Outrigger Recognized by Hawai‘i Green Business Program for Exceptional Environmental Stewardship
RELEASE NUMBER 4|2022
HONOLULU – Five of Outrigger Hospitality Group’s Hawai‘i properties – Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger, Waikiki Malia by Outrigger and OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger – have been awarded accolades for exceptional environmental stewardship from the State of Hawai‘i’s Green Business Program. The properties were acknowledged for undertaking energy efficiency and sustainable business practices to advance Hawai‘i’s clean energy and sustainability goals.
A total of 14 venues and events were recognized during this year’s ceremony on Jan. 14, 2022. Gov. David Ige and first lady Dawn Amano-Ige praised the awardees for their commitment to conserving energy and water, reducing waste and protecting Hawai‘i’s environment.
“It is an honor to present these awards that recognize the commitment and hard work done by businesses and organizations to make Hawai‘i more sustainable,” said Ige. “Not only do their achievements keep utility costs down and create a more sustainable environment for them individually as businesses, they also are collectively contributing to Hawai‘i’s clean energy goals.”
“Outrigger is doubling down on our ESG efforts to care for the environment and the communities we serve,” said Jeff Wagoner, president and CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group. “We are pleased to receive this prestigious recognition from the State of Hawai‘i and will continue to champion environmental stewardship, while finding ways to encourage our guests, hosts and partners to help create a greener Hawai‘i for generations to come.”
The five properties selected have contributed greatly to Hawai‘i’s clean energy and sustainability goals with a reduction of water, waste and electricity. Business practices and initiatives range from offering reusable water bottles to secure bike storage and repairs for guests and hosts (employees) as well as recyclable take-out containers. The properties have also replaced incandescent bulbs with CFLs, low-voltage track lighting, LEDs and other energy-efficient lighting systems.
Outrigger’s Waikīkī properties have not only infused these environmentally friendly business practices operationally, but also continue to encourage guests, hosts and community members alike to practice responsible travel, consumption and sustainability from check-in to check-out.
Even artwork at Outrigger properties share a story of sustainability. For example: a new mural at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort by artist and marine scientist Ethan Estess, titled “Coming Home,” stands prominently in the lobby and showcases Outrigger’s commitment to ocean and reef conservation. The colorful scene of Diamond Head is made from mounds of discarded fishing nets that were cleaned and repurposed. The artist’s vision is to inspire guests to be more sustainable and consume less single-use plastic.
“As we enter into the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain acutely aware of how vulnerable Hawai‘i is to things like volatile fuel and electricity prices, energy supply disruptions, rising sea levels and threats to our fragile ecosystem,” said Hawai‘i Chief Energy Officer, Scott Glenn. “The Hawai‘i Green Business Program helps address these issues by creating a profitable public-private partnership between business, government and a concerned public.”
“It is important that we all work together to build a clean and sustainable Hawai‘i, not only for us on this forum, but for future generations. The Hawai‘i Green Business Program is one aspect of this important effort in achieving our goals,” added Amano-Ige.
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