1 Hotel Hanalei Bay named first ‘Ocean Friendly Hotel’ in Hawai‘i by conservation group

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, located on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, has been named the first “Ocean Friendly Hotel” in Hawai‘i by the ocean conservation nonprofit Surfrider Foundation.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay – a resort billed as a “mission-driven, sustainable luxury resort” – opened its doors in early 2023, on the property of the former St. Regis Princeville Resort. Last December, it became the only Hawai‘i hotel to earn a place on the 2024 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List.

Past occasions at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay have included multicourse dinners benefitting local community organizations. Earlier this year, the resort hosted Top Chef winner Melissa King, who led a series of culinary events.

The Ocean Friendly Hotels program operated by the Surfrider Foundation – a nationwide organization with an active chapter on Kaua‘i – recognizes hotels that are committed to cutting out single-use plastic and offer a framework to help them make sustainable choices for the ocean.

Some of the ocean-friendly commitments made by 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay to stop plastic at the source include:

• No plastic beverage bottles or plastic bags are sold or used onsite.
• No expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) is used anywhere onsite.
• Cups, utensils, straws, condiments and other accessory items in rooms are reusable or made from naturally occurring materials and are not packaged in plastic.
• Room keys are reusable or made from naturally occurring materials.
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, etc.) are not packaged in small plastic bottles.
• Water refill stations are available for guests onsite.
• Proper solid waste recycling procedures are followed, and bins are amply provided for guest use.
• Energy efficiency efforts are in place.
• Water conservation and pollution mitigation efforts are implemented.
• Onsite gift shops only sell or provide sunscreen that is reef friendly.
• Outdoor light pollution is minimized.

The Surfrider Foundation has also recognized 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for committing to a higher eco-standard at its restaurants. All six of the hotel’s dining outlets and bars are currently certified as Ocean Friendly Restaurants.

For criteria and a complete list of Ocean Friendly Restaurants on Kaua‘i – in addition to information on other local “Ocean Friendly” initiatives – visit the Kaua‘i chapter of the Surfrider Foundation at Kauai.surfrider.org.