It can be easy to get caught up in its tropical glitz and picture-perfect views, but at the end of the day, it is SO important to know how to preserve and protect this unique, historic place that we call home.

From the pristine beaches to the crystal clear waters to the undeniably calming, and comforting spirit of the land–it’s no secret that Hawaiʻi is one of the most beautiful and special places in the world.

We are so excited to welcome our friends and family back to the islands–and we also are passionate about sharing how important it is to be a mindful traveler and consumer, especially when it comes to the islands.

As the state starts reopening to tourism, we thought it would be important to share a couple of ways to conscientiously experience the land and give back to the islands so that it can be preserved, protected, and enjoyed for years to come.

Here are a few of our favorite tips to be a mindful traveler to Hawaiʻi:

Support local businesses

Now more than ever, making the conscious decision to support local is SO important to keep the local community alive. Search Yelp for the best local restaurants and shop at local boutiques and specialty stores. Buy a print from a local artist and make sure you’re choosing local items when you’re at the grocery store.

Choosing to spend your money to support the local economy is key to ensuring that the next time you visit, the small mom-and-pop restaurants and cute local-style boutiques in the small towns you make memories in will still be there.

Bring reusables

On this one, any little bit helps. If you have an extra canvas bag, bring it with you for your local farmers market finds or for your grocery runs. If you have a reusable water bottle, try to use it as often as possible–plus, your water can keep ice cold at the beach or on a hike! Avoid using single-use plastics as much as you can, and when possible, eat from restaurants that are certified ocean-friendly!

Leave the place more beautiful than you left it

Yes, packing up your own trash before you leave the beach is common courtesy, but imagine how spotless the beach would be if every person picked up a couple more pieces of trash than they brought in? You can even sit in one spot on the beach and pick up microplastics (a.k.a. tiny pieces of plastic mixed in the sand) if you don’t feel like roaming around the beach.

Oh! Another way to ensure the health of the beautiful coral reef is to wear reef-safe sunscreen! This means, opt for mineral-based, zinc, or natural sunscreens that don’t have oxybenzone or octinoxate in the ingredients list.

Mask up and social distance

As of right now, masks are required in all public areas where it isn’t possible to maintain social distance. As the state implements the different tiers of public reopening, there will be new guidelines regarding dining-in, group gatherings, and indoor activities (find all the current info here).

Give back

A small donation can make a difference in the community. There are so many local charities to support, but here are some of the ones that are dear to our hearts: Hawaii Foodbank, Women’s Fund Hawaii, Hawaii Humane Society, Sustainable Coastlines.

Wondering what steps you need to take in order to travel to the islands? We have all of the details on our blog.