Hawaii is considered one of the most eco-friendly destinations in the world. This pristine island is known for its magnificent ecosystem, and preserving it has been a priority for Hawaii inhabitants for centuries.
In fact, without sustainable practices, the beautiful biodiversity Hawaii is known for would gradually disappear. Hawaiian people have always depended on nature for their livelihood, especially before it was connected to the rest of the world, so caring for the land they called home has been engraved in the culture of the island for centuries.
Eco tourism in Hawaii plays a major role in looking after the protection and well-being of this little slice of paradise that’s so rich in marine life, forests, coastline, aeolian deserts and volcanoes.
The stunning eco lodges & eco resorts in Hawaii listed below are some of the many accommodation options that have implemented sustainable practices to have a positive impact in its natural surroundings while still striving to offer the best possible experience to its guests.
Discover them in this comprehensive list, and take your pick for your next Hawaiian escape!
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Eco Resorts in Maui
Fairmont Kea Lani – Wailea
Fairmont Kea Lani is a luxurious, beachfront resort located on the island of Maui, featuring ocean views and poolside suites that will put you in holiday mood instantly.
The suites accommodate up to 4 people (or families of 2 adults and 3 children), while the villas can house up to 8 guests, ideal for larger families or groups of friends. These are fully equipped with a kitchen and dining room, a private courtyard with a pool, BBQ facilities, and 2-3 bedrooms.
The eco lodge in Maui features 3 swimming pools, one of which is reserved for adults and the other two boasting a waterslide and whirlpools. The Willow Stream Spa offers an impressive variety of treatments, and there are beach & pool loungers and cabanas to guarantee utter relaxation.
There are several restaurants and bars, on-site activities, and tours offered around the hotel to showcase the island’s beauty. In the efforts to preserve it, Fairmont Kea Lani launched a reforestation initiative to restore the native forests, and it sponsors reef and bleach clean-ups.
Over 2 thousand solar panels generate energy for the resort and 150 homes on Maui, and besides education and donations, the resort has also carried out over 50 on-site initiatives to care for the environment.
❤️ We like it because it’s a top-notch hotel with unbeatable service and facilities, and it takes equal measures to ensure guests’ satisfaction and its positive impact on the island’s ecosystem.
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Maui Eco Retreat – Haiku
Maui Eco Retreat is a natural paradise, welcoming guests who want to escape the hustle of modern life and enjoy slower days in nature. This eco lodge in Hawaii, one of the leading accommodations in terms of ecotourism, features luxurious houses and cottages with a private kitchen, an outdoor shower, toiletries, and fantastic views of the sea or the garden.
The retreat features hikes on-site, offers yoga classes and meditation, and has a restaurant that serves nourishing, organic meals. It also offers easy access to other locations while being secluded enough to grant you the serenity that comes with being immersed in nature.
At this eco lodge in Hawaii, energy is powered by solar panels and the backup generator uses bio-diesel. Rainwater is filtered for all uses at the resort, and the agroforestry garden grows organic vegetables and fruit that are used in the restaurant. Striving to be a zero-waste property, all waste is recycled and organic waste is used as compost or food for the chickens.
❤️ We like it because Maui eco resort has a focus on well-being and personal growth, therefore offering its guests the chance to reconnect with themselves and recharge energies in a natural, peaceful setting.
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Eco Lodges in Big Island
Volcano Eco Retreat – Fern Acres
Nestled within 4 acres of Hawaiian forest, Volcano Eco Retreat is an adults-only resort. It invites guests to catch up with themselves and their well-being by taking advantage of the serene surroundings and facilities, but it’s also a fantastic base for exploring the rest of the island.
The resort offers daily yoga classes, meditation, forest bathing, and spa services, serves a scrumptious breakfast in the mornings, and features an outdoor hot tub and charming bungalows.
They are equipped with a private bathroom, a seating area, outdoor furniture, a bedroom, a fireplace, and a fridge, and boast great views of the gardens.
Designed to have a minimum impact on the environment, Volcano Eco Retreat was built with LEED-certified materials and in such a way that its natural ventilation ensures great temperature without the need for AC. The resort is a stranger to single-use plastics, and all of the water is actually rainwater, recycled, and filtered for multiple purposes.
❤️ We like it because it supports local businesses by sourcing fresh, locally-grown ingredients and coffee, and endeavors to become a zero-waste property. It also cooperates with a local food bank.
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Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – Kailua-Kona
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a luxurious beachfront accommodation that features elegant and incredibly spacious rooms and suites, and top-notch amenities.
Guests can stay in ocean-view rooms with a private balcony, a seating area, and an en-suite bathroom, or in one and two-bedroom suites that boast a pool overlooking the beach. A presidential villa that accommodates up to 8 guests is also available.
There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a full-service spa, and a fitness center, besides three different restaurants and two lounges, a bar, access to the beach, watersport facilities, and a golf course.
This Hawaii eco resort was designed to have a minimum impact on the surroundings while maximizing efficiency, and its efforts to reduce its footprint include the use of LED lights, generating power sustainably, treating wastewater, and taking measures to eliminate single-use plastics.
Minimizing waste, implementing projects to preserve the ecosystems, and educating team members on the importance of protecting the environment are other steps taken by Four Seasons to ensure its positive impact.
❤️ We like it because it’s pet friendly, and the resort’s deep commitment to the planet’s wellbeing is matched by its contributions to the community, providing career opportunities, supporting cancer research, and donating to those in need.
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The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort – Kohala Coast
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is set against the gorgeous shoreline of the Kohala Coast, boasting a privileged beach area with loungers for its guests.
The rooms are ample and fully functional, featuring an en-suite bathroom, a seating area, a balcony, modern amenities and, in most cases, ocean views. The larger suite also has a lanai (patio) with outdoor furniture.
The resort’s facilities include two large swimming pools, a full-service spa, a fitness center, entertainment options, and various activities that include a golf course and a tennis court off-site. It has fully accessible rooms and amenities for guests with reduced mobility as well.
Fine dining can also be enjoyed at this eco lodging in Hawaii, at an oceanfront, award-winning restaurant.
As for sustainability, Westin Hapuna is a carbon neutral resort thanks to its tree-planting initiatives. It also strives to restore endemic species of Hawaii and preserve the unique ecosystem of the island for years to come.
Recycling waste and eliminating single-use plastics, using LED light bulbs to save energy, upgrading to water-efficient toilets, and sourcing mostly organic, locally-grown food are some of the steps taken by the resort to have a positive impact.
❤️ We like it because it invites guests to take part in its efforts for sustainability, giving them a chance to offset their own carbon footprint while spreading awareness of the importance of being eco-friendly.
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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel – Kohala Coast
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is a 4-star resort that takes pride in its first-class amenities and services and matches that enthusiasm with an equal commitment to the environment’s well-being.
Among the facilities offered to the guests are a swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa with a hot tub and great variety of treatments, two restaurants and a beach bar. Several activities can also be booked at the hotel, such as golfing, hiking or snorkeling.
As for the rooms, they all boast a private lanai, a fridge and coffee maker, modern amenities, a private bathroom with toiletries and bathrobes, and nightly turn-down service.
The hotel’s restaurants use locally-sourced ingredients for all meals, and beehives have been established to help provide pollination and support the environment, given that bees play a massive role in its protection.
The resort also supports two non-profits that work towards safeguarding the island’s ecosystem and wildlife. Donating to charities and contributing to the local community are other measures taken by Mauna Kea to ensure its positive impact.
❤️ We like it because it goes to great lengths in its mission to contribute to the environment, and at the same time it makes sure to support and have a positive impact on the community.
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Waikoloa Village – Kohala Coast
Waikoloa Village is a Hilton hotel situated on the shores of the striking Kohala Coast and among 62 acres of beautiful scenery.
Boasting an impressive saltwater lagoon with its very own waterfall where guests can enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling among turtles and colorful fish, this accommodation is nothing but spectacular.
The resort offers a great number of watersport facilities and outdoor adventures for guests to enjoy the natural paradise of the island, and it also features astounding on-site amenities.
Swimming pools for both kids and adults, a golf course, a full-service spa and fitness center, a private beach area, and dining opportunities are some of them.
The rooms and suites feature a private balcony or lanai, a fully-equipped bathroom with toiletries, a mini-fridge, coffee-making facilities, and modern amenities. While most accommodate up to 4 guests, the presidential and family suites can lodge 5 and 7 people respectively.
Waikoloa Village is not only about luxurious experiences, though, as it takes very seriously the impact it has on the surrounding ecosystem.
The resort has completely eliminated single-use plastics, and has recycling bins throughout the property, besides offering an electric car charging station, implementing water-efficient toilets and showers, and managing energy usage.
❤️ We like it because it allows guests to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime, filled with activities and adventures, without even having to leave the resort. It also offers vegan and vegetarian menus, while striving to reduce food waste as much as possible.
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Mauna Lani – Kohala Coast
Mauna Lani is a 5-star eco lodge in the big island of Hawaii. Set along the gorgeous Kohala Coast, the resort offers enough amenities to keep you busy every day of your stay, but it’s also a perfect retreat to relax and do nothing should you want to.
Its amenities include 3 swimming pools and a private beach area with sun loungers and umbrellas, a fitness area, yoga classes and spa treatments, a restaurant with outdoor dining, a bar and on-site coffee house, and an array of entertainment facilities.
From a tennis court to watersports, a golf course, bicycle rental and cultural tours, the options are varied and many.
The rooms are open and incredibly spacious, boasting floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that give access to a terrace, a garden or a private swimming pool, depending on the suite.
Fully equipped bathrooms with a tub and outdoor shower, seating areas, dining furniture and contemporary decor that combines hardwood and natural textures are a few of the elements that make Mauna Lani’s accommodation stand out.
Mauna Lani’s green initiatives have earned it several awards, and it’s considered one of the most eco friendly resorts in Hawaii. The resort’s water pumping power comes from a photovoltaic system, and solar energy is produced to supply electricity.
Educating guests on the local ecosystem is part of its social responsibility, along with raising young turtles until they’re ready to be released, and sourcing fresh, locally-grown produce for the restaurant.
❤️ We like it because its rooms feature state-of-the-art decor and unobstructed views of the ocean, becoming the perfect retreat to unwind from life’s responsibilities and get pampered. The resort also offers amazing culinary experiences.
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Hawaii Island Retreat – Kapaau
Hawaii Island Retreat is set on 50 acres of gardens with stunning views of the ocean, and it features suites, yurts, and bungalows designed to harmoniously match the natural environment.
The rooms are stylish and ample and feature a fully-equipped bathroom with a soaking tub and separate shower, views of the ocean or the gardens, and modern amenities.
To guarantee your connection with nature the resort offers hiking trails, organic gardens, and forests where you can spend your afternoons, a solar-heated infinity pool to relax, and oceanfront wellness studios to practice yoga and meditations.
It also boasts a private cove, a media library, venues for weddings or other events, and a spa. There’s also a farm with a goat dairy, fruit trees and an organic garden where vegetables are grown and sourced for the resturant, whose farm-to-table menu is seasonal to ensure the freshest ingredients.
Wind and solar power are used to generate energy, and the pool is heated with solar power and salt purified to avoid chemicals.
❤️ We like it because its natural surroundings are unbeatable, featuring everything from a striking coastline to lush forests and gardens. Blending in with nature, the resort’s rooms and common areas are simple and cozy, offering guests a proper retreat from the modern world and the chance to reconnect with themselves and Mother Earth.
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Eco Resorts in Oahu
Turtle Bay Resort – Kahuku
Turtle Bay Resort is a large oceanfront property that provides a great number of amenities, but encourages guests to explore the beauty of the island and take part in off-site adventures, be it underwater or on land.
It features suites, ocean bungalows and villas, all of them boasting simple yet elegant decor, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a furnished balcony or terrace, a fully-equipped bathroom with a tub, and a seating area. Certain rooms include access to the Ocean Club Lounge, a private infinity pool, a host, and a garden.
A private beach area, four swimming pools, a full-service spa with a fitness center, a tennis court, and a golf course are some of the facilities offered by the resort, which also organizes activities such as snorkeling, horseback riding, and hiking.
As for dining options, there are eight incredible spots where you can get your food and drinks.
This eco resort in Hawaii is inspired by the ocean, and it embodies a deep respect and sense of responsibility to its land. There’s an innovative solar roof installation, energy usage is closely monitored, and recycling systems are in place to help reduce waste and create compost for planting.
Wastewater is treated, bed linens are changed every third day, pools use natural salt water, and all produce used in the kitchens is locally sourced and mostly organic.
❤️ We like it because it offers enough activities to keep you busy every minute of the day, regardless of how long you stay, but it’s also a perfect retreat to relax and do nothing, whether that means sunbathing by the pool with a drink or taking naps in your spectacular suite.
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Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club – Honolulu
Located in gorgeous Honolulu, Surfjack is a boutique hotel with amazing amenities, stylish rooms, and a strong sense of environmental responsibility.
It features suites and bungalows with a fully-equipped private bathroom, a comfortable seating area with a flat-screen TV, a lanai, and housekeeping service. Depending on the room you choose, maximum occupancy ranges from 4 to 8 people, so it’s a fantastic destination for families and groups of friends.
There is an on-site restaurant that serves the hotel’s very own signature coffee in the mornings, and delicious food throughout the day. Reef-safe sunscreen is available at the swim club, and the lodge also provides beach chairs and towels, features a swimming pool, and has daily evening entertainment.
The hotel has on-site water stations where you can refill your reusable bottle (provided upon arrival), thus eliminating the need for single-use plastic.
It advocates the use of reef-safe sunscreen to care for the oceans (and provides it for free to its guests), and its restaurant uses locally-sourced ingredients, which not only ensures the quality and freshness of the product but also supports the local economy, all the while being kind to nature.
❤️ We like it because this Hawaii eco hotel offers free parking for your first car, it’s dog-friendly (there’s even a hotel dog, Jack!), and plans activities for guests to interact and have a good time both on and off-site.
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Alohilani Resort – Honolulu
Alohilani Resort is a 5-star, eco hotel in Waikiki Beach that offers luxurious rooms inspired by the calming landscape of the island.
These are designed in a minimalistic style and boasting a fully-equipped private bathroom, a balcony with views of the ocean or Diamond Head, and either a king bed or two queen beds.
The resort’s amenities include a spa and fitness center, rental car service, a swimming pool and oceanarium, and several restaurants that specialize in cuisine from all over the world.
Alohilani Resort has become carbon neutral by offsetting its footprint with sustainable practices.
These include its reforestation initiatives, water conservation through the use of low-flow showerheads and toilets, and planting drought-tolerant species, and doing audits to monitor and increase efficacy in energy usage.
The resort also recycles waste, offers water stations to avoid the use of plastic bottles, and bulk dispensers for toiletries are available to reduce plastic packaging.
❤️ We like it because it offers complimentary entrance to the Honolulu Museum of Art, and it also hosts events that go from cultural classes to culinary experiences and Hawaiian story time sessions.
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The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls – Hilo
The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is a four-star, eco lodge in Big Island, Hawaii that offers guests comfortable, fully-equipped cottages and rooms with a private terrace, bathroom with toiletries, seating furniture, and gorgeous views.
Depending on the chosen accommodation type you’ll also have an outdoor dining area, a wardrobe, living room, and kitchen. The rooms can lodge from 2 to 4 guests, and there are also simple cabins with a shared bathroom and kitchen for budget travelers.
While the room is not shared, this option is the closest to an eco-hostel in Hawaii.
The hotel provides daily breakfast made with locally-sourced ingredients, and offers outdoor adventures that include kayaking, waterfall rappelling, swimming, and hiking.
Its sustainability efforts involve the falls, which are used to generate power through a hydroelectric system, and a great number of practices in the hotel’s daily operations.
These include recycling waste, getting rid of all single-use plastics, the use of LED bulbs to save energy, and having water-efficient toilets and showers.
The hotel also offsets part of its carbon footprint, supports community businesses by sourcing organic produce locally, and works to reduce its food wastage.
❤️ We like it because its cozy, colorful rooms and lush natural surroundings offer an uplifting environment where you can retreat to from the busyness of modern life and restore your energy and connection to nature while enjoying fun activities.
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Eco Resort in Kauai
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – Koloa
One of the greatest Hawaii eco resorts for those looking for utter luxury is the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
Featuring 7 different restaurants, a magnificent swimming pool, a full-service spa, a fitness center, golf course and tennis court, and a bar, this stunning Kauai eco lodge is a one-stop holiday destination.
Rooms range from standard to presidential suites and ocean-view lodges that can accommodate up to 4 adults and 3 children, and boast exquisite decor and modern amenities. A fully-equipped en-suite bathroom, queen and king-sized beds, well-lit seating areas, and a balcony are some of the features of most suites.
Reducing waste and conserving the Earth’s resources are the two main goals of the resort, which has implemented various practices to reduce its carbon emissions, eliminate water waste and manage electricity usage.
Producing renewable energy, using low-flow toilets and showerheads, providing guests with reusable water bottles, recycling all kinds of waste, and buying sustainable, locally-sourced food are some of those practices.
❤️ We like it because this eco resort in Kauai provides bikes so that guests can explore the area emissions-free, offers electric vehicle charging stations, and has a hydroponic garden that grows lettuce for the restaurants, and where you can learn how to grow your own at home.
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Eco Lodge in Moloka’i
Pu’u Hoku Ranch
Pu’u Hoku Ranch is one of the most unique eco friendly hotels in Hawaii. It’s a family-owned property that houses an organic, biodynamic farm and a retreat center. Nestled in over 14 thousand acres of protected land, the ranch is an authentic nature getaway.
A lodge and cottages, built in the early 1930s in Hawaiian ranch style, are surrounded by gardens and feature a fully-equipped kitchen, a comfortable living room, dining furniture, private bathrooms, simply decorated bedrooms and a shaded linai.
The lodge, which can accommodate up to 21 people in its 12 bedrooms, is ideal for large groups and includes a private pool, farm-to-table meals, and a yoga deck.
There’s no wifi in the cottages to help you fully disconnect, and the ranch can provide fresh produce and meat from the farm should you wish to cook your own meals. Access to the beach, conference facilities, and hiking opportunities are some of the perks of staying at Pu’u Hoku Ranch.
Cattle is raised in the farm, and wild venison hunted as part of the land preservation program, since the proliferation of the species is harmful for the environment.
Organic vegetables, fruit, and honey is produced at the farm, and the lodge’s conservation efforts include the protection of endangered bird species, growing rare, native plants, and keeping the coastline free of plastics and trash.
❤️ We like it because it offers a rustic experience, in which guests can connect with the real Hawaii and enjoy nothing but the sounds of nature and the views of the ocean and the stars, without light pollution or city noise to spoil it.
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