TRAVEL WITH ALOHA
A Guide for Visitors to Hawaiʻi
Welcome to Hawaiʻi. More than a paradise, these islands are the ancestral homelands of Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), a vibrant living culture, and one of the most ecologically delicate ecosystems on Earth. Visiting here is not just a vacation—it’s an invitation to deepen your understanding, to give back, and to tread lightly with aloha.
Our Invitation to You
Support Local Hawaii was created to uplift Hawaiʻi’s People, Land, and Culture. As a visitor, you become part of this ecosystem too. The way you travel matters. With intention, care, and cultural respect, you can leave Hawaiʻi better than you found it.
Tips for Traveling with Aloha
1. Learn Before You Land
Take time to learn about Hawaiʻi’s history—including the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the resilience of Kānaka Maoli, and the ongoing efforts to restore sovereignty, language, and land stewardship. Visit museums, read local stories, and seek out Native-led tours.
2. Choose Kānaka-Owned & Local Businesses
Support Native Hawaiian and local-owned businesses whenever possible. Eat at family-run restaurants, buy from local artists, book cultural experiences that are led by Kānaka, and stay at places that operate with sustainability and community at their core.
3. Respect Sacred Places
Heiau (temples), fishponds, burial grounds, and mountain trails are not tourist attractions—they are sacred. Observe posted signs, stay on designated paths, and approach these places with reverence, not selfies. If you see a sign that says “KAPU” that means keep out of that area.
4. Reef-Safe Only, Always
Hawaiʻi’s coral reefs are living, breathing ecosystems and vital to our oceans. Wear only reef-safe sunscreen (free from oxybenzone and octinoxate). Better yet, wear sun-protective clothing. Never stand on or touch coral—even a single step can kill it.
5. Leave No Trace (Except a Good One)
Pack out all trash, stay on marked trails, and don’t take rocks, sand, or shells as souvenirs. Give back instead: volunteer with a local loʻi kalo (taro patch), reforest native trees, donate to Hawaiian-led organizations, or attend community events.
6. Listen to the Community
Be open to guidance, correction, and learning. Not everything is for tourists, and that’s okay. When locals share concerns about over-tourism or ask for space, honor that. Respect is aloha in action.
7. Speak With Aloha
Use ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) with care and respect. Learn words like aloha (love, presence), mahalo (gratitude), kuleana (responsibility), and mālama ʻāina (care for the land). Pronounce them mindfully.
We invite you to shift your mindset from consumer to contributor. Regenerative travel means:
Supporting Hawaiian-led land restoration projects
Attending workshops with cultural practitioners
Volunteering with beach cleanups, loʻi (taro farms), or fishpond restorations
Learning the stories of the land before hiking or visiting
These actions help bridge cultural gaps, honor Indigenous knowledge, and ensure that Hawaiʻi’s treasures endure for future generations.
Support Kānaka. Protect ʻĀina. Travel Pono.
Traveling with aloha means embracing your kuleana to this place. It means slowing down, listening deeply, and honoring what makes Hawaiʻi truly special: its people, its culture, and its sacred lands and waters.
We hope you leave not only with beautiful memories, but with a renewed sense of connection and responsibility—to Hawaiʻi and wherever you call home.
Mahalo nui loa for traveling with intention.
Let’s uplift, protect, and live aloha—together.
