Early last year, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa took a step closer toward a sustainable future, spending $300,000 to convert a 4,000-square-foot tennis court into an edible garden.
The resort now produces 300 pounds and seven varieties of fresh baby lettuce per week, with plans of adding tomatoes and herbs by the end of the year. The harvest is served at restaurants and events at the resort.
While an edible garden is no novel idea within the hospitality industry, what makes the Grand Hyatt Kauai especially unique is the highly efficient hydroponic method they use to grow their crops. Since a hydroponic garden works without soil, the Grand Hyatt is able to save on land space and water consumption, as well as minimize the need for pesticides.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden began as a vision of resort owner Toichi Takenaka, whose philosophy is to contribute to society by passing on the best works to future generations. With the help of two interns from Kauai Community College, Takenaka’s vision came to life. The internships sponsored by the resort provided valuable experiential learning in design, construction, and operation of a local, innovative food producing method.
Kauai Community College Chancellor Helen Cox praised the collaboration, “We're honored to have partnered on this project that will provide fresh produce for people dining at the Grand Hyatt and will directly benefit the local economy by providing sustainable jobs now and for future generations".
This sustainable model for food production is one of many environmentally friendly initiatives that the Grand Hyatt Kauai has undertaken. The resort also features solar panels, comprehensive recycling, LED lighting, earth friendly dry cleaning machines, pools heated with reclaimed heat, carpet made from recycled yarn, and energy-saving ceiling fans.
If Hawaii is on your list of travel destinations, we recommend the Garden Island of Kauai. Tours and tastings of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden are offered weekly to provide guests the opportunity to see and learn about the hydroponic growing process as well as enjoy the fresh greens.
