Hawai‘i Joins Fiji, Thailand and Other Destinations in OUTRIGGER’s Powerful Mangrove Conservation Drive

An award-winning environmental campaign has brought OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels’ coastal destinations together through hands-on ocean protection. During World Ocean Month in June 2026, guests, resort teams and communities participated in more than 40 activities across Hawai‘i, Fiji, Thailand, the Maldives and Mauritius.

The OUTRIGGER mangrove conservation effort in Thailand formed one part of a broader programme covering coral planting, reef care, wildlife releases and beach cleaning. Recognised with Gold at the 2026 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, the campaign illustrated how hospitality businesses can connect guest experiences with practical marine conservation while responding to the distinct needs of individual shorelines.

OUTRIGGER’s Five-Destination Conservation Programme Targets Local Environmental Needs

The programme was delivered through OUTRIGGER Zone, the group’s environmental platform, under its Commitment to Conservation pillar. Rather than repeating identical activities at each property, resorts focused on the priorities of their surrounding coastlines.

In Fiji, coral fragments were planted and fish houses built to support marine habitats. Reef restoration was prioritised in the Maldives, while debris was removed from beaches in Mauritius. Thailand’s programme involved mangrove cultivation and baby crab releases. Hawai‘i hosted a public education and community event at Waikīkī Aquarium.

The sustainable tourism initiatives involved both guests and resort employees, connecting environmental care with the hospitality experience. Although coordinated internationally, the effort was adapted to local conditions. That approach allowed each destination to contribute differently to the ambition of healthier coastal and marine environments, while inviting travellers to participate in conservation work.

Thailand’s Mangrove Conservation Efforts Complement Coral Restoration Across Island Resorts

OUTRIGGER mangrove conservation was concentrated in Thailand, where mangrove cultivation was paired with baby crab releases. The company did not report mangrove planting in Hawai‘i, Fiji, the Maldives or Mauritius.

Fiji concentrated on coral planting and fish houses, while coral reef restoration was carried out in the Maldives. Mauritius focused on removing marine debris.

These projects reflected the marine conservation needs of individual shorelines. World Ocean Month provided a shared framework, but the work itself was adapted locally. The campaign therefore represented coordinated ocean protection rather than a uniform mangrove programme imposed across every participating resort.

Over 5,000 Mangroves Cultivated as OUTRIGGER Reports Major Conservation Results

OUTRIGGER reported that more than 80 coral fragments were planted and over 5,000 mangroves cultivated. Clean-ups removed more than 2,150 pounds of litter from coastal areas.

Wildlife activities included the release of 200 baby sea bass, over 10,000 baby prawns, 14 sea turtles and more than three million baby crabs. Monthly management of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish also formed part of the continuing reef protection effort.

Participation was substantial. More than 842 volunteers were involved, and seven educational events were organised for young people and students. These figures reflected the combination of hands-on habitat protection and community learning delivered across the participating resorts.

For the hotel group, sustainable tourism initiatives were expressed through measurable action as well as visitor engagement. Coral reef restoration and mangrove cultivation were reported alongside litter collection and wildlife releases, offering a broader picture of the environmental work undertaken during the campaign.

Hawai‘i Hosts Major Conservation Festival at Waikīkī Aquarium

The programme concluded with the tenth annual OUTRIGGER Zone Day at the Waikīkī Aquarium in Hawai‘i. Approximately 865 attendees took part in the conservation festival, which combined environmental education, art, practical service and community engagement.

More than 100 OUTRIGGER volunteers supported the event, alongside 21 conservation partners that delivered exhibits and workshops. Participating organisations included the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Surfrider Foundation.

The gathering connected hospitality teams with visitors and local organisations in one public setting. It also extended the campaign beyond resort grounds, demonstrating how marine conservation could be explored through education and direct involvement as well as restoration activities.

Consecutive Gold Magellan Awards Strengthen OUTRIGGER’s Sustainability Credentials

OUTRIGGER Zone received Gold in the Hospitality – Marketing: Live Installation/Activation Programme category at the 2026 Travel Weekly Magellan Awards. The recognition followed a 2025 Gold award for the Sculptural Coral Gene Bank at Castaway Island, Fiji.

The company described World Ocean Month as its most coordinated environmental effort to date. Its inaugural Sustainability Report was released alongside the initiative.

Monica Salter, Vice President of Global Communications and Social Responsibility, said that caring for places remained central to The OUTRIGGER Way. She thanked conservation partners for their work and Travel Weekly for the recognition.

Since 2014, OUTRIGGER Zone has helped plant and protect coral equivalent to more than 100 football fields worldwide, according to the company.

Conclusion

The Gold award has placed further attention on OUTRIGGER’s approach to conservation within hospitality. Its June 2026 programme connected five destinations through a common purpose without overlooking differences between their shorelines. OUTRIGGER mangrove conservation in Thailand was accompanied by coral work in Fiji and the Maldives, marine debris removal in Mauritius and community education in Hawai‘i.

The reported results, from volunteer participation to habitat support, illustrated the scope of the company’s marine conservation activities. With a second consecutive Magellan Gold and its first Sustainability Report, OUTRIGGER has positioned environmental responsibility as an important, continuing part of its international resort operations.