Pono Travel Guide
Your Guide to Traveling with Aloha and Respect
Written by a Local Cultural Guide
Jade KawanuiThe Mālama Hawaiʻi Initiative: An Invitation to Give Back
The most direct and impactful way for visitors to engage in pono travel is through the Mālama Hawaiʻi Initiative. This program, a collaboration between the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), hospitality partners, and local non-profit organizations, formalizes the invitation for visitors to give back to the islands.
This initiative transforms the travel experience from passive observation to active participation. It allows visitors to forge a deeper connection with the place and its people by contributing to tangible conservation and cultural preservation efforts.
It creates a "virtuous circle" where travelers participate in meaningful volunteer activities and, in return, may receive special hotel rates or even a complimentary night's stay from participating partners.
Mālama Hawaii Volunteer Opportunities
🌳 Reforestation & Native Plant Restoration
Work with Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative at Gunstock Ranch on Oʻahu to plant native trees, helping restore vital ecosystems.
🐟 Ancient Fishpond Restoration
Join Mālama Loko Ea and Papahana Kualoa to rebuild traditional Hawaiian fishponds - masterpieces of indigenous aquaculture.
🌊 Coastal & Marine Conservation
Remove invasive algae with Mālama Maunalua or join Hawaii Wildlife Fund for beach cleanups and sea turtle monitoring.
🏛️ Cultural Site Stewardship
Help preserve historical sites like the Battleship Missouri Memorial, connecting mālama to significant pieces of history.
Ready to Give Back?
Join the Mālama Hawaii Initiative and transform your vacation into a meaningful contribution to island conservation.
ℹ️ Volunteer Benefits
- Hotel Discounts: Available
- Free Nights: Possible
- Duration: 2-6 hours
- Age Limit: Family friendly
- Booking: Advance required
🌺 Cultural Etiquette
- Remove shoes when entering homes
- Respect elders (kūpuna)
- Practice humility and gratitude
- Bring gifts when visiting
🏛️ Sacred Sites Protocol
Silently request entry and state your intention
Cover shoulders and knees
Never move rocks or take anything
Honor all forbidden/sacred signs
Your Kuleana: A Responsible Traveler's Code of Conduct
Traveling pono extends to everyday interactions and behaviors. This code of conduct, grounded in cultural respect and ecological awareness, is a guide to living with aloha during your visit.
🐢 Respectful Wildlife Viewing
Hawaii's wildlife is protected by state and federal laws. Observing these distances is not just respectful—it's legally required.
They need to rest undisturbed on beaches
Critically endangered - only ~1,400 remain
They rest in shallow bays during the day
Federal law protects breeding grounds
🎒 Packing with Purpose
Zinc oxide/titanium dioxide only - oxybenzone banned
Reduce plastic pollution in the Pacific
Prevent spread of invasive species
Support local markets, refuse single-use plastic
Sun protection with less sunscreen
Biodegradable for sensitive ecosystems
🤝 Detailed Cultural Etiquette
Observing local customs is a fundamental sign of respect. These guidelines help you navigate social interactions with cultural sensitivity.
Greetings
Traditional honi ihu (touching noses) is rare. Modern: hug & kiss on cheek for friends/family, handshake for business.
Entering Homes
Always remove shoes before entering someone's home. This shows respect and keeps outside dirt out.
Gift Giving & Lei Etiquette
Never arrive empty-handed. Bring food or dessert. CRITICAL: Always give open-ended lei to pregnant women (closed lei = bad omen).
Language Use
"Hawaiian" = indigenous people only. Others = "locals" or kamaʻāina. Don't attempt Pidgin unless fluent.
Humility & Respect
Avoid ostentatious wealth displays or name-dropping. Show deep respect for elders (kūpuna). Humility is highly valued.
🏛️ Visiting Sacred Sites (Wahi Pana)
Many places in Hawaiʻi are considered wahi pana, or storied, sacred places. These are not merely tourist attractions but sites of deep spiritual and cultural significance—living connections to ancestors and deities (akua).
Understanding Sacred Spaces
Heiau (ancient temples), burial grounds, volcanic craters, and prominent peaks are living cultural sites requiring utmost respect.
Take a moment of silence to ask for permission. State your intention and give thanks for the privilege.
Cover shoulders and knees. Avoid loud talking, aggressive behavior, and public displays of affection.
Never touch, sit on, or move rocks/structures. What looks like "rock piles" could be altars. No offerings unless part of formal ceremony.
Never take rocks, sand, or lava. This deeply disrespects the ʻāina and Pele, the volcano goddess.
Honor all "kapu" (forbidden/sacred) signs without question. These restrictions protect sites for cultural and ecological reasons.
💰 Supporting the Local Economy
Making conscious spending choices is a powerful way to support the community and ensure your tourism dollars strengthen the local economy.
🍽️ Eat & Shop Local
Choose locally owned restaurants, food trucks, and cafes over chains. Buy from farmers' markets and local artisans.
🏷️ Look for "Hawaii Made"
Seek products with "Made in Hawaii" or "Hawaii Seal of Quality" labels for guaranteed local production.
📅 Book Direct
Book tours directly with local operators rather than third-party sites that take significant commissions.
✈️ Carbon Offset
Hawaiian Airlines partners with Conservation International for verified carbon credits supporting forest conservation.
Your commitment to mālama ʻāina begins before you even leave home.
By choosing to participate in the Mālama Hawaiʻi program, visitors do more than just see the islands. They actively help to heal and sustain them, leaving Hawaiʻi better than they found it.