Our Kuleana

We've partnered with NOAA to count humpback whales off the shores of Turtle Bay. Humpback whales visit our waters beginning in November through April, with the peak season being from January to March. Come take part in the sanctuary’s award-winning outreach program that gives volunteers the opportunity to monitor and record humpback whale behaviors during their stay in Hawaiian waters.

We host monthly clean-ups and partner with community groups such as Sustainable Coastlines, Surfrider Foundation, and Parley Hawaii. We've also partnered with the North Shore Community Land Trust (NSCLT) to conduct community workdays every second Saturday of the month, focusing on sand dune restoration at Kahuku Point. 

The resort partnered with local plant nursery Hui Ku Maoli Ola to transform its surroundings by removing invasive species and reintroducing plants unique to the North Shore. Now, 58% of the 29 acres directly surrounding the main building, Ocean Bungalows, and Ocean Villas have been restored to endemic, native, or Polynesian-introduced.

• Food Waste - The resort has teamed up with local organizations to feed the hungry across the North Shore by donating bulk leftover meals from banquet functions. Foods unsafe for such practices are discarded and used by local farms.
• Post Consumer Biodegradable Items - To reduce plastic and styrofoam products, all cups in our restaurants and outlets are either washable and reusable or are made from corn-based or post-consumer materials, which break down quicker. 
• Bio-Diesel Conversion - Sharing in the mission of preserving our natural resources, the resort has partnered with nearby Brigham Young University, Hawai’i, in turning the hundreds of gallons of oil used in our kitchen into biodiesel used by the University to fuel its fleet of vehicles.

Our signature restaurant, Alaia, was named an Ocean Friendly Restaurant by the Surfrider Foundation in 2023. The program identifies eco-conscious restaurants across the country dedicated to prioritizing sustainable practices for ocean conservation, allowing patrons to dine with a peace of mind.

In December 2013, Turtle Bay became the first Oahu resort with a solar roof installation. The energy savings are immense, reducing the amount of fossil fuel usage equivalent to 4.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next ten years. That’s equivalent to planting 350 acres of forest. Our new roof also saves 1,000 barrels of oil annually, diverted from the production of electricity.  In 2021, the resort added solar panels to each cluster of Ocean Bungalows.

An Energy Management System automates chillers and air conditioning systems in areas not in use. Each room has been fitted with a special monitor that allows for the setting of room temperature upon check-in or before the start of a function/event.

To greatly reduce the demand for fresh water, the golf courses use the resort’s wastewater, treated and recycled through our wastewater treatment plant. The recycled water acts as a natural fertilizer to the golf courses’ paspalum turfgrass, which is saltwater-tolerant and ideal for the North Shore environment. With the salt now present in the turfgrass, we allow it to work in our favor as a natural herbicide to prevent unwanted plants and weeds. The paspalum turf also serves a vital role in cleansing nutrients and contaminants from the recycled water as it moves through the soil and into the underground aquifer that supplies multiple outlets, including the resort’s potable water and the Board of Water Supply.

Resort-wide recycling has gone full-effect, with an average increase of 1.8 tons of recycling over the last two years. Trash numbers have also gone down 0.4 tons each month. Recycling collection centers are located in designated areas of the resort for both guests and employees.

The bulk of green waste from foliage is turned into mulch, while a small amount is used in our composting area. Our landscaping company mixes green compost with horse manure from our stables for planting material.

Linen Program - A fresh set of bed linens will be arranged after the third night of each guest's stay, allowing us to reduce the amount of water and detergent used. To further support our sustainability efforts, only towels left in the bathtub are replaced. 

Restrooms and showers throughout the resort have also been upgraded to reduce water usage in toilets, urinals, and showers. With the upgrade, water usage has significantly decreased.

Resort pools have been converted to use natural salt water rather than chemically-based chlorine. The saline system eliminates the need to manufacture, transport, and store pool chlorine that is not as friendly to the environment.

There are four E-Vehicle charging stations available on-site for resort guests and visitors. Additional fees will apply.