A Guide to Traveling Responsibly in Hawaiʻi

For decades, travelers from all over the world have flocked to Hawaiʻi for its beautiful beaches, aloha lifestyle, and rich culture. But in recent years since the pandemic and Maui wildfires, native Hawaiians and locals have expressed concerns of too much tourism — and the harmful behaviors that some visitors exhibit. The reality is, when it comes to a vacation spot as popular as this one, bad tourist behavior can be pervasive. But as actor and native Hawaiian Auliʻi Cravalho previously told PS, "Hawaiʻi is beautiful, and to deny anyone from seeing a beautiful place is sad."

Now that the state is welcoming visitors, it's more important than ever before to prioritize respectful tourism. In October, I traveled to Kauaʻi and Oʻahu, where I was hosted by the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau and Oʻahu Visitors Bureau, respectively, to experience all that the islands had to offer. On my trip, I learned about Hawaiʻi's efforts to grow tourism sustainably and ways to respect and give back to the communities you're visiting. Based on my experience, here are my best tips for traveling mindfully to Hawaiʻi — including advice, activities, and destinations — and whether it's OK to travel to the islands right now.

Is It OK to Travel to Hawaiʻi Right Now?

Though there's been online debate about whether it's OK to visit Hawaiʻi, particularly following the pandemic and wildfires, the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, which works with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, confirms that all of the islands are welcoming travelers. "With Maui in rebuilding mode, they, too, need tourism back and are sharing all the wonderful places available on Maui while Lahaina heals and rebuilds," says Sue Kanoho, managing director of the Island Visitors Bureaus and executive director of the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau. "Listening only to social media does not give a full picture of our destination." She recommends checking in with each of the island's visitors bureau offices for current updates.

How to be a Responsible Tourist in Hawaiʻi

While Hawaiʻi's tourism board encourages travelers to visit, it's important to be extra mindful when headed to Hawaiʻi. That means supporting the local economy and respecting the wishes of both locals and native Hawaiians.

Support Local Businesses

When you're eating your way through the islands, prioritize businesses that are local to Hawaiʻi. We had some of our best meals on Kauaʻi at The Fish Express, a busy takeaway restaurant that serves the freshest poke I've ever eaten; Red Salt, an upscale eatery headed by Kauaʻi native chef Noelani Planas; Little Fish Coffee, a casual breakfast spot that uses local, Kauaʻi-grown and organic ingredients whenever possible; and with Aletha Thomas of Cooking Kauai, which offers culinary classes that focus on preserving Hawaiʻi's seasons and cultures. I also loved walking through the Kauaʻi Culinary Market, a weekly farmer's market at the Shops at Kukuiʻula, where local vendors sell Kauaʻi-grown fruits, vegetables, coffee, and more.

Aside from accommodations and food, you'll likely be spending a majority of your travel budget on activities. For activities like guided tours, cruises, and water sports, choose local businesses. On Kauaʻi, we visited the famous Nāpali Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, via Holo Holo Charters, a boat tour company offering sightseeing and snorkeling excursions on its locally built vessels. The company also prioritizes eco-consciousness, emphasizing protecting marine life and even providing reef-safe sunscreen. We also visited Lydgate Farms, a fifth-generation, family-owned chocolate farm, where we learned about and tasted the most exquisite chocolate, and the historic Kilohana Plantation, where we embarked on a rum safari tour to check out fruit orchards and farm animals while enjoying Kōloa Rum.

If you're in the market for clothes, accessories, or other artisan goods, consider spending your dollars at local businesses as well. Cravalho previously told PS one of her favorite spots on Oʻahu is Nā Mea Hawaiʻi, a craft store that sells pieces made locally or by artisans with Polynesian ties. On Kauaʻi, I loved sifting through the selection of locally designed and handcrafted gifts at Alakoko, a community-based nonprofit store.

Do Your Research

There's so much natural beauty to enjoy in Hawaiʻi, but it's important to be prepared before venturing into any part of nature, whether that's while surfing, hiking, or snorkeling. It may seem obvious, but when a local or sign tells you to not to go any farther, listen. Kanoho notes there's been an increase in hiking incidents due to a lack of preparation. Before you go hiking anywhere, do a quick search on weather conditions, parking spaces, designated trails, and whether you must enter with a guide. If you're hitting a trail alone, be sure to "let people know where you are going and when you expect to return," Kanoho recommends.

When you're headed out to the ocean, exercise caution, especially when there are strong currents or it's dark outside. It's also important to be respectful to marine life: Never litter, admire sea creatures from afar, and use reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaiʻi has banned the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals that are harmful to coral, so double-check your sunscreen ingredients before packing.

As part of Hawaiʻi's new bill dedicated to regenerative tourism, which aims to balance tourism with the well-being of local communities through active restorative measures, the state has implemented advance reservation systems for especially popular attractions, like the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oʻahu and Hā'ena State Park on Kauaʻi. In order to manage capacity and preserve the natural environment, make sure to be aware of and respect these systems.

It's also a good idea to educate yourself on basic Hawaiian words and customs, such as the significance of a lei — and how you should never throw it into the trash or onto the floor — or why you should avoid referring to the continental US as the "mainland," as it can suggest Hawaiʻi's subservience to the continental US. Check out this toolkit from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, created in partnership with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, for more information.

Book Accommodations With Good Values

Since accommodations are likely your largest expense, I'd recommend choosing hotels and Airbnbs that promote good values. I loved my stay at the Ko'a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach on Kauaʻi, which was beautifully relaxing, while authentic to Hawaiian culture — offering free entertainment like ukulele lessons, lei making, hula performances, and live Hawaiian music.

Consider staying at a hotel that's also focused on regenerative tourism. The regenerative tourism bill also includes a corporate social responsibility program that gives both locals and visitors an opportunity to give back to the community. I spent a rejuvenating weekend at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani, which encourages visitors to take part in the Mālama Hawaiʻi Program. As part of the program, you can receive a discount, credit, or even a free night when you participate in a hotel's dedicated volunteer activity, like cleaning up a beach, planting trees, or making a Hawaiian quilt to donate to elders.

Immerse Yourself in Hawaiian Culture

Eating, hiking, and swimming aside, Hawaiʻi has plenty to offer when it comes to arts and culture, from traditional lei making and learning hula to attending a lū'au. If you're looking to take a break from the sun, I stopped by the Honolulu Museum of Art on Oʻahu, where I viewed an impressive collection of Asian art and artifacts. While on Kauaʻi, we also took an immersive and intimate lei po'o making class hosted by Elvrine Chow, a master lei maker.

Enjoy Being on Vacation

Traveling responsibly doesn't mean your vacation shouldn't be just that: a vacation. While immersing myself in the culture, I also made sure to indulge in several spa days — including a heavenly oceanside massage at The Spa at the Ko'a Kea Resort and a vibroacoustic experience and pedicure at the Spa at Halekulani. On one quieter evening on Oʻahu, I went on a sunset cruise with Majestic by Atlantis Cruise, during which I got an incredible view of all of Honolulu.

The aloha lifestyle is all about slowing down and living in the moment — embrace that spirit as you enjoy being a tourist.

Yerin Kim is the features editor at PS, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women's lifestyle spaces. She's passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.