Mālama Oʻahu

Island Etiquette

Each place has its own customs and expectations making it unique and special.  Hawaiʻi is no different.  As an island community, respect and aloha is shared through various ways

Drive with Aloha:

  • Show your aloha on the road, we try not to honk unnecessarily here.
  • Show your shaka: We let our fellow commuters into our lanes. Show your appreciation and wave or shaka to show your thanks.
  • Choose wisely. If you’re renting a car, go electric!
  • Navigation: Waze app provides helpful hints as you navigate around the island.
  • Weekday Roadtrips: Visit popular attractions and areas such as the North Shore on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
  • Alternative transportation: There are also great alternative transportation options as well such as TheBus or the local bike share program.

Mālama I ka ʻĀina, Mālama I ke Kai:

In ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) the word mālama means “to take care of, preserve and protect.” Please mālama (take care of) the ʻāina (land) and kai (ocean).

While hiking:

  • Be respectful of our residents: Do not trespass on private property to get to hiking trails.
  • Stay on the path. Do not take shortcuts that lead to erosion and unsafe conditions for others.
  • Stop invasive species: Prevent invasive species from decimating native and endemic flora by brushing the bottoms of your shoes before and after a hike.
  • Don’t litter on hikes: this trash can easily find its way into and contaminate Oʻahu watersheds that the community depends on for drinking water

Protect coral and marine life:

  • What is coral?
    • ALIVE! Coral are animals. Each individual coral is referred to as a polyp.
    • Coral reefs cover just 1% of the seafloor but support 25% of all known marine species.
  • Do not step on coral: Corals are fragile animals. Be careful not to touch, kick or stand on the corals you see in the water because this may damage or even kill them.
  • Leave corals and shells in their place – They are not souvenirs. Corals are alive and seashells are home for many animals.
  • ONLY use reef safe mineral sunscreen to keep our coral reefs and the marine animals that depend on them safe from toxic chemicals.
  • Reservations Required. Hawaiʻi has implemented advance reservation systems for select sites to manage capacity, protect Hawai‘i’s natural environment and cultural sites, and better steward the Hawaiian Islands.
    • In April 2021, Hanauma Bay implemented its online reservation system. Learn More.
    • As of May 12, 2022, the State of Hawai‘i’s Department of Land and Natural Resources established an online advanced reservation requirement for out-of-state visitors at iconic Lē‘ahi – Diamond Head State Monument. Learn More.

Stay with Aloha:

Back To Top