Oʻahu

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 Oʻahu Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP)

On Oʻahu, 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) Oʻahu. Your participation in these opportunities is deeply appreciated and also gives you a profound connection to our natural world, culture and communities.

• Hiʻipaka LLC has a mission to steward and protect Waimea Valley, a sacred historical valley on Oʻahu, including a volunteer program designed to mālama the valley and Hawaiian culture. These service-learning experiences promise to help visitors form closer connections to our precious ‘āina (land), holoholona (animals), lā‘au (plants), wai (freshwater) and Hawaiian cultural practices and wisdom that are honored and perpetuated. waimeavalley.net/volunteer
  
  
• Mālama Maunalua is a community-based stewardship organization committed to conserving and restoring Maunalua Bay, just east of Lēʻahi (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 Community Huki (“pull” in Hawaiian) volunteer events, where they can help restore the bay and learn about the three main types of invasive alien algae that must be removed. malamamaunalua.org/volunteer
  
  
• Battleship Missouri Memorial is a part of world history committed to “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future,” from the signing of the WWII-ending Instrument of Surrender in Tokyo Bay, to engagements in the Korean War and the Persian Gulf War. When the USS Missouri was in commission, there were 2,500 sailors maintaining the ship. Today, there are less than 25 maintenance staff working on the ship. Visitors can get personal and volunteer time to help restore and preserve one of the world’s most famous battleships. ussmissouri.org/get-involved/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.

• Manaola, Manuheali‘i, Hina Hawai‘i, Kahulalea, Waiʻono and Kini Zamora are a few notable aloha wear brands by Native Hawaiian designers on O‘ahu — some have hit the world stages during Fashion Week appearances. Visitors can discover and enjoy authentic Hawaiian prints and designs inspired by the islands’ flora and fauna, natural beauty and traditional Hawaiian values and spirituality. manaolahawaii.com, manuhealii.com, hinahawaii.com, kahulalea, waiʻono designs, kinizamora.com
  
  
• Mana Up works to fuel an economic growth engine for Hawaiʻi that can generate success for the local economy, support the high cost of living and create well-paying, interesting jobs for locals. They also host a number of local Hawaiʻi products online at House of Mana Up, a retail experience that shines the spotlight on the unique stories of Hawaiʻi’s rising entrepreneurs and the premium brands they’ve built. manauphawaii.com
  
  
• Nā Mea Hawaiʻi is devoted to showcasing the work of local artists and crafters from the Hawaiian Islands, particularly Native Hawaiian artists. They have the largest selection of Hawaiian and Pacific Island books and also support local producers, farmers, small businesses and makers of all kinds by selling their products here in the islands. nameahawaii.com
  
  
• The taprooms of local breweries like Beer Lab HI, Aloha Beer Company, and Honolulu Beerworks serve an array of refreshing craft beers featuring flavors unique to and locally grown in the islands, including hibiscus, Lehua honey, guava, cacao and li hing (sweet, salty and sour dried plum). beerlabhi.com, alohabeer.com, honolulubeerworks.com
  
  
• Tropical fruit farms, working cattle ranches and traditional loʻi kalo (irrigated taro patches) give visitors the chance to experience Hawaiʻi’s agricultural heritage firsthand at O‘ahu’s many farmers’ markets. With growing interest in sustainable and locally sourced food, agro-tourism is an essential aspect of Oʻahu's tourism industry. hfbf.org
  
  
• Handcrafters and Artisans Alliance is a guild of artists and crafters that put on 75 events annually, most of them on O‘ahu at Kapi‘olani Park in Waikīkī, Koʻolina, Hale‘iwa and other locations throughout the year. Visitors take home unique, memorable products and souvenirs while supporting O‘ahu artists and crafters. facebook.com/HAAHawaii/about_details

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.

• In April 2021, Hanauma Bay implemented an online reservation system, which allows visitors to select a show time up to 48 hours ahead of their planned visit to the nature preserve. Reservation time slots are available in 10-minute increments from 7 a.m. until 1:40 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. Visitors 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 are collected upon arrival at Hanauma Bay. honolulu.gov/parks-hbay.html
  
  
• As of May 12, 2022, the State of Hawaiʻi’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 reservation system mitigates environmental impacts sustained by foot traffic, reduces vehicle congestion in the park and surrounding neighborhoods and preserves 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.; walk-in and drop-off visitors are subject to one-hour time slots. dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument
  
  
• The USS Arizona Memorial is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japan. Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial is free, but guests must reserve a time slot for the boat tour ahead of time. Tickets are available online at recreation.gov. Reservations are released daily at 3 p.m. HST in two windows: 24 hours and 8 weeks in advance. The walk-in, “first come, first served” ticket distribution program is no longer available. Parking is available for a fee.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Kōkua Climate Change Efforts

As a world-famous, fly-in destination, O‘ahu prioritizes offsetting carbon emissions, reducing congestion, and minimizing impact. To help you enjoy a sustainable stay, we encourage everyone to mālama O‘ahu by leveraging the island’s many multimodal public and private transportation options:

• Ask about shuttle services. Many popular attractions offer shuttles to/from the venue to help visitors reduce road congestion, avoid traffic and enjoy a safe, relaxing commute.
  
  
• Plan an itinerary. Visitors can spend the day in popular walkable neighborhoods, like Waikīkī, Kaka‘ako, Kaimukī and Ala Moana, that don’t require a car. The Waikīkī Trolley and TheBus offer easy travel between these main areas.
  
  
• Get a Biki. Honolulu’s bikeshare program offers a network of public bikes. There are 130 solar-powered Biki Stops conveniently located throughout the city, and visitors can sign up online before arrival for smooth pickup.
  
  
• Rent vehicles sparingly. If a rental is needed, visitors can reduce carbon emissions by requesting a hybrid or electric vehicle, avoiding rush hour traffic or opting to use a rideshare service while on island. This also helps save on rental, resort valet and public parking fees.
  
  
• Know your needs. If traveling with persons with disabilities, The Handi-Van is an affordable public transit service for those unable to use the public bus service.