Eco Rating Hawaii Island Retreat

Name of property	Hawaii Island Retreat
Person completing this form	Jacque Waters
Position	manager
Address of property	54-250 Maluhia Road Kapa’au, HI  96755
Country	USA
Phone number including country code and area code	808-889-6336
Web site	Hawaii Island Retreat
E-mail	[email protected]
Type of property	Eco-boutique hotel
Number of rooms or cottages	9 guests rooms 7 yurts
Maximum number of guests	35
Eco memberships	International Ecotourism Society, Best Green Hotels
Eco ratings, certifications, awards	Kuleana Award – Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce Eco Rating at Eco Tropical Resorts 4.2 out of 5

• Do you have a written environmental or social sustainability policy?     YES

If yes, please attach.

• Do you have a written environmental management system?                  YES

If yes, please attach.

• Describe the property – aim, size, facilities, amount of land owned and leased  (150 words max)  Hawaii Island Retreat is a sustainable boutique hotel and retreat located on 50 acres of privately owned land in North Kohala on the island of Hawaii. It offers 9 refined guest rooms and 7 charming yurts as guest accommodations, an ocean front yoga studio, as well as an eco- spa facility with salt purified pool and hot tub, locker rooms, exercise pavilion, spa reception, and massage facilities. HIR is off the grid, uses alternative energy sources and features an organic farm with fruits, vegetables, and livestock. This unique boutique hotel has been constructed with the intention of teaching all who come here how to live in harmony with the earth.

• Describe the location, including distance to nearest town and size of town (100 words max) Hawaii Island Retreat is located in North Kohala on the island of Hawaii.  The hotel is located on 50 acres of natural coastal forests and organic farmland, and is perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking the ocean on the northern tip of the island.  It is situated between the two historic towns of Hawi and Kapa’au, home to healers, artists and artisans, organic farmers, and near perfect weather.  HIR is 2.6 miles from Hawi and 1 mile from Kapa’au.

• Describe WHY you made the decision to develop an eco resort (100 word max) Owners Robert Watkins and Jeanne Sunderland have been immersed in health and natural healing as well as organic farming most of their lives.  When they embarked on this project it was clear to them to create a place of natural healing in a sustainable way to not only create a place of healing for their guests, but to protect the fragile environment and support the health of the planet as well.

Introduction to the Butterfly Club’s Eco Rating

 

The Butterfly Club Eco Rating has five equally-weighted categories:

• Energy;
• Water;
• Recycling and waste;
• Land and nature conservation; and
• Community.

Each category has five levels, designated by one to five butterflies.  Through self assessment, resort operators completing this rating will determine their own levels within each category based on their responses to items listed below.

Two categories – energy and water – have similar rating systems with Levels 1 and 2 addressing conservation of existing resources, and Levels 3, 4 and 5 addressing creation of renewable energy or capturing water.

Level five in every category also requires written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record consumption; (2) test and apply additional conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific targets.   We require a copy of your policies if you achieve level 5 in any category.

Eco Rating Hawai iIsland Retreat Energy

Levels 1 and 2 – conservation: Check all that apply:

_X__ use natural air circulation and fans, not air conditioners
_X__ use natural light during the day
__X_ minimize use of fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines and equipment
__X_ use “on demand” or solar heating for hot water
__X_ air dry clothes/linens
___ wash dishes by hand – STATE REQUIRES COMMERCIAL SANITATION
_X__ use energy efficient appliances and electronics
_X__ use low wattage fluorescent or LED light bulbs
_X__ change linens, tablecloths, napkins upon request
__X_ switch off lights when not used
Other energy conservation activities? Please list:
Solar heated hot tub, off the grid – all solar and wind power

Level 1 = four or fewer energy conservation activities

Level 2 = five or more energy conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – renewable energy: Indicate proportion (%) of energy from each source:

_60__  solar
_20__  wind
___  hydro
_20_  generator
_0__  public utility
Other energy sources? Please list:
100% TOTAL
How were these proportions developed?  Based on historical usage data

Level 3 = renewable energy is employed and is less than 1/3 of all energy

Level 4 = renewable energy constitutes 1/3 – 2/3 of all energy

Level 5 = renewable energy constitutes 2/3 or more of all energy.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record energy consumption; (2) test and apply additional energy conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific energy targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Energy Level 5 (required).

Your Energy Level (select 1 – 5) =   5

Eco Rating Hawai iIsland Retreat Water

Levels 1 and 2 – conservation: Check all that apply:

_x_  low flow faucets and showerheads
_x_  low water use toilets
_x_  change linens, towels, tablecloths, and napkins upon request
___use table mats that can be wiped and not laundered
_x_  use biodegradable laundry detergent, dish soap and hand soap
_x_  treat swimming pool with chlorine-free processes
Other water conservation activities?  Please list. Rain collection system

Level 1 = three or fewer water conservation activities

Level 2 = four or more water conservation activities

Levels 3, 4 and 5 – capture and treat fresh water and manage waste water. Capture water: Indicate proportion (%) of water from each source:

___  spring
___  river
__3_  rain
__7_  reuse gray
__10_  public utility
Other water sources? Please list. Private well water 80%

100% TOTAL

Fresh water treatment: how is captured fresh water treated?  Not treated-ag use only
___  naturally.  Indicate method: charcoal, ultraviolet light, other? List:
___  chemically.  List chemicals used:

Waste water management:
__x_  septic tanks
___  cesspools
___  other? List methods:

Level 3: Water is captured (from springs, rivers, rain or prior use) and constitutes less than 1/3 of water from all sources.  Water is treated chemically.  Water disposal does not minimize damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 4:  Captured water constitutes 1/3 to 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests

Level 5:  Captured water constitutes more than 2/3 of all water.  Water is treated naturally. Water disposal minimizes damage to coral reefs and rain forests.   In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record water consumption; (2) test and apply additional water conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific water targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Water Level 5 (required).

Your Water Level (select 1 – 5):  4

Eco Rating Hawai iIsland Retreat Recycling and waste

Check all that apply:

_x__   use durable service items, e.g. cups, glasses, dishes, tableware, storage items
_x__   buy fresh and local to reduce packaging and emissions from transportation
_x__   purchase in bulk to reduce packaging
__x_   recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminum
__x_   minimize emissions from fossil-fuel powered vehicles, machines & equipment
_x__   zero waste in the kitchen
_x__   serve local water, not bottled water
_x__   cleaning products are biodegradable
_x__   compost organic matter
Other methods to recycle waste? Please list. Use Compostable disposables if needed

Level 1 = four or fewer recycling activities

Level 2 = five recycling activities

Level 3 = six recycling activities

Level 4 = seven recycling activities

Level 5 = eight or more recycling activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record recycling and waste; (2) test and apply additional recycling and waste conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific recycling and waste targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Recycling and Waste Level 5 (required).

Your Recycling and Waste Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Eco Rating Hawai iIsland Retreat Land and nature conservation

Check all that apply:

__x_   minimize tree removal when building
__x_   use only botanical (plant-based) herbicides & pesticides in garden & grounds
__x_   maintain organic gardens as food source for resort
_x__   use biodegradable cleaning products
__x_   minimize external illumination
__x_   take additional specific actions to preserve the local habitat.
___   Landscaping with native plants
Please list actions and projects: No trees were cut down when building the main building – ocean view is through the existing trees. 80% of food served comes from the gardens, livestock, and wild game. Future plans include methane production to replace propane, sustainable fish ponds, planting of more native herbs to use in spa products.

Level 1: one or two land and nature conservation activities

Level 2: three land and nature conservation activities

Level 3: four land and nature conservation activities

Level 4: five land and nature conservation activities

Level 5: six or more land and nature conservation activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record land and nature conservation activities; (2) test and apply additional land and nature conservation methods; and (3) work towards specific land and nature conservation targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Land and Nature Conservation Level 5 (required).

Your Land and Nature Conservation Level (select 1 – 5): 4

Eco Rating Hawai iIsland Retreat Community

This category addresses policies and activities regarding staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the community.

Check all activities that apply:

__x_  hire staff residing near the resort          100_% local nationals
x__  use local suppliers                                60__% purchased goods produced locally
x__  re-invest resort income locally            _30__% income re-invested locally
_x_  pay above local prevailing wage
_x_  pay into local social security
_x_  provide health insurance or coverage
___  use regular staff meetings to educate staff about sustainable processes throughout the resort, in the garden, with waste disposal, etc
x___  provide educational awareness programs for staff, guests, suppliers and other members of the local community
___  provide sustainable transport to work for staff
__x_  take additional specific actions to support the local community. Please list actions and projects. Provide a venue for community meetings, classes, and events
___  Have enrolled your staff in any personal green training/certification schemes such as ecohelpline.com green leaf certification.

Level 1: one or two community activities

Level 2: three to five community activities

Level 3: six to seven community activities

Level 4: eight to nine community activities

Level 5: ten or more community activities.  In addition, there are written sustainability policies or environmental management systems to: (1) monitor and record community activities; (2) test and apply additional methods to support the community; and (3) work towards specific community targets.

Attach a copy of your policies if you achieve Community Level 5 (required).

Your Community Level (select 1 – 5):  4

YOUR OVERALL ECO SCORE (add your level for each category and divide by 5 and enter the result with the decimal point, e.g. 3.6):  4.2

We have three final questions which are not part of the eco rating: 

1. Please describe your single most important eco achievement: Creating a place that merges sustainability with refined accommodations as a model that demonstrates that luxury and sustainable can beautifully co-exist.

2. Indicate additional sustainable practices that you plan to institute within the next 6 months. Continue to build upon the organic garden, native plants, and add to the solar array

3. Is there anything else you would like to add to this eco rating?

Our mission is to develop a sustainable, luxury retreat and spa center that offers our visitors a meaningful, transformative stay that embraces a comfortable quality of life while protecting and nurturing nature’s bounty.

We strive to create a place of employment dedicated to the achievement of the highest standards of Ho’okipa (hospitality) and to the embodiment of the true spirit of Aloha (love) in each person who works here.

At Hawaii Island Retreat we foster the principal of Ola Lokahi (live in unity) by ensuring proper stewardship of the land and it’s human and natural resources while supporting and  employing sustainable development and business practices.  We are a model for sustainability practices and teach all who work and visit here how live in harmony with the land.

Hawaii Island Retreat endeavours to earn a reputation as a superior luxury boutique hotel and spa that is proud of its history, reverent of its legacy, and committed to excellence for the benefit of its guests, its employees, the surrounding communities, and the land