It’s not necessarily going to solve the problem, but it’s a good start.

The Surfrider Foundation, in partnership with the Maui Huliau Foundation, Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation and Rise Above Plastics Coalition, celebrated the statewide launch of the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program on World Oceans Day on Wednesday.

What is a certified Ocean Friendly Restaurant?

It’s a restaurant that has agreed to reduce the amount of disposable plastics it offers to customers and to make sincere efforts to adopt sustainable practices for the health of our oceans.

Restaurants must, for example, agree not to use polystyrene foam for food takeout containers and offer reusable tableware for in-house diners, as well as follow proper recycling practices. There is no fee to participate.

They must also follow at least three of the following five practices: offer plastic straws only upon request or replace them with compostable straws; offer all-recyclable or compostable takeout beverage containers; provide nonplastic takeout bags only upon request; provide only compostable utensils for takeout upon request; and not sell beverages in plastic bottles.

“All of us need to have responsibility, whether it’s the producer or the consumer or the government,” said Rafael Bergstrom, Oahu chapter coordinator of the Surfrider Foundation. “The only way we’re going to make change getting single-use products out of our waste stream is if it’s bought into at all levels.”

While consumers are still encouraged to say no to straws, and bring their own reusable water bottles and bags, Surfrider wanted to recognize businesses that were “doing the right thing already.”

The new program started with Surfrider’s San Diego chapter and began making its way across the isles in April. On World Oceans Day, customers who tagged a restaurant on social media with #OceanFriendlyHi received discounts and special offers. The campaign will continue to recruit restaurants to participate and encourage the use of the hashtag. Follow @oceanfriendlyrestaurants on Instagram for updates.

Ocean Friendly Restaurants in Hawaii include about 50 well-known names, including Downbeat Diner, Chef Chai, The Counter at Kahala Mall, Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Cholo’s in Haleiwa. On Maui some popular spots include the Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao, Cafe Des Amis in Paia and Bamboo Fresh in Lahaina.

If restaurants comply with all eight criteria, as does the Kona Brewing Co., they’ll be certified as a platinum-level Ocean Friendly Restaurant.

The focus is currently on reducing plastic pollution from getting into the waste stream, and not so much on sourcing food from local farms or sustainable seafood, though many Ocean Friendly Restaurants also adopt those practices. Down the line, Bergstrom said the initiative might recognize these as well.

Participating restaurants get a “We Are an Ocean Friendly Restaurant” decal to display, promotion via the website and Facebook page (facebook.com/ofrhawaii), and rack cards to help educate customers. Volunteers from the nonprofit groups are certifying the restaurants. Nominations are accepted online at oceanfriendlyrestaurantshawaii.org.

Nina Wu writes about environmental issues. Reach her at 529-4892 or nwu@staradvertiser.com. Read more at thegreenleaf.staradvertiserblogs.com.