Mālama Hawai‘i

The Challenge

Hawai‘i is home to a unique culture and delicate natural resources. As COVID-19 restrictions on travel loosened, and tourists began to flood back to Hawai‘i, our invitation had to change. We needed to introduce a new way to travel.

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The Opportunity

What presented itself was a moment to change our invitation to visitors -- and begin to implement a model of regenerative tourism that could not only enrich the experiences of both tourists and locals, but give back.

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What We Did

We partnered with an on-island agency to shoot vertical content and adapt long-form stories for social placements. We created four new episodes featuring on-island ambassadors and cultural practitioners to invite visitors to experience a new way to travel—one that gives back to Hawai‘i, and to them: to mālama (care for) Hawai‘i. Additionally, we created custom-shot, long-form content to educate people on the interconnections of Hawai‘i's natural resources and residents.

Ahupua‘a: From Mauka to Makai

Traditionally, land division in Hawai‘i was guided by natural resources, meaning sections of land were organized by the tree layers of an ahupua‘a: a large traditional socioeconomic, geologic, and climatic subdivision of land that  extends from the mountains to the ocean. Each level of an ahupua‘a is connected—and it our jobs as dependents on its natural resources that we care for the land, and in turn it nurtures us. Interconnectedness in a deep value in Hawaiian culture.

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This video wrapped our campaign, and was created by teams of immensely talented, thoughtful and brilliant people both at Edelman and within our beloved HVCB partners. Mahalo for the experience.

Our Ambassadors

In partnership with an on-island agency, we shot vertical substitutions and b-roll for social adaptations of long-form content. They feature four unique ambassadors who represent four unique Hawaii-based restoration work. Across the islands of Moloka‘i, Maui and O‘ahu, we interviewed and filmed these leaders in stewardship who welcomed visitors to join them in restorative experiences that give back to Hawai‘i.

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Mahalo to these incredible ambassadors for the experience. K-boys rule!

Edelman Photographer: Heather Goodman
Edelman Videographer: Dave Sato
MVNP Director: Alex Bocchieri