MAUNA LANI RESORT NAMED 'EARTH-FRIENDLY' GETAWAY BY CONDE NAST TRAVELER MAGAZINE

02/04/2008

Big Island Resort the Only Hawaii Property Honored as Luxury Eco-Friendly Beach Destination

KOHALA COAST, Hawaii (January 29, 2008) – Mauna Lani Resort has been named one of the “World’s Top Earth-Friendly Getaways” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in their January, 2008 issue. The award-winning Big Island resort was recognized as one of the world’s top luxury, eco-friendly beach destinations, and is the only resort in Hawaii named in the collection.

“Since opening 25 years ago, Mauna Lani Resort has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship in the resort industry,” said Mark Glickman, Mauna Lani’s Director of Resort Marketing. “As we continue to add new amenities and programs, we always do so with an eye toward remaining true to the Hawaiian practice of malama ‘aina, or responsible stewardship of the land. Preserving Hawaii’s resources, environment and culture is an important aspect of the resort experience at Mauna Lani and it resonates with our guests who are inspired to come back year after year.”

Mauna Lani’s eco-friendly solar energy innovations have earned the resort the distinction of generating the most solar electric power of any luxury resort in the world. Covering three acres, the PowerLight photovoltaic system provides operating power and supplies the majority of the resort’s daytime water pumping power requirements. It is estimated that over the 25-year lifetime of the environmentally friendly system, emissions of carbon dioxide will be reduced by almost 12,000 tons.

The golf water system for Mauna Lani Resort’s Francis H. I’i Brown Golf Courses pumps more than three million gallons of water per day and waters 38 golf holes. In addition, there are two maintenance warehouses, a cart barn and an 8,000 square foot air-conditioned pro-shop. More than 50% of the electricity required by the golf operation is solar. These solar systems spare the environment from thousands of tons of harmful emissions (NOx, SOx and CO2), and also generate internal rates of return above 20%.

On the greens, the use of drought-resistant salam seashore paspalum grass requires considerably less fertilizer and herbicides, contributing to the resort’s environmentally friendly golf operation. At Mauna Lani Spa, a photovoltaic system operates a one-of-a-kind lava watsu pool where spa-goers can experience an aquatic body therapy complete with underwater acoustics, lighting effects, mild temperatured salt water and a cascading waterfall.

Conde Nast Traveler also recognized Mauna Lani Resort’s green sea turtle program as an ecotourism attraction. Since 1989, in collaboration with Oahu’s Sea Life Park by Dolphin Discovery, Mauna Lani Resort has raised juvenile honu (turtle) in its saltwater ponds until they are large enough to be released in the wild. The honu are part of the resort’s complimentary fishing feeding tour designed to raise awareness of the endangered species. Each Fourth of July, Mauna Lani Resort releases healthy juvenile honu into the ocean as part of their annual Turtle Independence Day celebration. Since the program’s inception, more than 125 juvenile honu have been released into the wild.

Mauna Lani Resort has also been recognized by The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE) and Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) for significantly advancing development of the green power market. Mauna Lani first won this award in 2004 and continues to excel at protecting the environment. Mauna Lani was also the recipient of the Green Business Award from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Hawaii Hotel Association, the Hawaii Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, and the Hawaii Department of Health. The resort also won the Keep It Hawaii Kahili Award for its historic tours program for school children, the historic preservation of the Kalahuipua’a Fishponds, the native Hawaiian green sea turtle program, and other cultural programs.

For more information or reservations, call 800-367-2323 or visit www.maunalani.com.

About Mauna Lani Resort

Mauna Lani Resort sits oceanfront on the finest stretch of shoreline on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i. Located 23 miles north of the Kona International Airport, this 3,200 acre-resort features the luxurious Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Mauna Lani Spa and the Francis H. I’i Brown North and South golf courses. For reservations call 800-367-2323 or visit www.maunalani.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
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