Ecotourism is defined by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association as "nature and culture based tourism that is ecologically sustainable and supports the well being of local communities". According to a poll of HEA members in 2004, to be considered as genuinely engaging in ecotourism, operators need to minimize the negative impact on Hawaii's cultural heritage, local communities and natural environment, as well as maximize the positive impact on these factors. Furthermore, these operators must also foster an appreciation of Hawaii's sense of place among staff and visitors. In Hawaii, the spirit of the land is referred to as "aina". Kauai condo complexes and hotels are sensitive to this "aina" because they are built with special care to have the least impact possible on the land and wildlife in the local area.

For the savvy traveler who is also environmentally concerned, Kauai vacation rentals can offer a true Hawaiian experience that does an outstanding job of providing first class amenities and service while allowing the traveler to experience the incredible raw beauty of a Pacific Island.    Online resources make it simple to plan a vacation based around the concepts of ecotourism because you can browse for Kauai vacations with just a few simple clicks of your mouse and yet still be able to get personalized, one-on-one service. Charles Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals states that, "Every vacationer is looking to have the vacation of a lifetime and we aim to help them find it in Hawaii. Our customers want to be able to ask questions about their trip and have a human interact with them and listen to their desires and dreams and make suggestions on what they would like."

The focus on ecotourism in Hawaii causes operators to lean toward renewable tourism as opposed to building a 20 story hotel on the beach without considering its environmental impact. This creates an unprecedented opportunity for tourists to revel in the natural magnificence of Hawaii in a special setting of their own choice. Protecting the environment also gives tourists the opportunity to fully understand the wildlife, flora and traditions of Hawaii. Simply by surfing the Internet, travelers can view their potential Kauai vacation condos and finalize arrangements for their trip securely online. Koehl of Hawaiian Beach Rentals further says that, "Allowing our customers to make a transaction easily and securely online also makes us unique. We provide our customers with service on all of the major Hawaiian Islands and offer accommodations, airfare and car rentals to customers wanting to travel to Hawaii."

Environmentally responsible hotels are known as "green hotels" because they use energy and other natural resources in environmentally responsible ways. Ecotourism was also internationally recognized when the United Nations celebrated the "International Year of Ecotourism" in 2002. Hawaii has been engaging in the practice of ecotourism for many years and Kauai vacation rentals evidence the success of this vibrant, important movement. Incredible, first-class accommodations are available all over the island, from a Poipu vacation home to Kauai hotels, that enable visitors to have a realistic Hawaiian experience without compromising the world around them.

In short, ecotourism is a vehicle to sustainable development that makes it possible to accept tourists without compromising the quality of the land and its precious resources. A Kauai vacation gives well-informed tourists an opportunity to see the benefits of ecotourism in action, especially since this is a long-standing concept in this area of Hawaii.

Environmentally-friendly Hawaiian vacations are easier and more affordable to plan than was ever thought possible with the growing online resources available to travelers today. Take advantage of this technology to plan the most unique, socially-conscious trip of a lifetime! After all, today's vacation rental market is filled with incredible travel opportunities that make a tropical trip more accessible than it ever was before.