HONOLULU—‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, the award-winning hotel located steps from the beach in the center of Waikiki, announced its commitment to achieve PAS 2060 carbon neutral certification. The resort has engaged DEKRA for verification services and has partnered with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) and Legacy Carbon LLC to help offset the carbon footprint of the resort. This builds upon Alohilani Resort’s existing sustainability initiatives, including its commitment to plant 100,000 indigenous trees in its Legacy Forest, and its use of renewable electricity throughout the hotel. Providing a carbon-neutral experience means guests can ease their conscience while they enjoy a memorable vacation.
“Our guests choose Hawaii for its incredible natural beauty, and we must take action to restore and protect our native ecosystem, ensuring our treasured islands will thrive in the future,” said Matthew Grauso, General Manager, Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. “Alohilani Resort is committed to a more sustainable future, and I believe the hard work, passion and dedication of our team to achieve carbon neutrality will inspire others to take similar action.”
The resort’s carbon neutral certification will be verified by DEKRA, an international testing, inspection, and certification organization, in accordance with PAS 2060, the only recognized international standard for carbon neutrality. For 2022, the resort will be carbon neutral for Scope 1, Scope 2, and a portion of Scope 3 emissions. Per the GHG Protocol, Scope 1 includes all direct carbon emissions from sources such as propane, gasoline, diesel, and refrigerants. Scope 2 covers the property’s electricity consumption. The resort is working toward having complete data needed to achieve carbon neutrality for all relevant Scope 3 categories, which includes emissions from its supply chain.
Property Managed by Highgate
Alohilani Resort is managed by Highgate, a premier hospitality investment and management company known for its innovative leadership efforts. As part of Highgate’s latest sustainability initiative, the resort is one of over 200 Highgate properties that are now powered by 100 percent renewable electricity and that have committed to third-party verification for 2022 through Green-e, the nation’s leading independent certification and verification program for renewable energy.
“Renewable energy utilization is a critical part of Highgate’s decarbonization strategy. Procuring renewable electricity was an essential move for Alohilani to reduce their carbon emissions, given Hawaii’s current heavy reliance on imported oil for electricity production,” said Marianne Balfe, Highgate’s Vice President of Sustainability. “We look forward to Hawaii’s transition to a 100 percent renewable electric grid by 2045, per the state’s declaration.”
Guests can engage with the resort’s conservation efforts by visiting Alohilani’s Legacy Forest, where they can learn about the importance of reforestation and plant their own indigenous tree. Through the planting of more than 550,000 native and endemic trees, the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative has produced some of the highest-quality carbon offsets in the world.
More Than 1,200 Acres of Trees Planted
This is the only Gold Standard certified carbon project in the State of Hawaii, with more than 1,200 acres of endemic forest already planted. Each tree in the Hawaiian Legacy Forest is RFID geo-tagged and can be individually tracked throughout its lifetime by the tree sponsor.
“We are proud of Alohilani Resort’s commitment to carbon neutral certification,” said Balfe. “At Highgate, we recognize the importance of nature-based solutions for climate stability. Given Hawaii’s incredible loss of native forest cover, it is fitting that Alohilani began their journey to carbon neutrality with an enduring reforestation partnership with the first U.S.-based carbon removal project to be approved by Gold Standard.”
Alohilani Resort’s key pillars are culture, wellness, explore, the arts, food and drink and doing good for the community. As a result of sustainability initiatives and events, Alohilani helps guests enjoy a balanced life of fun and fulfillment while caring for each other and giving back. Through Highgate Hawaii’s new partnership with Waikiki Beach Candy, credits are now included in the resort amenity fee, and guests can easily redeem Beach Candy credits for a variety of rentals, such as surfboards, umbrellas, and snorkels to further enhance their Hawaii experience and reduce waste. For more information on Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, visit www.alohilaniresort.com.
