PODCAST: In reimagining tourism, these visitors are putting in what they’re taking out

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With gloves prepared and sickles in hand, this group of tourists are leaping proper into the loi and utilizing their trip to malama aina.

At Kualoa Ranch, guests now have the choice to tour the grounds whereas additionally getting their arms soiled and studying about Hawaiian tradition.

It’s all a part of what the Hawaii Tourism Authority calls “voluntourism” — a brand new motion working to alter the kind of customer that’s coming to Hawaii.

With tourism being one Hawaii’s largest financial drivers, organizations statewide are working to make the business extra sustainable and fewer extractive.

Joey Palupe is the supervisor of Hawaiian Tradition and Group Engagement at Kualoa’s Academic Heart. He and Iwi Kurosu, a malama aina tour information and steward, each spoke with HNN on the tenth episode of “Repairing Earth” to debate what this kind of tour exhibits guests.

“Traditionally talking, the tourism mannequin and the tourism business in Hawaii was that mannequin of extracting issues and giving folks the massive shiny gadgets to take residence. We try to coach these vacationers to turn into people who find themselves keen to reinvest their time into the locations they’re going to,” Palupe stated.

“After they Google Hawaii on what to do or that form of factor, they’re seeing issues that embrace malama aina, that give again to the land, give again to the folks. If that’s the primary attraction for Hawaii, the vacationers that truly come listed here are going to be very totally different — and that’s the top aim.”

Equally, Kurosu stated guests are hungry to expertise a extra uncooked and fewer glamourized model of Hawaii.

“Folks don’t need to simply come and take anymore, they need to by some means give again. So this malama aina tour that Kualoa Ranch has created permits simply that. It permits the customer to return in, get their arms moist, get their arms soiled. They’ve a way of delight clearing or planting they usually really feel rooted,” she stated.

In Kualoa’s Malama Expertise, guests be taught concerning the ahupuaa system and the way every little thing is related — from the water to the land and its folks.

All through the tour, guests acquire a larger appreciation for the place they’re visiting, actively clearing areas of weeds for the academic heart to develop extra kalo and to open waterways in addition to eradicating invasive snails to guard the present loi.

Whereas working within the discipline isn’t what most individuals think about doing on their journey to Hawaii, organizations are seeing a constructive response. And at Kualoa, excursions are filling up shortly.

“It was a extremely distinctive factor that I’ve by no means finished earlier than. I’ve been to Hawaii a number of occasions now and it was an excellent cool expertise to get down and soiled and be taught some issues concerning the tradition, historical past and simply be out in nature. It was only a lovely day immediately, I beloved it,” stated Tara Blunt, who’s visiting from Arizona.

Blunt heard about this system by means of her pal Chloe Ridenour, a transplant to Hawaii who participated within the Malama Expertise for a second time.

“I believe it’s an exceptional thought. Actually folks come right here on a regular basis and I don’t assume they notice how a lot they’re taking from the aina,” Ridenour stated. “So, the truth that they can come right here and be taught to offer again to the aina and respect the tradition, I believe has an important appreciation for Hawaiian tradition.”

Palupe added one of many nice issues concerning the Malama Expertise is that every time you do it, it’s by no means precisely the identical.

The actions which might be chosen for the day depend upon the necessity of the middle and the neighborhood.

The tour prices about $55, and whereas it’s being promoted for vacationers, anybody — together with locals — can take part.

To be taught extra about Kualoa Ranch’s Malama Expertise, click on right here.

To view a full listing of different experiences similar to this held throughout the state, head to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s web site.

For extra on the dialog, hearken to Episode 10 of Repairing Earth, “Reimagining Tourism in Hawaii,” on the HNN web site or anyplace you get your podcasts.

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