Hawai'i tour operators need to encourage the conservation of the Islands' natural resources and educate tourists about how to preserve them.

That's a key belief of Maui Thrills Eco-Nature Tours, which was among the businesses and others honored yesterday at the Coral Reef Outreach Network's 2nd annual Hawaii Living Reef Program Awards.

The nine-year-old Maui company gives visitors educational briefings about the island's culture and ocean etiquette before taking them out — only six people at a time — for kayaking and snorkeling tours, said owner MiQe Klemme.

Klemme also founded and leads a volunteer organization that, among other things, cleans up coastlines and distributes brochures on sustainable tourism tips.

"I've always had this innate appreciation of nature," Klemme said. "Anybody who comes to the island should feel the desire to protect the resources here."

Other businesses honored yesterday include: