Maui: Ecotourism

• Locations
• Sights & Beaches
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Activities
• Travel Tips
• Features

Ecotourism

Hawaii's connection to its environment is spiritual, cultural, and essential to its survival. You'll find a rainbow of natural attractions to explore, from the ribbons of beaches to the summit of a dormant volcano. There are 13 climatic regions in the world, and Maui, Molokai, and Lanai offer ecotravelers a glimpse of most of them. Maui offers the exhilaration of a rain-forest hike in Hana, the cool Upcountry climes of Kula, and the awe-inspiring Haleakala Crater. Molokai and Lanai, two of the least-developed islands, hold adventures best experienced on foot and by four-wheel-drive vehicle, or even by mule. Ecotouring in Hawaii gives you the opportunity to learn from local guides who are familiar with the aina (land) and Hawaii's unique cultural heritage. Many of these tours take visitors to locations less traveled, so it helps to be in good physical shape. The views at the ends of these roads are an exceedingly rich reward.

Nature and all its ornaments are sacred to Hawaiians, so before taking pieces of lava rock home for souvenirs, listen to what residents (and some vacationers) will tell you: don't touch! Hapless travelers who take "souvenir" rocks speak of "bad-luck" consequences in the form of stalled cars, travel delays, and bouts of illness. Park rangers spin tales about lava rocks mailed from around the world with attached tales of woe and pleas for the rocks to be put back. If nothing else, with millions of visitors a year, there aren't enough cool rocks to go around.

During the winter months be sure to watch the beachfronts for endangered sea turtles, or recently laid nests. If you spot one, notify local authorities -- they'll be thankful for your help in tracking these elusive creatures.

Information

Alternative-Hawaii (808/695-5113. www.alternative-hawaii.com). Hawaii Ecotourism Association (877/300-7058. www.hawaiiecotourism.org).