The Hawaiian Islands are a dream destination for international travelers looking to re-discover the world and soak up the culture, history and beauty of one of the Pacific Ocean’s most unique places.
Upon arrival, tourists can enjoy the fantastic food and a rich array of natural attractions such as the gorgeous white sandy beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and incredible volcanoes that the islands have to offer.
Of course, Hawaii lets tourists experience its unique hospitality Aloha Spirit of the locals found nowhere else. Here travelers can experience one of the most important values for native Hawaiians and Hawaiians; the idea of malama aina, or take care of the country. This special bond between the natural beauty of the islands and the vibrant culture of the local people grows stronger every time malama (hand back).
By giving back to the land, wildlife, ocean, community, earth, and even the fishpond, the people of Hawaii become part of a virtuous circle that enriches everything and everyone, and that includes the visitor’s experience.
There is more than one way to learn about the native traditions used to farm the land, and tourists can explore the many ways that local people are helping to make Hawaii more sustainable for generations to come.
Here are the incredible islands of Hawaii and how your customers can experience the beauty while helping locals make Hawaii more sustainable.
Kauai
Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth largest island and is sometimes referred to as the “Garden Isle” (which tourists will know why once they arrive). Guests can experience a guided tour of the farm in beautiful green surroundings Hanalei Taro fields to see how kalo (taro), an important Hawaiian root starch, is grown.
Travelers can visit Kauai’s South Shore, which is home to Kauai coffee, a working coffee plantation where tourists can stroll the coffee plantation, speak to the friendly guides, tour the gift shop, and sample the exclusive line of home-grown Hawaiian coffees.
Travelers can get in touch with the island’s nature by visiting Hawaii’s largest botanical gardens; The National Tropical Botanical Garden has three locations on Kauai: Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden just west of the charming town coloa, and Limahuli Garden on the north coast of the island.
If you get there at the right time of year, tourists can go on one whale watching Between December and May, take a tour or watch some of the 1,200 endangered Hawaiian monk seals swim in Kauai waters at Poipu Beach.
In Oahu, tourists can learn the spirit of malama with farm tours that educate travelers on the farm-to-table process that is such an important part of Hawaiian regional cuisine. Be enchanted by one or all of the five different locations of Honolulu‘s Botanical Gardens on Oahu. Go from December to May whale watching off the south shore of Oahu and catch a glimpse of a majestic Kohola, or Humpback Whale, when the gentle giants swim into the warm waters of Hawaii each year for breeding season.
lanai
Lanai is more than just the luxurious resorts around the island. In fact, much of the island looks the same as it did hundreds of years ago. Wide open plains dotted with Cook pine give Central lanai a more rustic vibe than the other Hawaiian Islands, and there are other off-the-beaten-path locations that can take your customers back in time.
Take a trip to the Kanepuu preserve on the west side of the island for a self-guided tour of 48 species of endemic Hawaiian plants. A visit to Kanepuu Preserve is a unique opportunity to see rare plant species such as the local hibiscus Mau hau hele and trees such as the llama, an ebony native to this area protected by the Nature Conservancy.
maui
Maui, also known as “The Valley Isle,” is Hawaii’s second largest island and is known for its stunning beaches, sacred Iao Valley and views of migrating humpback whales in the winter months.
Go there in the interior of Maui and enjoy the fields of sweet lavender, stroll through the vibrant protea in Kula, visit a goat’s milk shop, or even enjoy some Maui-made wines and spirits. Go through the Kula Botanical Garden and see West Maui’s vast array of native plants, waterfalls, ponds, and beautiful panoramic views of the valley and mountains.
Continue to the 30,000-foot summit of Haleakala and you may meet Maui’s state bird, the endangered nene (Hawaiian goose), or stumble upon a Haleakala silver sword, a rare and beautiful succulent that shimmers in the dawn light.
Molokai
One of the smaller islands in the archipelago, Molokai is only 61 kilometers long and 16 kilometers wide. This smaller island stays true to its island roots, with a high percentage of the population being native Hawaiians who continue to maintain their rural lifestyle.
See how locals work the land and see why Hawaii is the world’s leading producer of macadamia nuts on a farm tour at Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut Farm in Central Molokai.
Get in touch with the land by visiting the two Conservation Agency sites on Molokai: the Moomomi Reserve on the northwest coast and the Kamakou Reserve in the mountainous rainforests of the east and see environmental protection in action.
The Kamakou Reservation covers almost 2,774 hectares and is home to more than 250 rare Hawaiian plants, 219 of which are found nowhere else. Take the 3-mile round trip along the narrow Kamakou Promenade through pristine rainforest.
Island of Hawaii
The island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest of the islands in the archipelago, almost twice the size of all the other islands combined.
Tourists are blessed to learn about the island of Hawaii’s local ecosystem and experience its unique beauty in so many ways. Learn about conservation and rehabilitation efforts for native bird species and other wildlife at the Hoopulauma Science and Discovery Center at the Hawaii Wildlife Center. Take a tour and learn about renewable energy, sustainability and emerging technologies at the Natural Energy Laboratory through the Friends of NELHA Group. To restore native flora, travelers can take a tree planting tour Hawaiian Legacy Tours, where lucky tourists can help plant a koa tree.
go out and malama
The Hawaiian Islands are all easy to travel around and there is so much to explore on each individual island.
So tell your customers to go out and malama because her first international holiday after a long period of border closures was meant to give back to a community that so desperately wants her.
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