The Hawai‘i Convention Center has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) v.4.1 O+M Gold recertification this week, marking a major milestone in the Center’s continued sustainability efforts.  

In 2018 the Center became the first “public assembly, convention center” to earn LEED v.4 O+M Gold Certification in the U.S., and was the only LEED project of its kind in Hawai‘i. The Center was recertified in August 2021 and again in September 2024. This 3-year recertification places the Center among a select group of buildings to complete an extensive review of sustainability and conservation practices. 

LEED, developed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the world’s most widely used green building rating system, with 197,000 projects worldwide.

“Since day one, the Hawai‘i Convention Center has implemented practices to reduce the impact of meetings and events and to be a responsible steward of our islands,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “Over the past decade, we have significantly expanded that commitment, and this recent LEED recertification is an important global recognition of those efforts.”

In June the Center was among 40 awardees representing five islands who were recognized by the Hawai‘i Green Business Program (HGBP), hosted by the Hawai‘i State Energy Office, the Hawai‘i State Department of Health, the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. 

In 2018 the Center launched its Hoʻomaluō Program, a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability with the goal of enhancing the guest, planner, staff and community meetings and events experience. Hoʻomaluō, (to conserve; to use or manage wisely), includes the Center’s work to conserve and reuse resources; maintain a high quality of operations, such as climate, guest comfort and building design; and careful attention to reducing waste throughout each stage in the event process.

Since 2016 the Center has incorporated guest education and participation through its One Million Trees program to support the reforestation of native and endemic trees in Hawai‘i in partnership with the nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI). In 2022 the Center developed a first-of-its-kind program that provides meeting organizers with the opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their meeting. It also offers individual attendees the ability to select and plant endemic and native trees virtually or in-person.

The Center’s carbon offset program is also in alignment with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s (HTA) four strategic pillars, particularly focusing on 'Respect for Our Natural & Cultural Resources,' by dedicating resources to programs that enhance and support Hawai‘i's natural resources and cultural sites, improving the quality of life for residents and enhancing the visitor experience.

About the Hawai‘i Convention Center
“Where Business and Aloha Meet,” the 1.1 million-square-foot Hawai‘i Convention Center provides a spacious, modern and flexible meeting space in the heart of Honolulu – all with an award-winning team and renowned aloha spirit. Conveniently located between East and West, the Center is a global leader for a diverse array of meetings and events, just steps from 30,000 hotel rooms in iconic Waikiki. The Center is a state-owned facility opened in 1998, and is managed by ASM Global. For more, visit HawaiiConvention.com.

 

About ASM Global

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. For more, visit www.asmglobal.com.

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