Hawaii: Tourism Strategic Plan: 2005-2015 (TSP)
The Hawaii Tourism Authority, with guidance from its Natural Resources
Advisory Group, has included seven Big Island groups among 25
community-based projects to receive funding in 2009 through its
Natural Resources Program. “Hawaii’s natural environment is an
essential element of Hawaii’s tourism product,” said Lloyd Unebasami,
HTA interim president and chief executive officer and chief
administrative officer. “While marketing will continue to be an
important focus for HTA in 2009, we will continue to support those
strategic initiatives that strive to enhance and diversify Hawaii’s
tourism product for our visitors and residents.”
Objectives of the
Hawaii Tourism Strategic Plan: 2005-2015 (TSP) for the Natural
Resources initiative include: exploring innovative means to repair,
maintain and improve Hawaii’s natural resources; raising awareness
among all stakeholders about the responsible use of natural resources;
increasing collaboration among government agencies, the visitor
industry and the community; and reviewing and enforcing rules and
developing certification programs for commercial operations in natural
resource areas. HTA’s Natural Resources Program began in 2002 in
response to a legislative mandate that the HTA provide at least $1
million annually to support efforts to manage, improve and protect
Hawai’i’s natural environment and areas frequented by visitors. The
HTA has allocated $2 million to its 2009 Natural Resources Program.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority was created in 1998 to ensure a
successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to
strategically manage Hawai’i tourism in a sustainable manner
consistent with our economic goals, cultural values, preservation of
natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs. HTA
‘S 2009 Natural Resources Program awardees on the Big Island include:
1) E Mau Na Ala Hele: Development of Reservation Trail & Trailhead
Kiosk at Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve – Coordinates the expansion of the
Puu Waawaa Hiking Trail System and the construction of a trailhead
kiosk to improve communication about resources by visitors to the
trail system. 2) Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization: Enhancing
Visitor Safety and Experience Through Wildfire Mitigation Efforts at
Puu Waawaa – Installs trail signs at sites that will aid firefighter
navigation during active fire suppression efforts and provides
information to visitors about the walking trails at Pu’u Wa’awa’a. 3)
Ka Ahahui o Ka Nahelehele: Hawaiian Dryland Forest Education Resource
Guide & Program – Development of Hawaiian Dryland Forest Education
Resource Guide that will include information on the dryland forest
ecosystem. –Volcano Art Center: Volcano Native Rainforest
Preservation & Education – Program encourages sustainable tourism for
visitors and land stewardship by residents using monthly
“Environmental Education Workshops” on the Volcano’s unique, fragile
ecosystems; monthly “Forest Work Days” to restore and preserve
Niaulani’s old-growth rainforest; weekly “Niaulani Nature Walks” to
provide an introduction to the area’s native flora and fauna; and an
annual “Forest Education Fair” to educate the public about Volcano
area forests and Hawaiian cultural connections. For more information,
please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org.
http://www.hawaii247.com/2008/12/24/isle-groups-among-hta-natural-resources-program-awardees/
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