Several businesses and households across Rarotonga participated in Earth Hour on Saturday by turning off their lights for an hour.

Earth Hour is a worldwide initiative that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to dedicate an hour to the well-being of the planet. This annual event asks participants to switch off non-essential lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Pacific Resort Rarotonga was among those who observed Earth Hour. The Muri-based resort turned off its entrance lights and replaced them with neon (LED) signage to raise awareness about Earth Hour. This initiative was led by the resort’s engineering and grounds team.

Pacific Resort Rarotonga also switched off its restaurant lights for an hour, transforming the evening into a candlelit dinner event that was well-received by guests and diners.

In a statement to industry members on Friday, Cook Islands Tourism encouraged businesses and the community to participate in Earth Hour as a way to demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.

The statement also offered tips on how establishments and staff can conserve energy:

• Develop a sustainable policy to conserve energy within your establishment.
• Train existing and new staff on your sustainable approach and policies.
• Ensuring checking the seals on freezers and fridges.
• Regularly servicing your aircon units, if they haven't been serviced they use up more energy.
• Switch to LED lighting because they consume 90% less energy compared to fluorescent lamps while delivering similar brightness and reducing CO2 emissions.

Tips to conserve energy for your guests:

• Encourage guests to explore our beautiful paradise by doing regenerative experience. See here
• Encourage your guests to ensure turning the switches off in their rooms when they are not in use.
• Ensure your guests turn their lights off when they are not using them.
• Reduce charging digital devices ie. laptops, phones, cameras.
• Turn off aircon units when not in use.