The summer of 2009 marked a milestone for CORAL's work in Hawaii: the successful balloting of four voluntary standards for marine tourism in West Hawaii. Through a process begun in early 2008, the West Hawaii community developed standards for SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling, General Boating (including kayaking and surf schools), Wildlife Interactions (including dolphins, whales, monk seals, turtles, manta rays, sharks, and invertebrates), and Shoreline Activities.
Marine tourism providers are now signing on to adopt the standards, and will assist CORAL in evaluating them for their overall effectiveness, 
attainability, and affordability. In addition to the evaluation, CORAL is actively assisting with standards implementation through the development and dissemination of educational tools and materials, along with specialized training in sustainable marine recreation to help companies communicate key messages to their clients and enforce the standards.
Below is a list of companies that have agreed to adopt the voluntary standards. You can also read the standards [1], and learn more [2] about how they were developed and how they are being implemented. The standards were also featured in CORAL's newsletter [3] (PDF).
The following companies have signed on to adopt the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards:
Adventures in Paradise
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Big Island Divers
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Blue Sea Cruises
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Body Glove Cruises |
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Captain Zodiac Rafting Adventures
Captain Zodiac provides eco sensitive tours to Kealakekua Bay on exciting Zodiac ocean rafts. The Original ocean rafting company formed over 35 years ago, we have enhanced the experience of our guests enjoying our coral reefs and marine mammal viewing. Captain Zodiac is a proud member of Kuleana Green program for environmentally responsible businesses. |
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"We joined CORAL for the opportunity to share our beliefs in reef conservation with other like minded people and to educate visitors in the protection of our environment." |
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Dolphin Discoveries |
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Dolphin Journeys
Enjoy the Hawaiian waters with us - Dolphin interactions, Reef snorkeling, Manta Ray swims, and Whale watching. Let your spirit fly. |
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Dolphin Quest |
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www.dolphinquest.com [12] |
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Fair Wind Cruises
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"Our company has always been concerned and appreciative of our pristine environment. CORAL exemplifies environmental awareness and protection through education and hands on training for industry participants. We are proud to be in association with CORAL in developing the Kona Standards and look forward to participating in the Kona Program." www.fair-wind.com [13] |
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Hawai'i Island & Ocean Tours |
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Hawai'i Pack and Paddle
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Hula Kai Cruises
www.fair-wind.com [16] |
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Island RV |
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www.islandrv.com [17] |
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Jack's Diving Locker
Jack's Diving Locker, established in 1981, offers a wide range of customized Scuba and Snorkel boat charters. We offer PADI Scuba programs for Adults, Juniors along with Specialty and Professional programs all designed to match your schedule and experience level. Our Coconut Grove location offers the widest selection of gear in Kona. Jack's Diving Locker, where "Our Friendly People Make the Difference." |
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Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment,
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Kahalu'u Bay Education Center |
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Kalena Nai'a |
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www.konaoceanx.com [21] |
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Kohala Divers
Kohala Divers, located in Kawaihae, has been leading dives and offering dive education for over 25 years on the Kohala Coast. We make the environment our first priority in all of our watersports activities. "We are thrilled that CORAL is supporting marine conservation in Hawaii and are happy to support the orginization. We believe that our enthusiasm for the underwater world combined with education on preserving our oceans will allow many to enjoy our precious reefs now and for generations to come." www.kohaladivers.com [22] |
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Kona Boys
Kona Boys is small, laid back, island style surf, kayak, and Stand Up Paddleboard shop located on the Big Island's Kona Coast above Kealakekua Bay. Our ohana (family) consists of lifelong watermen and women who share a passion and respect for the ocean and all that lives within. We are here to help locals and visitors alike enjoy Hawaii's waters while caring for its delicate balance. So, whether your looking to paddle and snorkel Kealakekua Bay, surf our various reef breaks, SUP our beautifully rugged coastline, or submerge yourself in our aquatic wonderland, Kona Boys has the gear, information, guides, and aloha to help. www.konaboys.com [23] |
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Kona Honu Divers, Inc., Est 2002 |
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| "At Kona Honu Divers, we pledge to do our best with respect to reef environment and to minimize the impact we have on it. We observe best practices in utilizing the current mooring system by no anchor drops. Kona Honu Divers are actively taking part in several environmental agency attempts to self impose regulations for the benefit of the local reefs, and to assure that the marine environment in Kona, Hawaii, will be sustained for the enjoyment of future generations." |
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Kona Mike's Surf Adventures |
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Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
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Mara's Dive
Mara's Dive is a small independently-owned SCUBA Diving Company specializing in PADI SCUBA Instruction, Open Water SCUBA Referrals and shore diving services in West Hawaii on the Big Island. Personalized instruction, private classes and Mara's love of the sea and SCUBA make this a great choice. A PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Mara also teaches PADI Advanced Classes and specialty courses. PADI Discover SCUBA Introductory dives (with hand-held, if desired!) and refresher courses are available as well, if you need them!! Come dive with Mara and experience the beauty and serenity of the underwater world of the South Kona Coast. www.marasdive.com [27] |
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Maui Ocean Activities |
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Maui UnderSea Adventures
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Neptune Charlies Ocean Safaris
(808) 331-2184 |
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Ocean Sports |
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One Love One Spirit
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Pirate Chaters Kona
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Prodiver Maui
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Sea Hawaii RaftingSea Hawaii Rafting is located in Kona on Hawaii's Big Island. Sea Hawaii Rafting offers an adventure of a lifetime. Choose from a variety of adventures from snorkeling, whale watching, and much more. Our experienced Captains & Crew will lead you on a personalized adventure and help you to discover the best Hawaii's Kona Coast has to offer. |
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"Sea Hawaii Rafting is signing up for CORAL to do our part in raising awareness of the importance to running a Eco Friendly business and lifestyle. In taking part of the program we are helping the community come one step closer to preserving the Hawaiian Islands and its surrounding for many generations to come." |
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Sea Paradise |
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www.seaparadise.com [38] |
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Sea Quest Rafting and Snorkeling Adventures
"Sea Quest supports the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards because we want to preserve our environment and the unique ecosystem it supports for future generations of visitors and kama'aina to experience and enjoy." seaquesthawaii.com [39] |
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Splasher's Ocean Adventures |
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Torpedo Tours |
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| www.torpedotours.com [42] | |
Trilogy Excursions (Maui County)
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 www.sailtrilogy.com [43] |
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Underwater Adventures Hawaii
"Preserving the marine environment is everyone's responsibility. We provide detailed briefings, and require that our clients respect the ocean and it's "critters". We discourage the wearing of gloves and educate divers on not touching coral and maintaining a no contact rule." |
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Wild Side Specialty Tours (Oahu)
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| Please note: Listings on this site do not indicate official endorsement of any company by CORAL. A listing indicates only that the company participated in the standards development, adoption, and implementation process, and has agreed to assist in the standards field-testing and evaluation. |
Photo credit: Kara Osada-D'Avella / Hawaii
Congratulations to Brandon Ly from Whittier, California, who is the winner of our logo design contest for the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards. The new logo will allow companies to show that they have signed on to follow the sustainable practices set out in the standards, and will help to raise awareness about sustainable marine recreation.
[47]Online training on coral reefs and the West Hawaii Voluntary Standards is now available! Visit this page to watch a short series of videos, and learn more about reefs, and the best practices outlined in the standards.
View the training videos » [48]
Links:
[1] http://www.coral.org/node/4340
[2] http://www.coral.org/node/4344
[3] http://www.coral.org/files/pdf/newsletters/2009FallNewsletter.pdf
[4] http://www.bigislandkayak.com/
[5] http://www.bigislandkayak.com/
[6] http://www.bigislanddivers.com/
[7] http://blueseacruisesinc.com/
[8] http://www.bodyglovehawaii.com/
[9] http://www.captainzodiac.com/
[10] http://dolphindiscoveries.com/
[11] http://www.dolphinjourneys.com/
[12] http://www.dolphinquest.com
[13] http://www.fair-wind.com/
[14] http://www.hawaiiislandandoceantours.com/
[15] http://www.hawaiipackandpaddle.com/
[16] http://www.fair-wind.com/
[17] http://www.islandrv.com/
[18] http://www.jacksdivinglocker.com/
[19] http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KapaluaMaui/Recreaction/Ambassadors.htm
[20] http://kohalacenter.org/kahaluubay/home.html
[21] http://www.konaoceanx.com/
[22] http://www.kohaladivers.com/
[23] http://www.konaboys.com/
[24] http://www.konahonudivers.com/index.shtml
[25] http://www.konasurfadventures.com/index.html
[26] http://www.mantaraydiveshawaii.com/
[27] http://www.marasdive.com/
[28] http://www.mauioceanactivities.com/
[29] http://mauiundersea.com/
[30] http://neptunecharlies.com/
[31] http://www.hawaiioceansports.com/
[32] http://www.oneloveonespirit.com
[33] http://piratecharterskona.com/
[34] http://piratecharterskona.com/
[35] http://www.prodivermaui.com
[36] http://www.seahawaiirafting.com/
[37] http://www.seaparadise.com/
[38] http://www.seaparadise.com/
[39] http://seaquesthawaii.com/
[40] http://www.splashersoceanadventures.com/
[41] http://www.splashersoceanadventures.com/
[42] http://www.torpedotours.com/
[43] http://www.sailtrilogy.com
[44] http://www.underwateradventureshawaii.com/
[45] http://www.underwateradventureshawaii.com/
[46] http://sailhawaii.com
[47] http://www.coral.org/standardstraining
[48] http://coral.org/standardstraining
(808) 325-1687
Sea Quest Rafting and Snorkeling Adventures snorkels at the Big Island of Hawaii's best snorkel reefs, explores sea caves and lava tubes along the rugged Kona Coast, observes dolphins and whales in their natural habitat, and talks story about the Big Island's history, legends, and folklore. For over twenty years, we have specialized in small groups and narrow caves to provide our guests a unique and intimate adventure in one of the most unique and beautiful places on Earth.
Underwater Adventures Hawaii offers private scuba and snorkel charters for a maximum of 6 people. 