{"id":2,"date":"2016-06-06T23:16:50","date_gmt":"2016-06-06T23:16:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eco-friendly-tourism.com\/?page_id=2"},"modified":"2025-08-21T09:43:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T19:43:42","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sustainabletourismhawaii.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai\u02bbi<\/h1>
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Celebrating 30 Years!<\/h2>
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Donate Now<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/p><\/div>
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Get Involved<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>
Get Certified<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>
Members<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div>
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Celebrate Our Founder - Annette Kaohelaulii<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n
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What is Travel Pono?<\/h3>
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“Pono” means “to do what is right”. To\u00a0Travel Pono\u00a0<\/em>is to travel consciously and respectfully. We encourage visitors to explore Hawaii in a manner that is respectful of the Native Hawaiian culture, wildlife and environment, and local residents.<\/p>\n

Our Pono Traveler program<\/a> is designed to help Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii managers and our certified operators gain feedback to improve their operations to be more sustainable. Learn about this program and join now.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

Sustainable Tourism<\/h3>
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Sustainable Tourism is defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization as Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors,\u00a0the industry, the environment and host communities.\u00a0The Hawaii Tourism Authority defines it as a way to maximize social and economic benefits to Hawaii\u2019s communities and businesses while respecting, nourishing,\u00a0preserving and enhancing Hawaii\u2019s natural, cultural and human assets.<\/p>\n

We incorporate the spirit of both definitions into our certification program.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

Certification Program<\/h3>
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\"certified
\nSustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii provides an independent verification system to distinguish industry leaders in sustainable tourism.
\nGet Certified<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 View Certified Operators<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/main><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Help support Sustainable Tourism throughout Hawai\u2019i <\/div>
Learn More<\/a><\/div><\/div>riverside tours<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Explore Hawai\u2019i with a Certified Tour Operator & learn how to Travel Pono<\/div>
Find Tour Operators<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Get involved and promote the principles of \"Travel Pono\"<\/div>
JOIN OUR \u02bbOHANA<\/a><\/div><\/div>moutain scenery<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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