Halekulani Okinawa Achieves Gold Certification in Green Fins, the International Standard for Environmental Stewardship

Halekulani Okinawa (located at 1967-1 Nigima, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture; General Manager: Kenji Fukunaga) has achieved Gold certification under Green Fins, the international guideline promoting sustainable marine tourism, marking the highest level of recognition.

One of the resort’s core missions is “harmony with the local community.” Onna Village, designated as an SDGs Future City and known as the “Village of Coral,” became the first municipality in Japan to fully implement this international standard, which is currently active in 14 countries worldwide. Halekulani Okinawa deeply resonates with the village’s vision and has worked as a committed partner, rigorously minimizing tourism-related environmental impacts down to the finest operational details. This Gold certification affirms our dedication to preserving Onna Village’s rich natural environment and growing sustainably, as validated by stringent international standards.

During the assessment, the following specific initiatives were highly praised—implemented while maintaining the high standards of a luxury hotel—demonstrating how every staff member embraces environmental protection as a personal mission:

• Thoughtful practices that do not disrupt the natural ecosystem

The resort has equipped diving gear with dedicated clips to physically prevent contact with coral caused by dragging equipment underwater. Additionally, it has eliminated the use of disposable identification tapes for scuba tanks—once standard practice—and transitioned to reusable tags. These meticulous considerations, applied throughout daily operations, set a new standard for minimizing impact on the marine environment.

• Sustainable experiences co-created with guests

Prior to marine activities, guests are thoroughly briefed on maintaining appropriate distances from coral based on their experience level and on the correct use of life jackets. In addition to regular underwater cleanups by staff, guests are invited to participate in marine debris collection. This transforms each guest’s stay into a meaningful contribution to preserving Onna Village’s beautiful seas—an example of “co-creative hospitality.”

• Pride in being part of the local community

Staff members, deeply knowledgeable about Onna Village’s natural environment, convey its value and significance to guests, fostering a profound respect for the ocean. Their proactive engagement in marine conservation reflects the resort’s pride in harmonizing with and advancing alongside the local community.

■ Comment from Kenji Fukunaga, General Manager of Halekulani Okinawa

“This certification is a significant milestone in our commitment to pass on Okinawa’s ‘beautiful sea’ to future generations. Moving forward, Halekulani Okinawa will continue working hand-in-hand with the people of Onna Village to pursue a truly sustainable resort model, delivering authentic hospitality rooted in harmony with the local community.”

About Halekulani Okinawa

Halekulani Okinawa is the second property of the iconic Hawaiian hotel brand “Halekulani” and the first outside of Hawaii. Located in Onna Village on Okinawa’s main island, it is a luxury beachfront resort designed to blend with its natural surroundings. Situated within the Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park, the resort spans approximately 87,000 square meters and fronts a 1.7-kilometer coastline. It features four distinctive restaurants, bars, a BBQ area, Spa Halekulani, a fitness center, luxury boutiques, a 200-square-meter meeting and convention space, and five pools (four outdoor, one indoor). The main pool, the Orchid Pool, is adorned with a mosaic of about 1.5 million tiles depicting Cattleya orchids—the symbolic flower of Halekulani. Halekulani Okinawa is the third property in Japan to join The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), an exclusive global collection of the world’s most exceptional luxury hotels. Since 2023, it has also been the only hotel in Okinawa to join Virtuoso, the premier global luxury travel network connecting high-end travelers with luxury hotels and cruise lines.