Malama ‘Aina

Respecting Plants and Animals

Hike and Be in Nature with Etiquette

  1. Stay on the trail. Getting off the trail will crush flora, damage roots, and start a pattern of killing plants among other hikers. 

  2. Take your trash with you and pack out what you pack in. 

  3. Leave nature alone; don’t touch or take anything.

Give Animals their Respect and Space

  1. Stay at least 50 yards away from the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, whales, and dolphins when swimming, and sea turtles, both in and out of the water.

  2. Observe and follow all signs and barriers near seabird nesting areas and stay on established trails to not disturb these birds and their often invisible nests. 

  3. Never touch, feed, or chase animals. 

  4. View from a distance. Use binoculars or your camera. View dolphins and whales from a boat or the shore. 

Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens are places where collections of living plants are held for conservation, scientific research, education, and display. They are important for the restoration and rehabilitation of degrading habitats, as well as sustainability. 

Honolulu Botanical Gardens

Reef Safety

 
 

About Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are diverse, important ecosystems that support many organisms and are like the “rainforests of the sea.”

Healthy coral reefs are important sources of food, income, and protection. They protect coastlines from storms and erosion and fishing, diving, and snorkeling around reefs provides jobs for local communities and businesses. Coral reefs are also culturally significant for indigenous people globally. 

Man-caused threats to coral reefs include pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices, which cause ocean temperatures to rise and oceans to acidify. This causes coral bleaching, meaning the algae leaves the coral and the coral becomes more susceptible to disease and starvation.

Sunscreen Safety

Sunscreen we put on our skin wash off into the ocean when we swim or drain into the ocean when we shower. Chemicals in sunscreen can cause coral bleaching, deform marine animal life, and impair algae growth, among many other detrimental marine effects. 

  • Chemicals in some sunscreens that can harm marine life include: Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, nano-Zinc oxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene


How to protect the reefs:

  • Use sunscreen without any of these chemicals

  • Consider wearing long sleeves, hats, and other UV protective clothing

  • Stay out of the harsh sun between 10am-2pm  

  • Stay in the shade or under umbrellas or tents

Ocean Safety

Before swimming...SOAK!

Study the conditions before entering the water. 

Observe the activities of others in the ocean. 

Ask the lifeguards about current conditions. 

Know your limits in the water. 




Rip Currents

Rip currents Beware!  Rip currents are fast moving channels of water that can drag you out to sea. Knowing how to escape riptides can potentially save your life.

What you need to know if you're caught in a rip current: 

  1. Stay calm and don't panic. 

  2. Do NOT try to swim against the current directly into shore. 

  3. Swim parallel to the shoreline until you escape the current's pull. 

  4. If you can't swim back to land, float or tread water. Face the shoreline and call or wave for help. 

As the saying goes, “When in doubt, don’t go out.” Don’t risk your life or the life of others if you have any hint of doubt in your mind. Even if you’re an in-shape athlete doesn’t mean those traits will always carry over to the ocean. The ocean has no mercy for anyone, so consider sitting on the beach or going to a safer beach nearby. 

Cited from National Weather Service http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov