Kaua'i - Hawaii - page 1132

» Coral-reef etiquette When snorkeling or diving, never touch the coral reef. It's that
simple. Coral polyps are living organisms, so oil from fingers and broken pieces create
wounds and openings for infection and disease. Watch your fins; avoid stirring up clouds
of sand, which can settle on and damage reef organisms. Don't feed fish.
» Dive etiquette Practice proper buoyancy control to avoid hitting the reef. Don't use reef
anchors or ground boats over coral. Limit your time in caves, as air bubbles can collect on
roofs and leave organisms high and dry.
» Encountering sea turtles and marine mammals Federal and state laws protect all
wild marine mammals and turtles from 'harassment.' Legally, this usually means ap-
proaching them closer than 50yd (100yd for whales, or 20ft for turtles) or doing anything
that disrupts their behavior. The most important actions to avoid are pursuing or touching
wild dolphins, and disturbing seals or turtles resting on beaches.
» Hiking Scrub the soles of your shoes and wipe down your backpack and any outdoor
gear before landing in Hawaii to avoid inadvertently importing invasive species via stray
seeds. Prevent erosion by staying on marked hiking and mountain-biking trails. Respect
'No Trespassing - Kapu' and ʻPrivate Property' signs, unless a trustworthy local resident
says it's actually OK.
» Helicopter rides Some places in Hawaii you can't reach except by air. However, as air
tours increase, aircraft noise disturbs visitors and island residents on the ground, and it
stresses local bird populations. If you do fly, pick the most fuel-efficient helicopter pos-
sible, and consider carbon offsetting.
» 4WDs & ATVs Always stay on the road, track or pre-established trail. Off-roading, even
on private land, can cause scars on the land that take decades to heal. Better yet, con-
sider mountain biking or hiking as alternative low-impact transportation.
For more easy ideas about how to make your trip more sustainable and ecofriendly, pick
up 50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save Hawaiʻi by environmental studies professor
Gail Grabowsky.
Volunteering on Vacation
Volunteering provides an experience you'll never get by just passing through a place, and
lets you give something back during your trip. There's always something to get involved
in - even if it's for just an afternoon.
To find volunteer opportunities, check alternative local newspapers such as Honolulu
Weekly ( www.honoluluweekly.com/calendar ) and talk to nonprofit organizations around
the islands, including the following:
» GrowFood ( www.growfood.org ) Work exchanges on organic and sustainable farms.