A very happy Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22. I have been contacted by numerous public relations representatives pitching individual property and company success stories for this special day. (See Velas Resorts article as one example.) It is great to see so many in our industry giving so much attention to Earth Day—first celebrated April 22, 1970.
Earth Day’s 2025 theme is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET, calling for everyone to unite around renewable energy so we can triple clean electricity by 2030. Green Lodging News frequently highlights renewable energy success stories and has a section on its website for properties that have deployed solar, wind, geothermal or hydro technologies. If your property should be listed in that section of my site, please let me know.
It would be impossible to highlight the good work of everyone doing good things for the environment here this week so I will highlight just one company: OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels. A big thank you to Molly Neal at Coyne PR for sharing 5 Ways OUTRIGGER Walks the Walk on Sustainability…All Year Long.
1. A Global Platform for Ocean Conservation: OZONE: OUTRIGGER’s award-winning OZONE (Outrigger’s ZONE) initiative helps protect marine ecosystems through hands-on guest programming like reef-safe sunscreen education, beach cleanups, and coral planting.
- OZONE Days: These annual dedicated service days unite OUTRIGGER team members, guests, and local community partners in hands-on eco-activities like removing marine debris, planting native species, and even creating thousands of genki balls—muddy orbs that help clean polluted waterways by introducing beneficial bacteria into the ecosystem.
- Global Impact: Powered by guest engagement and conservation partnerships, OUTRIGGER has planted and protected the equivalent of 100+ football fields of coral reefs across its global portfolio.
- Learn more: outrigger.com/ozone-hub
2. Coral Restoration, led by the Community: At properties in Waikīkī and Fiji, guests can join local marine biologists to learn about coral health and contribute to reef restoration. OUTRIGGER is one of the few hotel brands globally with active coral conservation programs onsite.
- Hands-on Reef Conservation: Snorkel-based coral planting experiences and educational briefings allow guests to see firsthand how fragile (and essential) coral reefs are to the ocean’s health.
3. Sustainable Design at Every Resort: Sustainability isn’t seasonal. From architecture to operations, OUTRIGGER hotels and resorts integrate eco-conscious practices into the guest experience.
- Eco-Art as Education: OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort also features a dramatic sustainable art installation by ocean artist Ethan Estess, created from salvaged marine debris to inspire ocean awareness through creativity.
- Waste-Reducing Amenities: All Hawaii properties feature refillable water stations, bulk bathroom amenities, and composting systems, reducing plastic waste at scale.
- Native Landscaping: Drought-resistant foliage and low-impact groundskeeping honor the local environment while preserving natural resources.
- Ongoing Innovation: Design enhancements like energy-efficient lighting, smart thermostats, and the removal of single-use plastics are part of a long-term commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
4. Culture as Conservation: Preserving Hawaiian culture is an essential part of preserving Hawaii—and OUTRIGGER is deeply invested in that mission.
- Feast & Fire at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa: This award-winning luau is more than a show—it’s a cultural immersion guided by the descendants of revered Hawaiian lineages, sharing their stories through chant, dance, and fire.
- Cirque du Soleil ʻAuana at OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel: OUTRIGGER is the proud home and presenting partner of ‘Auana, Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Hawaii residency, a breathtaking theatrical experience rooted in Hawaiian myths and migration stories—performed entirely in the native Hawaiian language and complemented by hula choreography.
- Everyday Experiences: Complimentary cultural programs across all properties, including lei-making, hula, Hawaiian language, and moʻolelo (oral storytelling), are guided by local practitioners, not entertainers. This ensures that visitors leave with true cultural insight, not just photos.
5. Impactful Partnerships for a Healthier Planet: At OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels, sustainability is more than a brand value—it’s a shared mission. That’s why the company proudly collaborates with leading organizations across the Pacific to advance marine conservation, cultural education, and environmental resilience. These partnerships fuel meaningful impact across OUTRIGGER destinations, helping to protect coastal ecosystems, empower local communities, and inspire guests to care for the places they visit.
OUTRIGGER’s Trusted Sustainability Partners Include:
- Treecovery—Partnering with OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort to reforest fire-affected areas of Maui with native plants and trees, offering guests a chance to give back and help heal the land.
- Maui Ocean Center—OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali is the exclusive hotel partner of this marine sanctuary and educational hub, which works to protect Hawaii’s delicate ocean ecosystems through public education and active conservation efforts.
- Mamanuca Environment Society—Protecting Fiji’s marine biodiversity through community-led education and conservation initiatives.
- Polynesian Voyaging Society—Honoring the ancient art of wayfinding and promoting global sustainability through ocean exploration.
- Manta Pacific Foundation—Dedicated to research and protection of manta rays in Hawaii, with ongoing guest education at OUTRIGGER Kona.
- Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii—Engaging communities in large-scale beach cleanups and plastic pollution education.
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)—Supporting ocean health and coral restoration through scientific partnerships.
- Waikīkī Aquarium—Promoting marine awareness and education steps from OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
- Hawaii Board of Water Supply—Partnering on sustainable water management programs and drought-resilient landscaping.
- Raw Elements—Offering reef-safe sunscreen dispensers across OUTRIGGER properties, protecting marine life from harmful chemicals.
- Micronesian Conservation Coalition—Empowering Indigenous-led stewardship and marine preservation across the Pacific region.
Is your company or property doing something unique for Earth Day/Week/Month? I would love to learn about it. I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
Finally, make every day Earth Day.
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