MAUI, HAWAII—Continuing efforts to help preserve Hawaii’s marine ecosystem and its special location at Pu‘u Keka‘a (Black Rock), Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa has partnered with Raw Elements USA, a certified-natural, mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen company, to offer reef-safe sunscreen dispensers throughout the resort.
Pu‘u Keka‘a, fronting the resort, is one of the top destinations on Maui to see tropical marine life and vibrant coral reefs. Implementing reef-safe sunscreen dispensers, complimentary for resort guests, is one of the many sustainability initiatives the resort has introduced at a property level to educate guests on ocean conservation and encourage environmentally-conscious choices.
In August 2017, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa voluntarily decided to eliminate single-use plastic straws at its multiple restaurants, banquets, events and luau, becoming the first resort in the state of Hawaii to completely eliminate single-use plastic drinking straws in favor of a marine-friendly alternative. Paper straws are provided in keiki (kids) beverages, mai tais, and blended tropical drinks, with other beverages being served without straws unless a paper straw is requested. The resort launched this initiative to help protect Hawaii’s tropical marine ecosystem, including the endangered honu (green sea turtle). Since August 2017, the resort has saved more than 220,000 single-use plastic straws from the landfill by switching to paper straws.
Partnership with Maui Ocean Center
The resort also has a long-standing partnership with Maui Ocean Center. In January 2016, Sheraton Maui introduced Maui Ocean Center’s Hawaiian Marine Life Hale, Maui Ocean Center’s first off-site location. The Hawaiian Marine Life Hale is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is the perfect place for guests to talk to ocean experts before hitting the beach. Guests can learn fun sea turtle facts, identify different sea shells and crustacean molts and discover the important role reefs play in a healthy ocean. Maui Ocean Center’s marine naturalists also share tips for proper reef etiquette and beach safety and offer ocean-centric crafts for kids. Guests that visit the Hawaiian Marine Life Hale receive a complimentary Fish ID card to take on their snorkel adventures to help identify marine life as seen in their natural habitat.
“As a resort destination, we have a responsibility to our guests to offer opportunities to learn about Hawaii’s dynamic marine ecosystems, as well as options for guests that encourage eco-conscious choices during their travels,” said Tetsuji Yamazaki, General Manager for Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. “We’re committed to continuing our marine education and preservation efforts and creating dialogues with our guests about sustainability, which is why we’ve been working hard to implement initiatives like eliminating single-use plastic straws, offering daily, complimentary educational talks with Maui Ocean Center, and now, providing reef-safe sunscreen options for our guests.”
Beginning in May, the resort is also launching a Day at the Beach amenity, which will be available for purchase for $40, and includes a 3 oz. tin of Raw Elements reef-safe sunscreen, keiki beach toys, two Sheraton Maui hats, juices and snacks.
