|
Hawaii Eco Tourism and Hawaii's Sustainable Tourism Industry The Islands of Hawaii --- Going Green
  
Recent years have shown Hawaii’s genuine strides towards the preservation of the islands’ precious culture and pristine environment. This has been allowed to occur as Hawaii Tourism Authority has focused on protecting Hawaii’s invaluable elements. In order to do so, as a part of its Keep it Hawaii program, HTA recognizes other organizations and businesses sponsoring cultural events and activities.
Hawaii Tourism Authority’s recent steps work to bring a “balance back to tourism”, as quoted by HTA’s chair, Douglas Chang to Islands Magazine. He continues to say, “If there is a balance between the visitor industry and our local communities, we create long-term relationships. That’s sustainability.” This insight has spurred numerous activities throughout the Hawaiian Islands. A pilot program which consists of setting park rangers at Waipio Scenic Overlook on the Big Island promotes education. Rangers point out native plants and share the area’s sacred history.
On the island of Maui, Hawaii Tourism Authority has sponsored the Pacific Whale foundation in its efforts to spread information on Hawaii’s sea turtles via brochures. The HTA has also assisted Hui o Laka remove invasive plants within Kokee State Park. In terms of cultural events, the HTA looks to include visitors to Hawaii whenever possible. For example, in May, the Banana Poka Round Up occurs in Kokee State Park. During this event, visitors are taught how to remove the vines and then weave them into baskets.
More events include June’s King Kamehameha Celebration on the Big Island and the Aloha Festivals- the only statewide cultural festival in the nation. Hawaii's future is sure to see a continual growth in the promotion of its cultural and environmental preservation. The Hawaii Tourism Authority really seems to have the right idea in attempting to promote greater reverence and respect for Hawaii’s fascinating culture and exceptional natural beauty. This balance will ensure that all can experience Hawaii’s wonder and endearing uniqueness for years to come.
Keeping it Hawaii
In its long-standing effort to promote Hawaii's culture, Limahuli Garden and Preserve on the island of Kauai was awarded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority's Keep it Hawaii program. Its recognition was due to Limahuli's efforts to restore lava rock taro terraces, cultivate ancient varieties of taro, rappelling down cliffs and hand pollinating the rare, alula plant and rediscovering and propagating kokio keokeo (a fragrant native white hibiscus that was previously thought to be extinct.)
Hawaii's Coffee Helpers
Coffees of Hawaii donates one percent of its revenue to local and nonprofits. Visitor can help additionally by touring the 500 acre Molokai plantation and enjoying an educational, mule- drawn wagon tour explaining the process husking, polishing, and roasting of the beans. At the end of the tour, visitors head to the cupping room, where they have the opportunity to sample the superb coffees.
Volcanic Experience
In addition to crawling through lava tubes, crossing steam vents, peeking over the edge of a half mile crater and driving through lava fields, a visit to the Big Island's Hawaii Volcanoes Nation Park on Hawaii Forest and Trail's Kilauea Volcano Adventure also helps the eco-tour company preserve a valuable plot of land. Invasive kahili ginger, a quick growing foreign plant that chokes ohia saplings, tree ferns and other Hawaiian varieties in the park, is removed by assisting visitors in order to maintain the threatened indigenous species' the longevity.
Helpful Neighbors
Two Maui neighbors, the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Maui Ocean Center, are using the allure of local marine life to help preserve Hawaii's culture and its defining sea. The Pacific Whale Foundation offers popular snorkeling and whale-watching tours where fortunate visitors can snorkel along with green sea turtles and raccoon fish or watch a humpback whale leap alongside the boat. The proceeds of these marvelous trips are used to teach Hawaiian schoolchildren about marine life at it Discovery Center- whales are also researched with the funding.
Beneficial Beer
At the annual Kona Brewers festival, celebrating microbreweries in Hawaii, one can enjoy beer from over 30 different microbreweris around Hawaii and the mainland. Since its conception 12 years ago, this festival has managed to raise over $225,000 for local environmental and educational organizations. In addition, during the festivities, beer is served in commemorative, refillable glass mugs to reduce waste and gourmet dishes cooked by local chefs are served on banana or ti leaves. Any food waste is donated to local pig farmers.
Fresh from the Farm
Enjoy the aromas of Waimea lavender and pick spinach at an organic Big Island farm. Hear the ranch's history recounted by a Hawaiian cowboy (paniolo). The tour, farm visit and a dinner is offered by Hawaii Agventures, a project created by the Big Island Farm Bureau. Tours subsidize farmers so that Hawaii's agricultural production may continue.
Here are links to some of our favorite Hawaii's Eco-Friendly Companies:
Sky-Line Eco Adventures, LLC
The first tour of its type in the United States, Skyline Eco-Adventures combines a gorgeous hike through Maui's upcountry forest with sensational zipline crossings high above a beautiful Mountain Valley. This tour is ideal for the whole family - for those 10 years and up. In order to ensure proper zipping speed, customers' weights must be between 80 - 260 lbs.
Maui Eco Adventures
The award winning Maui Eco-Adventures invites nature lovers to come hike & kayak in the less traveled, more secluded areas of Maui! Maui Eco Adventures offers daily, full-service hiking, kayaking & cultural tours, many of which are on private property! Customized private guide service trips are available as well. Some of these incredible trips include: heli-hiking, multi island land-sea-air adventures and many more options. Maui Eco Adventures is open seven days a week from 7:00am to 9:00pm HST. The guides even pack in your full deli lunch and towels! West Maui and South Maui hotel pick-ups are available.
Kauai Eco Tours
Kauai Eco-Tours allows one to experience true Hawaii while providing an unforgettable journey. The informed and friendly guides are Kauai local and extremely knowledgeable in the garden isle of Kauai's geology, history, flora and fauna. Hiking tours are nature- oriente and can be conducted either one-on-one or in small groups. Participants are encouraged to meld with the environment in order to enhance the experience. One may choose from several tour options to suit all areas of interest and physical capability. A snack and drink are provided with all tours.
Bio- Beerle ECO Rental Cars
This Earth friendly company features rental Cars powered by 100% bio-diesel made from vegetable oil, on the island of Maui! Cars offered include: regular cars, sedans, hatchbacks, Jeep 2 Doors, 4 Doors. Bio-Beetle ECO Rental Cars is located near Kahului OGG airport and Harbor. Free pickups and drop offs are available in the area and in Kihei. No toxic cleaners are used either. This is not just a car rental...
Just Live, Inc
Just Live, Inc. offers exclusive tree top eco-adventures that are sure to get your heart pumping. Soar through a unique grove of 200 foot tall Norfolk Pine trees on their Zipline Tree Top and Full Moon Zip Tours. Enjoy two hours of solid airtime while journeying through 6 different zipline runs, 2 rope bridges, and 7 aerial tree deck transfers where, the entire time, you will maintain a height of 60 – 75 feet above the ground. Prepare yourself and take a day to experience Kauai ‘fear factor’ style on the Climb, Zip, Eco-Challenge tour. In addition, ecology narratives are woven into every tour, enhancing the eco-experience. Corporate Events are also included as well as Teambuilding programs and youth/school services that will be custom designed and tailored to each particular group. This unique outdoor adventure company is surrounded by magnificent views of mountain, water, and forest. Just Live operates 7 days a week from 8a – 5p.
Discover Hawaiitours.com
This company specializes in personalized Pearl Harbor tours, eco-tours and island sightseeing tours on Maui, Oahu, Big Island and Kauai. They use deluxe 24 passenger mini coaches.
|