In 2018 the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau and Hawaiʻi County published the Pono Pledge: ten lines that say, plainly, what the Big Island asks of the people who visit it. It is short enough to read on the plane, and following it will make your trip safer and better. Here is every line, with what it means in practice.

The pledge text is quoted from ponopledge.com.

Line 1

I pledge to be pono (righteous) on the island of Hawaiʻi.

Pono means doing what is right and in balance. Everything below is what that looks like on a trip.

Line 2

I will mindfully seek wonder, but not wander where I do not belong.

Stay on marked trails, respect closed gates and kapu (no entry) signs, and skip private land, even when an online pin says otherwise. See our Big Island hikes guide.

Line 3

I will not defy death for breathtaking photos, trespass or venture beyond safety.

No photo is worth a cliff edge, a closed lava area or a wave-washed ledge. Rescues here put first responders at risk too.

Line 4

I will mālama (care for) land and sea, and admire wildlife only from afar.

Give sea turtles and monk seals room, never touch coral, and use mineral reef-safe sunscreen. See our Big Island snorkel spots.

Line 5

Molten lava will mesmerize me, but I will not disrupt its flow.

Watch eruptions from official viewpoints in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and follow ranger closures. See our Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park guide.

Line 6

I will not take what is not mine, leaving lava rocks and sand as originally found.

This is the line most visitors break without thinking. Leave every rock, shell and handful of sand where you found it.

Line 7

I will heed ocean conditions, never turning my back to the Pacific.

Check surf reports, swim near lifeguards, and if you are unsure, stay out. Shore break and currents change fast. See our Big Island beaches guide.

Line 8

When rain falls ma uka (inland), I will remain high above ground.

Rain in the mountains can flash-flood streams and waterfall pools even when it is sunny where you stand. Never cross a rising stream. See our Big Island waterfalls guide.

Line 9

I will embrace the concept of being a steward of the land, revered as my loving chief.

Treat the ʻāina (land) as something you are caring for, not using. Pack out everything you bring in.

Line 10

E ʻapo i ke aʻo a hoʻohana, a e ʻoi mau ka naʻauao.

The pledge closes with a line in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language). You can read the full pledge on the official site. See our ponopledge.com.

How to plan a pono trip

  • Book permits and reservations where they are required, and use official parking.
  • Spend locally: farmers markets, family restaurants and locally owned tours.
  • Learn a few words: aloha, mahalo, mālama, pono.
  • Slow down: one side of the island at a time beats racing the whole loop.

Plan it: 7-day Big Island itinerary · Where to stay · Packing list