Green Initiatives at The Kahala
The Kahala's Commitment to Sustainability
Earning recognition for 5 consecutive years from the Governor and the State of Hawaii, The Kahala Hotel & Resort has served as an industry leader in the Hawaiian Islands in implementing sustainable practices in daily operations for over 5 decades. By collaborating with our owners, vendors and business partners, we have actively worked to lessen the environmental footprint of our daily operations through conserving natural resources, minimizing waste and pollution and raising environmental awareness among our employees, guests and community.
As a 2020 recipient of the Hawaii Green Business Program Award, The Kahala is deeply committed to preserving Oahu’s land, ocean and culture for generations to come. We thank you for joining us in our mission.
Green Initiatives at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Energy Efficiency
- 90,800 KWH saving between the 2017 and 2018 by replacing incandescent and CFL’s bulbs to LED’s.
- 1.25% reduction in total energy usage and 4.05% reduction in energy consumption average per room (based on monthly usage to occupancy between 2017 and 2018.
- Lighting retrofits continue throughout the property with light sensors and LED replacement.
- We are working with Ameresco to conduct an energy audit to determine potential areas of improvements with efficiency, reliability, and energy saving in mind.
- Air-conditioning and lighting systems for the property are on an Energy Management System.
- A/C programmable digital thermostats in guestrooms will turn off the fan coil unit upon opening guestroom lanai door.
- Ceiling fans installed in all guestrooms can be used as an alternative for A/C.
- Blackout drapes installed in all guestrooms.
- Heat produced by the chiller system is used to heat outdoor swimming pool.
- Variable frequency speed drives have been installed on major equipment.
- Thermal sliding-glass doors and windows reduce heat in guestrooms.
- ENERGY STAR equipment is used wherever possible.
- Energy efficient washers and dryers have dampness sensors.
- High efficiency hot water heaters for domestic use and laundry.
- High efficiency motors for elevators.
- Booster heaters for dishwashers.
- Preventive maintenance measures for guestrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas.
Water Conservation
- Deep water wells are used to cool chiller system, which saves the property approximately 380,000 kwh every year in electricity use by not using two cooling towers.
- Approximately 320,000 Ibm are saved per year on CO2 for each cooling tower.
- 8.6 gpm of evaporation for each cooling tower save approximately 4,520,610 gallons of water a year operating at 70 percent capacity.
- All guestrooms feature low‐flow showerheads, low‐flow toilets, and low‐flow sink aerators providing an estimated reduction in water usage by 40 to 50 percent.
- Landscaping timers are used along with drought‐resistant plants.
- Water efficient timers used in laundry room which reduces laundry cycles.
Recycling
- Our Daily Communication Form (DCF) describes recycling efforts for employees and departments.
- We have a suggestion box for employees to offer ideas.
- We conduct quarterly community beach and neighborhood clean ups.
- A green waste recycle roll-off is located at a central point for the landscaping company to use. Plant material is sent to Campbell Industrial Park for composting.
- Cooking oil is collected and processed with Pacific Biodiesel.
- Food waste recycling is picked up by FB farms.
- The resort recycles aluminum cans, bottles, glass, office paper, corrugated cardboard, and newspapers.
- Guest bottles and cans are recycled by our housekeeping team on an individual basis.
- The resort repurposes hotel items such as mattresses, art, furniture, dishes, linen, amenities, etc., via local charities or by selling to employees.
- Glass cups are used in guestrooms to minimize waste.
- We work with vendors to minimize product packaging, require corrugated cardboard boxes, use recyclable or reusable packaging and take-back packaging.
- Holiday cards/mailers are now only electronically mailed to clients/guests.
- All take out containers, utensils and bags are now compostable - no plastics.
- Paper straws are by request only, except for smoothies.
- Employee and guest laundry bags are now reusable - no plastics.
- SmartPower dry dishwashing chemicals are now used in all kitchens, eliminating the carbon footprint of shipping liquids in plastic containers.
Purchasing Reused Products
- We purchase corporate and guest stationery with recycled content.
- We purchase recycled content construction materials when building/remodeling when possible.
- We recycle and use recyclable laser and copier toner cartridges.
- Our resort’s purchasing guidelines recommend use of products with recycled content.
- We use/return/reuse delivery crates, cartons and tubs.
- All office paper products are at least 30% post-consumer paper.
- We purchase Hawaiian Earth Products compost.
- We prefer vendors who work with recycled packaging.
- Our outlets use logo compostable plastic drinking cups.
- We are moving toward printing menus on 100% recycled paper using only soy-based inks.
Pollution Prevention
- No chemicals used near lagoon marine life and the ocean.
- Our landscapers utilize biological controls such as traps and barriers rather than chemicals and toxins whenever possible.
- Boric acid-based products are used by housekeeping.
- We recycle toner cartridges for copiers and printers.
- We recycle fluorescent bulbs and batteries.
- Employees are encouraged to use alternatives to commute to work such as carpools, buses, and bicycles.
- The resort offers lockers and showers for employees who walk, jog, or bicycle to work.
- Exterior of hotel and interior guest rooms and corridors are painted with environmentally friendly paint when possible.
- No plastics are used with our completely compostable take-out program.
Food Service
- Chef Jonathan Mizukami prefers to use free range, organic, natural products that are ethically raised without added hormones and antibiotics.
- The hotel sources local produce before using mainland produce when possible.
- All of The Kahala Hotel & Resort’s 4 restaurants are now members of Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants. The Plumeria Beach House hosted the OFR’s Pau Hana event on July 10, 2019.
Energy Efficiency
- 90,800 KWH saving between the 2017 and 2018 by replacing incandescent and CFL’s bulbs to LED’s.
- 1.25% reduction in total energy usage and 4.05% reduction in energy consumption average per room (based on monthly usage to occupancy between 2017 and 2018.
- Lighting retrofits continue throughout the property with light sensors and LED replacement.
- We are working with Ameresco to conduct an energy audit to determine potential areas of improvements with efficiency, reliability, and energy saving in mind.
- Air-conditioning and lighting systems for the property are on an Energy Management System.
- A/C programmable digital thermostats in guestrooms will turn off the fan coil unit upon opening guestroom lanai door.
- Ceiling fans installed in all guestrooms can be used as an alternative for A/C.
- Blackout drapes installed in all guestrooms.
- Heat produced by the chiller system is used to heat outdoor swimming pool.
- Variable frequency speed drives have been installed on major equipment.
- Thermal sliding-glass doors and windows reduce heat in guestrooms.
- ENERGY STAR equipment is used wherever possible.
- Energy efficient washers and dryers have dampness sensors.
- High efficiency hot water heaters for domestic use and laundry.
- High efficiency motors for elevators.
- Booster heaters for dishwashers.
- Preventive maintenance measures for guestrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas.
Water Conservation
- Deep water wells are used to cool chiller system, which saves the property approximately 380,000 kwh every year in electricity use by not using two cooling towers.
- Approximately 320,000 Ibm are saved per year on CO2 for each cooling tower.
- 8.6 gpm of evaporation for each cooling tower save approximately 4,520,610 gallons of water a year operating at 70 percent capacity.
- All guestrooms feature low‐flow showerheads, low‐flow toilets, and low‐flow sink aerators providing an estimated reduction in water usage by 40 to 50 percent.
- Landscaping timers are used along with drought‐resistant plants.
- Water efficient timers used in laundry room which reduces laundry cycles.
Recycling
- Our Daily Communication Form (DCF) describes recycling efforts for employees and departments.
- We have a suggestion box for employees to offer ideas.
- We conduct quarterly community beach and neighborhood clean ups.
- A green waste recycle roll-off is located at a central point for the landscaping company to use. Plant material is sent to Campbell Industrial Park for composting.
- Cooking oil is collected and processed with Pacific Biodiesel.
- Food waste recycling is picked up by FB farms.
- The resort recycles aluminum cans, bottles, glass, office paper, corrugated cardboard, and newspapers.
- Guest bottles and cans are recycled by our housekeeping team on an individual basis.
- The resort repurposes hotel items such as mattresses, art, furniture, dishes, linen, amenities, etc., via local charities or by selling to employees.
- Glass cups are used in guestrooms to minimize waste.
- We work with vendors to minimize product packaging, require corrugated cardboard boxes, use recyclable or reusable packaging and take-back packaging.
- Holiday cards/mailers are now only electronically mailed to clients/guests.
- All take out containers, utensils and bags are now compostable – no plastics.
- Paper straws are by request only, except for smoothies.
- Employee and guest laundry bags are now reusable – no plastics.
- SmartPower dry dishwashing chemicals are now used in all kitchens, eliminating the carbon footprint of shipping liquids in plastic containers.
Purchasing Reused Products
- We purchase corporate and guest stationery with recycled content.
- We purchase recycled content construction materials when building/remodeling when possible.
- We recycle and use recyclable laser and copier toner cartridges.
- Our resort’s purchasing guidelines recommend use of products with recycled content.
- We use/return/reuse delivery crates, cartons and tubs.
- All office paper products are at least 30% post-consumer paper.
- We purchase Hawaiian Earth Products compost.
- We prefer vendors who work with recycled packaging.
- Our outlets use logo compostable plastic drinking cups.
- We are moving toward printing menus on 100% recycled paper using only soy-based inks.
Pollution Prevention
- No chemicals used near lagoon marine life and the ocean.
- Our landscapers utilize biological controls such as traps and barriers rather than chemicals and toxins whenever possible.
- Boric acid-based products are used by housekeeping.
- We recycle toner cartridges for copiers and printers.
- We recycle fluorescent bulbs and batteries.
- Employees are encouraged to use alternatives to commute to work such as carpools, buses, and bicycles.
- The resort offers lockers and showers for employees who walk, jog, or bicycle to work.
- Exterior of hotel and interior guest rooms and corridors are painted with environmentally friendly paint when possible.
- No plastics are used with our completely compostable take-out program.
Food Service
- Chef Jonathan Mizukami prefers to use free range, organic, natural products that are ethically raised without added hormones and antibiotics.
- The hotel sources local produce before using mainland produce when possible.
- All of The Kahala Hotel & Resort’s 4 restaurants are now members of Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants. The Plumeria Beach House hosted the OFR’s Pau Hana event on July 10, 2019.
The Kahala Life
The Kahala is dedicated to preserving the culture and natural beauty of Oahu.
- KISCA
- Culture
- Events
- Awards
Kahala’s Initiative for Sustainability, Culture & the Arts
The Kahala Hotel & Resort is deeply committed to preserving Oahu’s land, ocean and culture for generations to come. So together with the Hawaii Legacy Reforestation Initiative, a non-profit organization, we created the Kahala Initiative for Sustainability, Culture and the Arts (KISCA).
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Explore Arts & Culture
Our guests can deepen their knowledge of art and culture at our treasured institutions, the Bishop Museum and I’olani Palace.
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Magical Moments
From access to a private garden, elegant waterfall or oceanwater lagoon, The Kahala offers exclusive natural green spaces that celebrate the beauty of Hawaii, making every event truly magical.
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Critical Acclaim
As the premier destination in Hawaii, The Kahala has received numerous honors over the years. Find out about The Kahala’s recent awards from the best local and international travel guides and sites.
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