First Annual Green Business Awards To Be Presented By Governor

The State Department of Health in partnership with the State Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii will present the "First Annual Green Business Awards" on October 15, 2002 at 10:45 am in the Governor’s office.

The Green Business Awards Program is a partnership between the Departments of Health and Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. These agencies have worked together to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way. The program helps businesses comply with environmental regulations, to go beyond compliance to conserve energy, water and other resources, and to reduce pollution and waste. This program provides valuable opportunities for industry members to share information on practices that have been implemented which save money and resources.

The program focuses on the hotel industry as the first business sector, due to the cumulative impact of the visitor industry on the environment. This year’s recipients are the Kahala Mandarin Oriental, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the Mauna Lani Resort. The hotels were selected based on criteria, which included: participation in quarterly meetings; attending forums and workshops; a self-audit checklist evaluating their environmental practices ranging from pollution prevention to water and energy conservation; and sharing their information with other industry participants.

Participation was open to all hotels and resorts. Other program participants include the Honolulu, Board of Water Supply, Hawaiian Electric Company, the City and County of Honolulu’s Recycling Office, and the Hawaii Hotel Association.

For more information contact Marlyn Aguilar at 586-4226.

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