Earth Day
This Earth Day, April 22, we shared the news that OUTRIGGER successfully achieved Green Seal certification for key properties in Hawai‘i and Fiji.
OUTRIGGER was the first in the State of Hawai‘i to earn the prestigious Green Seal designation as well as the first hospitality brand to achieve certification outside of the United States.
As shared previously, Green Seal is a global non-profit whose certification mark is a universal symbol that a product, cleaning service or facility meets the highest benchmark of health and environmental leadership. Our Green Seal certified properties are:
- OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
- OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort
- OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel
- OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
- OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa
- OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort
- Castaway Island, Fiji Resort
The certification demonstrates that we:
- Conserve energy with 100% energy-efficient lighting in all guestrooms and public areas and energy-efficient appliances and windows.
- Conserve water through water-efficient landscaping, grounds-keeping measures and water-saving fixtures in guestrooms and public areas.
- Reduce waste by minimizing use of disposable food service items and seeking out reusable packaging and shipping pallets.
- Protect human health and the environment by using housekeeping products that are free of toxic chemicals and low VOC (volatile organic compounds).
- Are committed to stewardship by having an environmental mission and purchasing policy.
Achieving certification validates that our properties create a wellness environment where guests and hosts can stay safe from allergy and asthma triggers and reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals.
Also this Earth Day, Green Seal released its 2023 Impact Report, which included a spotlight on OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels’ (ORH) commitment to culture and conservation.
The Green Seal designation is part of our larger ESG plan and further solidifies our allegiance to meeting the highest standards of protecting the health and environment of our guests and hosts.
In the last 6 months, ORH was a founding member for the launch of American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Responsible Stay and Global Hotel Alliance’s new Green Collection. Our #OutriggerCARES Volunteer Program was created to foster meaningful and purposeful host community engagement opportunities, and Jeff Wagoner recently signed the “Pledge to Our Keiki” at the State Capitol with non-profit Kanu Hawai‘i, alongside Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., his Minister of Tourism Ngiraibelas Tmetuchl, Hawai‘i Governor Dr. Josh Green and EarthDay.org National Campaign Director Even Raskin. The Pledge to Our Keiki was inspired by the Palau pledge.
Castaway ESG Commitment Continues
BY KOLINIO VULAONO — It was that time of the month again for Castaway Island, Fiji Resort hosts to give back to the environment.
Ten hosts volunteered to take part in a coastal tree planting at Solevu Village. The coastal tree planting activity was a collaboration between the property and a local NGO-Mamanuca Environment Society and the Ministry of Forestry.
It was a fun-filled activity where hosts were able to plant 377 coastal trees. The activity is part of an ongoing reforestation program for Solevu Village. The determination was evident in the attitude of the participants in helping to build climate-resilient communities and contribute to the global movement to address climate change.
Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
BY NUWAN ILANGAKOON — Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970.
Studies reveal that people are healthier and happier when they connect with nature and spend time outdoors. On this year’s Earth Day, April 22, 2023, Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort celebrated together with our guests in a botanical walk enjoying the flora and beautiful vegetation around the island experiencing a nature therapy walk.
Snorkel Against Plastic
BY DANIELLE STANLEY (resident marine biologist) — The significance of Earth Day is an annual celebration of environmental movements and raising awareness of the need to protect our natural resources for future generations. This is specific to our marine environment in the Maldives, as we are in a rich marine wildlife hot spot, so it’s crucial that we respect it.
Our event and contribution to Earth Day brought together our eco-warrior guests and sustainability team on a mission to clean up the lagoon area of any trash (plastics). The event started with a briefing on the facts and threats of plastics in our ocean and solutions we can overcome in our daily lives to make a definable difference against it. Collectively, we picked up a fair amount of plastic that will be displayed at our Eco center; the aim of this is to raise awareness and spark a positive change within our community to use less plastic and protect our oceans.
The gallery was not found!Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort (OWK)
BY VICTORIA TAPICERIA — On World Earth Day, our Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort team volunteered to be a part of Duke’s Malama Crew Beach Cleanup.
We strolled down Waikīkī Beach and gathered 9 lbs of trash alongside 40+ other volunteers! Amazing job team and mahalo to everyone who participated.
I hope that we can all continue to do our part in taking care of our community.
Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (OBC) + OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger (OEH)
BY EDWIN TORRES — As shared in the last InsideOUT, OBC and OEH hosts gathered to make “mud balls” made of a mixture of clay soil, rice bran, molasses, water and an EM-1 (“Effective Microorganisms”) solution proven to effectively digest waste buildup.
On Earth Day, hosts again gathered, in collaboration with Genki Ala Wai Hawaii, at the Waikiki-Kapahulu Library to make more mud balls and toss them into the Ala Wai Canal to cleanse the historic waterway.
We are excited to be a part of such a unique and innovative approach to sustainability and restoration, thrilled that we’ve been able to forge this partnership and look forward to seeing the Ala Wai Canal restored to its former glory.
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