Waikiki retailers asked by nonprofit to help in ‘shrinking our carbon footprint’

Some Waikiki retailers pledged to stop air conditioning the streets during the first week of September as thousands gather for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress.

Many Waikiki retailers keep their doors open, hoping the blast of cold air will attract customers as they walk by.

Blue Planet Foundation, a Honolulu-based clean energy nonprofit, said Wednesday approximately 10 stores have signed a “Climate Pledge” to keep doors closed while the stores run their air conditioning during the week of the conference — from today through Sept. 10.

The Waikiki stores planning to keep their chilled air inside include: AirBuggy, a baby stroller and travel gear retailer; Allure Swimwear, a women’s swimsuit boutique; Bank of Hawaii; Hermes of Paris, a high-fashion clothing and accessory retailer; Island Sole, a lifestyle and apparel store; Mahina, a women’s apparel shop; Saint Laurent Paris, a luxury fashion house; and Tory Burch, a women’s designer clothing and accessories retailer.

Blue Planet Foundation said the pledge is part of an initiative, called “Close It for the Climate” put on by the nonprofit and Hawaii Energy, the state’s rate-payer-funded energy efficiency program.

The initial participants make up a small portion of the 162 stores Blue Planet Foundation surveyed, which usually run air conditioning with their doors open.

Blue Planet Foundation said that of the 201 Waikiki stores the nonprofit surveyed, 196 had air conditioning and 34 of them already had their doors closed.

“Likely over 80 percent of the stores in Waikiki are air conditioning the outside,” said Melissa Miyashiro, chief of staff for Blue Planet Foundation.

Miyashiro said that many of the stores that didn’t participate said it was because of corporate restrictions.

“Although some stores expressed concerns about being bound by corporate restrictions, most employees we talked to were excited about the program,” she said. “It’s something that people can see and feel.”

Some stores not in Waikiki asked to sign the pledge.

Lauren Williams, owner of the Wedding Cafe at Ward Warehouse, said she saw the initiative on social media.

“I know they were really trying to get a lot of Waikiki business and I commented and ask them if we could participate,” Williams said. “We already keep our doors closed and usually write messages on our door saying ‘stay cool keep AC inside.’ This is something we already do on really hot days.”

Williams said some businesses avoid closing doors because they don’t want to seem unwelcoming.

“There is a little bit of intimidation to enter. Of course, as retailers we want as many people to come through the door … as possible,” Williams said. “I think this campaign makes people think twice about that. A closed door does not mean we’re too good for you.”

Jeff Mikulina, executive director of the Blue Planet Foundation, said he applauds the participating stores for sending the right message to visitors.

“Keeping the doors closed while the air conditioning is on is a common sense climate solution,” Mikulina said in a statement. “The World Conservation Congress is Hawaii’s chance to shine and show the world that we are serious about shrinking our carbon footprint.”

The IUCN, being held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, is the world’s largest environmental and nature conservation summit, with more than 150 countries represented.

Stores and restaurants can take the pledge online at cooltheclimate.com.