Honolulu, HI – The Nature Conservancy launched a contest in September asking people in Hawai‘i and across the country to nominate their favorite green restaurants for Nature’s Plate, a second annual people’s choice contest to find consumers’ top green restaurants. Since October 1, voters have been submitting their choice for which sustainable, organic or farm-to-table restaurant would take home the 2013 Award.
It was a very close race in Hawai‘i among the top 5 finalists, with two O‘ahu based restaurants (Town and Greens and Vines), two on Hawai‘i Island (Hilo Bay Café and Kohala Burger and Taco), and one on Kaua‘i (Hukilau Lanai). Today we announce the winner in 2013 is: Town Restaurant on O‘ahu.
“Thank you everyone who voted for recognizing our efforts. We’re grateful for this chance to tell our story,” said Ed Kenney, Chef/Owner of Town. “When we talk about greening our restaurant, or sustainability, it’s about three factors: economic, environmental, and socio-cultural. When you’re making choices with those factors in mind, everything has a deeper meaning. It’s something that all the restaurants in Hawai‘i need to get on board with.”
While this contest is focused on restaurants, it’s only the start of a conversation about food, conservation and The Nature Conservancy’s work with farmers, fishermen, and ranchers.
“Eating healthy, locally-sourced food is good for people and good for nature,” said Suzanne Case, Executive Director at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i. “Eating locally produced food helps reinforce the importance of our local lands and waters as assets that need protection and management.”
The Nature Conservancy understands that conservation must be economically and environmentally viable in order to work and last. For example, we are working with a multitude of partners in Kane‘ohe and He‘eia to restore the bay and bring back the abundance the area was once known for, both on land and in the sea. We will continue to bring together partners in the name of healthy food and a healthy environment, finding solutions that are good for business, consumers and nature.
In Hawai‘i, the second place restaurant is Hilo Bay Café on Hawai‘i Island. Third place is Hukilau Lanai on Kaua‘i. Fourth is Kohala Burger and Taco on Hawai‘i Island. And Fifth is Greens and Vines on O‘ahu. Congratulations to them all!
You can learn more about what makes a restaurant green and be sure to check in next year for the 2014 Nature’s Plate Award Contest. The Nature Conservancy does not endorse, recommend, or certify any restaurant as being green or sustainable.
The Nature’s Plate people’s choice contest is a state-by-state and city-by-city contest that took place in: California (Los Angeles and San Francisco) Colorado, Connecticut, Florida (Miami), Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois (Chicago), Massachusetts (Boston), Minnesota (Minneapolis & St. Paul), New Jersey, New Mexico (Albuquerque and Santa Fe), New York (NYC & Finger Lakes/Central Western), North Carolina (Durham), Ohio (Cleveland), Oregon, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Virginia (Charlottesville) and Washington DC.
A complete list of winners nationwide can be found at www.nature.org/naturesplate.