Ocean Friendly Hotel Kauaʻi – Princeville at Hanalei

Source: kauainownews.com

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, located on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, has been named the first “Ocean Friendly Hotel” in Hawaiʻi by the ocean conservation nonprofit Surfrider Foundation. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay – a resort billed as a “mission-driven, sustainable luxury resort” – opened its doors in early 2023, on the property of the former St. Regis Princeville Resort. Last December, it became the only Hawaiʻi hotel to earn a place on the 2024 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List.

Past occasions at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay have included multicourse dinners benefitting local community organizations. Earlier this year, the resort hosted Top Chef winner Melissa King, who led a series of culinary events. The Ocean Friendly Hotels program operated by the Surfrider Foundation – a nationwide organization with an active chapter on Kaua‘i – recognizes hotels that are committed to cutting out single-use plastic and offer a framework to help them make sustainable choices for the ocean.

Some of the ocean-friendly commitments made by 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay to stop plastic at the source include:

No plastic beverage bottles or plastic bags are sold or used onsite.
No expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is used anywhere onsite.
Cups, utensils, straws, condiments and other accessory items in rooms are reusable or made from naturally occurring materials and are not packaged in plastic.
Room keys are reusable or made from naturally occurring materials.
Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, etc.) are not packaged in small plastic bottles.
Water refill stations are available for guests onsite.
Proper solid waste recycling procedures are followed, and bins are amply provided for guest use.
Energy efficiency efforts are in place.
Water conservation and pollution mitigation efforts are implemented.
Onsite gift shops only sell or provide sunscreen that is reef friendly.
Outdoor light pollution is minimized.

The Surfrider Foundation has also recognized 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for committing to a higher eco-standard at its restaurants. All six of the hotel’s dining outlets and bars are currently certified as Ocean Friendly Restaurants.