Conservation & Stewardship
Hawaii is a place of great natural beauty and wonder. This most isolated of island chains, in the middle of the vast north Pacific Ocean, is home to some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures in the world. Polynesian immigrants understood that surviving and thriving here meant making the most of the resources of the land and of the sea. Hawaiian culture is permeated with reverence for things of land and sea; for plants, fish, and animals, the many rains and winds, as well as lava flows old and young. All enrich our lives. Today we use the word hoomaluo to mean the wise management and conservation of those myriad resources. We invite you to hoomaluo. Join us in becoming stakeholders in the future of Hawai'i.
Our Commitment to Conservation & Sustainable Tourism:
As a locally-owned tour operator, we understand that the preservation of our treasured natural resources is in our best interest. As residents we seek to ensure that Hawaii's incredible natural heritage remains intact to be enjoyed by our children and by generations to come. As an industry member of the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, we subscribe to the WHA Principles which define sustainable tourism as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Our guided nature adventures are designed with these principles in mind and strive to preserve, maintain, and enhance our island home.
In addition to sharing the incredible natural and cultural heritage of Hawai'i with guests, our tours also:
- Minimally impact the local environment. Where possible, we incorporate voluntourism into our experiences to create opportunities to give back.
- Minimize the use of resources and reduce waste generation. Preference is given to re-useable or recycled items and waste generated from tours is sorted to ensure local landfills are minimally impacted.
- Fulfill resource use guidelines. We work closely with local resource managers and landowners to ensure that our tours are operated within established land-use parameters.
Additionally, Hawaii Forest & Trail donates to and partners with local organizations focused on such areas as native species preservation, ecosystem restoration, and youth in nature programs. Partner organizations in 2008 included Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kohala Project Venture, Bishop Museum, and KTA Superstore's Kokua I Na Kula Program.
About World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism
Created in 2005 by the United Nations Foundation and Expedia, Inc., the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism is an industry-leading initiative that works to support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around UNESCO World Heritage sites. www.worldheritagealliance.org
About World Heritage sites
World Heritage sites are places around the world that have been internationally recognized for their outstanding value as natural and cultural treasures. Sites currently on the World Heritage list include Independence Hall, Stonehenge, the Galapagos Islands, the wildlife reserves of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Great Wall of China. There are currently 878 World Heritage sites (679 cultural, 174 and 25 mixed properties) in 145 countries. All sites are protected by the 1972 World Heritage Convention, signed to date by 185 countries and administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Hawaii's only World Heritage site and was inscribed in 1987. whc.unesco.org
About Friends of World Heritage
Friends of World Heritage is a grassroots initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting World Heritage, promoting sustainable development, offering ways to explore these sites through sustainable travel, and raising funds to support projects in communities that depend on World Heritage sites. Friends of World Heritage was created by the United Nations Foundation and its partners are: Expedia, Inc. and UNESCO's World Heritage Centre. By acting together, this community of travelers and supporters come together to help protect the world’s most precious resources. www.friendsofworldheritage.com
