Grand Hyatt Kaua'i partners with UH to build hydroponics garden

Kauaʻi Community College
Contact:
Camilla Matsumoto, (808) 245-8280
Director, Comm Outreach & Spec Proj, Chancellor's Office
Posted: Sep 10, 2014

Hydroponics garden partners from UH, Kaua'i CC, Grand Hyatt Kaua'i, and Kawailoa Development.
Hydroponics garden partners from UH, Kaua'i CC, Grand Hyatt Kaua'i, and Kawailoa Development.

Grand Hyatt of Kaua'i Resort and Spa’s dining menus will soon feature freshly grown produce from their own hydroponics garden. The resort is partnering with the University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Kaua'i Community College to design, construct and operate the hydroponics garden unit on the grounds of the resort in Po'ipu. Their Tennis Court 3 will serve as a data gathering and training site during the preliminary phase of the project.   The estimated cost for this phase is $300,000.

The Hyatt is sponsoring internships for two Kaua'i CC students, providing valuable hands-on learning experiences in both construction and the operation of a local innovative food producing method.

Jun Fukada, Hyatt Owner Representative from Kawailoa Development LLP stated: “We are very pleased to partner with the UH system in realizing practical and sustainable food production on-site. The internships will significantly help move this project forward.”

The Hyatt, forefront promoter of sustainability in the state, welcomes opportunities to support the training of future employees and development of jobs in the field.  “This fits into the global sustainability mission of food thoughtfully sourced, carefully served,” said Keith Butz, Hyatt’s General Manager.

Kaua'i CC’s Chancellor Helen Cox said, “The College is very appreciative that two of our students are being offered internships at the Hyatt during both the hydroponic unit construction as well as four weeks of hands-on operations experience.”   

“What a sensible way to create local jobs in growing local food literally on-site in a very progressive way with the use of hydroponics,” added Eric Knutzen, Kaua'i CC’s Executive Director of Ho'ouluwehi:  the Sustainable Living Institute of Kaua'i.