Your Guide to Sustainable Adventures in Hawaii
Eco-Conscious Travel Tips + Companies Making a Difference
Hawaii is a paradise unlike any other: towering waterfalls, lush jungles, and vibrant coral reefs teeming with life. But this beauty is fragile. As travelers, we have the power to help preserve Hawaii’s environment through the choices we make.
Thankfully, many tour operators across the islands are leading the way in sustainability. Here’s how you can explore responsibly, complete with tour examples that walk the talk when it comes to protecting Hawaii’s natural wonders.
1. Travel Green with Electric Shuttle Buses
Example: Roberts Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay Eco-Tour
Ditch the rental car and opt for group tours that us eco-friendly vehicles. Companies like Roberts Hawaii are taking a green approach with electric shuttle buses on their Oahu Grand Circle Island Tour. Guests are picked up in Waikiki using all-electric buses, reducing emissions and traffic congestion in an already sensitive area.
They also include reef-safe sunscreen, a free tram ride to the bay, and educational materials shown en route—making sustainability both easy and seamless for guests.
Tip: Ask your tour provider if they use electric or hybrid vehicles—and if your participation supports local conservation efforts.
2. Reef-Safe Snorkeling and Ocean Adventures
Example: Island Divers Hawaii & Hanauma Bay Snorkel Adventures
The coral reefs in Hawaii are some of the most diverse in the world, but they’re also vulnerable to damage from tourism. Island Divers Hawaii ensures all their dive and snorkel tours promote reef safety and marine education. They prohibit harmful sunscreens and offer alternatives onsite.
At Hanauma Bay, Snorkel Hanauma Bay offers curated, small-group snorkeling experiences where every participant is educated on reef etiquette. Reef-safe sunscreen is provided, and knowledgeable guides help guests understand how to explore without disrupting the marine environment.
Tip: Avoid any operator that allows standing on coral or offers food to attract fish—it’s a red flag for marine health.
Hawaii Forest & Trail Oahu Farm to Forest tour by Michelle Mishina
3. Wildlife-Friendly Excursions
Example: Hawaii Forest & Trail on the Big Island
When it comes to protecting native birds and fragile ecosystems, few do it better than Hawaii Forest & Trail. Their guides are trained naturalists who help guests explore rare habitats—like the Hakalau Forest Preserve—without disturbing the wildlife. Their small-group birding and hiking tours help fund reforestation and species protection efforts.
For marine life, Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui operates whale watching tours that adhere to strict to NOAA guidelines. All proceeds support ocean research, education, and marine animal rescue.
Tip: Look for certifications like “Certified Sustainable Tour” or partnerships with conservation groups.
4. Participate in Conservation Efforts
Example: Travel2Change & Malama Hawaii Program
Want to give back during your vacation? Travel2Change connects visitors with volunteer experiences like beach clean-ups, native plant restoration, and even yoga classes that include conservation work.
Many companies are now part of the Mālama Hawai‘i Program, a statewide initiative encouraging tourists to participate in eco-projects. Book a qualifying volunteer experience, like reforesting native land with Hui o Ko’olaupoko or cleaning beaches with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii, and you may even receive perks like discounted hotel stays.
Tip: Make a difference in just a few hours. You’ll leave with memories and a legacy of aloha.
5. Stay Educated—and Help Others Learn Too
Example: Bishop Museum Cultural Programs & Polynesian Cultural Center
Responsible travel means uderstanding the land and its stories. Bishop Museum in Honolulu offers guided tours and exhibits that explore the intersection of Hawaiian culture and environmental stewardship.
For a more immersive experience, the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu showcases traditional practices of sustainability like fishpond aquaculture, lo‘i kalo (taro farming), and canoe building. These traditions highlight Native Hawaiian values that still guide conservation efforts today.
Tip: Tours that share Hawaiian cultural knowledge often inspire deeper respect—and more thoughtful travel behavior.
Final Thoughts: Malama ʻĀina – Care for the Land
The next time you visit Hawaii, remember: every decision you make matters. Whether you choose an electric shuttle, use reef-safe sunscreen, or volunteer to restore a trail, you become part of Hawaii’s story of stewardship and sustainability.
Choose Tours That:
✔ Minimize environmental impact
✔ Support local conservation and culture
✔ Educate and empower travelers to do the same
Looking for sustainable tours in Hawaii?
Check out companies like Roberts Hawaii, Island Divers, Pacific Whale Foundation, and Hawaii Forest & Trail for experiences that let you enjoy Hawaii—and help preserve it.
Travel thoughtfully. Leave only aloha.