Hawaii Marine Tourism

HOTELS

Hawaii Hotel Reef Stewardship Project
Hawaii is home to approximately eighty percent of the coral reefs found in U.S. waters. Nearly one-quarter of its fish species, reef-building corals, and reef invertebrates are endemic. These remarkable ecosystems generate approximately $800 million in gross annual revenue for the state and are considered one of the hospitality sector's greatest assets.

CORAL has launched a statewide initiative that promotes sustainable tourism and environmental reef stewardship within Hawaii's accomodations sector.

Recognizing that many of Hawaii's hotels are already leaders in environmental sustainability, we have developed this project to explore new niches and acknowledge those who engage in efforts beyond the standard water and energy reduction efforts.

What We're Doing
With support from our local partners, CORAL is providing access to materials, tools, strategies, and other resources that hotels can utilize to improve their level of sustainability. We are seeking assistance from hotel managers to better understand the stewardship activities that are currently underway at their hotels and identify opportunities to work together.

Example Activities:
• Reef etiquette signage
• In-room educational materials
• Educational tools for staff to share with guests
• Staff training in reef ecology and outreach strategies
• Supporting hotels' watersports companies in the implementation of the Voluntary Standards for Marine Tourism and working with concierges and activity agencies to provide materials and messages that can be shared with visitors

As this project develops, watch this site for updates on activities and outcomes, as well as new resources available to the accommodations sector.

Below is a list of hotels that have joined the Hawaii Hotel Reef Stewardship Project:

 MAUI
 • Fairmont Kea Lani
 • Four Seasons Resort Maui
 • Honua Kai Resort & Spa
 • Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
 • Napili Kai Beach Resort
 • Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
 • Royal Lahaina Resort
 • Sheraton Maui
 • Travaasa Hana

 LANAI
 • Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay
 • Four Seasons Resort Lana'i, Lodge at Koele

 HAWAII ISLAND
 • Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
 • The Fairmont Orchid
 • Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
 • Hilton Waikoloa Village
 • Keauhou Beach Resort
 • Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
 • Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa

 KAUAI
 • Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

 OAHU
 • Halekulani
 • Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
 • Sheraton Waikiki Resort 
 • Waikiki Parc Hotel

MARINE RECREATION PROVIDERS

West Hawaii Voluntary Standards
In 2009, CORAL completed a project working with marine recreation industry stakeholders in West Hawaii to develop the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards for Marine Tourism (WHVS). These regional standards are now improving and ensuring environmental performance in SCUBA diving and snorkeling, general boating (including surfing and kayaking), wildlife interactions (including marine mammals, invertebrates, manta rays and sharks), and shoreline activities.

Over thirty marine tourism providers on Hawaii Island have signed on to adopt the standards and have agreed to assist CORAL in evaluating them for their overall effectiveness, attainability, and affordability. CORAL is now working to expand these efforts to other areas of Hawaii.

Photo courtesy of: Nick Craig, Ocean Sports

For more information about the project, to view a list of participating companies, and to download the standards, please visit the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards website.

 WHAT YOU CAN DO – LEARN ABOUT REEFS AND GET INVOLVED

Coral Reef Info and Etiquette
Learn the basics about coral reefs here.

Download CORAL's Guides and Best Practices for Visitors, on topics including diving, snorkeling, turtle watching, underwater cleanups, and whale watching here.

Download CORAL's Issue Briefs: Coral Reefs and Global Climate Change, Coral Reef Mining, Harvesting, and Trade, Sustainable Coastal Development , Exploitive Fishing, Watersheds and Healthy Reefs, and Effective Coral Reef Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

 WHAT YOU CAN DO – PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

Share your experiences diving, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and/or wildlife viewing with companies that are participating in the Voluntary Standards for Marine Tourism, and help us provide valuable feedback to commercial marine operators. (Available Soon!)

Join our online communities - Visit these Facebook pages:
• Coral Reef Alliance
• West Hawaii Voluntary Standards
• Ka'anapali Makai Watch
• Fish-Friendly Business Alliance
• Hawaii Reef Etiquette Sign
• Making a Difference Action Guide
• Hawaii EcoTube