Green & Eco-Friendly Travel in Oahu, Hawaii
Don't just go on vacation - experience it
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Oahu is the most populated Hawaiian island and host to the world-famous tourist destination of Waikiki. In general, Waikiki is busy, crowded, overpriced, full of high rise chain hotels (with very little local ownership), and about as far away from an eco-friendly destination as you can get in Hawaii. Due to the non-stop bumper to bumper traffic, Oahu is also one of the most polluted areas in all of Hawaii, although the further away you get from Honolulu/Waikiki, the better this gets.
Some tips to make your Oahu trip greener:
First things first - get away from the Waikiki and Honolulu area! :) Although it has its place in Hawaii (which is keeping the big crowds of mainstream tourists away from the beautiful local areas), the smart travelers know that this is not the real Hawaii. If you have to stay in these areas, try to patronize the local small businesses rather than the big chain stores.
The public bus appropriately named "The Bus" is a great form of public transportation around the whole island. Oahu does have the best public transportation in all of Hawaii. Depending on what area you are in, walking and biking is also a good way to explore areas.
Oahu has more chain hotels, chain stores, and chain restaurants than you will find anywhere else in Hawaii. Although this makes life more convenient, it definitely does not encourage small, locally owned business. Small businesses can be a real treat for something different and authentic in Oahu so make sure to make the extra effort to support them!
If for no other reason than its larger population than other Hawaiian islands, Oahu does have the best organic & vegetarian food selections and most Farmer's Markets. Make sure to check them out!
Be a good example for other tourists and recycle, help to keep the beaches free of trash, and reuse containers, cups, and bags.
If you'd like to spend money on a tour or guided activity, check out ecotourism options and companies that particularly operate with respect to the environment (a lot of them out of Waikiki do quite the opposite).
More for Oahu Green Travel:
Accommodation - Sleeping Green in Oahu
Ecotourism - Green Tours and Eco-Friendly Tour Operators in Oahu |