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Ocean-friendly recognition event highlights West Maui businesses

More than 120 people attended the “Ridge to Reef Rendezvous” in August at Kahekili Beach Park (also known as Old Airport Beach) in Kaanapali. The annual community celebration of ridge-to-reef environmental stewardship in West Maui is in its seventh year.

The event featured an Ocean-Friendly Business recognition ceremony, established to honor 30 businesses and properties that are part of four recognition and certification programs: West Maui Kumuwai’s Ocean-Friendly Landscaper and Property Pledges, Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean-Friendly Restaurant program, and Hawaii Ecotourism Association’s Sustainable Tour Operator certification program.

West Maui County Council Member Elle Cochran presided over the event as emcee. “What a winning combination, education and fun for a positive outcome for our makai and mauka,” she said. “I was extremely impressed with the turnout of hotels, condos, landscapers, restaurants and businesses who took the pledge to be better stewards willingly, and I appreciate the various government entities who were there too – the Division of Aquatic Resources and Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, and Rob Parsons, our environmental coordinator for the county.”

Duane Sparkman, engineering/landscaping manager at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa and one of the honorees for having taken the property and landscaper pledges, said, “I have been a proponent of change in the landscape industry here, on Maui. With the West Maui Kumuwai pledge we can really home in on what are truly pono landscape practices.”

Lauren Blickley, program manager with Hawaii Ecotourism Association, added: “Hawaii Ecotourism Association is proud to see so many West Maui tour companies committed to sustainability and protecting Maui’s natural and cultural resources. The ‘Ridge to Reef Rendezvous’ is a great opportunity to connect with local community members and promote sustainable tourism from a community level.”

The event was coordinated by partners within the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative (R2R), West Maui Kumuwai Campaign, Project S.E.A.-Link and Ka’anapali Makai Watch.

Event sponsors included: the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Honua Kai West Maui Community Fund and the Kaanapali North Beach Masters Association.

Lunch was donated by CJ’s Deli & Diner, Sangrita Grill and the Westin Kaaanapali Ocean Resort Villas. The latter also sponsored recycling on-site for the event.

A full list of businesses and properties recognized in the Ocean-Friendly Business ceremony follows:

Landscapers:

A Nutt Nurseries, Dragonfly Bamboo, LLC, E’Scapes, He-Man Services, Ho’oulu ‘Aina Farms & Landscape Services, Kaanapali Operations Association, Keep It Green Residential & Commercial Landscape, Lokahi Landscaping, Malama Lawns, Mauiscapes, LLC, Mel’s Yard Service, Mohala Garden Design and Maintenance, SGS Hawai’i, West Maui Lawn and Landscape, Z.E.L.M-Zero Emission Landscape Maintenance.

Properties:

Kahana Sunset, Maui Kai, Maui Sands, Mahinahina Beach, Polynesian Shores, Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, Westin Maui Resort & Spa.

Tour Operators:

Aloha Kayaks Maui, Atlantis Adventures, Hawaiian Paddle Sports, Maui Kayak Adventures, Maui Nei Native Expeditions, Pacific Whale Foundation, Trilogy Excursions.

Restaurants:

Choice Health Bar, Bamboo Fresh.

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