Andaz Maui at Wailea Earns LEED Silver Certification
By Wendy Osher
The Andaz Maui at Wailea has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the US Green Building Council, according to a company announcement.
The national designation is part of a program that encourages green building concepts for design, construction, maintenance and operations.
“With very few LEED certified hotels in Hawaiʻi, we have a tremendous sense of accomplishment that our efforts surrounding energy efficiency have paid off, and it’s certainly a nod to Hyatt’s philosophy of honoring the beauty of our surroundings,” said Michael Stephens, general manager, Andaz Maui at Wailea in a press release.
The design approach at the Andaz Maui at Wailea is one aimed at reducing energy and water consumption, minimizing waste and harmful emissions, and stresses sustainable design as an integral component of its overall strategy, the company said.
According to the announcement, the hotel design offers an annual energy-cost savings of 19.9%, with an on-site renewable solar thermal system providing nearly 4% of the project’s annual energy costs.
Other highlights reportedly include motion sensor light controls; LED lighting; a solar hot water system; low flow plumbing; and automated temperature control in guest rooms.
In the kitchen, nearly all of the hotel’s food and beverage ingredients are locally procured; a food hydrator is utilized to compost food waste and re-purposed for landscaping; and linen-less tables are used to “reduce laundry, energy and water consumption,” the announcement said.
The company says Brightworks consulted on the LEED design and project management along with the Hyatt, while architecture and design firm WCIT worked in conjunction with the Rockwell Group on the design.