Welcoming visitors to Hawai‘i while honoring the precious cultural, historic and environmental resources that make our islands unique requires a delicate balance. Last year, the HTA’s five island-based destination managers for O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and Hawai‘i Island and planning team conducted more than 30 community meetings, gathering input from more than 400 residents across the state to shape tourism for the future.
No one knows our islands better than those who call Hawai‘i home and taking the time to listen has been the foundation for developing the draft Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs). HTA is proud to elevate the voice of residents across our islands to ensure their input is incorporated into the state's tourism plans, now and into the future.
A Kākou Effort
"Our destination managers did an excellent job of listening and taking the time to understand everyone's suggestions and concerns," said Kendrick Leong, HTA's planner, who collaborated with each of the destination managers. "Each draft plan was then carefully vetted by the Advisory Group for each island. These plans were truly a kākou effort, with everyone bringing their ideas forward to shape tourism in our islands."
In 2024, the Hawai‘i State Legislature appropriated funding to bolster HTA’s destination management efforts, and HTA is sharing the community-driven, island-specific draft DMAPs. With input from the community, the plans cover “hotspots” on each island and proposed actions to protect these sites from becoming overburdened. The plans will serve as a roadmap to guide destination management initiatives for each of the six islands over the next three years and inform legislative funding priorities.
Next Steps
Mahalo to all those who shared their suggestions, concerns, and aspirations for Hawai‘i. Before the DMAPs are finalized, we welcome your mana‘o. You can view the draft Destination Management Action Plans and provide your thoughts through Monday, March 2, at 11:59 p.m. by clicking
here.
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Welcoming visitors to Hawai‘i while honoring the precious cultural, historic and environmental resources that make our islands unique requires a delicate balance. Last year, the HTA’s five island-based destination managers for O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and Lāna‘i, Moloka‘i, and Hawai‘i Island and planning team conducted more than 30 community meetings, gathering input from more than 400 residents across the state to shape tourism for the future.