An attendee signs the Pono Pledge on a mobile phone at ponopledge.com. Photo by Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau

(BIVN) – A new initiative that aims to shape a more responsible, respectful tourist to the Big Island was announced Thursday, during a press conference held in the Hilo council chambers.

Ross Birch, the executive director of the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau, and Wil Okabe, the managing director of the County of Hawaiʻi, introduced a room full of media and other government employees to the new “Pono Pledge” public information campaign.

The Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau recorded the press conference and later released this information:

The Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) and County of Hawaii have partnered to launch the “Pono Pledge,” a new public information campaign aimed at educating and encouraging residents and visitors to be safe, responsible and respectful to each other and the environment while enjoying the bounty of the island of Hawaii.

Through funding from the County of Hawaii’s Research and Development Department’s Tourism Marketing Program, the Pono Pledge initiative hopes to build awareness to help protect and preserve the island’s natural resources and wildlife.

“The island of Hawaii is one of the most geographically diverse and awe-inspiring places on the planet, and it is our kuleana (responsibility) as an island community to encourage pono practices so that it remains that way for future generations,” said Ross Birch, IHVB executive director. “By committing to this pledge, residents and visitors are acknowledging their responsibility to have respect for place — no matter where you are.”

IHVB and the County of Hawaii are looking to make an immediate impact with the launch of the Pono Pledge by educating residents and visitors on important topics, such as enjoying the island safely, respecting wildlife, observing no trespassing signs, properly preparing for weather and ocean conditions, and being mindful about protecting the island’s fragile environment.

The Pono Pledge reads as follows:

I pledge to be pono (righteous) on the island of Hawaii.
I will mindfully seek wonder, but not wander where I do not belong.
I will not defy death for breathtaking photos, or venture beyond safety.
I will malama (care for) land and sea, and admire wildlife only from afar.
Molten lava will mesmerize me, but I will not disrupt its flow.
I will not take what is not mine, leaving lava rocks and sand as originally found.
I will heed ocean conditions, never turning my back to the Pacific.
When rain falls ma uka (inland), I will remain high above ground, out of rivers and streams.
I will embrace the island’s aloha spirit, as it embraces me.

Lawe i ka maalea i kuonoono.
“Take wisdom and make it deep.”

The goal is to have 10,000 residents and visitors commit to and sign the Pono Pledge on a newly created website – PonoPledge.com – over the course of the campaign’s first year. Those who oblige will then be encouraged to spread word of the pledge to others via word-of-mouth and via their social channels.

“We in Hawaii County are happy to partner with Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau on this initiative,” said Mayor Harry Kim. “We believe it helps make our Island a nicer place to live, work, play and visit for everyone.”

PonoPledge.com will also serve as a resource to the public. The website includes general safety information pertaining to various warnings, watches, advisories and outlook signs people may encounter. Full lists of lifeguarded beaches, endangered species and their protections, ocean warning flags, rules of the road, earthquake information, volcano updates, and emergency numbers are also available online.

To engage the Hawaii Island community, IHVB is coordinating a “Live Pono” community service day on Saturday, September 22. Select businesses and nonprofits will be hosting volunteer activities at various locations on the island. For additional information and to sign up, visit Facebook.