HAWAI‘I’S PONO PLEDGE, Travel in Harmony

What does it mean to be pono as a visitor to Hawai‘i? Pono is a Hawaiian word with deep, layered meaning. When something is “pono,” it is in a state of correctness or harmony with its surroundings and community.

To encourage safe, responsible and respectful tourism, the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau and Hawai‘i County created The Island of Hawai‘i Pono Pledge. The pledge introduces visitors to eight principles related to visiting the Island of Hawai‘i. The pledge covers a wide range of situations, experiences and thought-provoking possibilities. More than 26,000 visitors have signed the Pono Pledge since it was created.

The pledge was inspired by insights shared at the 2017 Hawai̒i Tourism Authority’s Global Tourism Summit. Ólöf Ýrr Atladóttir, then director general of the Icelandic Tourist Board and vice president of the European Travel Commission, delivered a keynote address at the Summit on O̒ahu. Her presentation emphasized responsible tourism practices and the critical need for destinations to balance community wellbeing with industry growth. Drawing from Iceland's experience managing dramatic tourism surges, Atladóttir shared how they communicated behavioral expectations in a lighthearted way through the Icelandic Pledge.

Pono Pono has a plethora of meanings which is normal in the Hawaiian language. Common meanings of pono include goodness, uprightness, proper, just and fair. Source: wehe.hilo.hawaii.edu