for our guests,” he added.

“The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has made a strong commitment to energy efficiency and is a leading role model for Hawaii businesses,” said Dan Sakamoto, Commercial Account Manager for Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO). “This commitment began with Gerald Okamoto and his staff in the planning stages of the renovation and continues till this day. The reduction in energy usage over the years has been tremendous!”

The resort is one of the fourteen businesses in the state to receive the ENERGY STAR award. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency introduced the program in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency.

One of the criteria for the Energy Star Award is to benchmark energy consumption on a scale of 1-100. The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa scored 78 on its energy performance, ranking it among the top 25 percent nationwide, in terms of energy performance in all similar-use buildings.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, in the pulse of Waikiki, offers 1,310 refurbished guest rooms and suites with a private lanai providing a spectacular view of world-famous Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach or mountain views; Kuhio Beach Grill, featuring the best in Pacific Rim cuisine; Moana Terrace, offering live entertainment nightly; Restaurant Run, contemporary sushi bar; two locations of Seattle’s Best Coffee; two freshwater swimming pools; new 24-hour fitness facility; business center with 24-hour Internet access; high-speed and wireless internet access throughout the resort; shops and boutiques; and Hawaiian cultural activities.

New additions such as D.K. Kodama’s Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar and d.k Steak House, Arancino di Mare Italian Restaurant, Paul Brown’s Spa Olakino * Salon, and the Faith Riding Company Surf School has made the resort the center for visitor attractions.

The resort is located within walking distance from the International Market Place, Waikiki Aquarium, Honolulu Zoo, Diamond Head, the recently beautified Kapiolani Park and other major Waikiki attractions such as Brunch at the Beach at Kapiolani Park, Sunset on the Beach – movie screenings directly on Waikiki Beach and across from Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. For more information, please visit www.marriottwaikiki.com or call toll free at 1-800-367- 5370 or at 808-922-6611.