Four Seasons Resort Hualalai announces in partnership with Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) that all future villa bookings will be carbon-neutral. This partnership is the newest addition to the comprehensive sustainability program at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, which also includes Boomerang, its new zero-waste, Resort-filtered water bottling system; the recent planting of the Resort’s 50,000th tree within Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Legacy Forest; and the Resort’s Natural Resources team, a group of on-site marine biologists who educate guests on best environmental practices, help maintain King’s Pond – the Resort’s distinctive, 1.8-million-gallon (6.8 million litre) swimmable aquarium – and more.
In honour of Zero Emissions Day, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai introduces a further collaboration with HLRI in which the organization will offset the carbon footprint of its new villas with each booking through the planting of trees. The Resort introduced the expansion of its three stand-alone villas, Hawai’i Loa Presidential Villa, Makaloa Villa and Ho`onanea Villa, on the heels of its recent USD 100 million property-wide renovation timed to its 25th anniversary. The villas, the largest and most luxurious villa accommodations in all of Hawaii, were reimagined with thoughtful design elements, local artwork, slate floors, glass-pocket doors and a natural hardwood trim – in addition to an expansion that includes a second level, indoor/outdoor living space and private plunge pools or whirlpools for each.
“At Hualalai, we are committed to keeping Hawaii clean by reducing our carbon footprint and minimizing our environmental impact. Our carbon-neutral partnership with Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative allows our villa guests to practice sustainability without having to compromise luxury,” says Graham Williamson, Resort Manager of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. “We are proud to continue adding to the Resort’s robust sustainability program and practice the centuries-old way of life in Hawaii Mālama Ka Honua (care for the Earth).”
In addition to its carbon-neutral villa bookings, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai debuted a Boomerang Bottling System earlier this year. The unique system features patented micro-bottling technology that sources local Hawaiian water, removes all impurities and toxins, and bottles it in durable, fully recyclable aluminium bottles, that are sanitized, refilled, capped, and reused on-site. This eliminates shipping, packaging, and distribution centers, allowing Resort guests to enjoy fresh, local water the same day it is bottled, ultimately reducing carbon emissions by 95 percent per bottle.
Also in collaboration with HLRI, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai recently celebrated the planting of its 50,000th tree within Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Legacy Forest. The Legacy Trees planted by the Resort now cover more than 100 acres (40 hectares), transforming a denuded pastureland into pristine endemic Hawaiian forest, leaving an evolving ecosystem to prosper. The trees that comprise Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Legacy Forest are koa, a tree that is deeply connected to Hawaiian royalty and in recent years was over-harvested due to its strong and beautiful qualities.
In an effort to introduce interactive, sustainable programs that educate guests, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai created its Natural Resources department, comprised of five marine biologists and led by Director of Natural Resources David Chai. The Natural Resources department is focused on educational and guest-facing sustainability programs that incorporate traditional Hawaiian practices. The department also maintains and cares for King’s Pond – the Resort’s swimmable aquarium that is home to more than 1,000 tropical fish. As part of the Resort-wide renovation, Kumu Kai Marine Center was debuted at King’s Pond and features a touch tank and digital educational displays, allowing Chai and his team to expand the Resort’s already robust marine life experiences. Guest experiences at King’s Pond include a Private Fish and Eagle Ray Feeding, Tide Pool Tour, Jr. Marine Biologist Experience, Youth Ocean Exploration and more.