Tourism Cares Unveils 'Meaningful Travel' Map for Hawaiian Islands

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:45 PM ET, Thu January 9, 2025

Identifying sustainable, community driven experiences, tours, accommodations, and organizations in Hawaiʻi just became far easier for travel advisors.

The non-profit organization Tourism Cares, in collaboration with The Hawaiian Islands, has launched a "Meaningful Travel Map of Hawaiʻi."

This innovative new interactive map is designed allow travel advisors to search for sustainable travel opportunities island-by-island, including identifying notable community tourism experiences, indigenous tourism experiences, sustainably-focused tour operators and more.

Ideally, the map will help travel advisors build more responsible travel itineraries for visitors to Hawaiʻi by directly connecting travel professionals with small, locally led tourism organizations that are making a positive impact within their communities.

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii.

The new map is part of a broader partnership between the two entities that’s meant to foster sustainable and culturally enriching travel experiences across the Hawaiian Islands and create a tourism model that prioritizes local residents and ensuring that the positive impacts from tourism are beneficial for Hawaiʻi’s people and ecosystems.

“At the core of our mālama Hawaiʻi message is an invitation to visitors who care, those who seek meaningful experiences during their time in the Hawaiian Islands,” Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO, said in a statement.

“We support Tourism Cares’ work to expand the Meaningful Map Program to include Hawaiʻi,” Nāho’opi‘i continued. “As the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority advances a vision of regenerative tourism in the islands, we’re excited to see more ways for visitors to connect with enriching opportunities that uplift our communities and environment.”

As part of the new partnership between Tourism Cares and The Hawaiian Islands, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) and Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) hosted a Tourism Cares Meaningful Travel Familiarization (FAM) Tour in December on Maui.

Designed to promote mindful travel to the island, during the FAM travel industry leaders, including tour operators and advisors, visited Maui organizations dedicated to preserving Hawaiʻi’s cultural heritage and biodiversity. The visit included educational opportunities that allowed attendees to learn more about the pressing issues around sustainable tourism in the state and within the greater tourism industry.

As part of the program, more than 20 attendees visited four organizations featured on Hawaiʻi’s Meaningful Travel Map.The organizations visited showcase the values of kuleana (responsibility) and mālama (care) and included Maui Pineapple Tour, Maui Kuʻia Estate Chocolate, Skyline Hawaiʻi, and Trilogy Excursions.

“Tourism Cares is excited to collaborate with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and Hawai’i Visitors & Convention Bureau on our Meaningful Travel Program and help steward its destination in a more impactful and responsible way,” Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares,said in a statement.

“We know that the travel industry continues to face challenges, from global climate change and biodiversity loss to cultural degradation and economic disparities," Takehara continued. "By launching the Meaningful Travel Map of Hawaiʻi, we hope the industry will select more partners that are making positive impacts and addressing these issues in a way that is beneficial for locals and engaging for guests.”

The Meaningful Travel Map of Hawaiʻi is now available online, offering travelers an opportunity to deepen their connection to the islands and contribute meaningfully to the communities they visit.