Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are grown or raised on the island, then ordering those (Kona coffee instead of coffee from Cen-
tral America; local fish instead of imported seafood, and so on).
Below are some more helpful hints for travelers to Hawaii; keep these in mind during your
adventure to the islands, so that your ecological footprint on Hawaii will be minimal.
WHAT VISITORS CAN DO IN & AROUND THE OCEAN
1.
Do not touch anything in the ocean. In fact, unless you are standing on the sandy bottom where
the waves roll into shore, try not to walk or stand on the ocean floor. The no-touch rule of thumb is
not only for your protection—there are plenty of stinging, stabbing things out there that could turn
your vacation into a nightmare—but also for the protection of the marine environment. Coral is
composed of living things, which take years to grow, and a careless brush of your hand or foot
could destroy them. Fragile habitats for marine critters can be damaged forever by your heavy
foot.
2.
Do not feed the fish, or any other marine creature. They have their own food and diet, and they can
be irreparably harmed by your good intentions if you feed them “people food” or, even worse,
some “fish food” you have purchased.
3.
Leave the ocean and beach area clearer than you found it. If you see trash in the ocean (plastic
bags, bottles, and so on) remove it. You may save the life of a fish, turtle, marine mammal, or
even a seabird by removing that trash, which kills hundreds of marine inhabitants every year. The
same thing is true of the beach: Pick up trash, even if it's not yours.
4.
The beach is not an ashtray. Do not use the sand for your cigarette butts. How would you like
someone using your living room carpet as his ashtray?
5.
Look at, but don't approach, turtles or Hawaiian monk seals resting on the shoreline. The good
news is that the number of turtles and Hawaiian monk seals on the main Hawaiian Islands is in-
creasing. But while visitors may not know it, both are protected by law. You must stay 100 feet
away from them. So take photos, but do not attempt to get close to the resting sea creatures. (And
no, they are not dead or injured, just lounging.)
6.
If you plan to go fishing, practice catch and release. Let the fish live another day. Ask your charter
boat captain if they practice catch and release; if they say no, book with someone else.
7.
If you are environmentally conscious, we do not recommend that you rent jet skies, which have a
significant environmental impact.
WHAT VISITORS CAN DO ON LAND
1.
Don't litter. (This includes throwing a cigarette butt out of your car.)
2.
Before you go hiking, in addition to the safety tips outlined, scrub your hiking shoes (especially the
soles) to get rid of seeds and soil.
3.
When hiking, carry a garbage bag so you can carry out everything you carried in, including your lit-
ter. (And if you see other garbage on the trail, carry it out, too.)
4.
Stay on the trail. Wandering off a trail is not only dangerous to you (you can get lost, fall off over-
grown cliffs, or get injured by stepping into a hidden hole), but you could possibly carry invasive
species into our native forests.
5.
Do not pick flowers or plants along your hike. Just leave the environment the way you found it.
