Guidelines for Being a Respectful Visitor in Hawaiʻi

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In our language, we ask, ʻO wai ʻoe, which means 'who are you?' The term wai (water) connects us to the mountains and rivers of your origins, revealing the land that nurtured you and hopefully the person you have become.

As Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Hawaiian people), our genealogy ties us to the sky father, Wākea, and the Earth Mother, Papahānaumoku. Our bond with this land is ancestral, and we are a living culture on a living land. It is from this understanding of my identity and heritage that I inquire…

Who are you? What is the name of your ancestral mountain? What is the name of your ancestral river? Are you familiar with the stories of the land and people from which you come?

If you reside away from your ancestral lands and aren't familiar with these names or stories, I encourage you to explore, learn, and connect with what you can. Cultivating a deep respect and connection to the place that nurtured you enhances your awareness of your presence and influence in the places you visit.

I encourage you to view your actions, mindfulness, and respect for Hawaiʻi as offerings to the land that will support you during your stay. It’s essential to understand that when you step onto our shores, you are a guest in our home, a paradise cherished by millions, which holds the legacy of our ancestors and the hopes of future generations.

I invite you to take a moment to learn about our history as Kānaka ʻŌiwi in Hawaiʻi by visiting https://www.gohawaii.com/hawaiian-culture/history.

Hiki – Actions to Take

• Always approach your travels with an open mind, ready to listen and learn. Engaging in conversations with Kānaka ʻŌiwi about the significant issues affecting our communities is vital for fostering empathy and understanding our history, culture, and challenges. It is your duty to educate yourself and show care for the land and people of every destination you visit.

• Be a responsible visitor and ally by treating our ʻāina (land) and its people with deliberate care and respect. Once you partake of our waters and foods, you take on a responsibility to this place and its inhabitants.

• Be aware of your impact, as everything is interconnected from the mountains to the sea. Hawaiʻi is the most isolated inhabited land mass on Earth and is recognized as the ‘Endangered Species Capital of the World.’ Acknowledge that all elemental cycles and living beings are interrelated and essential to the health and wellbeing of our islands. Familiarizing yourself with Leave No Trace practices is an excellent starting point for learning how to protect the environments you visit.

• Spend your money purposefully by supporting Kānaka ʻŌiwi and locally owned businesses. Check out kuhikuhi.com for a comprehensive directory.

• Respect and dignify all service and entertainment staff, recognizing their humanity in your interactions. Be conscious of your words, any entitlement you may feel, and the privileges you hold in various spaces you occupy.

• Be aware of the filming and photography policies of the venues you visit, and always ask for permission from entertainers before taking personal photos with them after their performances. Ensure you have their full consent.

• Generously tip service providers. Aim for a tip of 20% or more at every restaurant. Consider tipping musicians and dancers during or after their performances, as well as airport and hotel staff, maintenance workers, and housekeepers.

• Makaʻala—stay alert and conscious of your actions. Clean your shoes before entering sensitive environments to avoid introducing new species, especially on hikes in vulnerable areas. Your mindfulness helps protect our ecosystem and shows respect for the ancestral cultural sites we cherish. Avoid straying off trails if you’re not an experienced hiker, and don’t swim in strong ocean currents unless you’re a confident swimmer. Leave each place better than you found it.

ʻAʻole Hiki – What to avoid

• Do not enter areas without permission, such as sacred cultural sites like Heiau Temples (ceremonial stone structures typically marked with informational signs). Avoid sharing locations that are not widely known on social media, as there are reasons these places are kept off the internet. If you’re uncertain about visiting a cultural site, it’s best to refrain from going without further information. Consult with cultural bearers, experts, and park guides to understand how to respectfully engage with cultural sites and the expected behaviors in those areas.

• Refrain from taking any rocks or getting too close to resting monk seals, sea turtles, or other wildlife.

• If you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 within 10 days of your departure, do not travel here. Ensure you test negative before your arrival and again before you leave. Our community has suffered deeply from past epidemics, with 95% of our population lost to introduced diseases. Please be considerate and respectful of our local establishments that still require masks. If you start to feel unwell or exhibit symptoms while here, promptly get a home test or PCR test.

It’s vital to understand that while Hawaiʻi may seem like a paradise for tourists, our community continues to endure the pain, trauma, violence, and oppression from the current occupying settler state, which fails to protect our rights to our land and cultural practices.

Our culture is often commodified globally, and we are frequently romanticized, sensualized, and exoticized while facing discrimination in our own islands. We ask for your respect towards those working in tourism, entertainment, and service industries here. We are not here to entertain; we are more than the degrading stereotypes imposed on us by outsiders. Please don’t judge those of us still navigating our way through these challenges.

Despite the efforts of colonization to silence us, assimilate us, and strip away our ʻāina (land), language, and traditions, we persist. We continue to stand up, show up, and advocate for our rights, healing, restoring, and reconnecting with our heritage.

It's essential for all travelers to grasp the significance of our history, as well as our vibrant, living culture. Supporting Kānaka ʻŌiwi and advocating for us as allies during your time in Hawaii—and continuing that support when you return home—is crucial.

From my mountain to your mountain, From my river to your river, From my ancestors to your ancestors, From my heart to your heart.

Alohanuiākea, na Hāwane Rios, Kiaʻi Aloha ʻĀina, Kailua Kona, Hawaiʻi Kuauli, June 5, 2022.

Aloha & Mahalo

Hāwane Rios is a kanaka ʻoiwi (native Hawaiian) singer-songwriter hailing from Waimea, Hawaii. Raised in the traditional art forms of chant and dance, her passion for music and songwriting flourished. She sees music as a powerful force for change and is inspired to create songs that promote healing and unity. Her work reflects her deep love for Mauna Kea and honors the connections it shares with global movements focused on protecting our planet's rights. Discover more about her journey at hawanerios.com or follow her on social media at @hawanemusic.