March 27, 2006

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII - Hawaii Forest & Trail, a nature adventure tour company based in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii's Big Island, has been named the recipient of the 2006 Ecotour Operator of the Year Award from the Hawaii Ecotourism Association.

The Hawaii Ecotourism Association annually honors a member who best exemplifies an exceptional ecotourism operation. "Hawaii Forest & Trail has been the leader in the development of ecotourism in Hawaii and sets a stellar example for other ecotourism operations statewide," said Annette Kaohelaulii, the past-president of HEA.

Hawaii Forest & Trail is owned by Rob and Cindy Pacheco, who founded the company in 1993 with just one van. The company currently has 35 employees and 13 vehicles and takes guests on eight different small-group tours to experience a variety of natural and remote areas around the Big Island, including waterfalls, mountain summits, volcanic landscapes and pristine valleys as well as on birdwatching trips to intact native areas.

Hawaii Forest & Trail emphasizes comprehensive interpretive training for its tour guides so guests have a high-quality experience and also have ample opportunity to ask questions and receive informative answers. At the same time, visitors experience first-hand the unique natural history of Hawaii and begin to understand how Hawaii's environment is a microcosm of the planet's ecosystem.

The company also emphasizes the Hawaiian culture as a part of all its tours. "They…should be acknowledged for providing training for their employees that also includes the host culture and its many aspects such as culture, cultural history and Hawaiian legends of plants and places," notes Lori Sablas, Director of the award winning Po'okela Hawaiian cultural program at Maui's Kaanapali Beach Hotel. "A wonderful choice for this prestigious award."

Hawaii Forest & Trail's tours have twice been honored with awards of excellence from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and it has also received awards for its operations from local and State business organizations. The HEA award was based on excellence in four categories of operation, including Environmental Conservation, Quality Educational Experiences for the Visitor, Cultural Stewardship and Contributions to the Local Community.

The HEA is non-profit organization which formed in 1995 and has about 100 companies Statewide as members. In addition to its Ecotour Operator of the Year award, the HEA also annually honors travel writers whose stories deal with sustainable tourism topics.

Hawaii Forest & Trail will receive the Ecotour Operator of the Year award at a special HEA luncheon in Honolulu on April 21, in honor of Earth Day. To learn more about Hawaii Forest & Trail, visit the company's website at www.hawaii-forest.com or call them directly at
(808) 331-8505.