Mālama Hawai‘i: On Air, On Flights, In Hotel Rooms

DLNR and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority have partnered to launch Mālama Hawai‘i, a comprehensive campaign designed to educate and remind visitors and kama‘āina about being respectful of the islands’ natural resources, protecting wildlife and staying safe at all times while in Hawai‘i.

DLNR Chair Suzanne Case and HTA Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs Kalani Ka‘anā’anā are announcing the campaign at a news conference today.

Case said, “Two years ago, we utilized state funding to support Hawai‘i tourism to commission the design and placement of 30 large Mālama Hawai‘i outdoor conservation messaging signs at key state parks and trail heads around O‘ahu. Now, we’re taking the very same messages on these beautiful signs and expanding them across a wide variety of communications platforms.”

HTA Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs Kalani Ka‘anā’anā said, “All of us have a responsibility to take care of our island home and ensure its sustainable future. Through this collaboration with DLNR and industry partners amplifying the message, the Mālama Hawai‘i campaign encourages travelers to be safe, mindful and respectful while enjoying the islands’ natural beauty.”

As part of the campaign, seven Mālama Hawai‘i public service announcements will be available for Hawaiian Airlines guests to watch onboard the carrier’s Airbus A330 aircraft on flights between Hawai‘i and North America and its international destinations. The 30-second videos focus on various topics essential to caring for the land, ocean and wildlife, which include staying on authorized hiking trails, refraining from trespassing on private lands or in restricted areas, respecting cultural sites and supporting conservation efforts.

Hawaiian Airlines was the first carrier to agree to include the PSAs in its digital entertainment offerings on flights from the US mainland. AirAsia X is beginning to play audio versions of the announcements. Discussions are also underway with both domestic and international carriers to show the :30-second spots. In addition, the PSAs will run in 27,000 hotel rooms around the state, reaching an estimated three million guests each year.

Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant Louise Pacarro and her husband have a non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning-up beaches so several of the public service announcements resonated with her. “I hope that we are able to convey to our passengers how important it is to protect our natural resources here in Hawai‘i,” Pacarro said. “I think people will really be attracted to the natural beauty depicted in the videos. I feel like most of our visitors and locals want to naturally protect things that are special and these messages help explain how to do that,” said Pacarro.

Funding support provided by Hawai‘i Tourism is being utilized for outreach and educational materials about preventing Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, visitor surveys of Hawai‘i State Parks and the establishment of a carbon credit system.

Case added, “We are most appreciative of the support we’re getting from the visitor industry, which recognizes the strong linkage between the health of our natural and cultural resources and the health of Hawai‘i’s biggest and most important economic sector. Clearly you cannot have one without the other.”

To kick-off the Mālama Hawai‘i campaign, for the next seven weeks, DLNR’s Facebook page will feature the PSAs and show people how to be safe, sound and secure in Hawai‘i.