Island of Hawaiʻi

Regenerative Tourism in the Hawaiian Islands

The Hawaiian Islands are committed to a regenerative model of tourism, meaning that as we welcome visitors to our home, we are conscious of the well-being of our communities, natural resources and culture. We encourage guests to be mindful of how they move through Hawai‘i in a way that interfaces positively with residents, cares for the environment and respects the Hawaiian culture and other cultures that make Hawai‘i unique. Learn more with the island of Hawai‘i Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP)

On the island of Hawaiʻi, our cultural and spiritual connections to the ʻāina (land) run deep. Volunteer organizations and travel partners statewide offer a range of ways to engage in mindful travel and to mālama (care for) Hawaiʻi Island. Your participation in these opportunities is deeply appreciated and provides a profound connection to our natural world, culture and communities.

• Stewardship at the Summit involves helping remove invasive plants from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s tropical rainforests. This moderate hike (1-mile round trip) leaves from the Kīlauea Visitor Center. 
  For more information, visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm
  
  
• Keep Puakō Beautiful reminds us that marine debris affects us all. Volunteer for a beach cleanup with Keep Puakō Beautiful on your next trip to the island of Hawaiʻi and help us mālama (care for) this special place. Visit facebook.com/keep.puako.beautiful
  
  
• ‘Āina Hoʻōla Initiative helps to restore the wetland habitat for endemic waterbirds that are endangered or threatened. Weekly community workdays at Hilo fishponds involve removing invasive non-native plants and replacing them with native ones. Learn more at facebook.com/aina.hoola.initiative
  
  
• Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative hosts volunteer opportunities throughout the year. The Waikoloa Dry Forest Preserve encompasses 275 acres of lowland dry forest and protects some of the last remaining native trees in the region. For more information, visit waikoloadryforest.org/malama-aina-volunteer

Buy Local, Support Local

Buying local is a sustainable and responsible way of traveling. You’ll support small businesses, artisans, agritourism and local industries, bolstering the island’s economy and its people.

One way to do this is to experience the diversity of the island of Hawaiʻi at one of its many farmers’ markets. You’ll find fresh produce and fruits and prepared foods — and also crafts, flowers, artwork, unique gifts and more. Visit Hawaiʻi Farm Trails at hawaiifarmtrails.com/farmers-markets

Advanced Reservation Systems

• National Parks:The island of Hawaiʻi has five national parks and several historic sites. Each is unique in its history, location and natural beauty.
  
  Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is large — about the size of the island of Oʻahu, so plan your time accordingly. Know before you go: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit
  
  
• Hiking Resources
  • State of Hawaiʻi Nā Ala Hele (statewide): dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/nah
  • Day Hikes at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_day_craterrim.htm
  • Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's Backcountry Hiking: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_bc.htm
  • Kahuku Unit Hikes: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku.htm
• Parking And Other Fees
  • Pre-purchase parking and access fees for ʻAkaka Falls: dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/akaka-falls-state-park
  • Entrance and parking fee at Hāpuna State Recreation Area is credit card only: dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/hapuna-beach-state-recreation-area
  • Kahaluʻu Bay (County) has parking fees as well.
  • Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park fee can be purchased in advance online at recreation.gov, otherwise, the entrance gate no longer accepts cash, only credit card.
    
    
• The Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Pass: Please be aware that as of January 1, 2024, the Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Pass, which provides admission to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Haleakalā National Park, has changed from two signatures to a single signature line. This pass is also now available for pre-purchase online. Visitors can download the digital pass from recreation.gov and exchange it for a physical pass if desired at any of the three participating Hawaiʻi parks.

Environmental Threats

• Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (R.O.D.)
  Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, or R.O.D., destroys and disrupts the beloved ʻōhiʻa across the islands. Here’s how to help prevent the spread of R.O.D.:
  1. Avoid injuring the ʻōhiʻa while walking or hiking.
  2. Don’t move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa tree parts, such as the lehua blossoms and liko (leaf buds).
  3. Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island. Follow State Department of Agriculture rules.
  4. Clean gear and tools before and after entering forested areas. After brushing off the soil, spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. Clean clothes and shoes both before and after entering Hawaiʻi’s forests. Wash clothes in hot water and soap.
  5. Wash the tires and undercarriage of your vehicle to remove all soil or mud, especially after traveling off-road.
• Himalayan Ginger
  They seem harmless and are very fragrant, but this is one of the most invasive species to Hawaiʻi’s beautiful rainforests. Help tackle the spread of Himalayan ginger at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park by volunteering in Stewardship at the Summit. Visit ponopledge.com/environmental-threats

Protected Species

Known as the “endangered species capital of the world,” Hawaiʻi has more than 400 threatened and endangered species statewide. A few that you may encounter while on the island of Hawaiʻi include Hawaiian monk seals, Hawaiian green sea and hawksbill turtles, spinner dolphins, humpback whales, Hawaiian geese, and the Hawaiian hoary bat. All of these are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act. Learn more: ponopledge.com/protected-species

Hawaiʻi’s wildlife is precious to its people. If you encounter an animal during your stay, we ask that you mālama (care for) it by limiting your time observing it. For your safety and the safety of our wildlife, please be aware that pursuit and feeding of marine mammals are prohibited by federal law. Do not attempt to touch, ride, or feed turtles or marine mammals. If approached by a marine animal while on a boat, put the engine in neutral and allow the animal to pass. Do not encircle or trap between boats or shore.

Report stranded or entangled marine mammals: 1-888-256-9840

NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1964 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week)

DOCARE (Dept. of Conservation and Resource Enforcement): 808-974-6208 (Hilo), 808-323-3141 (Kona), 808-887-6196 (Waimea)

Report injured native birds to Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center (808) 884-5000 or [email protected] (send a photo to help ID).

Ride-Share Ride-share options exist on the island of Hawaiʻi but are not necessarily as available as they may be in cities. Due to distances on this island, they will either be cost- or time-prohibitive. Remember, Hawaiʻi Island is larger than you may think.

Trespassing While our expansive natural landscape appears “open to all,” it may not always be. Please be mindful and adhere to all signs to avoid trespassing.

Mahalo Thank you for visiting the Hawaiian Islands with care, respect and mindfulness. We look forward to welcoming you to the island of Hawaiʻi.