Ecotourism in Hawaii
Hawaii is made up of eight islands of volcanic origin. Hawaii's mixture of landforms such as mountains, rain forests, coral reefs and beaches provide travelers with a variety of ecotourism-related activities to enjoy year-round.
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Mountain Exploration
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According to Mountain Zone, Hawaii has 1,203 mountain peaks. Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is Hawaii's tallest mountain at over 13,500 feet above sea level. The Mauna Key Trail is a hiking trail six miles in length with a summit at the end. The trail is well maintained and located just north of the Ellison Onizuka Visitor Center.
Wildlife Viewing
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According to Hawaii's Eco-tourism Guide, Hawaii is home to more than 1,400 native plant species as well as an abundance of sea birds. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kauai's Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to red-footed boobies, Laysan albatrosses, wedge-tailed shearwaters and other seabirds. Additionally, Hawaiian monk seals and hawksbill turtles can be found on the beaches and surrounding waters of the refuge.
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Whale Watching
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Whale watching can be done on the coasts of all of Hawaii's islands, with perhaps the most widely known spot being the Auau Channel situated off the west coast of Maui. The area is breeding ground for the Pacific Ocean's humpback whale population. The Auau Channel is an environmentally protected area with boat traffic and pollution limited.
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- Photo Credit Hawaii image by Gregory Simmons from Fotolia.com
