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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2011
14 Tour Companies Earn Hawai‘i’s First-Ever “Green” Certification
HONOLULU – With the goal of encouraging more “green” tourism statewide, the Hawai‘i Ecotourism Association (HEA) today announced that 14 companies (list below) have earned the distinction of being Hawai‘i’s first-ever Certified Ecotour Operators.
“We applaud these 14 ecotourism companies for their commitment to environmental sustainability and urge other tourism providers throughout Hawai‘i to follow their lead,” said Chris Colvin, HEA president.
HEA developed the ecotourism certification program, the first in Hawai‘i, to help educate commercial tour operators on the responsible use of natural and cultural resources, support conservation and sustainability practices, and raise awareness among visitors.
Colvin added, “The purpose of certification is to support, promote, educate, and strengthen on-the-ground tourism practices with respect to honoring and caring for our natural and cultural resources, resulting in better resource conservation, higher visitor satisfaction, and more community support for the visitor industry.”
GOLD
Atlantis Adventures – Oahu, Maui, Hawai‘i
Trilogy Excursions – Maui
Volcano Discovery – Hawai‘i
SILVER
Hawaiian Paddle Sports – Maui
Hike Maui – Maui
Jack’s Diving Locker – Hawai‘i
Kayak Kaua‘i – Kaua‘i
Kualoa Ranch – O‘ahu
Pacific Islands Institute – O‘ahu
Pacific Whale Foundation – Maui
Wild Side Specialty Tours – O‘ahu
BRONZE
Annette’s Adventures – O‘ahu
Bike Hawai‘i – O‘ahu
Hawai‘i Forest & Trail – Hawai‘i
HEA presented each honoree with an official seal of certification that can be publicly displayed at their place of business, on their website, and in their marketing materials to show proof of their commitment to sustainability and support for Hawai‘i’s environment. In addition, Lt. Gov. Schatz presented each honoree with a proclamation of recognition.
Earning the ecotourism certification by the 14 inaugural awardees was based on the following requirements designed by HEA to assess the extent of their “green” tour operations and environmental preservation efforts.
- Provide a direct, personal experience of nature for customers
- Have a written sustainability plan that guides the applicant’s operations and demonstrates commitment to HEA ecotourism principles
- Contribute to conservation outcomes annually to statewide and/or local community-based environmental conservation initiatives
- Contribute to the local communities in which the applicant operates
- Demonstrate effective management on their operating principles regarding the environment, interpretation, consumer evaluation, marketing, and staff
Each company has been certified as a Gold, Silver, or Bronze honoree as determined by a scoring system evaluating their ecotourism operations and principles. Gold honorees are certified for a three-year period. Silver and Bronze honorees can make adjustments to their operations and reapply next year for Gold status.
The ecotourism certification program was developed with funding from a Hawai‘i Tourism Authority natural resources award, and in-kind support provided by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, with Professor Linda Cox serving as project manager.
Professor Linda Cox, community economic development specialist for the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, said the certification enhances the credibility of tour operators. “Rating systems for movies, hotels and restaurants are common. We understand that a five-star hotel differs from a two-star hotel. By informing visitors and residents about an ecotour operation’s sustainability practices, certification can work exactly the same way,” said Dr. Cox.
Support for the program’s development was provided by a volunteer advisory panel representing business, government, and nonprofit interests (list below) that helped HEA in establishing criteria and measurement tools for certification.
Ø Peter Apo, Peter Apo Company
Ø Jennifer Barrett, University of Hawai‘i Sea Grant
Ø Dr. Lyla Berg
Ø Curt Cottrel, Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources
Ø John Cusick, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
Ø Liz Foote, CORAL
Ø Mark Fox, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘
Ø Sam Gon, The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i
Ø Frank Haas, Dean, Hospitality, Business and Legal Education, Kapiolani Community College
Ø Tim Johns, Hawai‘i Medical Service Association
Ø Merrill Kaufman, Pacific Whale Foundation
Ø John Morgan, Kualoa Ranch
Ø Gail Suzuki-Jones, Hawai‘i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Ø Michael Tresler, Grove Farm Company
HEA presented the inaugural class of Certified Ecotour Operators at its annual awards luncheon. Also honored was Jocelyn Fujii, one of Hawai‘i’s premier travel writers, in tribute to her career writing about the Hawai‘i tourism experience. The luncheon’s keynote speaker was Henk Rogers, founder of Blue Planet Foundation, and a leading visionary for environmental sustainability in Hawai‘i.
About Hawaii Ecotourism Association
Since 1994, HEA has been committed to diversifying Hawai‘i’s travel industry through the advocacy of ecotourism to protect Hawai‘i’s unique natural environment and native culture. A broad membership base composed of tour and lodging operators, travel writers, and community and environmental organizations fulfills HEA’s goal of promoting visitor experiences that are environmentally and culturally sensitive. For more information, please visit www.hawaiiecotourism.org.
Media Contact
Patrick Dugan, Senior Vice President
McNeil Wilson Communications
Patrick.Dugan@AnthologyGroup.com
(808) 539-3411 / (808) 741-2712
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2011
Hawaii Ecotourism Association to Recognize Inaugural Class of
Certified Ecotour Operators, September 21
Travel Writer Jocelyn Fujii Being Honored for Career
HONOLULU – The importance of being eco-friendly and sustainable with tour operations in Hawai‘i’s visitor industry is being recognized through a new certification program introduced by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association (HEA).
On September 21, HEA will announce the inaugural class of Hawai‘i companies being honored as Certified Ecotour Operators at its annual awards luncheon. Also being honored is one of Hawai‘i’s premier travel writers, Jocelyn Fujii, in recognition of her career promoting the Hawai‘i tourism experience.
The presentations will be made at HEA’s annual awards luncheon (details below). A highlight will be the keynote address by Henk Rogers, founder of Blue Planet Foundation, and a leading visionary for environmental sustainability in Hawai‘i.
HEA developed the ecotourism certification program, the first of its kind in Hawai‘i, with funding from a Hawai‘i Tourism Authority natural resources award, and in-kind support provided by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.
The certification program’s objectives are to educate commercial tour operators on the responsible use of natural and cultural resources, contribute to conservation and sustainability, and raise awareness among visitors.
“Our environment is so vital to the Hawai‘i experience, we felt it was imperative to develop a program formally recognizing those tourism companies who put in the effort to share our dedication to keeping Hawai‘i clean and beautiful,” said Annette Kaohelaulii, HEA board member and one of the organization’s founders. “We encourage everyone to support ecotourism and its values.”
Each company earning HEA’s distinction of being a Certified Ecotour Operator will have fulfilled the following requirements in conveying the quality of their “green” operations and commitment to preserving the environment.
- Provide a direct, personal experience of nature for customers
- Have a written sustainability plan that guides the applicant’s operations and demonstrates commitment to HEA ecotourism principles
- Contribute to conservation outcomes annually to statewide and/or local community-based environmental conservation initiatives
- Contribute to the local communities in which the applicant operates
- Demonstrate effective management on their operating principles regarding the environment, interpretation, consumer evaluation, marketing, and staff.
“Rating systems for movies, hotels and restaurants are common. We understand that a five-star hotel differs from a two-star hotel. By informing visitors and residents about an Ecotour operation’s sustainability practices, certification can work exactly the same way,” said Professor Linda Cox, community economic development specialist for the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management.
Each honoree will receive an official seal of certification from HEA that can be publicly displayed at their place of business, on the website, and in marketing materials to show proof of their support for Hawai‘i’s environment and being sustainable with tour operations.
EVENT INFORMATION
Hawaii Ecotourism Association Awards Luncheon
Honoring:
Hawai‘i’s Certified Ecotour Operators
Travel Writer Jocelyn Fujii
Keynote Speaker:
Henk Rogers, Founder
Blue Planet Foundation
Wednesday, September 21, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, Mauna Kea Ballroom
100 Holomoana Street, Honolulu
HEA Members – $50
Non-Members – $55
Tables (8 Seats) – $400
(Proceeds raised support HEA’s operations and certification program)
Register online at www.hawaiiecotourism.org
E-mail: admin@hawaiiecotourism.org
Phone: 808-954-2910
About Hawaii Ecotourism Association
Since 1994, HEA has been committed to diversifying Hawai‘i’s travel industry through the advocacy of ecotourism to protect Hawai‘i’s unique natural environment and native culture. A broad membership base composed of tour and lodging operators, travel writers, and community and environmental organizations fulfills HEA’s goal of promoting visitor experiences that are environmentally and culturally sensitive. For more information, please visit www.hawaiiecotourism.org.
Media Contact
Patrick Dugan
McNeil Wilson Communications
Patrick.Dugan@AnthologyGroup.com
(808) 539-3411 / (808) 741-2712
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