Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort announced that its newly renovated Tapa Tower has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This marks the first LEED-certified tower within the Park Hotels & Resorts portfolio, an independent spin-off from hospitality giant Hilton.
“We see the achievement of this LEED certification as another way we get to take care of this place we call home,” said Debi Bishop, managing director of Hilton Hawaiian Village. “This is a proud milestone that reflects our commitment to sustainability and our belief that preserving Hawaii’s natural beauty is essential for today’s guests, our community, and future generations.”
This certification was achieved for implementing practical, measurable strategies in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality during the renovation of Tapa Tower. These upgrades led to a 14% reduction in both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Located 0.1 miles from a main bus station and earning a walkability score of 90 out of 100, Tapa Tower supports reduced emissions by promoting alternatives to car travel. Low-flow plumbing fixtures contribute to over 29% in water savings, while all guest room mini-refrigerators are ENERGY STAR certified. To support a healthy indoor environment, all paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and flooring materials used were verified as low-emission or non-toxic. A comprehensive indoor air quality plan was implemented during construction to protect workers and future guests, including the use of green building materials and natural ventilation protocols.
A key aspect of the project was revitalizing an existing building, which posed greater challenges than certifying new construction. It required technical innovation and coordination to meet LEED’s criteria without compromising guest experience or daily operations.
“Sustainable upgrades in existing buildings are inherently more challenging,” said Torsten Biernat, director of sustainability at Baumann Consulting, the firm that led the certification effort. “Our role was to identify pathways to LEED credits while maintaining the integrity and operations of the hotel. This achievement demonstrates what’s possible when sustainability is fully integrated into a building’s renovation and operations planning.”