Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii

Our Mission

To protect Hawaiʻi’s unique natural environment and host culture through the promotion of responsible travel and educational programs relating to sustainable tourism for residents, businesses and visitors.

Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Hawaiʻi

For over 25 years the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaiʻi has promoted sustainable tourism through innovative initiatives and programs aimed at protecting our natural and cultural resources.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

STAH’s Sustainable Tour Operator Certification Program is the only third-party tour certification in Hawaiʻi, and one of the only ones in the United States. The program supports tour operators spread across the state and promotes the adoption of a “Triple Bottom Line.” Certified operators uphold high standards of community involvement, environmental protection, and employee management. View a complete list of our Certified Sustainable Tour Operators .

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

STAH is a non-profit organization committed to diversifying Hawaiʻi’s travel industry and advocating for sustainable tourism and programs. We strive to educate visitors, businesses, and community members on the benefits of sustainable tourism for Hawaiʻi. In addition, we seek to serve as the conduit between the tourism industry and community-based conservation efforts.

ATTEND THE ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM HĀLĀWAI

Annual Awards

Every November, STAH hosts its Annual Awards Luncheon to recognize the efforts of Hawaii's tour guides, tour businesses, and volunteers. Join us in our effort to promote responsible travel and businesses.

AWARD WINNERS

Certification Program

STAH thru the use of it’s certification program, allows operators to make their tours as eco-friendly, culturally educational and sustainable as possible.

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FIND A CERTIFIED OPERATOR

Our Membership

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaiʻi (STAH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose members include:

Ecotour and lodging operators
Travel agents
Community and environmental organizations
Travel writers and media experts
Government agencies
Economic development and non-profit organizations
Educational institutions
Individuals with an interest in conserving the natural and cultural resources of the Islands of Hawaiʻi.

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OUR HISTORY

Over Two Decades of Sustainable Tourism Advocacy In Hawaiʻi

2019

Name Changes & Global Recognition

Hawaii Ecotourism Association changes its name to the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii and became partners with Travelife, a globally recognized certification system.

2018

Strengthening The Association

We revised the Certification Checklist to add the seven specialized best practices sections and the Pono Traveler Program.We have improved and strengthened our Certification program, exceeding international standards. The certification fee structure was revised in order to ensure the program was self-sustaining. HEA also has developed a complaint form and process for following up complaints that are received about and from CTOs.

2017

2 Million People Reached

Outreach Program reached two million people. STAH also collaborated on the new GoHawaii website by developing specific content on sustainable tourism.

2017

Increased Partnership With Hawaii Tourism Authority

The organization saw itʻs best growth, topping 50 certified tour operators and improving our partnerships with GoHawaii.com which created a new Eco-tourism section and now list our certification label alongside other important trust labels in their member profiles. Get certified to get this special addition to your profile.

2016

First Annual HTA Contract

STAH received its first annual contract from HTA and tripled the number of certified tour operators (CTOs) to 50.

2015

Professional Education Program

STAH developed seven short educational videos.

2014

Created Sustainable Tourism Certification Program

STAH developed the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program and certified 18 tour operators.

2013

Grant From HTA To Expand Certification Program

STAH was awarded another HTA Natural Resource Award Program to update and expand the pilot program into the Sustainable Tourism Certification Program.

2011

Pilot Program Completed

Completed the pilot Ecotour Certification Program, now called the Sustainable Tourism Certification.

2009

Pilot Certification Program Developed, Implemented

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii certifies thirteen Ecotour Operators in the state of Hawaii- The first certification process for ecotour operators in the State. Funding provided by Hawaii Tourism Authority Natural Resources Grant.

2008

Partnership With Coral Reef Alliance

STAH was involved in efforts by the Coral Reef Alliance to encourage the use of sustainable practices in marine tourism.

2006

STAH Peer Review Process

Launched an Ecotour Review process.

2006

Funded Survey To Gauge Certification Interest

HEA partially funded a graduate student to complete a survey of HEA members to explore their interest in a certification program.

2004

Ke Ala Moa’e, The Tradewind Trail

HEA worked with the University of Hawaii’s Cooperative Extension Service on the Ke Ala Moa’e -The Tradewind Trail project and was awarded a Keep It Hawaii certificate of merit in the “special” category.

2001

Beginning a Certification Program

HEA investigated a tour operator certification program and concluded that Hawaii was not ready for a formal certification program because a permanent funding source did not exist for the program.

1999

E Malama: The Ecotourism Manual for Hawaii Published

HEA developed E Malama, an ecotourism manual for Hawaii written by Barbara Mills, funded by Employers Training Fund, Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, Workforce Division, published by HEA and co-sponsored by Kapiolani Community College’s Interpret Hawaii Program. This manual is still used today by the Interpret Hawaii Program.

1995

Founded

HEA was granted 501c3 status with a mission to educate visitors, organizations and government about the importance of sustainability in tourism.

1994

Roots

The organization was rooted in the minds of itʻs first members after attending a Conference on the Environment put on by the HVCB. The founders of STAH worked the conference focused on ecotourism. Over 700 attended.

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Meet Our Team

Our Team

Melanie Seyler

Hawaii Island
Program Manager

Melanie is the manager of programs offered by the Hawaii Sustainable Tourism Association including Certification, Stamps, Pono Traveler and more. She has an academic background in criminal justice, environmental sustainability, and cultural anthropology. She is set to graduate from Arizona State University with a graduate degree in Social Justice & Human Rights in summer 2022. Melanie worked for several years as an interpretive guide for Hawai’i Forest & Trail (Hawai’i Island). She is well-versed in naturalist interpretation and has extensive experience conducting sustainably-minded excursions that strive to educate local and non-local populations about Hawai’i’s exquisite natural and heritage resources, the challenges we face in protecting and preserving them, and the innovative opportunities through which we can create a better future. She and her daughter live in Kukui’opae ahupua’a near the boundary of South Kona and Kaʻū. They are working to reclaim a small piece of land from invasive species, restoring it to an ecologically-harmonious respite for native dry forest plant, bird, and insect species, canoe plants, and their favorite contemporary food plants. She is an ongoing member of Hālau Kaʻeaikehelelani, Keauhou (Kona). Fun fact: Melanie is originally from a very remote and mountainous area tucked deep within the Sierra Nevada range. She grew up deeply immersed in nature but was exposed to very few humans! For her, tiny little Kona feels like New York City!

Cheryl King

Maui
Administrative Assistant

Cheryl oversees STAHʻs daily operations and supports the Sustainable Tour Operator Certification program. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in biology/psychology from Southampton College of Long Island University and a Master’s of Science degree in marine biology from Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center. Her master’s research was a comprehensive study of Kaho`olawe’s sea turtle population. Cheryl has spent over 20 years on Maui monitoring sea turtle populations, leading beach cleanups, and volunteering for the State, Federal, tourism, and non-profit sectors.

Executive Committee

June Matsumoto

Oahu
President

Michael Bell

Hawaii Island
Vice President

Maria Dailey

Oahu
Secretary

Daniel Logtenberg

Maui
Treasurer

Board of Directors

Chandra Bertsch

Kauai

Jeremiah Felsen

Kauai

Lila Jones

Maui

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Over Two Decades of Sustainable Tourism in Hawaii

STAH focuses on protecting the natural and cultural resources of Hawaii through education programs aimed at visitors, businesses, and community members. Membership is open to non-tour operator businesses and organizations. Tour Operators can be certified through our Sustainable Tour Operator Certification program. Our volunteer Board of Directors helps guide STAH’s strategic planning and expand our network.

Board of Directors’ current goals:

1Grow the organization by recruiting new tour operators who are seeking Sustainable Tourism Certification
2Educate tour operators about responsible travel practices
3Expand our network and enhance partnerships with agencies, businesses, and community members

STAH depends on its Board of Directors to:

1Plan and execute member events, including the Annual Awards Luncheon
2Recruit new members
3Guide strategic planning and program development
4Expand networking and partnerships
5Enhance funding opportunities

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii Needs You

STAH is a member based 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization run by volunteers.
Our mission is to protect Hawaii’s unique natural environment and culture.

Our Mission

Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Hawaiʻi

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Annual Awards

Certification Program

Our Membership

OUR HISTORY

Name Changes & Global Recognition

Strengthening The Association

2 Million People Reached

Increased Partnership With Hawaii Tourism Authority

First Annual HTA Contract

Professional Education Program

Created Sustainable Tourism Certification Program

Grant From HTA To Expand Certification Program

Pilot Program Completed

Pilot Certification Program Developed, Implemented

Partnership With Coral Reef Alliance

STAH Peer Review Process

Funded Survey To Gauge Certification Interest

Ke Ala Moa’e, The Tradewind Trail

Beginning a Certification Program

E Malama: The Ecotourism Manual for Hawaii Published

Founded

Roots

Meet Our Team

Our Team

Melanie Seyler

Cheryl King

Executive Committee

June Matsumoto

Michael Bell

Maria Dailey

Daniel Logtenberg

Board of Directors

Chandra Bertsch

Jeremiah Felsen

Lila Jones

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ASSOCIATION OF HAWAII BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors’ current goals:

STAH depends on its Board of Directors to:

Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii Needs You

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