Nearly 50 ‘green’ Hawai‘i businesses, events awarded for sustainability practices

The Hawai‘i Green Business Program recently honored 45 “green” Hawai‘i businesses and events for their commitment to energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention and community involvement, as well as cultural and natural resource preservation.

This year’s awardees represent six islands — and included several from Kaua‘i.

They advance Hawaiʻi’s clean energy and sustainability goals, emphasizing energy efficiency as a key solution to their business and event needs while supporting and helping move forward the state’s push to renewable energy.

Newly appointed Hawaiʻi Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Monique Zanfes said many of those honored rely on Hawai‘i’s natural resources not just for their operations, but as the foundation for what draws people to the islands.

“Protecting these resources isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s essential to the long-term viability and health of Hawai‘i,” Zanfes said in a state announcement about this year’s awardees. “I thank them for leading by example.”

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green praised the businesses and events for their commitment to sustain the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi, heralding lawmakers for the 2025 passage of the nation’s first climate impact fee to fund environmental stewardship and address impacts of climate change.

“At a time when environmental protections are being repealed at the federal level, Hawaiʻi will not forfeit its commitment to a more resilient, clean economy,” Green said in the announcement. “The businesses and organizations we recognize today honor a statewide commitment to mālama ʻāina — to steward our precious natural resources for future generations.”

2024/25 Hawai‘i Green Business Program Awards

Green Hotel, Resort, Venue and Office Awardees:

• Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra.
• Halekūlani.
• Halepuna Waikīkī.
• Hōkūlani, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club.
• The Kahala Hotel & Resort.
• Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club.
• Prince Waikīkī.
• Kings’ Land, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club.
• Maui Bay Villas, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club.
• The Cliffs at Princeville.
• Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina.
• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Waiʻalae.
• Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi.
• Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort.
• Hawai‘i Convention Center.
• Waiʻalae Country Club.
• Honeywell International/Smart Energy.
• Coradorables Sustainable Corp.

Green Event Awardees:

• 2024 Hawai‘i Library Association/Hawai‘i Association of School Librarians Conference.
• 2025 Sony Open.
• Artist Waltz.
• Green Business Engagement National Network 7th National GBENN Summit.
• Sentry 2024 Golf Tournament.

Entry Level Program Awardees:

• Coconut Ave.
• Drip Studio.
• The Fresh Shave.
• Hōkū Foods Natural Market.
• Kīlauea Bakery.
• Lady Elaine.
• Leong’s Road House.
• Little Plum.
• Uncle Paul’s Corner Store.
• Maui Juice Co.
• Morning Glass Coffee.
• Pele’s Kitchen.
• Pu‘u O Hōkū Ranch.
• Sweet Cane Café.
• The Locavore Store.
• ‘Oko‘a Farms Produce.
• Hanalei Spirits Distillery.
• Kaua‘i Island Brewing Co.
• Kona Brewing Company.
• Lanikai Brewing Co.
• Maui Brewing Company.
• Waikūlū Distillery.

Energy efficiency measures achieved throughout 1 year by the above businesses resulted in:

• 38.8 MILLION GALLONS of water saved.
• 6.5 MILLION KWH of electricity saved.
• 22.7 TONS of green waste diverted.
• 12,372 TONS of waste recycled.
• 119,110 THERMS (1 therm = 100,000 BTUs) of gas saved.
• 6,725 METRIC TONS (1 metric ton = 1.1 U.S. ton) of carbon dioxide equivalent for electricity kWh reduced.
• 945 METRIC TONS of carbon dioxide equivalent for gas reduced.

“Simply put, using less energy means we need to generate less,” said Hawai’i Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick in the announcement. “These 45 businesses are among the best applying efficiency to our commercial building stock, and energy efficient business practices make a profound difference.”

You can watch the awards ceremony on the Hawai’i State Energy Office Facebook page.

Find additional information about the Hawai‘i Green Business Program at the program website.