5 Practical tips for responsible travel in Hawaii

Planning a trip to Hawaii? You’re in for something special. But visiting these islands comes with a responsibility that goes beyond just being a good tourist. Hawaii’s culture and natural environment need our mālama (care), and being a thoughtful visitor means paying attention, slowing things down, and making thoughtful choices that honor the people and places you’re visiting.

Here are some practical ways to embrace responsible travel in Hawaii.

Connect with local culture

In a small place like Hawaii, relationships matter. People here take time to “talk story,” that casual, friendly conversation that builds connection and empathy. As a visitor, simple things like eye contact, a smile, a genuine aloha or mahalo can make a real difference.

Here are a few everyday norms to keep in mind:

Take off your shoes when you enter someone’s home. You’ll usually see a row of slippers outside the door, that’s your cue.

Be patient on the road. Local drivers often let others merge or turn, even when they don’t have to. Return that courtesy or give a wave or “shaka” when someone lets you in.

Respect kapu signs. The word kapu (forbidden or sacred) marks private property, cultural sites, or areas that are unsafe, ecologically sensitive, or otherwise off-limits. If you see a kapu sign or roped-off area, don’t cross it (even if other people are ignoring it).

Support local businesses

One of the easiest ways to give back is through your spending choices:

• Eat at locally owned restaurants instead of chains
• Buy crafts, art, and souvenirs directly from local makers
• Book activities and tours with small, Hawaii-based companies

Your dollars help keep families in business, preserve traditional skills and protocols, and keep money flowing through the local economy.

Give some time, not just money

Volunteering in Hawaii is truly a win-win: in return for giving back to Hawaii, you gain understanding, perspective, and it feels wonderful.

Beach cleanups through Surfrider Foundation Maui are a fun and, well — beachy way to keep Hawaii’s beaches beautiful by removing trash, plastic, and other debris from the shorelines.

Fishpond restoration projects on Maui invite volunteers to help rebuild ancient loko iʻa (fishponds), remove invasive species, and learn about traditional Hawaiian food systems.

There are countless other opportunities to help out, ranging from monitoring honu sea turtle nests, removing invasive plants from taro patches, and helping injured and orphaned animals.

Learn basic ocean safety

Hawaii’s beaches are stunning, and it’s best to be aware and prepared to enjoy them. Ocean safety experts recommend some key habits: always swim at lifeguarded beaches, know your limits, obey warning signs, and stay aware of changing conditions.

Before you get in the water:

• Watch the ocean for a few minutes. Where are the waves breaking? Are there strong currents or shorebreak?
• Check in with the lifeguard. Ask if it’s safe for your skill level and if there are any hazards that day.
• If something feels off, don’t go out. There’s no shame in skipping a swim or surf session if conditions are beyond your experience.

Taking responsibility for your own safety also protects the lifeguards and rescue teams who might otherwise have to risk their lives to help you.

Practice mālama ʻāina: care for the land

In Hawaiian culture, land isn’t just a resource — it’s a sacred connection to life. The concepts of mālama ʻāina (to care for the land) and aloha ʻāina (love of the land) express a deep responsibility to protect the places that sustain life.

As a visitor, you can live this out in everyday ways:

Leave places as you found them (or better). Pack out all trash, stay on marked trails, and avoid picking plants, shells, or rocks from beaches or cultural sites.

Use reef-safe sun protection. Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate because they damage coral reefs. Choose mineral-based sunscreens with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and pair them with hats, rash guards, and shade.

Respect wildlife. Keep a safe distance from honu, monk seals, dolphins, and birds. Never touch, chase, or feed them.

Do the right thing when no one’s watching. Pick up stray trash, skip that shortcut across a fragile dune, and kindly speak up if a fellow visitor is doing something harmful.

These choices might feel small, but multiplied by thousands of visitors, they make a real difference.

Traveling responsibly in Hawaii is all about being mindful and living with aloha. When you slow down, lend a hand, and mālama the ʻāina, you’ll experience a much deeper side and more meaningful side of the islands.

Image credits: Kyle Thacker, Nick Romero, Scott Szarapka, Paul Blessington,