Iokepa Naeole grew up on Maui with nature as his playmate.

“;I was raised in a time before there were personal computers, the Internet, Wii and high-definition TV,”; he said. “;My friends and siblings were outside all the time; we swam, surfed, fished, hiked and paddled canoe. We had a real connection with nature.”;

Naeole has found that's not the case today; technology has provided too many indoor diversions. As director of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment program at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, he's met people who've never walked through a forest or swum in the ocean.

Launched in October, AOTE aims to change that by offering outdoor activities that deepen participants' understanding about and appreciation for Earth's unique and fragile ecosystems. Although it's available only to guests of the hotel, plans call for opening it to the public by spring.

A respected educator, environmentalist and film producer, Cousteau is building on the legacy of his late father, the famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. In April the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Cousteau's nonprofit Ocean Futures Society (www.oceanfutures.org) announced an agreement to develop AOTE at select Ritz-Carlton properties worldwide.

Their alliance stemmed from the success of the original program at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, is the first hotel to offer it following the establishment of the partnership.

Its AOTE experiences begin in a spacious education center that displays green initiatives from wall to wall. Furniture is crafted from straw, sunflower hulls, reclaimed shredded U.S. currency and wood salvaged from fallen trees. Cups, utensils and plates are manufactured from nongenetically modified corn, potato, bamboo or sugar cane, and reused for compost.

Energy-efficient CFL and LED bulbs light the center's rooms; most of its retail apparel is sewn from organic cotton; and the sunscreen that's sold is made from organic aloe vera and kukui nut oil that doesn't harm marine life or alter the ocean's pH level.

Gutters are equipped with a catchment system that stores rainwater to irrigate the landscaping, which features a garden of awa (kava), hapuu ferns and other native plants.

Designed in conjunction with Richard Murphy, the Ocean Futures Society's director of science and education, AOTE's 18 activities support four interlocking principles: Biodiversity is good, nature recycles everything, everything runs on energy and everything is connected.

Guides hold a college degree and/or have extensive experience in biology, marine biology, environmental science and Hawaiian culture and history.

“;Maunalei Magic”; takes guests into the previously inaccessible Maunalei Arboretum where dozens of plants, trees and shrubs thrive. Unfortunately, aggressive introduced species such as the strawberry guava are choking the natives in some areas.

“;Visitors are surprised that such beautiful plants have created a serious problem,”; said Naeole. “;For instance, the native ohia lehua tree collects moisture from clouds and protects the understory from heavy rains. It makes up 70 percent of Maui's watershed. If invasive species overrun the ohia lehua, 70 percent of our water source would be gone.”;

During “;Cities Under the Sea,”; participants snorkel over a pristine reef at Kapalua Bay, observing the interdependence of fish, coral, algae and other marine life. Using underwater digital cameras, they snap photos that are later incorporated into a DVD show that they can share with friends and family.

AOTE's cornerstone is the Hawaiian concept of ahupuaa, land divisions extending from the mountains to the sea. In ancient times, villagers found everything they needed to survive in their ahupuaa, including food, medicine and materials for tools, shelter and clothing. They cared for and conserved these precious natural resources, never taking more than they could use.

“;They were living sustainably centuries before sustainable living became a buzzword,”; said Naeole. “;Our program enables us to spread this important message far beyond Hawaii's shores. We hope to educate and inspire participants so that when they return home, they can be good examples of what it means to be dedicated ambassadors of the environment.”;

'Whale Wonders' tour launches next week

Each winter, pods of humpbacks, Hawaii's state mammal, migrate here to breed and give birth to their young. From Dec. 15 through April 15, AOTE will partner with Trilogy Excursions (www.sailtrilogy.com) to offer a “;Whale Wonders”; adventure from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

“;Whale Wonders”; includes a discussion and slide show produced by the Ocean Futures Society, transportation between the hotel and Kaanapali Beach (where Trilogy's catamaran launches), lunch and a personalized DVD of whale photos participants have taken on the excursion.

Cost for the whale watch, guided by AOTE naturalists, is $99 per adult and $79 for children ages 3 through 15.