Kauaʻi

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 Kauaʻi Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP)

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

• Every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 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 8:30 a.m. Participating in a beach cleanup is a wonderful expression of aloha and mālama toward this special place. kamalanius.wordpress.com
• Visitors to the Kaua‘i Surfrider can participate in one of the scheduled beach clean-ups or Net Patrol events listed on their calendar: kauai.surfrider.org/events
• The Kaua‘i Humane Society offers Field Trips for Shelter Dogs. This program gets these shelter dogs out of their kennels, helps to socialize them, and showcases them as available for adoption. It’s a great way for visitors and residents to mālama our homeless dogs on Kaua‘i. kauaihumane.org/service/field-trips/

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.

• Alakoko Store: Located in Līhu‘e, this non-profit shop provides Kaua‘i artisans with a platform to sell their products and is a perfect place to find gifts for loved ones while supporting local. Apparel, food items, jewelry, home goods, pet items and more can be found here — all made on the island of Kauaʻi.
  
  
• Farmers Markets and Night Markets: Hanalei, Princeville, Anahola, Kapa‘a, Wailua, Līhu‘e, Puhi, Kōloa, Hanapēpē and Waimea all offer ongoing events throughout the year.
  
  
• Kauaʻi has local tours that offer visitors the opportunity to see where their meals are sourced.
  
  
  • Kaua‘i Plantation Railway at Kilohana Plantation: Take a train into the heart of a 105-acre estate and tour all the fruits and vegetables that grow on the farm. Many of these are used in the on-site restaurant, Plantation House by Gaylord’s, as well as in the farm-to-glass Mai Tais at Kilohana’s Mahikō Lounge and the authentic, buffet-style feast at their Lū‘au Kalamakū. kilohanakauai.com 
    
    
  • Anaina Hou Community Park offers their “farm to fork tour,” the Locally Grown Culinary Experience. With a tour guide, navigate the largest gathering of local farmers on Kaua‘i, while selecting fresh island ingredients for your ‘ohana meal. Every pair on the tour assists in prepping the unique ingredients before combining everyone’s efforts to create an amazing farm-fresh meal to share. anainahou.org
    
    
  • Farm Tour at Hōkūala takes guests on a tour of their fruit orchard and organic vegetable garden — filled with everything from greens, fruits and vegetables to edible flowers, pineapples and traditional Hawaiian canoe plants like kalo, noni and breadfruit. These are used in their restaurant, Hualani’s. Tour reservations can be made by calling 808-320-7391 or 808-977-2316. Tours offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays or by availability. timberskauai.com/experience/the-farm-at-hokuala/
    
    
  • Common Ground: Regenerative Farm & Food Experience offers a showcase of the exotic and delicious foods that grow on Kauaʻi. The regenerative food forest tour concludes with an island-sourced, family-style meal in a beautiful tropical farm setting. commongroundkauai.com/farm-tours
    
    
  • Kauaʻi Coffee Farm Tour: Explore the largest coffee farm in the country. Stroll through a coffee orchard, talk to friendly guides and of course, sample an exclusive line of estate-grown Hawaiian coffees. kauaicoffee.com/pages/visit-the-kauai-coffee-estate
    
    
  • Chocolate Tours - Lydgate Farms: Enjoy a three-hour guided chocolate farm tour. Stroll through botanical gardens and enjoy a sample of award-winning honey as well as an extensive tropical fruit tasting. Taste the ripe fruit of the chocolate tree, discover the secrets of turning raw cacao seeds into finished chocolate and learn all about chocolate’s amazing health benefits. lydgatefarms.com/

Advanced Reservation Systems

Advanced reservation systems at hotspot attractions are instrumental in protecting Hawai‘i’s natural environment and cultural sites, improving experiences, managing visitor capacity and allowing us to better steward the Hawaiian Islands. Please make advanced reservations when they are available so that you can better enjoy and mālama (care for) Hawai‘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 gohaena.com and is available up to 30 days in advance. Parking and individual Entry 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 are unable to secure their parking or individual Entry Pass.
  
  
• Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge & Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Lighthouse: Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Lighthouse, requires visitors to make a reservation at recreation.gov. Tickets are available up to 60 days in advance.
  
  
• Waimea Canyon State Park and Kōkeʻe State Park: Advanced reservations are not necessary for these sites. However, parking and individual entry fees are required.
  
  

Mālama i ke kai
Mālama i ke kai means to care for the ocean. Kaua‘i Surfrider offers the Ocean-Friendly Visitors Program, designed to help you mālama i ke kai and be ocean-friendly while on Kaua‘i. The website also includes a list of ocean-friendly restaurants on Kaua‘i. kauai.surfrider.org/ofv

Ocean Safety
While visiting Kauaʻi’s beautiful beaches, it’s crucial to practice ocean safety. Check ocean conditions before you head out, and swim at lifeguarded beaches, where you can ask about potential hazards. Learn more: safebeachday.com/county/kauai/

Hiking Safety
Hiking pono, or hiking with integrity, will lead to a better and safer experience both for you and for the land you visit. Plan your hike, be aware of weather conditions, remain on the trails and bring plenty of water with you. Learn more: hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov/trails/

Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee & Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) Prevention
The Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee as well as the State of Hawai‘i and all its counties are actively seeking kōkua (help) from visitors and residents to stop the spread of ROD. This fungus, which has now been identified statewide, is killing the ʻōhiʻa, one of the most ecologically and culturally important trees of Hawaiian forests. Help prevent the spread of this disease by using the boot-cleaning stations located at trailheads, cleaning footwear before and after hiking and avoiding damaging roots or tree branches. Report any signs of ROD on Kauaʻi: 808-821-1490 or email [email protected]. Other tips can be found here: cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod/HOW-TO-HELP

Protected Species
Known as the “endangered species capital of the world,” Hawaiʻi has more than 400 threatened and endangered species statewide. Please respect those you may encounter while on the island of Kauaʻi, including Hawaiian monk seals, Hawaiian green sea and hawksbill turtles, spinner dolphins, humpback whales, Hawaiian geese and the Hawaiian hoary bat. Learn more: gohawaii.com/trip-planning/travel-tips/responsible-travel/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. Be sure to keep a safe distance from our wildlife — for example, 10 feet for honu (turtles) and 50 feet for Hawaiian monk seals. When you encounter endangered animals, observe them respectfully and refrain from throwing objects or making loud noises to attract their attention.

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.

Get Around Kauaʻi
The County of Kaua‘i created the website getaroundkauai.com to provide alternative transportation options for visitors to help alleviate some of the traffic on Kaua‘i’s small roads. The website also offers travel tips to promote mindfulness while visiting.