Frommer's Kauai - Jeanette Foster [53]
• Be respectful. Just because it’s Kauai and warm, does not mean that it is acceptable to wear your swimwear into a restaurant. Ask yourself if you would wear the same outfit at home to your neighborhood restaurant or retail store.
• Remember Kauai is part of the United States, and is in fact a state. A good way to alienate local residents is to say something like “I’m from the States….” Or “Back in the States, we do it this way.”
HAWAIIAN CULTURE
One of Hawaii’s most cherished resources is the Hawaiian culture, which is flourishing more than ever today. The Hawaiian language is making a huge comeback; all children in Hawaii (not just native Hawaiians) can attend classes from kindergarten through college taught in the Hawaiian language. These Hawaiian immersion schools are part of the public school system.
If you want to support the Hawaii culture, plan to attend cultural events (see the Calendar of Events) like Hawaiian music and dance performances. Search out locally owned establishments (look for our recommendations in this book). Attempt to buy souvenirs made in Hawaii by local residents (we have recommendations in the shopping chapter).
If you visit a cultural site, like an ancient heiau (temple), the protocol calls for reverence. Be as respectful as you would be at a cathedral or church. Never climb or sit on rock walls at a heiau. Never take anything from a heiau, even rocks, and never pick flowers there. You may see offerings of flowers or fruit; do not disturb them.
What is the Carrying Capacity of the Hawaiian Islands?
One of the toughest questions Hawaiians struggle with is what is the carrying capacity of the islands? How much can be developed before Hawaii becomes overbuilt, or unable to support the increased infrastructure and population? How many people can Hawaii hold before the beaches are too crowded, the lifestyle is gone, and the islands have more concrete than open green spaces?
Along those same lines, the people of Hawaii are constantly debating cultural issues vs. social issues. For example, currently laws regarding ancient burial sites can stop, reroute, or delay construction projects ranging from new roads to shopping centers. It’s a constant struggle to strike a balance between protecting and preserving the culture and allowing new infrastructure to be developed.
General Resources for Green Travel
In addition to the resources for Hawaii listed above, the following websites provide valuable wide-ranging information on sustainable travel. For a list of even more sustainable resources, as well as tips and explanations on how to travel greener, visit www.frommers.com/planning.
• Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com) is a great source of sustainable travel ideas; the site is run by a spokesperson for ethical tourism in the travel industry. Sustainable Travel International (www.sustainabletravelinternational.org) promotes ethical tourism practices, and manages an extensive directory of sustainable properties and tour operators around the world.
• In the U.K., Tourism Concern (www.tourismconcern.org.uk) works to reduce social and environmental problems connected to tourism. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO;www.aito.co.uk) is a group of specialist operators leading the field in making holidays sustainable.
• In Canada, www.greenlivingonline.com offers extensive content on how to travel sustainably, including a travel and transport section and profiles of the best green shops and services in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
• In Australia, the national body which sets guidelines and standards for ecotourism is Ecotourism Australia (www.ecotourism.org.au). The Green Directory (www.thegreendirectory.com.au), Green Pages (www.thegreenpages.com.au), and Eco Directory (www.ecodirectory.com.au) offer sustainable travel tips and directories