The Hawaiian islands, with rich and unique ecosystems, are a popular destination for American tourists. However, the development of tourism on the islands may be detrimental to the native Hawaiians and fragile ecosystems.
A History of Hawaii
Hawaii is an archipelago comprised of seven major islands: O'ahu, Hawai'i (the island is spelled with an 'okina (') but not the state), Maui, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, Lana'i, Mi'ihau, and Kaho'olawe. Polynesian voyagers first landed on the Hawaiian islands around 1150 and established multiple tribes and chieftains. The natives lived in peace for hundreds of years until British Captain James Cook accidentally stumbled on Hawaii in 1778. A local from Hawai'i Island, named Kamehameha, took advantage of European weapons and tactics to establish himself as the sole sovereign of a united Hawaii. Throughout the reigns of kings Kamehameha II, Kamehameha III, Kamehameha IV, Kamehameha V, Lunalilo, and David Kalakaua, United States presence increased. The sugar industry boomed and the United States purchased Pearl Harbor.
By the beginning of the reign of Queen Lili'uokalani, the influence of the monarchy was dwindling, so the queen proposed a new constitution to restore some of its powers and extend voting rights for native Hawaiians. Angered by her actions, a group of American businessmen and sugar planters formed a "Committee of Safety." They staged a coup, attacked police and the queen's 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu. The assailants were joined by U.S. Marines and Navy sailors ordered by the U.S. Minister to Hawaii. Queen Lili'uokalani abdicated the throne on January 17th 1893 to avoid violence and protect her people. She wrote the song Aloha 'oe as a farewell song to her people ("aloha" expresses both greeting and farewell in Hawaiian). In the Disney movie Lilo and Stitch, Nani sings Aloha 'oe as a farewell song to her younger sister, Lilo, as the American government threatens to take Lilo away.
The Hawaiian islands were annexed in 1898 and became the 50th state on August 21st 1959.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education." For a touristic activity to be considered eco-friendly, it must:
-Have minimal physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts on the locals -Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect -Create positive experiences for both visitors and hosts -Direct financial benefits towards conservation, local people, and private industry -Create memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climates -Operate with low-impact facilities -Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in the community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.
The Problem with Tourism in Hawaii
Since Hawaii was annexed, the archipelago's economy transitioned from an agricultural one (farming sugar) to a touristic one. While tourism in Hawaii was born from curiosity and passion for discovery of unique cultures and ecosystems, largely unethical growth of the industry is taking its toll on the islands. Expansion of tourism contributes to a host of problems for Hawaii:
Of the ten best tour companies in Hawaii (according to USA Today), only one is owned by native Hawaiians.
Visiting Hawaii Without Hurting Hawaii
As always, the first and best way to address an issue is by education and awareness. A great resource (with links to other great resources) for ways to tour the archipelago sustainably is the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations: (https://www.doi.gov/hawaiian/support).
While non-essential travel to the 50th state is still discouraged, if a trip to Hawaii is still the vacation of your dreams, the best way to tour without hurting the native environment or people is by taking tours from native-owned businesses. The best experiences come from trips where you malama--give back--to nature and the community through volunteering such as beach cleanups, native tree planting, and sustainable, ethical, and low-impact tourism.
Sources:
"Hawaiian Monarchy Overthrown by America-Backed Businessmen." The New York Times. https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/jan-17-1893-hawaiian-monarchy-overthrown-by-america-backed-businessmen/
"3 Reasons Why Traveling to Hawaii is Not Sustainable." Melanin Basecamp. https://www.melaninbasecamp.com/trip-reports/2022/2/12/3-reasons-why-traveling-to-hawaii-is-not-sustainable#:~:text=There's%20not%20enough%20natural%20resources,irrigation%20and%20other%20nonessential%20activities.
"Native Hawaiian Support Organizations." U.S. Department of the Interior. https://www.doi.gov/hawaiian/support
"What is Ecotourism?" The International Ecotourism Society. https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/
"The most rewarding trip is one that gives back." Go Hawaii. https://www.gohawaii.com/malama