Hawaii – Travel Responsibly

Breathtaking beaches, a laid-back lifestyle, delicious food, and beautiful culture all makes Hawaii a hotspot for tourism. Traveling responsibly not only leads to an amazing experience but also contributes to the preservation of Hawaii’s culture and environment. So, pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the beautiful islands of Hawaii! But first, learn how to travel responsibly.

Know the History

Hawaii is a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean and has a complex history. Before contact with Europeans, Hawaii was ruled by a system of chiefs and had a thriving culture and economy. In 1778, British explorer Captain James Cook visited Hawaii, which led to increased contact with the Western world. In 1893, a group of American businessmen and politicians, with the support of the US military, overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy and established a provisional government. This eventually led to Hawaii becoming a US territory in 1898 and then a state in 1959.

Many Hawaiians consider the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy to be an illegal and unjust act of colonialism. They view Hawaii as a stolen kingdom and have worked to preserve their cultural heritage and advocate for greater political autonomy. In recent years, there has been a renewed effort to recognize the sovereignty of Native Hawaiians and address the ongoing impacts of colonialism on their land and culture. This includes efforts to restore traditional land management practices, preserve Hawaiian language and culture, as well as address such issues as access to healthcare and education for Native Hawaiians. It is also having ramifications on the tourism industry.

Why Are Hawaiians Asking People Not to Travel to Hawaii

According to a 2022 state-sponsored survey, two-thirds of Hawaii residents say their “island is being run for tourists at the expense of local people.” Overcrowding, environmental damage, increased traffic, and rising prices are all making Hawaii nearly uninhabitable for residents. Hawaiian residents have also had to deal with water shortages and polluted drinking water, as well as unfulfilled promises by the Department of Defense that they’ll step in. 

It’s a double edge sword since tourism represents one-quarter of Hawaii’s economy. On the one hand: tourism provides employment opportunities and visitor spending. On the other hand: tourism has created an economy whose residents work for low wages, pay exorbitant prices to live there, and all profits are funneled to offshore corporations. Tourism has done such immense harm by contributing to:

• Hawaiians being displaced in favor of tourism development.
• Income generating properties & luxury real estate gentrifying the island, pricing native people out of their ancestral homelands.
• Cultural sites & national parks being desecrated and visitor restrictions being enacted as a result.
• A tourism-based economy instead of traditional sustainability that has created food insecurity and outside dependency.
• The diversion of clean water to tourist areas, leaving locals with a lack of access.

Dr. Jerry Agrusa, Professor of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawai’i, conducted a study in 2021. Over 75% of respondents said “they would be willing to pay more to support tourism experiences that are respectful of Hawaiian culture.” And roughly 4 out of 10 people also said they’d support a 10% increase on restaurant bills if that meant local food suppliers benefitted.

How to Travel Responsibly to Hawaii

While many residents are asking people not to visit, others ask you to do it ethically. We ask that you research and hear what local Hawaiians are saying directly from them. If you do decide to visit, or if you have a trip already booked, here are ways to travel more responsibly:

1. Research & understand the island’s sacred sites, obey the boundaries of off-limit areas, and respect the culture. Hawaii is a home, not a tourist playground. For example: visitors taking sand, coral or lava rocks from its national parks is not only disrespectful to the culture, it’s also illegal!
2. Choose companies that support the communities and environmental protections. It’s also important to choose environmentally friendly products, like sunscreen (common chemicals like oxybenzone & octinoxate damage coral and marine life, which is why they’ve been outlawed).
3. Support local every single time! While many corporations operate in the Hawaiian islands, there are also many local & family-owned businesses. Spend your tourism dollars where it matters most – seek out farmers markets for fresh food, go on farm tours if you do any excursions. 
4. Read Go Hawaii’s Responsible Travel page, outlining best practices on helping land conservation, ocean conservation, and more.
5. Engage in eco tourism & voluntourism practices. From beach clean-ups to native tree planting, there are many opportunities to “mālama” (Hawaiian for ‘take care of and protect’). Engaging in a dedicated volunteer activity from the island’s Mālama Hawai’i program could even reward you with a discount or even a free night at a participating hotel.