Wailea Luxury Resort Earns Top Sustainability Award for Maui Restoration

Fairmont Kea Lani recognized for native reforestation, dune rehabilitation, and green building efforts.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Fairmont Kea Lani, a luxury resort in Wailea, Hawaii, has been named the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association's Leader in Sustainability for its work in native reforestation, coastal dune restoration, and green building initiatives. The resort partnered with local organizations to plant thousands of native and fruit trees in areas impacted by recent wildfires, and also helped remove invasive species and restore a historic fishpond at the Waihe'e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge.

Why it matters

The sustainability award highlights Fairmont Kea Lani's efforts to weave cultural stewardship and environmental restoration into its daily operations, setting an example for the broader visitor industry on Maui. As the island continues to recover from the 2023 wildfires, the resort's work in reforestation and dune rehabilitation is helping to heal the land and support long-term ecosystem resilience.

The details

In addition to the on-the-ground restoration work, Fairmont Kea Lani also secured LEED Silver certification in 2025 and a 5 Green Key rating for reducing energy and water use. The resort now sources a large share of its power through green-energy purchases and an on-site 800 kW solar system, while cutting indoor water use by more than 30 percent.

  • Fairmont Kea Lani was named the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association's Leader in Sustainability at the Na Po'e Pa'ahana ceremony on February 11, 2026.
  • The resort secured LEED Silver certification and a 5 Green Key rating in 2025.

The players

Fairmont Kea Lani

A luxury oceanfront resort in Wailea, Hawaii, that has been recognized for its sustainability efforts, including native reforestation, coastal dune restoration, and green building initiatives.

Treecovery Hawaii

A local organization that partnered with Fairmont Kea Lani to raise thousands of native and fruit trees for reforestation projects in areas impacted by the 2023 wildfires.

Hawaii Land Trust

A nonprofit organization that oversees the Waihe'e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge, where Fairmont Kea Lani staff and volunteers helped remove invasive species and restore a historic fishpond.

Michael Pye

The regional vice president and general manager of Fairmont Kea Lani, who was tapped as the Maui County chair of the 2026 Visitor Industry Charity Walk, underscoring the resort's role in local philanthropy.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Fairmont Kea Lani will continue its sustainability efforts, including ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the reforestation and dune restoration projects, as well as exploring additional ways to reduce its environmental impact and support the local community.

The takeaway

Fairmont Kea Lani's recognition as the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association's Leader in Sustainability demonstrates how luxury resorts can play a meaningful role in environmental restoration and community engagement, setting an example for the broader visitor industry on Maui.