If your clients will be traveling over Earth Day this year, tell them they can still do their part for the environment while unwinding and working on their tans.
On Hawaii Island, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has unveiled the King’s Pond Eco-Crescent, a collection of 65 rooms surrounding the King’s Pond pool that lets guests reduce their carbon footprint during their stay.
Enhancements include:
* Disposable water bottles have been replaced with ceramic carafes and cups. Water is refreshed daily, and refilling stations are also available for guest use.
* Insulated water bottles (BPA-free) are available for in-room purchase, with a donation going towards the Resort’s partnership with Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods.
* Disposable bath amenity bottles (shampoo, conditioner and body lotion) have been replaced with refillable pump dispensers.
* Disposable terrycloth slippers have been replaced with reusable rubber spa sandals.
* Paper collateral in room has been minimized, with remaining being made from recycled and biodegradable materials.
* Automatic enrollment in the Green Linen program, limiting bed linen changes to every third day.
* Incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
The Resort’s other efforts include:
* Sustainable Cuisine – Executive Chef James Babian and his team work with more than 160 farmers and fishermen on the island, providing guests Resort-wide with food that is 75 percent from Hawaii Island.
* Legacy Koa Forest – In partnership with Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods, the hotel will plant 500,000 legacy (never to be harvested) koa trees on the island.
* Natural Resources - Restoration of Waiakauhi Fishpond, a three-acre historic fishpond and waterbird habitat. Lake Punawai—a man-made, self-sustaining, low-energy, three-million gallon, self-cleaning pond—is the "water feature" of the fifth hole on the Keolu Golf Course. Pond tours are offered to guests, local schools, organizations, and seniors clubs. King’s Pond is a 1.8-million gallon swimming aquarium, home to more than 3,000 fish from 75 different species. A variety of educational programs are offered daily here, conducted by marine scientists.
Best of all: All guests staying at the resort on Earth Day, April 22, will have a legacy koa tree planted in their honor, as part of the Resort’s partnership with HLH to plant 500,000 trees on the island.
The hotel is located at 72-100 Ka`upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/hualalai.