The Surfrider Foundation Hawaii celebrated the milestone of certifying 100 restaurants in its Ocean Friendly Restaurants program last week at Koko Head Cafe, where a menu prepared by chef Lee Anne Wong featured such sustainable catch as akule and nairagi.
Participating in the program was a no-brainer for the cafe’s owner, Kevin Hanney, who studied alternative energy in the 1980s, before most people had heard of global warming. He said he ended up in the restaurant business because few renewable-energy jobs were available at the time, but sustainable practices have always been at the heart of his business philosophy.
Between the time invitations went out and the event took place Thursday, the number of certified restaurants had grown to 113.
The program was initiated in 2015 by the Surfrider Foundation’s San Diego chapter, based on scientific predictions that by 2050 there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Given this scenario, the Surfrider Foundation introduced certification for restaurants that avoid using disposable plastic food-service items that often end up polluting the environment.
The Hawaii chapter launched the program on Earth Day in April. Criteria include no Styrofoam use; only reusable plates, cups and utensils on-site; proper recycling practices; no plastic bags or bottles used; and straws and takeout bags offered only on request.
The group will roll out the program nationally this Earth Day, according to Stuart H. Coleman, Hawaiian Islands manager for the foundation.
“We started with plastic pollution, with optional criteria going forward,” he said.
New criteria include adding water conservation practices through the introduction of low-flow faucets and toilets, energy efficiency efforts and the offering of vegetarian/vegan food options and sustainably sourced fish.
Coleman said the foundation is working with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program, which recommends seafood choices based on sustainable practices and health research.
“It started with restaurants wanting to do the right thing, but they’re seeing that it’s driving traffic through social media posts,” Coleman said. “And it’s a good thing that our Ocean Friendly Restaurants happen to be some of the best in Hawaii, everyone from Ed Kenney’s restaurants, Kevin Hanney’s Koko Head Cafe and 12th Ave Grill to little bistros and brewpubs.”
To register or nominate a restaurant for the OFR program, email ofr@surfrider.org. The full list of OFR restaurants on Hawaii island, Kauai, Maui and Oahu is at oceanfriendlyrestaurantshawaii.org.
