Think Green Hawaii » Hotels

Waikiki hotels focus on green initiatives

Eric — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:05:07 +0000

More hotels in Waikiki are seeing reasons to go green as a way to cut back on energy costs, plus get some good publicity.

Savvy travelers are also beginning to inquire about it, including events planners who ask about whether a hotel has the U.S. Energy Star rating.

At the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, energy-efficient LED lights are used in public areas, candelabras, swimming pool, and elevators, reducing the hotel’s overall electricity costs.

At a green hotel forum hosted by the state yesterday morning at the Hyatt, hotel employees got a rundown on recycling providers, how to apply for the U.S. Energy Star label and solar technology.

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Hawai’i Green Business Program Expands

Eric — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:37:23 +0000

HONOLULU–The Hawai‘i Green Business Program, co-sponsored by the State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), the State Department of Health (DOH), Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i and local government entities such as the City and County of Honolulu’s Board of Water Supply and Recycling Offices is expanding its program to include Green Offices and Retail businesses

Together with the Green Hotel and Resort Program, The Green Office and Retail Program will recognize businesses that have applied environmentally responsible measures within their office or retail establishments. The Green Office and Retail Program Pilot is co-sponsored by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Hawaii.

The program’s objectives are to reduce energy and water consumption, promote recycling, prevent pollution, reduce emissions, and to educate employees and customers about environmental practices.

Businesses that achieve Hawai‘i Green Business recognition go beyond environmental compliance, to reduce, reuse, and recycle as well as restore and conserve Hawai‘i’s culture, natural resources and the environment.

Businesses are required to complete an enrollment form and checklist to ensure that the program is appropriate for their business. A business is expected to maintain the required energy saving practices and may be re-evaluated annually. The enrollment form and checklists can be found on the DBEDT and DOH websites.

“Conserving energy and water makes sense for businesses, public agencies and for all residents of Hawai‘i as we continue to work collaboratively to increase Hawai‘i’s energy independence and preserve our natural resources,” said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. “The Hawai‘i Green Business Program hopes to have businesses become more resource-efficient and share their practices and tips with their peers, clients, guests and employees.”

Participation in the Hawai‘i Green Business program is open to Hawai‘i businesses able to complete the pre-requisite enrollment form and checklist.

The Green Hotel and Resort Program is co-sponsored by the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association. For more information, visit the program website at (http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/waste/p2wastemin/index.html) or contact the program coordinators:

Gail Suzuki-Jones, DBEDT, gsuzuki@dbedt.hawaii.gov, 587-3802 or
Travis Hiramoto, DOH, thiramoto@doh.hawaii.gov, 586-4226.

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Hotel Wireless Energy Management System

Eric — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:05:20 +0000

Honolulu, Hawaii – Today mbbEMS founder, Daniel Cowart announced “mbbEMS provides an affordable solution to help both old and new high-rise hotels and condominiums survive the growing energy crisis. Our new mbbEMS wireless solution installs quickly, with little or no interruption to the property or guests daily activities, and virtually no down time for rooms during installation. When completed mbbEMS provides a web-based management system which allows control of the hotel EMS system from any authorized browser.”
A typical hotel room installation takes about an hour and includes a door contact on the entrance door and the lanai (balcony) door, an occupancy sensor and a thermostat. The thermostat is hard-wired to the fan coil unit (FCU) in each room. These are battery operated wireless devices. This creates the Control Mesh segment of the network.
Air conditioners can automatically cut back when lanai doors are open, and return to the original setting when these doors are closed. Lights and air conditioners can cut back and even the drapes can be closed, when the room is vacant. These are basic electricity saving programs for rooms. Common area spaces can also have their electrical use optimized.
Each hotel room is then connected to a floor controller that manages each device. Please note that rooms can continue to function if the floor controller goes offline. Each controller is then connected to the Hotel Site Server via the Management Mesh segment of the network. Among other benefits, you can easily tell if the systems are working.
The mbbEMS wireless system is able to cut installation costs by avoiding cumbersome cabling and coring. Prior systems were not only costly but very intrusive to the property and its guests. Hence, mbbEMS is The way to Eco.
There is a new paradigm: the cost and inconvenience of installing an EMS system have been substantially reduced at the same time that the cost of energy is soaring. The net result is that there is now more than ever an undeniable need to implement an EMS system. For the hotel that has a stand-alone or outdated EMS system with no central management, mbbEMS is a solid alternative to augment EMS efforts. Industry reports state that a centrally managed EMS system could result in savings topping 40%. If you have over 1,000 rooms, that is a lot of savings!
The mbbEMS approach is simple and straightforward. The first step is to quick profile the hotel, then perform a site survey. An information analysis is done to calculate projected savings, and the scope of work to be performed. The mbbEMS system design is tailored for the property based on building and environment attributes such as type of construction and existing wireless interference. Then a final contract is signed which includes an installation schedule.
In some cases mbbEMS can finance the installation making the system initially FREE with payback occurring through shared cost savings. There are also leasing programs available.
Visit mbbEMS.com.previewsdns.com (Soon to be mbbEMS.com) to learn more, or contact us at TheWayToEco@mbbinc.net 808.922.5200.

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Major Hawaii Hotels – Smoking Ban Policy

Eric — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:12:33 +0000

WAIKIKI – Hawaii hotels are hitting smokers hard in their wallets when it comes to lighting up where they shouldn’t and many couldn’t be happier about this tougher stance on smokers.

While Hawaii’s smoking ban is not new to us, for some visitors coming to the islands, there is still uncertainty over where they can and cannot smoke.

And breaking the rules could cost big bucks.

Thousands basking in the sunshine in Waikiki, are also enjoying the fresh air found here, especially since Hawaii’s smoking ban has been in place.

Many major hotels are happy about setting smoke restrictions.

“Hawaii is about fragrance and aromas as it is about anything and to have the smoke drift through, that it’s never been an attractive addition,” said Barry Wallace with Outrigger Hotels.

You can still smell smoke in the air in Waikiki, there are about two dozen hotels here that allow some smoking, either in the rooms or on property, and smoking is still allowed at the beach.

But a number of hotel chains, like the Outrigger, have gone completely smoke-free for their guests.

“It is critical, they are passionate about smoke free environments, like when you rent a rental car and you can smell that smoke, there is nothing worse, and many people tell us they love our new policy,” said Wallace.

Part of that policy includes hefty fines for those that light up in non-smoking rooms.

“We generally charge a $250 clean fee cause we have to shampoo the carpets, clean the drapes bedspread, depending on as much needs to be done,” Wallace said.

Other hotels in Waikiki charge up to twice that amount.

For smokers, just finding a place to light up makes takes away from their relaxing habit, and snuffs out some of the fun of their Hawaiian vacation.

“A little restrictive in the smoking areas, as far as where you can smoke and where you can’t , inconvenient to come out of your hotel room just so you can smoke,” said Doug Quick, a visitor from Tennessee.

But smokers we talked with, say even the restrictions aren’t enough to keep them from coming back to Hawaii.

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Exploring Hawaii’s Big Island by Volkswagen

Eric — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:33:51 +0000

Next time you visit the Big Island, why not skip the fancy resort and hop in a VW camper van?

This 1987 Volkswagen Westfalia named Sedona rents for $105 per day.

Sharon and Gary Berg, owners of Hilo-based G.B. Adventures, rent out a fleet of pop-top camper vans that are ideal for touring the island’s stunning beaches, parks and volcanoes. With names like Whitey and Tolula Blue, the mint-condition Vanagons sleep four and are equipped with sinks, stoves, and mini-fridges — even beach towels and island maps.

"All you need is your swimsuit and flip-flops," says Sharon, who’s lived on the island for more than 20 years.

A week-long itinerary that circles the Big Island might go something like this …

After meeting the Bergs at Hilo International Airport and picking up the van, stock up on food at the farmer’s market (hilofarmersmarket.com). Head 40 miles south to the Volcanoes National Park and spend the night at Namakani Paio campsite, a free facility located off on Highway 11 (hawaii.volcanoes.national-park.com).

Next, drive down to Punalu’u Beach Park — it’s about 40 minutes away — and wake up on a black sand beach where sea turtles nest (hawaii-county.com/parks/punaluu.htm; $5 per person).

Cruise around South Point and stay the night at Ho’okena, which is 50 miles from Punalu’u. You’ll find a lovely white sand beach (hawaii-county.com/parks/hookena.htm; $5 per person). "Make sure to turn left off the parking lot to the dirt side of the park," Sharon advises. "You’ll be literally backing up right onto the beach for the night."

Continue 60 miles north along the island’s west coast to North Kona and set up camp at Spencer Beach Park (hawaii-county.com/parks/spencer.htm; $5 per person), which has a scenic trail that accesses small, secluded swimming spots. The hike is especially impressive during whale season.

Before returning to Hilo, pop the van’s top at Laupahoehoe (hawaii-county.com/parks/laupahoehoe.htm; $5 per person), about an hour’s drive from Spencer’s. There’s no swimming at this rocky beach, but the huge green lawn is a great place to hang out for the evening. From here, it’s a half hour back to Hilo.

To ensure availability, book the vans at least two weeks before arrival or six months if you’ll be traveling during the peak holiday season. The Bergs can advise on the best itineraries, campsites, secluded beaches and little-known hikes.

Most Big Island campgrounds require pre-purchased permits, so while it might be tempting to hit the road and just explore, some advance planning is a good idea (info at ehawaiigov.org.) Vans are rented for a minimum of four nights; from $95 per day.

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Green strategies take root at Hawaii

Eric — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:14:01 +0000

Hawaii hotels and resorts have worked for years to cut down their consumption of power and water and reduce their production of waste, to save money but also to save the planet.

Now those efforts are drawing new attention from vacationers self-conscious about their impact on Earth’s fragile biosphere.

“It’s a real sexy and chic trend right now, almost front and center,” said Brad Garner, vice president of operations and client services for Smith Travel Research, a Tennessee firm that provides industry data to Hawaii hotels. “Everyone is concerned with the environment and having a lower carbon footprint.”

But as “green” programs proliferate in the hotel industry, Garner and others say consumers are smart enough to figure out what’s truly helping the environment and what’s merely a marketing campaign.

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