HTA Works To Mitigate Visitor Impacts, Address Community Concerns

In response to the extremely high numbers of visitors arriving in Hawaiʻi as pandemic-related restrictions are relaxed, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is working to mitigate the impacts of these high numbers of visitors, addressing community concerns as expressed in the Destination Management Action Plans. The plans were created by communities, and will guide HTA’s work in managing tourism.

Pololū, Kohala, Hawaiʻi Island

Pololū Valley is a majestic and historical area in North Kohala on Hawaiʻi Island. Recently, there has been a rapid increase of visitors to the Pololū Lookout, Trail, and coastal shoreline, and there is a growing need to mitigate the impacts to the community and natural and cultural resources.

In response to requests from the community, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is funding the Pololū Trail Steward Program – a pilot project in collaboration with KUPU, Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, and the lineal descendent community of Pololū, Makanikahio and neighboring ahupuaʻa. The goal is to utilize local stewards to assist with interpreting the natural and cultural history of the area, as well as mitigate unwanted behaviors and ensure safety. Partners hope that this project can serve as a model for collaborations with local communities to manage the impact of tourism on Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources, to include steering visitors towards safe, responsible behaviors while enjoying the destination.

The Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, which is part of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources will be hiring four part-time stewards, through KUPU, for the pilot project. From August 2021 through January 31, 2022, the stewards will assist with visitor management, safety, and trail maintenance as well as sharing their knowledge of the Pololū area with visitors.

Pololū Valley is one of the hotspots community members and stakeholders identified as part of HTA’s Hawaiʻi Island Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP). Action A in the DMAP calls to protect and preserve culturally significant places and hotspots.

Hāna Highway, Maui

The scenic road to Hāna, officially known as Hāna Highway, is one of the top points of interest for visitors to Maui, which has resulted in traffic congestion caused in part by illegal parking and unsafe pedestrian crossing along the highway. To help alleviate the situation for Hāna residents, HTA continues to work with Maui County officials and other state agencies, and is also strongly advising visitors to join a tour from a permitted tour company instead of driving on their own or visiting other areas on Maui.

This ongoing effort is a part of HTA’s Maui Nui Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP), published in March, in which a number of the hotspot areas and sites listed are either located in Hāna or along the road to Hana. Furthermore, Action H in the Maui section of the Maui Nui DMAP created by Maui residents calls for HTA to advocate for increased enforcement of current laws.

“We take seriously, the concerns brought forth by the residents of Hāna and east Maui surrounding the impact of visitors in their community, especially along this main thoroughfare for which they rely on, and are committed to addressing them through viable solutions,” said John De Fries, president and CEO of HTA.

HTA, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, encourages visitors to experience the road to Hāna through a permitted tour led by professional guides. HTA has posted a list of tour operators with excursions to Hāna on its website.

Since May, in an effort to mitigate the visitor impact in Hāna, HTA has been convening collaborative meetings with Maui County, the Maui Police Department, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, Haleakalā National Park and the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. 

HDOT announced in a press release on June 10 that it has installed approximately 70 “no parking” signs on Hāna Highway, warning drivers about the $35 no parking fine and a $200 surcharge for illegally stopping on a state highway, to reduce the temptation for drivers to illegally park on Hāna Highway. Approximately ten signs were installed at each location: Waikamoi Stream Bridge, Twin Falls, Bamboo Forest, Ching’s Pond, Waikalani Bridge, Puaʻa Kaa Park, and Hanawī Bridge.

According to Maui Mayor Michael Victorino’s office, between June 1 and June 23, the Maui Police Department issued 389 parking citations and 83 warnings to violators on Hāna Highway between Haʻikū and Hāna town.

HDOT developed educational flyers for use by car rental agencies and is working on posters at Maui’s Consolidated Rental Car or “ConRAC” facility at Kahului Airport.