Meeting planners can offset the environmental impact of their events by reforesting native trees in Hawai‘i

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is launching a first-of-its-kind program that provides carbon offset opportunities for all meetings and events.
The program provides meeting organizers with the opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their meeting, as well as offer individual attendees the ability to select and plant endemic and native trees virtually or in-person. These efforts are part of the Center’s Hoʻomaluō (to conserve or manage wisely) conservation program. Hoʻomaluō guides the Center’s leadership in environmental best practices, including energy consumption, water use and waste diversion.
The Center’s carbon offset program is also in alignment with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s (HTA) vision of Mālama Kuʻu Home (Caring for My Beloved Home). HTA’s objective is to help empower the community to have a greater voice in tourism’s future, with a focus on regenerating the environment, perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, recognizing Hawai‘i’s multiethnic cultures and supporting responsible economic outcomes.
“The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s industry-leading environmental practices help reduce the impact of our meetings and events, and provide organizers and attendees with customized, turnkey options to protect our natural resources right here in Hawai‘i,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global.
In 2018 the Center achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v.4 O+M Gold certification, which was recertified in 2021. In January the Center was recognized among 14 venues and events with the 2021 Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP) Award by the State of Hawai‘i for its energy efficiency and sustainable business practices.
The Center has offered its One Million Trees initiative since 2016, partnering with the statewide nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) to reforest native and endemic trees in Hawai‘i. The Center’s new carbon offset program is offered through Hawai‘i-based Legacy Carbon, which is dedicated to providing the highest-quality, cost-effective certified carbon offsets in the world. The program has been certified by the prestigious Switzerland-based Gold Standard Foundation and is the first forestry project in North America to issue Gold Standard credits.
The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s carbon footprint was calculated by Greenview in partnership with Legacy Carbon. Greenview is a sustainability firm that provides hospitality organizations with research, consulting and advisory services, as well as the leading online sustainability data platform.
To learn more about the carbon offset program, visit the Center’s website or e-mail info@hccasm.com.