For many, a trip to Hawaii is an absolute dream. Stunning sandy beaches, rich tropical fruits and majestic marine life are all in abundance on these islands. It’s truly a paradise that’s just waiting for you to get on that plane and experience it for yourself. However, there is a growing concern on the over tourism that’s happening to Hawaii. If you’re not familiar, then I’m about to tell you. And then I will explain what we, as tourists, can do to be more eco friendly when traveling to Hawaii.
Over Tourism Concerns
The increase of visitors to the Hawaiian Islands has gone up by millions. This has put a huge strain on the housing market in Hawaii, leaving many locals stranded because tourists have been known to visit, then decide to purchase a house. These homes either become vacation homes or rentals. This makes it even more difficult for a local to find any sort of affordable housing on an already small island with limited options. The influx in tourists also causes a rise of demand for goods and services. It drives prices up and this also puts a strain on local resources such as water. Not to mention that an increase of tourists results in an increase of pollution.
There is also a blatant disregard for native flora and fauna- leaving garbage on beaches, ignoring signs on hiking trails and venturing into unmarked areas. The development and disrespect is threatening coral reefs and wildlife, both on the island and in the ocean. Hawaii is being treated like an amusement park over what it really is: someone’s home
To summarize: Yes, Hawaii has been struggling with over tourism for years. It’s been draining the locals of their resources. While at the same time locals rely on tourism in some way, especially more so on islands like Oahu and Maui. These issues are very serious and as tourists, myself included, we have to adapt to how we travel. Why? Because people deserve the chance to be able to visit Hawaii for years to come just as much as locals deserve the ability to have a comfortable life that isn’t being exploited by tourism. The land and animals also deserve respect and in order to keep tourism flowing, tourists need to change their habits.
So with all that being said, here are some things that you, the tourist, can do and *should* do to be more environmentally conscious and promote more eco friendly travel when visiting Hawaii.
Bring reusables
I know this one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how much I see people buying bottles of water. Purchasing a $3 water might not seem like a big deal at first. But if you do it five or six more times, you just spent an amount that you could have spent on a reusable one. Bringing a reusable water bottle is a simple and cost effective solution. Plus you just spared five or six plastic bottles from being garbage. There are so many options when making a purchase that it’s fairly easy to find one that meets your needs. Whatever one you decide on, it’ll save you some cash and prevent extra plastic from being consumed.
But water bottles aside, even bringing reusable sandwich bags have been helpful too. Taking food on the go is a lot more eco-friendly when I put it in a bag that I can wash out and then reuse again and again. Beeswax wraps are also good for wrapping food on the go. Take a moment to think about your travel needs and what you normally consume and see if there’s a reusable option. Anything from reusable grocery bags, containers to makeup wipes all make some sort of difference.
Shop local
This is very important. Especially if you’re spending time in the city of Honolulu, there really is no excuse not to shop local. You want coffee? Find a local coffee shop. You want PF Changs? Find a local Asian restaurant. Any food that you’re craving, at least in the city, will have a local option. If you can, try to stop at local fruit stands and get produce. I made the drive to Kualoa Ranch where parts of Jurassic Park was filmed and they have a market onsite. Inside their store were so many goodies: fresh greens and fruit, local meats and cheeses, juices and teas, and so much more all from local Hawaiian vendors. But there are places on every island for fresh local products.
If you’re in Oahu, there is also a farmers market at the stadium of the University of Hawaii’s campus. I was sadly not able to go but I would definitely check it out as it’s a source to get local products. But even if you’re on a different island, there are local stores everywhere that need your dollars to keep running. When you shop locally, you’re not contributing to a CEO’s vacation. You are helping local Hawaiians be able to pay their mortgages and be able to provide for their families. If you’re only able to do one thing to be a more eco-friendly traveler when visiting Hawaii, this would be it.
Take short showers/ watch your fresh water consumption
Some residents throughout Hawaii are asked to restrict their water intake. While tourists can be subject to following these water restrictions, they usually aren’t. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be monitoring how much fresh water you use. Fresh water is precious regardless of where you are staying. But on an island, it’s even more scarce. Do not waste water by taking long showers. I understand having to shower every day so if you do, just take short ones. Don’t leave the water running while you’re washing your face or brushing your teeth. Remember, you are the visitor. Hawaii is not your tropical playground to do what you want while the locals struggle. You are there to enjoy the land while giving respect to those who live there.
Spend your time outside
Let’s be honest, you’re not going to make the most of your time in Hawaii by being indoors. You need to get out and put your feet in the sand, swim in the ocean and hike along the coastal shorelines. Hawaii is an outdoor destination after all. Beaches are free, most parks are free. However it is worth mentioning that due to over tourism, some parks like Hanauma Bay have begun implementing stricter measures to control how many people can visit in a day. While it is still possible for you to visit places like this and it’s completely okay for you to visit, just be mindful of your impact. Take time to learn about these places and why they are so important for preservation.
When you are spending your time outside, follow the rules and guidelines set by the officials who are caring for these places. Do not go off the hiking trails. Why? Because you risk damaging native plant life and honestly, you put yourself at risk for injury. It happens all the time where I’m from where people believe they are invincible and then they don’t come home to their families. You are not invincible and you are not immune to the rules and guidelines that are posted in these natural spaces. Do not take rocks or coral. These are really easy things to follow to be a respectful visitor and promote more eco friendly travel to Hawaii.
In Conclusion
Now there are some issues that I do not have answers for. Unfortunately you will still be producing trash that ends up in landfills. It’s hard but inevitable. In Oregon, I’m used to being able to compost so it’s always challenging when I buy fresh produce and I have to throw the scraps away. But don’t beat yourself up. There are some small things you can do like trying to avoid take out containers and bringing a water bottle. I know it doesn’t sound like much but until more rentals and hotels start implementing eco friendly practices, this is all we’ve got.
While this guide doesn’t address solutions to some of Hawaiis bigger over tourism problems, it is a small way to help you travel more sustainably. As time goes on, I hope that there are solutions found for these problems so that visitors can keep coming to Hawaii in a sustainable and respectful way. As you plan your trip to Hawaii, keep these guidelines in mind and remember that these beautiful islands are an ecosystem that need to be preserved for years to come.
I encourage you to read more about the effects of over tourism of Hawaii and its environmental effects and how you, the tourist, can begin making positive impacts and continue to promote more eco friendly travel to Hawaii. But also don’t forget to relax on those beaches and enjoy yourself!
Leave a Reply