Group joins Ocean Friendly Visitors Program

KAPA‘A — The Royal Coconut Coast Association has joined Surfrider Kaua‘i in the Ocean Friendly Visitors Program, a program designed to help returning visitors enjoy Kaua‘i while also giving back by protecting its ocean, beaches, reefs and marine life.

RCCA is representing 14 hotels, resorts and condominium complexes under its purview on Kaua‘i’s Eastside that have joined the program. The Royal Coconut Coast region of Kaua‘i is located between the towns of Wailua and Kapa‘a.

The region is home to the Wailua River, a dozen resorts and hotels, several small inns and vacation-rental properties as well as numerous restaurants and shops.

The area is known for its central location, for being a pedestrian town, and for providing a spectacular coastal multi-use pathway. RCCA serves as an umbrella organization to promote members and provide valuable information for visitors to the area.

“We see visitors come to Kaua‘i for its natural beauty, and once here many of them want to find ways to give back,” said Diane Pavao, RCCA president.

”This program can help our members provide another way for visitors to care for Kaua‘i’s land and culture, or malama ‘aina,” she said. “We want to balance welcoming visitors back, while at the same time encouraging visitors to help improve and protect our island’s environment. The Ocean Friendly Visitors Program will be valuable for contributing to this balance.”