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Hawaiian Cultural Center Opens at Grand Hyatt Kauai
2023

Following a traditional Hawaiian blessing the new cultural center at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Ke Kumu O Hihinui, welcomes guests, residents and colleagues to gather, grow knowledge of, and deepen their connection to Hawaiian culture.

 

The resort offers weekly, hands-on classes in hula, ukulele, and the making of flower lei, kukui nut bracelets, pua hulu (feather flower), and more. The resort’s Manager of Hawaiian Culture, Moani Tolentino, states “This is a place where everyone can come together to learn through ma ka hana ka ike (hands on experiences), but also a place where they become teachers too by sharing their mana`o (ideas) and aloha with others.”

 

Establishing a sense of history upon entering, the Center includes a number of Hawaiian arts and artifacts, books and more. Ke Kumu O Hihinui welcomes all to visit, learn, share mana`o and aloha.


News
Grand Hyatt Kauai Bids Aloha to General Manager
2023

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa welcomes new leader, Michael Murphy, as General Manager.

 

Murphy, a 24-year Hyatt veteran has led teams from Washington to Nevada, California to Texas.  Murphy will be packing up after record snow at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe as he eagerly returns to the islands, having done a stint at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa from 2010-2014.

 

A warm welcome was given Murphy with his arrival announced by the blowing of a conch shell followed by a chant led by the resort’s Manager of Hawaiian Culture, Moani Tolentino.  Colleagues of the resort greeted him with aloha, showering him with lei. 

 

“I am excited and beyond honored to join the team at Grand Hyatt Kauai and my wife and I are ecstatic to return to the Aloha State,” Murphy stated. Family is everything to Murphy, he will be joined by his wife Lety, son Connor, nearly 4, Millie, nearly 2, and Dory, their Mini Goldendoodle. Work-Life balance being a key to success, Murphy’s other passion is health and fitness. He’s looking forward to adding beach runs and swims to his 4:30am workouts in addition to exploring the Garden Island on family hikes. 


Events
Grand Hyatt Kauai's Prince Kuhio Celebration
March 2023

In honor of Hawaii’s beloved Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a day celebrating the arts will be hosted at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.

 

On Friday, March 24, opening protocol ceremonies kick-off the day at 8:50am followed by an artisan and craft fair in the resort’s lobby atrium from 9:15am – 1:00pm. There will be poi pounding and pa`akai (salt) making sessions, weaving and lei hulu (feather lei) lessons with music from Nick Castillo, Kirby Keough, and Kyle La Benze throughout. Then on Sunday, March 26 from 4:30-5:00pm the booming sounds of taiko drumming will fill the lobby atrium.

 

Prince Kuhio, in line for succession to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was born in 1871 and committed his life to improving the lives of the Hawaiian people. He knew that cooperation, not resistance, was the key to building political power. This led him to serve as a delegate of the Territory of Hawaii in the US Congress for 10 terms. In 1919 he introduced a bill for Hawaii to become a State. Four decades later, in 1959, Hawaii became the 50th State in the US. Prince Kuhio also worked to get the 1921 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act passed. His life and legacy were dedicated to the people of Hawaii.


Events

Grand Hyatt Kauai Hosts 6th Annual Bum Run, A Colon Cancer Awareness Event

 

 

March 2023

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa kicked it off by lighting their renowned lobby atrium for the month in blue, the color for colon cancer awareness. The resort also hosted its sixth annual Bum Run on Saturday, March 4, after a three year hiatus due to covid restrictions. Though little talked about, colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer yet screening is easy and it is highly curable. Diagnosis is rising at younger ages, rates among those 55 and under have more than doubled in the past 15 years.

 

The Bum Run drew more than 120 people for the fun run/walk offering breathtaking views from the back 9 holes on Poipu Bay Golf Course. Coupled with a successful silent auction featuring locally made jewelry, island activities, stays at The Hyatt’s in San Francisco, San Diego, Maui and Oahu, dining, spa and more. Proceeds from the event go to support American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life-Kauai.

 

The resort has lost a number of their ‘ohana to this disease, have some facing the challenge currently and have some who have overcome the challenge and continue to thrive. With the ultimate goal being that no one ever has to hear the words “You have cancer”, the awareness brought from previous events saw increased screenings taking place thereafter. Anyone 45 or older should absolutely be screened and anyone with a family history of the disease or concerns should as well.  “This awareness event is so needed and the monies raised for American Cancer Society help Kauai residents with cancer treatment” stated Diann Hartman, Director of Marketing Communications, a stage 4 colon cancer survivor herself. “It’s a fun way to start the day on a beautiful course which many, unless they golf, don’t ever see. There were Nene on the course and whale sightings in addition to the views.”  The event draws residents and visitors alike, with runners this year from Colorado, Alaska, California and Florida. A former gastroenterologist on Kauai participated and made a point of thanking the organizers for this much needed event, “Even if only one of these people gets screened and catches something early, that’s a life saved”, he stated.


News
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Saltwater Lagoon

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Environmental Initiatives

We at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa are committed to reducing our impact on the environment by conserving natural resources and reducing waste.  Following are a few of the steps we have taken:

REDUCE

- Solar photovoltaic system, covering 18,500 sq. ft.  produces 465,000 kWh per year of clean renewable energy which reduces CO2 emissions by 415 tons annually.

- 4,000 sq ft hydroponic garden produces 300lbs of lettuce for the resort each week.

- Reusable water bottles in guestrooms with filtered water stations throughout resort reduce individual use water bottles by 50,000 per month; 600,000 per year. 

- 2021 LED replacement in all large chandeliers and wall sconces. A 2011 & 2012 LED light replacement of 15,000 bulbs reduced lighting kWh by 70%.  Previous CFL replacement in 1995 reduced usage by 800 kWh per year.

- First Level 3 electric vehicle fast charger in the State.

- Air-conditioning is controlled on an Energy Management System.  Unoccupied rooms are slightly cooled.  

- Exhaust fans in kitchens and pumps for water features are controlled electronically on timers for an annual estimated savings of 250,000 kWh.

- Allowing guests to choose whether to have linens refreshed daily saves 500,000 gallons of water per year.

- Green Earth dry cleaning machines replace petroleum based solvents with silicone, made from silica or sand.

- Nearly 60,000 sq. ft. of grass covered roofs reduce cooling needs and energy use.

- Wet waste from kitchens goes to pig farmers for feed, reducing waste to landfill.

REUSE

- Energy efficient AquaRecycle system for laundry water reduces water usage by 10.5 million gallons annually and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 332 metric tons.

- 100% of green waste is utilized for compost.

- Waste cooking oil is collected and processed into bio-diesel fuel.

- All usable items such as mattresses, art, furniture, dishes, etc. are sold in fundraisers for local charities.

RECYCLE

- Recycle bins are available in all guestrooms as well as throughout the resort for guests to deposit glass, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans.  

- Each office workspace recycles.

- We divert over 60% of our waste from the landfill, including an average of 15 tons of recyclables, 12 tons of green waste and 35 tons of wet waste per month.

- Take-out packaging is made from biodegradable materials.

- Heat produced by the air conditioning system is converted to heat water for our swimming pools.  This process decreases environmental pollution and conserves 205,000 kWh each year.

 

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Saltwater Lagoon

News
Grand Hyatt Kauai

Though the resort suspended operations in April due to travel restrictions and COVID-19, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa has not been idle. Improvements to facilities and guestrooms have been made, accolades received as one of the best resorts in Hawaii, and accreditation gained for its cleanliness and safety protocols.  

 

Named to the two most prestigious awards lists in the travel industry, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa was honored in the Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards as well as the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards as one of the best resorts in Hawaii. For these awards readers weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more.

 

Prior to suspending operations, the resort’s focus on cleanliness and wellbeing was recognized with the AAA Best of Housekeeping Award. Enhanced cleaning protocols led to receiving this award which recognizes housekeeping that significantly exceeded expectations of AAA inspectors during their visit.

 

The resort also recently received accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) indicating it has proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices in place to minimize risks associated with infectious agents like the novel coronavirus. “This accreditation assures workers and guests that the resort has systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “This third-party validation shows that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.”  To achieve GBAC STAR™ accreditation, the resort was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. Learn more about GBAC STAR accreditation at www.gbac.org.

 

The resort has taken full advantage of this time to make the experience even better when guests return.

  • The resort’s renowned pools have new pool decks and socially distanced seating in sun or shade.
  • The multi-phased guestroom renovation moved ahead with all new carpeting and the addition of an accent bench at the foot of the bed, an ottoman for the seating area and a media hutch. These enhancements complement the renovation which began in late 2018 with new televisions, credenzas, chairs and sofas, with Nespresso machines and refrigerators added in 2019.
  • Three top tier suites have been completely renovated with six additional to be completed by year’s end.
  • Many facilities improvements have also been made including safety enhancements, exterior paint and repair, along with extensive landscaping to open the resort view planes.
Grand Hyatt Kauai

Awards
Travel + Leisure World's Best Award
2022
Inducted to the Hall of Fame for this Award, with over a decade of honors as one of the best resorts in Hawaii. (Also chosen 2001-2017, 2020, 2021)

Awards
AAA Four Diamond Award
2023
Thirtieth year the resort has received the award, recognizing high levels of hospitality, attentiveness to detail, upscale design in lodging, restaurants, and amenities.

Awards
US News & World Report Best Hotels
2023

Ranked in Top 10% of luxury hotels, achieving Elite Gold status. (Also ranked in 2015-21).

Also on Top 15 Pool Hotels in US and Top 15 Spa Hotels in Hawaii 2019.


Awards
Hawaii Magazine, Reader’s Choice Awards 
2023

The resort was recognized on Kauai as the: Best Luxury Resort, Best for Families, Best for a Romantic Getaway, Best Staff, Best for a Wedding.

Tidepools as the Best Resort Restaurant, Best Restaurant >$60pp #2, Most Romantic #2.

Poipu Bay was honored as one of the Best Golf Courses and Anara Spa as the best Spa on the island.


Awards
Brides, Top 10 Honeymoon Resorts in Hawaii
2022
Brides, Top 10 Honeymoon Resorts in Hawaii

Awards
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
2022

Recognized for receiving glowing reviews from travelers.


The resort and Tidepools are in the Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame, ranked 2011-21.

Stevenson’s, Seaview, Ilima, Poipu Bay Golf Course also ranked.


Awards
GolfWeek: America's Best Courses
2023
Poipu Bay Golf Course was rated #6 among the best resort courses in Hawaii. (Also rated in 2006-2022)

Awards
AAA Best of Housekeeping Award
2022
Housekeeping significantly surpassed expectations, as measured during the inspector’s comprehensive on-site inspections. 

Awards
Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards 2021
2021
Honored by over 600,000 readers as one of the best resorts in Hawaii. (Also ranked 2009-2019. Top Pacific Rim Resorts 1991, 1992, 1996 - 2000, 2002-2004. Best in The World 2000-2006. Top 100 Resorts 2007 - #1 on Kauai.)

Awards
The Garden Island Best of Kauai
2022
Chosen as the #1 Resort on Kauai and Anara Spa as #1 spa.

Awards
Smart Meetings, Platinum Choice Award & Smart Stars Award for Best Island Resort
2022
Chosen by readers for exceeding standards of excellence for service, amenities, ambiance, and meeting facility quality. (2004, 2007, 2010-2021)

Awards
TripAdvisor Most Romantic Restaurants 2021
2021
Tidepools is consistently recognized as one of the top 3 most romantic restaurants on Kauai.

Awards
Meetings Today Best of
2018
For demonstrating an unwavering commitment to hospitality and service. (14 time winner).

Awards
Leaders in Sustainability
2019
Hyatt Resorts in Hawaii were recognized by the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association for going above and beyond to implement sustainable practices in everyday operations.