Kauaʻi Destination Management Action Plan Shared on HI Now

HI Now – Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan 2023

Patti Ornellas, Kaua‘i’s Destination Manager, joins Kainoa Carlson of HI Now to share on legal/acceptable commercial photography and activities in state and county parks and the partnership with Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawai‘i (STAH) and efforts to Mālama I Ke Kai.

As resident sentiment statewide continued to deteriorate as visitor numbers increased, the state recognized a change was needed to help mitigate the impacts of tourism on the ‘āina, kai, and community.  From this, the Destination Management Action Plans (DMAP), supported by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, were created for each island.  Using resident sentiment surveys, steering committees and community meetings, each island recognizes several action items in which need to be addressed to help create balance between the economics of tourism with the health and wellbeing of the island, its residents and its natural resources.

Future plans and the vision that align with the Kaua‘i DMAP will include community outreach via community meetings, supporting community programs and events, sharing educational videos like the Mālama Kaua‘i video series and Travel Pono video, and sharing information via radio, print and social media opportunities in an effort to keep DMAP front of mind and to encourage everyone - residents and visitors alike to join the movement and be part of the change to Mālama Ku‘u Home – care for our beloved Kaua‘i.

Click HI Now - Kauaʻi Destination Management Action Plan to watch the HI Now segment.

For more information regarding the Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan, please contact: Patti Ornellas at [email protected].