Pono Pledge

Aloha from Hawaii!
Today’s blog is about the Pono Pledge and how important it is to everyone who visits and calls Hawaii home. Pono is a beautiful Hawaiian word that has multiple meanings.  Pono can describe an event, a place, or a person’s way of doing things.  When something is Pono it is in a state of correctness and it also means accurate, respectful, safe, and responsible.

The Pono Pledge was an initiative started by the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau.  The Pledge encourages responsible, safe, and respectful tourism.  The eight principles of the Pono Pledge discuss a range of experiences, situations, and possibilities for visitors to the islands as well as locals!  With the increased numbers of tourists, there was a need to have a balance to preserve Hawaii’s natural wonders but also allow visitors to still be able to experience all the unique things that the Hawaiian islands have to offer.   Similar pledges have been created in other parts of the world for the same reasons!  Please do your part and just leave your footprints behind! If you’d like to take the pledge, you can visit www.pono pledge.com.  ALOHA!

• I pledge to be pono (righteous) on the island of Hawai‘i.

• I will mindfully seek wonder,

  but not wander where I do not belong.

• I will not defy death for breathtaking photos,

  trespass or venture beyond safety.

• I will mālama (care for) land and sea,

  and admire wildlife only from afar.

• Molten lava will mesmerize me,

  but I will not disrupt its flow.

• I will not take what is not mine,

  leaving lava rocks and sand as originally found.

• I will heed ocean conditions,

  never turning my back to the Pacific.

• When rain falls ma uka (inland),

  I will remain high above ground, out of rivers and streams.

• I will embrace the concept of being a steward of the land,

  revered as my loving chief.

• E ʻapo i ke aʻo a hoʻohana, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao.

  Those who apply their teachings increase their knowledge.