For Immediate Release: July 29, 2008
DBEDT Release News 08-19

HONOLULU--The Hawai‘i Green Business Program, co-sponsored by the State Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), the State Department of Health (DOH), Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i and local government entities such as the City and County of Honolulu's Board of Water Supply and Recycling Offices is expanding its program to include Green Offices and Retail businesses.

Together with the Green Hotel and Resort Program, The Green Office and Retail Program will recognize businesses that have applied environmentally responsible measures within their office or retail establishments. The Green Office and Retail Program Pilot is co-sponsored by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Hawaii.

The program's objectives are to reduce energy and water consumption, promote recycling, prevent pollution, reduce emissions, and to educate employees and customers about environmental practices.

Businesses that achieve Hawai‘i Green Business recognition go beyond environmental compliance, to reduce, reuse, and recycle as well as restore and conserve Hawai‘i's culture, natural resources and the environment.

Businesses are required to complete an enrollment form and checklist to ensure that the program is appropriate for their business. A business is expected to maintain the required energy saving practices and may be re-evaluated annually. The enrollment form and checklists can be found on the DBEDT and DOH websites.

"Conserving energy and water makes sense for businesses, public agencies and for all residents of Hawai‘i as we continue to work collaboratively to increase Hawai‘i's energy independence and preserve our natural resources," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "The Hawai‘i Green Business Program hopes to have businesses become more resource-efficient and share their practices and tips with their peers, clients, guests and employees."

Participation in the Hawai‘i Green Business program is open to Hawai‘i businesses able to complete the pre-requisite enrollment form and checklist.

The Green Hotel and Resort Program is co-sponsored by the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association. For more information, visit the program website at (http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/waste/p2wastemin/index.html) or contact the program coordinators:

Gail Suzuki-Jones, DBEDT, gsuzuki@dbedt.hawaii.gov, 587-3802 or
Travis Hiramoto, DOH, thiramoto@doh.hawaii.gov, 586-4226.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
DBEDT Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov