Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii

Our Mission

To protect Hawaiʻi’s unique natural environment and host culture through the promotion of responsible travel and educational programs relating to sustainable tourism for residents, businesses and visitors.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Hawaiʻi

For over 30 years the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaiʻi has promoted sustainable tourism through innovative initiatives and programs aimed at protecting our natural and cultural resources.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

STAH’s Sustainable Tour Operator Certification Program is the only third-party tour certification in Hawaiʻi, and one of the only ones in the United States. The program supports tour operators spread across the state and promotes the adoption of a “Triple Bottom Line.” Certified operators uphold high standards of community involvement, environmental protection, and employee management. View a complete list of our Certified Sustainable Tour Operators .

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

STAH is a non-profit organization committed to diversifying Hawaiʻi’s travel industry and advocating for sustainable tourism and programs. We strive to educate visitors, businesses, and community members on the benefits of sustainable tourism for Hawaiʻi. In addition, we seek to serve as the conduit between the tourism industry and community-based conservation efforts.

Celebrating Our Founder – Annette Kaohelaulii

Annette was an inspiration to all of us who were working towards making Hawaiiʻs a more sustainable, eco-friendly travel destination. Annette educated guests about our islands during guided birding and ecosystem adventures. A champion of “Travel Pono” initiatives, she was an active volunteer at every event that helped push sustainability, ecotourism, and responsible travel. Her contributions towards the current regenerative tourism trend started decades ago, and we work hard to maintain that vision.

Her celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, September 10th, from 10 am to 1 pm at Kealohi Point Banquet Hall at He’eia State Park (46-465 Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, HI 96744). Please kindly RSVP [email protected] by August 28th. Mahalo.

Annual Awards

Every November, STAH hosts its Annual Awards Luncheon to recognize the efforts of Hawaii's tour guides, tour businesses, and volunteers. Join us in our effort to promote responsible travel and businesses.

AWARD WINNERS

Certification Program

STAH thru the use of it’s certification program, allows operators to make their tours as eco-friendly, culturally educational and sustainable as possible.

LEARN MORE

FIND A CERTIFIED OPERATOR

Our Membership

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaiʻi (STAH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose members include:

Ecotour and lodging operators
Travel agents
Community and environmental organizations
Travel writers and media experts
Government agencies
Economic development and non-profit organizations
Educational institutions
Individuals with an interest in conserving the natural and cultural resources of the Islands of Hawaiʻi.

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OUR HISTORY

Over Two Decades of Sustainable Tourism Advocacy In Hawaiʻi

2019

Name Changes & Global Recognition

Hawaii Ecotourism Association changes its name to the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii and became partners with Travelife, a globally recognized certification system.

2018

Strengthening The Association

We revised the Certification Checklist to add the seven specialized best practices sections and the Pono Traveler Program.We have improved and strengthened our Certification program, exceeding international standards. The certification fee structure was revised in order to ensure the program was self-sustaining. HEA also has developed a complaint form and process for following up complaints that are received about and from CTOs.

2017

2 Million People Reached

Outreach Program reached two million people. STAH also collaborated on the new GoHawaii website by developing specific content on sustainable tourism.

2017

Increased Partnership With Hawaii Tourism Authority

The organization saw itʻs best growth, topping 50 certified tour operators and improving our partnerships with GoHawaii.com which created a new Eco-tourism section and now list our certification label alongside other important trust labels in their member profiles. Get certified to get this special addition to your profile.

2016

First Annual HTA Contract

STAH received its first annual contract from HTA and tripled the number of certified tour operators (CTOs) to 50.

2015

Professional Education Program

STAH developed seven short educational videos.

2014

Created Sustainable Tourism Certification Program

STAH developed the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program and certified 18 tour operators.

2013

Grant From HTA To Expand Certification Program

STAH was awarded another HTA Natural Resource Award Program to update and expand the pilot program into the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program.

2011

Pilot Program Completed

Completed the pilot Ecotour Certification Program, now called the Sustainable Tourism Certification.

2009

Pilot Certification Program Developed, Implemented

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii certifies thirteen Ecotour Operators in the state of Hawaii- The first certification process for ecotour operators in the State. Funding provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority Natural Resources Grant.

2008

Partnership With Coral Reef Alliance

STAH was involved in efforts by the Coral Reef Alliance to encourage the use of sustainable practices in marine tourism.

2006

STAH Peer Review Process

Launched an Ecotour Review process.

2006

Funded Survey To Gauge Certification Interest

HEA partially funded a graduate student to complete a survey of HEA members to explore their interest in a certification program.

2004

Ke Ala Moa’e, The Tradewind Trail

HEA worked with the University of Hawaii’s Cooperative Extension Service on the Ke Ala Moa’e -The Tradewind Trail project and was awarded a Keep It Hawaii certificate of merit in the “special” category.

2001

Beginning a Certification Program

HEA investigated a tour operator certification program and concluded that Hawaii was not ready for a formal certification program because a permanent funding source did not exist for the program.

1999

E Malama: The Ecotourism Manual for Hawaii Published

HEA developed E Malama, an ecotourism manual for Hawaii written by Barbara Mills, funded by Employers Training Fund, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, Workforce Division, published by HEA and co-sponsored by Kapiolani Community College’s Interpret Hawaii Program. This manual is still used today by the Interpret Hawaii Program.

1995

Founded

HEA was granted 501c3 status with a mission to educate visitors, organizations and government about the importance of sustainability in tourism.

1994

Roots

The organization was rooted in the minds of itʻs first members after attending a Conference on the Environment put on by the HVCB. The founders of STAH worked the conference focused on ecotourism. Over 700 attended.

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Meet Our Team

Executive Committee

Daniel Logtenberg

Maui
President

Chandra Bertsch

Kauai
Vice President

Michael Bell

Hawaii Island
Treasurer

Maria Dailey

Oahu
Secretary

Board of Directors

Jeremiah Felsen

Kauai

June Matsumoto

Oahu

Debbie Misajon

Hawaii Island

Team Members

LorMona Meredith

Oahu
Program Manager

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Over Two Decades of Sustainable Tourism in Hawaii

STAH focuses on protecting the natural and cultural resources of Hawaii through education programs aimed at visitors, businesses, and community members. Membership is open to non-tour operator businesses and organizations. Tour Operators can be certified through our Sustainable Tour Operator Certification program. Our volunteer Board of Directors helps guide STAH’s strategic planning and expand our network.

Board of Directors’ current goals:

1Grow the organization by recruiting new tour operators who are seeking Sustainable Tourism Certification
2Educate tour operators about responsible travel practices
3Expand our network and enhance partnerships with agencies, businesses, and community members

STAH depends on its Board of Directors to:

1Plan and execute member events, including the Annual Awards Luncheon
2Recruit new members
3Guide strategic planning and program development
4Expand networking and partnerships
5Enhance funding opportunities

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii Needs You

STAH is a member based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization run by volunteers.
Our mission is to protect Hawaii’s unique natural environment and culture.