“Each drop of water saved is a assist to keep away from us entering into obligatory conservation measures throughout the summer season,” stated Ernie Lau, chief engineer for Honolulu’s Board of Water Provide.
Lau requested Oʻahu’s tourism and enterprise leaders to do their half to preserve water throughout a webinar hosted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority final month. He informed that driver situations, the persevering with affect of the Purple Hill gas leak and excessive use may pose challenges supplying water to city Honolulu and Waikīkī this summer season.
The Board of Water Provide stopped pumping water from the Halawa Shaft final 12 months out of precaution, because of the presence of jet gas in close by Navy water shafts. The Hālawa shaft offers a majority of water to city Honolulu and East Oʻahu — together with Waikīkī.
In March, the Board of Water Provide requested residents to voluntarily lower their water utilization by 10% to keep away from quick or extended service disruptions.
Exterior of Oʻahu, Maui’s Division of Water issued a Stage 1 drought declaration for elements of West Maui and Upcountry. Maui’s water division urged residents and guests to preserve water, whereas implementing some restrictions.
And on Hawaiʻi Island, extended drought has elevated the potential for wildfires on the western a part of the island.
Whereas residents are being requested to preserve water, and the state expects a really busy summer season journey season, what’s being achieved to preserve water throughout the customer business?
For one resort chain, water conservation is considered one of a number of environmental efforts it’s addressing.
“We’re selecting drought-tolerant foliage, and we’ve got wash upon request insurance policies at our resorts,” stated Monica Salter, vp of communications and sustainability on the Outrigger Hospitality Group. “One of many largest culprits of water utilization is laundry.”
Salter tells HPR that the resort chain has been energetic in adopting efforts to preserve water, scale back waste and be power environment friendly inside its operations for the previous decade. She says the group has carried out audits of their properties to measure their electrical energy use and environmental impacts.
In terms of water utilization, she says the group partnered with the Honolulu Board of Water Provide to conduct water audits of its Waikīkī properties. Salter says the audit revealed the resort was already doing a great job in its water effectivity and use.
“For instance, once we renovated the Waikīkī Beachcomber and Outrigger Reef, we changed the showerheads with low movement variations. And that is one thing that we are going to proceed to do all through our properties and deliberate renovations.”
Outrigger is considered one of a number of resorts within the state taking part in a public-private collective selling the adoption of inexperienced enterprise practices.
The Hawaiʻi Inexperienced Enterprise Program was based greater than 20 years in the past. This system is a partnership with water companies throughout the state, the state Division of Land and Pure Sources, the state Power Workplace, and tourism companies, associations and resorts.
“The objectives are to not solely enhance these practices, however to acknowledge companies for what they’re doing,” stated Gail Suzuki-Jones, program coordinator.
In terms of water conservation, Suzuki-Jones says there are loads of resorts can do. From altering aerators, taps and showerheads to limiting water use in rooms, to utilizing endemic vegetation which are drought resistant.
” irrigation and checking for leaks,” she stated. “Apparently that is one of many largest culprits, is leaks and irrigation.”
Suzuki-Jones notes there are some resorts on Hawaiʻi Island that use rainwater catchment programs and recycled water for irrigation.
The Hawaiʻi Inexperienced Enterprise Program has 4 classes it focuses on — resorts and resorts, eating places and workplaces, occasions and venues. Lately, this system acknowledged 14 resorts, companies, venues and occasions for implementing inexperienced enterprise practices.
Of these, 9 have been resorts — 5 of that are Outrigger properties. Different resorts receiving recognition embody the Prince Waikīkī, Volcano Home in Pāhoa, and the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in Kaʻanapali.
This system would not simply deal with water conservation, however it additionally goals to enhance electrical effectivity and waste discount.
At Outrigger, Salter says the group additionally applied measures to deal with these impacts, particularly in waste discount. She says the group recycles cardboard and glass merchandise, which they may proceed to apply and develop upon.
“Our subsequent step within the plan is to create a inexperienced procurement plan to be sure that what we’re truly bringing into the property is recyclable materials — or ideally elimination of single-use plastic,” she stated.
Salter says the group has put in water fill stations all through a number of of its properties. These stations might be utilized by visitors, who obtain a metallic water bottle and reusable bag upon check-in.
Amongst different initiatives, the Outrigger additionally offers reef-safe sunscreens to its visitors.
Salter tells HPR that the measures taken at its Waikīkī properties are additionally in place at its resorts throughout the state, Fiji, Mauritius, and the Maldives.
Outrigger Hospitality Group is an underwriter of Hawaii Public Radio.