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The Hawai’i Tourism Authority is committed to regenerative tourism for Hawai’i, seeking to balance the economics of tourism with the wellbeing of our communities, natural resources and culture. This includes attracting and educating positive-impact travelers who are mindful of how they respect and interact with residents, of how their movement through Hawai’i impacts the environment positively and of how they value and respect the Hawaiian culture and other cultures of Hawai’i. This commitment to regenerative tourism advocates for solutions to overcrowded sites, overtaxed infrastructure, and other tourism-related issues; and, works with responsible agencies, community and stakeholders to improve natural and cultural assets valued by Hawai’i’s residents.
The Hawai’i Tourism Authority in partnership with the counties, respective island visitors bureaus and community stakeholders, developed Destination Management Actions Plans for Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui Nui and Hawai’i Island. Learn more at: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/hta-programs/destination-management-action-plans/
As part of a statewide effort to promote regenerative tourism, counties, and state agencies in Hawaiʻi are actively managing hotspot attractions by implementing advance reservation systems. These systems are instrumental in managing visitor capacity, protecting Hawai’i’s natural environment and cultural sites, improving experiences and allowing us to better steward the Hawaiian Islands. Educate and advise your clients on the importance of making advance reservations so they can better enjoy Hawai’i and mālama (care for, protect and preserve) Hawai’i.
(Kaua’i) Hā’ena State Park: Entry into Hā’ena State Park (which includes Kē’ē Beach as well as access to Hanakāpī’ai Falls and the Kalalau Trail) requires an advanced-paid permit at www.gohaena.com and are available up to 30 days in advance. Parking Passes sell out extremely quickly. The Kaua’i North Shore Shuttle pass (also available on gohaena.com) includes entry into the park and is a good option for those who were unable to secure their parking pass.
(Kaua’i) Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge & Daniel K Inouye Kīlauea Lighthouse requires visitors to make a reservation at www.recreation.gov.
(Oʻahu) In April 2021, Hanauma Bay implemented its online reservation system which allows visitors to select a show time up to 48 hours ahead of your planned visit to the nature preserve. Reservation time slots are available in 10-minute increments, beginning from 7 a.m. until 1:40 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. You can reserve a spot for up to 10 people at a time—no more than five children and/or five adults. Entry and parking fees will be collected when you arrive at Hanauma Bay. https://www.honolulu.gov/parks-hbay.html
(O’ahu) As of May 12, 2022, the State of Hawai’i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources established an online advanced reservation requirement for out-of-state visitors at iconic Lē’ahi – Diamond Head State Monument. As one of Oʻahu’s most sought-after attractions with stunning views along its hiking trail, the new reservation system will mitigate environmental impacts sustained by foot traffic, reduce vehicle congestion in the park and surrounding neighborhoods, and help preserve this landmark for future generations. Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance. Visitors parking vehicles in the crater will be required to book in two- hour time slots, which begin at 6 a.m., while walk-in and drop-off visitors are subject to one-hour time slots. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/
(Maui) Waiʻānapanapa State Park – Advance reservations required for out of state visitors. Parking is $10. Visitors making parking reservations will be required to select a time slot to spread out visitation across the day. Reservations can be made within 30 days at https://www.gowaianapanapa.com
(Maui) Haleakalā National Park: A special place that renews your spirit amid stark volcanic landscape. Reservations will need to be made to enter the park for sunrise from 3 am – 7 am. Reservations can be made on line up to 60 days in advance of your sunrise visit on recreation.gov and are only valid for the day reserved. Visitors may only purchase one sunrise reservation per three-day period.
Mālama Hawai’i
In the Hawaiian culture, caring for the ʻāina (land) is not just a responsibility for all who live on it, but is expected of those who visit. It is an act that connects to life itself. As visitors plan their travel to the Islands, participating in opportunities to mālama (care for, protect and preserve) Hawaiʻi while traveling will provide a profound connection to our natural world, culture and communities. Volunteer organizations and travel partners statewide are offering a range of experiences for visitors to engage in mindful travel. Have your clients mālama and respect our island home by giving back and enjoying the “get back” through experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.
(Kaua’i) Every Saturday from 8:30am – 10:30 am, the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Beach Park get together to clean Lydgate Beach Park. Volunteers can join the effort by meeting at the lifeguard tower at 8:30am. Participating in a beach clean up is wonderful expression of aloha and mālama toward this special place. https://kamalanius.wordpress.com/
(Kaua’i) Kaua’i Surfrider implements the Ocean Friendly Visitor Program designed to encourage and provide visitors with ways they can be an ocean friendly visitor while on Kaua’i. The website also provides a list of Ocean Friendly Restaurants on Kaua’i. https://kauai.surfrider.org/ocean-friendly-visitors-program/
(O’ahu) Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve’s vision is to steward its 4,000 acres of sacred land. Kualoa’s hand-on Mālama ‘Āina experience offers guests opportunities to learn to protect and create sustainable practices preserving the land. The eco-adventure voluntourism tour includes knowledge of the cultural importance of kalo (taro); cleaning, planting and harvesting kalo; and helping mālama (“care for”) laʻau lapaʻau (medicinal plants) growing in the area. This year, the experience will expand to include native Hawaiian tree planting to support reforestation efforts. www.Kualoa.com
(O’ahu) Mālama Maunalua is a community based stewardship organization committed to conserving and restoring Maunalua Bay, just east of Diamond Head. The main goal is to clear the area of invasive algae and restore the marine habitat with healthy, native seagrass and algae. Visitors are welcome at their Community Huki (“pull” in Hawaiian) volunteer events where they help restore the bay and learn about the three main types of invasive alien algae that must be removed. https://www.malamamaunalua.org/
(Maui) Sierra Club Maui offers activities that include hikes on otherwise inaccessible private land with dramatic views, led by cultural, ecological and archeological experts. http://mauisierraclub.org/hikes-service-programs/
(Maui) Visit the Maui Sewing Hui located in the charming upcountry town of Makawao to enjoy a free catered lunch by a local chef. Flex your sewing skills or learn your way around a sewing machine to create masks, lap blanket and cloth bags for the elderly or for the more experienced, ballet costumes for youth performing arts on Maui. Sewing enthusiasts and people with a heart for the community are encouraged to come! https://www.thesewinghui.com/mauivisitors
(Maui) Leilani Farm Sanctuary offers a tour of this idyllic farm sanctuary, home to a myriad of farm animals including bunnies, a donkey, goats, a pig, tortoise, kitties, chickens and even a friendly deer. After your tour, lend a hand on this vegan farm to help rescued animals. https://leilanifarmsanctuary.org/volunteer/
(Hawai’i) The Edith Kanakaole Foundation hosts a monthly volunteer cleanup at Haleolono fishpond, a 3-acre loko ia on the island’s east side just outside of Hilo. Haleolono is still home to the many different fish species raised in it by early Hawaiian residents of the area. The foundation welcomes volunteers for restoration days at Haleolono. https://edithkanakaolefoundation.org
(Hawai’i) Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative is restoring a forest ecosystem which is an ambitious and complex undertaking. Goal is to rebuild a self-sustaining, native-dominant forest, and promote native forest conservation through outreach, education, and advocacy. To care of the land, is one that is held in high regard in the community. Together through the initiative, we build trails, clear weeds, plant trees, collect native seeds, and propagate the plants that will grow into our future forests. Volunteer opportunities throughout the year on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. https://www.waikoloadryforest.org/