We want to give the guest a carefree vacation while ensuring that our practices leave a light footprint on the earth, and that their stay will not adversely impact the physical or cultural environment.  We have 4 bures, a restaurant, organic garden, solar, wind, and hydro electric power on ten acres on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

We are located midway on Taveuni’s western side, on a bluff overlooking the world-famous Somosomo Straight and Rainbow Reef.  We are surrounded by rainforest and have a 200 degree view of the Pacific and offshore islands. 

We try to rely exclusively on alternative energy, using 1500 watt solar panels, a 1000 watt wind turbine, and 2200 watt hydro electric turbine for power.  Our generator is for backup use only.  We also have solar hot water panels. 

All our lights are fluorescent and low-wattage.  Appliances are energy-efficient models.  Our shower heads are low flow.  Gas instant hot water heaters for efficiency and solar hot water also.  

We teach our staff to become energy-conscious, turning off all lights/appliances/fans when not in use.  Only use hot water when absolutely necessary.  Cold water for resort laundry.  Conserve water and repair all leaks promptly. 

We have our own on site organic garden to supply our restaurant, using only local chicken manure and our own compost with no chemicals.  We routinely ask for organic products from our suppliers to raise consciousness about customer demand. 

We re-use water where possible, such as diverting our hydro-electric turbine exhaust water to the garden.  With no local garbage disposal, we reduce, re-use, and recycle, composting, burying, and burning as appropriate.  Our dogs eat all meat scraps.  Veggie scraps go to compost.  

Yes, we use chemicals only when we are unable to purchase organic alternatives.  Dish and laundry soap are commercially made, but we use a brand that is phosphate-free and biodegradable. 

When we can find biodegradable cleaners, such as Simple Green, we use them in place of other commercial products. 

Yes, we use low-flow toilets, shower heads, faucets, etc.  We set up an irrigation system to water our organic garden to reduce water usage. 

We developed a spring 1500 meters upslope from our property, bringing a 3” high pressure pipe to our land.  We use natural filters, i.e., charcoal and ultra violet light, and do not add chlorine or any chemicals. 

We teach our staff to be water-conscious when doing dishes, cleaning, and watering the garden, using appropriate nozzles and repairing leaks in hoses, pipes, and taps.  

We tell guests that we only change bedding when asked, and to tell us when to change towels.  We also encourage all our guests to be energy-wise, using only what they need. 

We ask the guests to tell us when they need sheet changes, towel changes, etc.  We offer free tours of our organic farm and alternative energy system. 

Fiji is a developing country. We seek to expand knowledge, teach eco practices and also teach the theory behind the practice.  

We communicate with our guests through our web site, so that they know our policies prior to arrival.  We also communicate via e-mail to encourage guest participation in our ecological practices. 

 What percentage of your staff are local nationals? 100%

We started an anti-littering program to keep the roads clean, and erected signs to identify the person or business that picks up litter on that portion of the road.  We developed an improved water system for our neighboring village to facilitate clean water delivery to their homes. 

We belong to the local Rotary Club and volunteer on local building and health projects.  We also do our own projects, building and improving water systems for our neighbors.  

We give our guests the chance to donate to our local Rotary Club and to become sponsors for needy students.  

We provide follow-up monitoring for sponsors of the needy student plan, and let the sponsors know the progress of the students.  I also personally take digital photos of projects that have foreign sponsors, and e-mail them to donors for remote oversight to provide accountability. 

We provide free housing, food, and transportation for the local SPCA vets, when they come to Taveuni for spay/neutering projects.  We show the Blue Planet DVD to the local school children, telling them that when they throw litter in the sea, they kill the animals they will see on the program.  We attend Taveuni Farmers’ Association meetings to explain to local farmers the danger of monoculture farming practices and the need to diversify crops for food security. 

Yes, when a guest wishes to become active in a project, we will give them a volunteer project with our local Rotary Club.  If they don’t have time due to a short holiday, we accept financial donations and provide follow-up information regarding their project.  

We participated in an island-wide scabies eradication program that involved 40 volunteers from at least five different countries, lasted 40 days, and cost US$60K in donated funds and medicines.  Follow-up surveys are being conducted presently to determine success rates.  

We funded and erected a new water system for our neighboring village to improve clean water supply. 

We developed an anti-littering campaign in the local schools, visiting all the local primary schools.  We showed the video of Blue Planet, the underwater documentary, reminding the children that litter in the ocean kills the animals they see on the video.  When we drive around the island, kids will yell to us: Don’t be a litterbug!  It will take a generation to change the littering habits of Taveuni inhabitants, but we are making a start.

We personally sponsor one child from the neighboring village, paying all school fees and associated costs.  If the child stays in school, we will pay through university.  Through our local Rotary Club, we are involved with 25 scholarships for island children.  

Running our resort on alternative energy.  

Please let me know how to do this. 

Yes, our guests tell us how much they enjoy being part of a sustainable vacation experience.  We put this info on our web site to encourage other travellers to leave a light footprint. 

We use alternative energy, encourage guests to reduce power usage, and include the local village tour as a means of fundraising for our neighbors. 

We provide employment for locals and teach our staff responsible ways of dealing with the environment.  

Our anti-littering program for local schools.  

Village tours. 

Employ locals and pay a living wage, not the cheapest wage we could.  

We are always looking for ways to help the local people start businesses that will raise their standard of living, such as, crafts for sale to tourists.  

We belong to TIES since we agree with their sustainable goals.  However, we are disappointed that they have no accountability program.

We are also an affiliate of Green Globe to learn about their practices, policies and certification programs.  

Thank you for working to build credibility in the ecotourism industry.

As resort owners, we strongly encourage certification agencies (e.g. Green Globe and others) to collaborate so travelers are not confused by the eco certification alphabet soup.  Collaboration among certification agencies also would help resort owners. For example, we have applied to Green Globe as an affiliate member and hope to use their resources to improve our eco policies for eventual certification. It would be great if you would not require completion of separate forms for an independent certification program.