The Hawaiian Islands are filled with everything one could ever wish for: the sun, the ocean, and entitled tourists. Many tourists are disrespectful to the nature and culture of Hawaii, and large tourism companies are harmful to locals. Tourists need to be considerate of Hawaiian culture and make an effort to practice ecotourism.
First, tourists simply see Hawaii as a fun vacation spot, which is ignorant at best. In an interview with My Modern Met, native Hawaiian Lily Hiʻilani Okimura said that tourists try to touch turtles and monk seals, even though it is a Class C felony. In fact, NOAA Fisheries calls Hawaiian monk seals “one of the most endangered seal species in the world.” This is extremely inconsiderate to not only the animals themselves, but also the people who have spent years caring for and protecting them. A tourist wouldn’t go to Minnesota and attempt to touch the loons, yet for some reason, when the culture and people are foreign, disrespecting native animals and habitats is no longer an issue. Harming even just one animal within a habitat could have detrimental effects on the entire ecosystem because it can cause the overpopulation of predators or prey, decreased biodiversity, and damaged food chains.
Tourists are not just disrespectful of the animals. According to Beat of Hawaii, locals have seen visitors climb on heiau, which are Hawaiian temples, for picnics. This is incredibly disrespectful to Hawaiian history and culture, as they are religious sites. It is also incredibly inconsiderate to the locals who have worked hard to preserve the heiau.
Additionally, large tourism corporations, such as airline conglomerates, hotel chains, and travel agencies, are the main choice for tourists in Hawaii. While these companies may seem like the most convenient and economical choice for most, they directly harm the lives of the locals. Large companies can afford to price their services at lower prices; small, local businesses cannot. This limits the locals’ economic success because the majority of tourists will choose the cheaper option since prices in Hawaii are already inflated.
Hawaii is not a theme park for vacations; it is a home for many and needs to be treated as such. This can be achieved through ecotourism, which is traveling responsibly in nature, supporting locals, and educating oneself about the culture of the destination. Respecting the land and its culture is the bare minimum. Moreover, ecotourism goes beyond being respectful. It involves supporting the local community: buying from local shops, staying at locally-run hotels, and eating at local restaurants.
Ecotourism needs to become the norm in Hawaii to be respectful of those who call it their home.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on April 9, 2026
