EYES ON KAUAI

Audi Making Sustainable Tourism Easy in Kauai as Hawaii Welcomes Back Visitors for 2024

Guests at the 1 Hotel in Kauai will be able to take an Audi EV for the day to experience an island adventure curated by the automaker and hotel team

By Tim Chan

Tim Chan

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December 27, 2023

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Audi is helping to welcome visitors back to Hawaii with a new sustainability-minded partnership with the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The automaker’s Audi e-tron has been tapped as the “Official Electric Vehicle” of the 1 Hotel property, which is located at the base of the cliffs on Kauai’s North Shore.

As part of the partnership, guests at the hotel will be able to take an Audi out for the day to experience the EV on a scenic drive through the lush island surroundings; to pick up a souvenir or local bite to eat; or to head out on one of the many island adventures curated by Audi and the 1 Hotel team.

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On a recent visit, Audi reps set up everything from a ‘gram-worthy visit to Wailua Falls, to a tour of a fifth-generation chocolate farm, to a heart-pumping hike to the stunning views of Hāʻena State Park. Cars were also available for shorter excursions, like a trip into the main town of Kapaa for fish tacos at Sleeping Giant Grill, and a quick jaunt for fresh poke at The Hanalei Dolphin, followed by a sunset drive toward the mountainside for an intimate dinner at the award-winning Bar Acuda. Guests can also arrange for a pickup from Lihue Airport in an Audi electric car, making for a stress-free, emissions-free and incredibly noise-free journey to the resort.

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The 1 Hotel’s current fleet of EVs include the 2023 Q4 40 e-tron and the all-new 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron, both of which handled the island’s frequently wet and occasionally winding roads with ease. With an EPA estimated range of up to 265 miles for the Q4 and more than 300 miles for the Q8, both vehicles also eased this writer’s range anxiety and provided plenty of power to keep our devices charged and our cabin cooled. And just in case we started to drain the car battery, Audi says a quick 30 minutes of charge time can boost the battery from 5% up to 80% on a fast charger.

The 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the latest 1 Hotel property to take part in the Audi program. In a press release, Audi says that collaborating with 1 Hotels, “strengthens Audi’s mission to support partnerships with like-minded organizations that stand for living progress and creating a more electrified and sustainable future.”

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As part of the partnership, existing Audi owners will also be able to enjoy discounted rates when they book a stay at 1 Hotel properties in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Nashville and Hawaii.

The 1 Hotel, meantime, has long been a leader in sustainable tourism for years, and its Kauai location is actively leading the charge, with salvaged and reclaimed materials used for its island-chic furniture aesthetic, and recycled materials used for walls and flooring (think locally sourced teak, lava stones and recycled clay). The hotel is also working behind the scenes, with a water management and energy management program, as well as a TRUE Zero Waste certification in progress, with a target goal of 90% or greater total waste diversion from Kauai’s landfill.

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The arrival of Audi on Kauai comes amidst a turbulent year for tourism in Hawaii, first on the heels of Covid and then the devastating Maui wildfires. While Kauai — located about 200 miles west of Maui — was largely untouched by the fires over the summer, many in the close-knit community had relatives and friends who were affected. Residents were also put under a “Red Flag Warning” in case sudden gusts of wind blew smoke or flames their way.

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Audi’s partnership with the 1 Hotel is part of its efforts to support state officials, who have encouraged tourism back to Hawaii to support the island’s economic recovery. In response to the Maui wildfire crisis, Audi also donated to the Maui Strong Foundation, while 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay donated to World Central Kitchen and the Maui Wildfire Relief fund.

Audi currently has the largest offering of fully electric models of any automaker in the U.S. Audi is also the Official Electric Vehicle of all U.S. 1 Hotels properties, including new locations opening in San Francisco, Nashville in addition to Hanalei Bay.

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