Hyatt Maui First in Hawaiʻi to Achieve LEED EBOM Certification

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Photo courtesy Hyatt.

By Wendy Osher

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa was awarded LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council for the category of Existing Building Operations and Maintenance.

Hotel executives say the “EBOM” certification is the first of any building the state, and comes following a two year effort to conduct renovations throughout the resort.

Renovations included work on the hotel’s pool area, Drums of the Pacific Lūʻau grounds and dining outlets.

During the renovation, company representatives say the Hyatt worked with third party consultants to make necessary “environmentally friendly enhancements” aimed at energy efficiency and sustainability.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. Photo courtesy Hyatt.

Hyatt Regency Maui General Manager Allan Farwell commented in a company press release saying, “We hope that as we preserve and protect our natural environment in Maui, our commitment inspires our guests to make similar conscious efforts in the various parts of the world where they live.”

To qualify in the LEED EBOM category, hotel representatives say the resort had to show “a significant increase in diverting waste from landfills and an increase in energy and water efficiency, as well as a robust sustainable purchasing program.”

Hotel executives note that more than 70% of purchased items at the resort are local, recycled or made with renewable resources.

The hotel also reports that it is saving six million gallons of water annually through new “reduced flow” shower heads installed in all guest rooms.  Guest rooms are also now equipped with recycling receptacles and motion sensing air conditioning units that turn off when lānai doors are opened or when guests leave their room, according to the announcement.

On the hotel grounds, the company reports that it has reduced landscape water use by more than 27% by installing weather-based irrigation systems and using grey water irrigation.

Dining outlets at the resort are also contributing to the sustainability effort by donating more than half-a-million pounds of leftover and scrap food to local pig farms for feed and compost, according to hotel representatives.

To cut down on paper waste, the resort is offering complimentary digital newspapers through mobile devices and computers, and is utilizing digital signage throughout the property.

Other environmental accolades presented to the Hyatt Regency Maui prior to certification included: Silver ranking in TripAdvisor GreenLeaders list; a 2010 Green Key four-key distinction, representing outstanding industry leadership and a commitment to protecting the environment; 2009 membership designation from Hawaiʻi Green Business; and induction into Maui Electric Company’s Energy and Efficiency Hall of Fame in 2007.