It’s been two weeks since we’ve returned from celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in Hawaii, and I can’t stop thinking about how perfect our stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa was. As you can probably guess from this website’s name, I care very deeply about green living. And even though vacation is meant to be an escape from reality, taking care of our planet is an inescapable commitment for me.

Eco travel with kids can be challenging since you also want it to be a relaxing time for you yet enjoyable for them too. So in reflecting on our week’s vacation at the Aulani, I’ve concluded that it’s the perfect mix of sustainable tourism and family-friendly fun.

 

Here are 8 reasons why I believe you’ll fall in love with the Aulani if you’re a family that cares about the environment and also likes to have fun:

 

#1: Sustainable design and LEED certified

When the Aulani opened 7 years ago, it was the first resort in all of Hawaii to receive the LEED Silver certification. That means that it meets certain standards of sustainability in its design and architecture. As you walk around the resort, you’ll see many of those standards in action.

• Certified wood that was sustainably sourced
• Low and zero VOC paints, sealants, and adhesives
• “Cool roof” technology and organic “green roofs” which keep the buildings cool and increase energy efficiency
• Pool water temperature maintained by LEED certified energy efficient HVAC units
• Energy efficient elevators that don’t rely on fossil fuel lubrication
• Motion activated lights in stairwells
• “Demand ventilation” for customized air quality that responds to room populations as they fluctuate throughout the day
• Low maintenance heat pipes help regulate interior temperatures
• Energy efficient compact florescent light bulbs used in guest rooms
• More than half the construction waste materials were recycled
• Resort-wide recycling program including food waste, electronics, batteries, and lightbulbs
• Compostable take out containers
• Cruelty-free and organic spa products
• 34 electric car-charging stations

And this is not even the complete picture of Aulani’s eco-friendly features. For a more extensive list and additional details on the above sustainability efforts, click here. If you’d like to read more about Disney’s company-wide environmental efforts, click here.

The Disney Imagineers worked hard in designing the Aulani to embody the Hawaiian concept of “mālama āina” which means “care of the land.” This principle is reflected in the sustainability profile of the resort. This is also a good segue to the next reason on the list.

 

#2: Hawaiian culture infused in every aspect of the resort

 

When you first enter the Maka’ala main lobby and see this soaring atrium in the shape of a traditional Hawaiian canoe house, it takes your breath away. From the moment you arrive at the Aulani, you can tell this resort was designed by people that prioritized celebrating and integrating Hawaiian culture.

 

 

We had such a fantastic time at this eco-friendly resort learning about the island’s history and traditions. One of our favorite experiences was KA WA’A – a luau that incorporates a Hawaiian style dinner buffet with live entertainment. More than any other luau I’ve attended before, KA WA’A features an impressive variety of interactive kamaaina arts and crafts, and a meaningful message about the importance of caring for our earth and all its inhabitants. You can read my in depth review of KA WA’A by clicking here.

 

 

#3: Waikolohe Valley water park

 

The centerpiece of the Aulani resort is the vast Waikolohe Valley pool area, which is flanked by two hotel towers and is adjacent to the Ko Olina Lagoon and beach. And within this area is hands down the best splash pad we have ever experienced!

 

 

Menehune, according to real legend, are tiny people who lived deep in hidden valleys long ago and were superb craftspeople. So, this kids fun zone was “built” by Menehune. And if you look closely you can see one of their wooden figures mischievously pouring a gourd full of water into the puddle below.

 

 

When my kids eventually got bored of splashing around here, there’s two more water slides, another small splash pad for toddlers, the meandering lazy river, multiple pools, and the beach for us to enjoy!

 

 

 

There was also a large fish tank that you can snorkel in for an additional fee (I think it was $20 per person but check the Aulani website for the exact pricing). And you didn’t have to snorkel to get up close and personal with the fishies. My daughter loved this viewing area, and you could watch the residents being fed from dry land.

#4: Eco-friendly activities

You don’t have to get wet to have fun at Aulani either. Painted Sky – HI Style Studio offers fun themed makeovers just for kids ages 3-12. The salon uses vegan, cruelty-free, and toxin-free make-up and nail polish. My son had the opportunity to receive an Aulani by Tori Richard makeover experience there, which you can read about by clicking here for my detailed review. Many of the accessories in his makeover package were eco-friendly, from the Olu Kai flip flops on his feet to the leather bracelet on his wrist, to the wooden Maui hook necklace (pictured below in his post-makeover photo).

 

 

Aulani also offers two free Maka Ikai tours of its grounds with an eco-friendly and cultural bent: one on the Nature And Wildlife Of Aulani Resort, and the other called Art and Culture.

 

 

 

#5: Conservation efforts

 

There’s a Hawaiian principle called “kuleana,” which essentially means responsibility. It’s our responsibility to care for the earth, just as our ancestors did generations ago for us, so that it in turn will provide for our descendants.

Looking at this gorgeous view, I’m reminded of why I care so deeply about the health of this planet. About keeping our beaches and oceans clean, and preserving the land for generations to come. I do it for my children, and for their children to come.

I’ve already mentioned some of Aulani’s sustainability efforts above. Here’s some more examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

#6: Organic, local, and sustainable food

At home, I serve organic, local, and sustainably sourced meals to my family almost exclusively. And we have a decent selection of like-minded restaurants for the times I just don’t feel like cooking. While traveling though, it can be challenging to find similar options. So I was thrilled to see Aulani had some organic, local, and sustainable items on their menu!

 

 

 

Sidenote: Since we had a full kitchen in our room, we were able to cook ourselves several meals which helped to save money. Though it’s not part of Aulani, there’s an ABC Grocery Store in the shopping center across the street which we picked up groceries from. It’s not a super market, but they had a decent selection of organic items like eggs, milk, chips etc.

 

 

#7: Biodegradable and plastic-free souvenirs

In an effort to reduce waste as consumers, we prioritize experiences and photos over material souvenirs on our vacations. However, I couldn’t help but pick up one of these wooden postcards. Thankfully, there was little guilt since it’s entirely compostable and biodegradable.

 

 

 

#8: Disney magic

The Aulani is the perfect meld of two of my favorite things: eco-friendly living and Disney. And one of the many things I like about Disney is the quality of their customer service. They go above and beyond to make sure that every guest on their properties has a wonderful stay. Pair that with the natural friendliness and bouyant spirit of Hawaiian culture, and you’ve got a resort that is practically perfect in every way.

Since we were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary on this trip, we received an extra generous dose of pixie dust.

 

 

 

 

Vacations are meant to be recharging for your body and your spirit. Being at a resort that has so many sustainability features made us feel right at home, and inspired me to redouble my eco-friendly efforts when we (reluctantly) returned to reality. 

 

• Aulani
• Disney
• Hawaii