Governor Names King's Hawaiian Winner of 2009
Top Environmental Leadership Award
On October 1, 2009, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that King's Hawaiian Bakery has won the 2009 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) for its Green Vision sustainability program, a company-wide initiative developed to impact the environment through financially sound alternatives and eco-friendly solutions, through nearly every component of its operations.
GEELA is California's highest and most prestigious environmental honor. The award program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership for voluntary achievements in conserving California's resources, protecting and enhancing the environment, and building public-private partnerships.
"As a family-owned company devoted to conveying the aloha spirit in every facet of its business, King's Hawaiian is incredibly honored to receive this recognition. Every component of our sustainability effort is meant to be both a tribute to our island heritage and a commitment to our valued consumers, for which we want to make a positive impact on the environment for generations to come," said Shelby Weeda, President of King's Hawaiian Bakery.
Award recipients are chosen in eight different categories based on their strength in eight specific areas including results, transferability, environmental impact, resource conservation, economic progress, innovation and uniqueness, pollution prevention, and environmental justice. King's Hawaiian won its award in the category of Sustainable Practices or Facilities.
The Green Vision initiative at King's Hawaiian spans nearly every facet of its business,
including packaging redevelopment to reduce resin levels, web-based consumer awareness programs, excess dough repurposing to feed area livestock, intensive recycling programs and practices to reduce fuel usage and freight resources in its nationwide distribution systems, among other efforts.
King's Hawaiian is one of only 15 other recipients that were recognized at the Governors' Global Climate Summit 2 in Los Angeles on September 30.
Click here to view the details of the GEELA award on the California EPA site.
Click here to download the 2009 GEELA Award program in PDF format.