For Immediate Release: April 24, 2009
DBEDT Release News 09-10

HONOLULU—The State Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and the State Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i today presented the "Hawai‘i Green Business Recognition" to businesses and government entities that have developed and implemented environmental practices into their operations.

Governor Linda Lingle recognized the following companies and organizations:

• Maui Prince Hotel - Makena Resort & Golf Course
• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
• Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa
• The Moana Surfrider
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (their second award)
• Core Group One
• Swinerton Builders
• U.S. Postal Service
• Department of Accounting and General Services
• Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism

"Protecting Hawai‘i's precious and fragile environment is a shared responsibility," said Governor Lingle. "Through innovative ‘green' practices, these businesses are doing their part to ensure that our residents and visitors can continue to enjoy a healthy environment while also helping to increase Hawai‘i's energy security."

The Green Business Awards Program is a partnership between the State Departments of Health and Business Economic Development and Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i. The organizations work together with County agencies such as the Recycling and Water Offices to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way.

The program helps businesses comply with environmental regulations, to go beyond compliance to conserve energy, water and other resources, and to reduce pollution and waste. This program provides valuable opportunities for industry members to share information on practices that have been implemented which save money and resources.

This year's award recipients voluntarily elected to participate and completed rigorous selection criteria based on a self-audit checklist developed by the program. In addition to hosting free public workshops promoting "green" practices, the hotels demonstrated their "green" practices through exemplary energy and water conserving practices, pollution prevention, solid waste reduction and recycling efforts.

The Hawai‘i Green Business Program has focused on working with resorts because of the visitor industry's cumulative impact on the environment. Program participants help to conserve valuable resources, reduce waste and ultimately protect Hawai‘i's environment.

The hotels were chosen based on different criteria which included: 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.

Participation is open to all hotels, resorts, offices, retail establishments and government entities. For more information visit the program website at: http://www.hawaii.gov/greenbusiness or contact the program coordinators, Gail Suzuki-Jones, DBEDT, 587-3802 or Travis Hiramoto, DOH, 586-7496.

Under the Green Government Challenge, DAGS Central Services and DBEDT's Strategic Industries Division were also recognized.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young, DBEDT Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov

Janice Okubo, DOH Communications
Phone: (808) 586-4442
Email: jokubo@mail.health.state.hi.us