When Hawaiian Airlines introduced Jason Momoa’s Mananalu water in aluminum cans, it sounded like the next big thing in eco-friendly travel. Here’s why it didn’t work and some actual fast-track eco-friendly initiatives airlines are pursuing instead.
First, the gimmick behind Mananalu water. Pitched as the cure to single-use plastic, these shiny cans were supposed to fit seamlessly into Hawaii’s environmental efforts. And with that name, they sounded so good too.
But instead of saving the planet, they were largely destined for a quick trip to Hawaii’s already full landfills. While some argue that aluminum is a better alternative to plastic, even for those trying to recycle them, many of Hawaii’s programs are limited by the cost and logistics of exporting cans off the island for processing.
According to one source, the company that packages his water is rated as the 65th worst air polluter in the US by the University of Massachusetts. Furthermore, plastic water bottles are the most environmentally friendly containers if made of ultra-thin multi-use PET plastic. These are not “single-use” and can be recycled into a variety of other products.
Reactions to Mananalu ranged from amused to skeptical, leaving many to wonder what “eco-friendly” really means for Hawaii. And to make things worse, the water wasn’t even from hawaii; it was sourced from the mainland.
His company is now rebranding and replacing Mananalu with “Boomerang Water” later this year. There is no mention of whether aluminum will be in or out when their water is relaunched.
Where airlines are getting it right without the Hollywood spin on eco-friendly.
In contrast, some airlines are exploring ways to significantly reduce waste without simply swapping one material for another.
Alaska Airlines, for example, has taken a notable step with its #FillBeforeYouFly campaign. It encourages passengers to bring their own refillable water bottles and fill them at airport hydration stations before boarding. As an added bonus, Alaska plants trees to offset travelers’ environmental impact.
Recently, Alaska introduced another experimental layer to its eco-friendly practices with the launch of reusable r.Cups on select routes, becoming the first U.S. airline to partner with r.Cup. These durable cups, collected and sanitized after each flight, offer a practical alternative to disposable cups. By eliminating thousands of single-use plastic cups from inflight service, Alaska is moving forward with new and more pragmatic initiatives.
Delta, another Hawaii-centric carrier, has also introduced reusable cups and compostable service ware on select routes, also exploring solutions that reduce single-use waste. Rather than promoting a specific product, Delta’s focus on reusables keeps waste reduction central to its approach without the marketing frills.
Southwest is also committed to reducing single-use plastic by 50 percent on their flights starting in 2025 and by 100 percent where feasible by 2030.
United Airlines successfully implemented a food waste reduction program at Newark airport in 2023. This pilot program reduced food heading to landfills, as organic and food waste landfill reduction pathways remain a priority for United.
Readers’ eco-friendly wisdom.
BOH readers shared their own eco-friendly practices, and many align more closely with these airlines’ initiatives than with Momoa water.
Commenter Beth B. shared her method of boiling tap water and storing it in the fridge. She does not buy bottled water or cans, preferring to take her refillable bottle wherever she goes.
Meanwhile, Suzanna G. appreciated hotels like the Westin Hapuna Beach and others now offering refillable bottles in guest rooms, saying it sends a stronger message of sustainability than “slapping Aloha on a can.”
These practical solutions suggest a blend of creativity and commitment to reduce waste wherever possible.
Building true eco-friendly travel experiences for Hawaii.
As the world looks for greener ways to travel, Hawaii’s unique environment deserves thoughtful solutions that go beyond the latest hyped eco-product. While the Mananalu experiment highlighted early the challenges and complexities of “eco-friendly” in the islands, the efforts from airlines show that true sustainability may be less about glitzy campaigns and more about long-term real-world impact.
The message for travelers heading to the islands is clear: pack a refillable bottle of your chosen material, stay curious, and support initiatives that embrace practicality over trends.
While aluminum cans may come and go, this environmental journey in Hawaii travel is only just beginning. With lessons we’re all learning, we can contribute to preserving Hawaii’s beauty for generations to come—one refill at a time.
We welcome your input and suggestions!
Kudos to Alaska Airlines for helping with the charge to reusables! But let’s see if this grows into something substantive. Fingers crossed.
LOL. Jason Momoa’s water was a wipeout for sure. Aluminum cans like that just don’t make sense in a place like Hawaii.
I actually kept one of these cans as a souvenir for a while. 😂 Then it hit the can.
I remember when the Mananalu water cans first hit HA flights. I thought it was semi cool, but it didn’t never caught on. Guess it wasn’t so useful after all.
Jason Momoa’s idea was nice in theory, but we need more practical solutions and less marketing hype.