Traveling Sustainably in Hawaii: How to Show the Islands Some Aloha

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, you’re not alone. The remote archipelago in the Pacific receives flights and ships full of tourists every day – nearly 10 million per year. That number is expected to continue to grow; however, as visitor numbers rise, so do environmental costs.

The very elements that attract travelers to Hawaii – namely, the natural beauty and the local people and culture – are at risk of suffering under the weight of 10 million visitors. So if you’re headed to Hawaii, here’s how to show the islands some aloha.

Choose Wisely

One of the first things on a trip to-do list is selecting your accommodations. It’s also one of the main ways travelers impact a destination for better or worse. Choose ‘better’ by narrowing your search to properties contributing to the community and respecting the environment, people, and culture.

Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club is an oasis of aloha in the sea of concrete and chain hotels of Honolulu. It’s also a property committed to environmental and cultural conservation. Surfjack was the first hotel in Waikiki to eliminate single-use plastic; you won’t miss those wasteful disposable bottles: endless refills are available at hydration stations. Moreover, you’ll find free reef-safe sunscreen dispensers, plastic-free bikini and accessories pop-up shops, and ‘talk story’ sessions on cultural and environmental topics.

Mahina & Sun’s – a sea-and-farm-to-fork restaurant serving Hawaiian flavors, locally grown produce, and sustainably sourced seafood – is a highlight at Surfjack. The sea snapper is the obvious star; however, be warned: creative side dishes like pohole (fiddlehead) salad and ‘ulu (breadfruit superfood) with chili pepper aioli are so addictive you might find yourself filling up on them and still begging for seconds.

Spend Locally

Visitors consume resources and can create or exacerbate local challenges such as traffic and degradation of sites. This can lead some destinations to ask tourists to stay away, while others shut down temporarily or even permanently. However, tourism done right can create a positive economic impact. Support local businesses to ensure your money cycles into the local economy.

Grab a fresh bite at a family-run restaurant like South Shore Grill, near the iconic Diamond Head crater (the macadamia nut pesto is a must). For a special night out and a taste of Hawaiian cuisine, sit down to dinner at Merriman’s (locations on Kaua’i, Maui, O’ahu, and the Big Island of Hawai’i). For some fun, ask your server to choose your entrée, then order an appetizer or share plate (the Farm to High Rise Kim Chee at the Honolulu location is excellent) and a specialty cocktail. The No Ka ‘Oi (the best) cocktail topped with honey lilikoi (passion fruit) puree lives up to its name.

Farmers markets throughout the islands make it easy to buy fresh and local. Some, like Uncle Robert’s Wednesday Night Market on the Big Island, feature live music, allowing you to turn your shopping trip into an island-style night out. Don’t worry if you dance up a sweat; you can cool off with a chilly treat from Nicoco – organic vegan gelato made from locally-sourced coconut, coffee, and cacao.

You can go straight to the source and tour a working farm, like ONO Organic Farm on Maui or Kahumana Organic Farm & Café on O’ahu. Kahumana has a community-minded social mission, working with vulnerable populations, ensuring every dollar you spend goes back into the community. Raise a glass of the chilled hibiscus-and-herb drink and cheers to that!

Tread Lightly

Hawaii’s natural environment is fragile, and with 10 million visitors setting foot here each year, it’s at risk of being trampled. There are numerous ways to tread lightly and aloha ‘aina (love and respect the land).

Hawaii hosted the first-ever World Reef Day and was the first U.S. state to ban sunscreens containing oxybenzone and oxtinoxate. This law will take effect in January 2021. In the meantime, avoid chemical sunscreens that pollute the ocean and harm marine life. Instead, opt for reef-safe sunscreen like Raw Elements.

More tips include carrying your own reusable water bottle, bag, and utensils. Say no to single-use plastics. Moreover, don’t harass or touch wildlife – it’s not only disruptive but, in some cases (like with endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals and sea turtles), it’s illegal. Stay off the reef while swimming (touching or standing on the reef destroys it and can injure you) and stick to marked trails while hiking.

Do venture away from the major tourist attractions to check out lesser-known activities like parts of Volcanoes National Park and forest bathing at Kahulu’u Gardens. Respect the sacred sites (this means abiding by signs and fences, even if other visitors disregard them. Don’t desecrate a sacred site for social media posts.)

Malama ‘aina

There is a concept in Hawaii called malama ‘aina, meaning to love and nurture the land. You will undoubtedly take more from Hawai’i than surf skills and a suntan – traveling brings new experiences, friends, inspiration, memories, and more. Therefore, why not give something meaningful back?

Keep an empty bag with you to collect trash you find on trails or beaches. Join a beach cleanup event with local organizations like 808 Cleanups on the Big Island or Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii on O’ahu. It’s a fantastic way to meet and mingle with a diverse mix of locals. 808 Cleanups even has an app and events calendar listing beach cleanups and activities such as wetland workdays, shoreline restoration, and the planting of native limu, seaweed, and algae.

If you’re interested in getting involved, you can dig in deeper and get your hands dirty in the taro paddies of Ka Papa Lo’i o Kānewai. You’ll learn about traditional farming methods, taro (a culturally significant Hawaiian crop), and Hawaiian history while working alongside local people. Alternatively, volunteer with Paepae o He’eia, where you might assist with trash pickup, removing invasive mangroves, or reconstructing a fishpond wall. The work can be challenging; nevertheless, the experience of teaming up with locals to malama ‘aina is unforgettable.