Maui’s Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Collection hotel is incorporating measures to reduce water consumption and electricity use at the property.

In 2008, Maui Electric Co. inducted the Grand Wailea into its “Energy Efficient Hall of Fame” for its strides in energy conservation — estimating Grand Wailea’s savings at more than 11.5 million kilowatt hours annually, since implementing energy efficiency measures.
Grand Wailea also received recognition from Energy Industries for its reduction in kilowatt hour usage via their Hawaii Green Business Award.
Early this year, the resort completed about $50 million in renovations begun in early 2008.
A number of energy saving features were introduced to the resort, including the upgrading to more efficient air conditioning systems, programmable thermostats, energy efficient lighting and higher efficiency motors for their water feature and pool systems.
Water conservation is also a key component of ongoing sustainability initiatives at the Grand Wailea. The resort voluntarily reduced its irrigation times for their landscaping saving approximately 4 million gallons of water per month. Landscape irrigation systems are also being retrofitted to low flow sprinkler heads or super efficient drip irrigation. And the laundry tunnel system recycles water and guests are provided the option to reuse their towels and linens, contributing to monthly water usage reduction at the Grand Wailea.
Other sustainability practices adopted by Grand Wailea include the use of local and organically grown produce and products, use of biodegradable plates made from sugar cane at the outdoor restaurants, utilizing green waste from the resort for compost and soil amendments around the property, and the use of timers and motions sensors to insure that lights and equipment are not accidentally left on.
The Grand Wailea, opened in 1991, is the largest employer in Maui County.