Remember when airplanes had smoking sections? The next big transformation in the aviation industry is shaping up to be as indispensible as smoke-free cabins. And Hawaii is at the forefront of this global movement.

Hawaii Department of Transportation has unveiled a brand new program called SustainableDOT-A, becoming a leader in the international conversion to sustainable airport operations. SustainableDOT-A started as an agency response to local legislation mandating the use of green rating systems for public facilities. What began as a group of hard-working employees intent on fulfilling the new mandates grew into a meet-over-lunch volunteer sustainability committee creating a trailblazing program that exceeded standards.

With SustainableDOT-A, Hawaii is now one of two states to implement a statewide program and one of four to include Sustainable High-Performance Guidelines, a LEED-like resource outlining best practices for design and construction. Moreover, Hawai’i is now the first in the nation to create guiding documents designed to safeguard the unique heritage of the state, the Cultural Appropriateness Guidelines and Sense of Place Primer. Airports are the places of first and last impressions, so the authentic, respectful portrayal of host and local culture is paramount. Sound like something the Abercrombie administration would get behind? It is.

In July, Abercrombie congratulated DOT-A leadership for the ongoing work of the SustainableDOT-A program. Recognizing the pivotal role airports play in the economic and environmental future of Hawai’i is not unusual for Abercrombie. In May, he signed HB865 into law to decrease the spread of invasive species with new biosecurity inspection facilities at Honolulu International Airport (HNL), the first airport to begin implementing the SustainableDOT-A program.

At HNL, four elements were examined to create baselines: carbon, waste, water, and energy. For sustainability professionals, establishing baselines is essential to implement lasting change because the results expose complex layers of resource management and consumption. Completion of the SustainableHNL Elements Baseline report means the busiest airport in Hawai’i is now poised to increase waste diversion, produce more renewable energy, reduce water use and decrease reliance on non-renewable energy.

Like the long flights sharing recycled air with chain smokers, the days of unsustainable airports are numbered.

About the author: Amy K. Brinker recently graduated from the William S. Richardson School of Law with an Environmental Law and Native Hawaiian Law Certificate. She is the Director of Policy at KYA Sustainability Studio, an innovation firm in Honolulu specializing in sustainability.