The Eco-Traveler’s Guide to Hawaii
As a traveler entering a place like Hawaii, it’s important to be extremely mindful of those whose land we are entering. Hawaii belongs to those indigenous to the land, and being a respectful visitor includes trying to shop, eat and stay locally.
The connection between the people of Hawaii and the ocean is profound. Mistreatment of this environment is an offense to indigenous people -- and that includes improper interactions with sharks.
Eco-tourism is a great way for tourists to support local communities and provide an alternate income for the use of sharks. As shark diving becomes increasingly popular, these animals become more valuable alive than dead with their fins or liver removed.
Just as it is important to be a respectful tourist in Hawaii, there are also ways to be respectful observers in the ocean. Of course, this depends heavily on the tour operators taking you out on the water. Here are some operators we recommend around the Hawaiian islands:
Hawaii Shark Encounters (Oahu) – This is the first company to bring a shark cage out into the water. They have a great reputation for promoting shark conservation and have been featured on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Their sustainability practices minimize any potential damage to reefs and they avoid practices that can harm ocean life.
See Through Sea (Kailua-Kona) – These incredible wildlife tours are led by Jim and Alicia Ward and offer the chance to see dolphins, whales, sharks and manta rays in the wild. This experience is catered to what guests hope to see, and there are options to watch from the boat or explore the water. The couple is dedicated to conservation and photography, and they take photographs throughout the tours that are used for scientific purposes.
Snorkel Bob (Kauai, Oahu, Kona, Maui) – This is a great company to consider for all ocean activities, from whale watching to snorkeling. Snorkel Bob is dedicated to an anti-aquarium campaign and spearheaded The Dark Hobby, a documentary that covers the environmental damage that the aquarium trade has on the ocean. Fish belong in the wild, so experience the magic of the underwater world with Snorkel Bob rather than walking through an aquarium.
Beyond choosing a responsible tour operator, there are other ways to be an eco-friendly traveler in the ocean.
Hawaii recently passed a law that prevents the sale and distribution of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two very harmful chemicals to reefs. Respect this law (and the ocean) and don’t bring sunscreen that may contain these ingredients. And remember, you can’t always trust labels! A product that is labeled “reef-safe” doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s reef-safe. The only sunscreen scientifically proven to not harm reefs is Stream2Sea. Check out their Shark Free squalene on the Shark Cafe shop!
When traveling around Hawaii, go reusable and avoid single-use plastics. Remember to pack reusable items like a tote, water bottle, sandwich/snack bags, utensils and cup. Single-use plastic items remain on our planet for hundreds of years and can end up in the ocean, damaging reefs and endangering marine animals.
Lastly, always remember -- leave only bubbles and take only pictures! Enjoy the beautiful waters and incredible ocean life of Hawaii responsibly to make sure this place remains a paradise for future generations.
