Hawaii Green Business Program

The Hawaii Green Business Program currently has five categories:

• Resorts & Hotels
  Green Resorts & Hotels are businesses that are committed to conserving Hawaii’s natural resources by implementing practices that conserve and save water, energy, and lower the amount of solid waste generated. Some hotels, for example, are taking extra measures by providing towel and sheet changing cards which “ask that guests consider using their linens more than once” (Green Hotels Association). In addition to accommodations, hotels provide many services for its guests, such as food, beverage, and laundry services, and a variety of recreational opportunities. All of these services provide opportunities for hotels to engage in “green” business practices.
• Office & Retail
  
  

  HGBP is a local network of public and private agencies, working together to assist and recognize businesses that operate in an environmentally friendly way. For offices and retailers, green business practices can be implemented to promote recycling and reduce waste, conserve water and energy, and prevent future pollution. For example, offices and retailers can implement green practices by promoting incentives to employees to engage in low carbon footprint transportation as well as providing electric vehicle charging stations to residents and customers. This site represents the office and retailer efforts to promote HGBP among the local businesses to stimulate and facilitate action on matters concerning environmental regulations and social responsibility.

  Restaurant & Food Service Facilities
  Green restaurant and food service facilities are businesses that are committed to conserving Hawaii’s natural resources by implementing practices that conserve and save water, energy, and lower the amount of solid waste generated. Some restaurants, for example, are incorporating green practices by providing plastic straws and take out bags only upon customer request, or replaced with compostable alternatives. In addition, restaurants have the opportunity to engage in “green” business habits by following the “ocean friendly” restaurant Hawaii criteria. If a restaurant or food waste facility meets the requirements to become a certified green business, they will be recognized as operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

• Green Events
  Green Events are events that are planned with the intent of conserving Hawaii’s natural resources by implementing practices that conserve and save water, energy, and lower the amount of solid waste generated.
• 10-Entry Level Program
  The Hawaii Green Business Program understands the challenges associated with implementing sustainable practices in a small business and event-related environment. To make the program more accessible, the HGBP created a 10-Entry Level Program to encourage small business participation. 

The HGBP initially focused on resorts and hotels due to the large number of visitors in Hawaii and the potential for significant resource reduction and savings through conservation. Success there has resulted in the expansion of the HGBP into other industries, targeting Office & Retail spaces, Restaurant & Food Service Facilities and most recently, Breweries & Distilleries through the 10-Entry Level Program. HGBP builds on the involvement and energy of our member businesses that serve as leaders within their industry.

HGBP includes a focus on Water Conservation; Energy Conservation; Waste Reduction & Pollution Prevention; Indoor Air Quality; and Events that provide information and recognition to local businesses and about resource conservation.