Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`I
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JOHN M. KNOX & ASSOCIATES, INC. Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i Socio-Cultural and Public Input Component Volume I: Summary Report Prepared for the Project: Planning for Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i Hawai`i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism Prepared by: John M. Knox & Associates, Inc. (with assistance from individuals and organizations on inside page) July 31, 2004 ________________________________________________ 1001 Bishop St., ASB Tower 1542 Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813 USA Phone (808) 523-1352 Fax (808) 523-1353 E-Mail [email protected] This report has been cataloged as follows: Hawaii. Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Planning for sustainable tourism. Honolulu: 2005. Multiple volume report by various authors. 1. Tourism-Planning-Hawaii. 2. Tourism-Government policy-Hawaii. 3. Sustainable development- Hawaii. G155.H3.H32.2005 Socio-Cultural and Public Input Study Summary Report i Principal Subcontractors to John M. Knox & Associates, Inc. for This Study Dr. Peter S. Adler (The Accord Facilitated initial round of public Group) meetings and initial set of Study Group meetings Dr. Kem Lowry (Department of Facilitated majority of Study Group Urban and Regional Planning, meetings and collaborated on policy University of Hawai`i recommendations for overall study Market Trends Pacific, Inc. (Wanda Survey data collection and Kakugawa, President) processing; compilation of public input from e-mails and public meeting comments Harvey A. Shapiro (Kokua Design and maintenance of project Computing Systems) website Additional Contributors Ms. Alohalani Boido, M.A. Assistance in tourism-crime data; compilation and recording/comment- gathering at initial public meetings Ms. Makena Coffman Assistance in tourism-crime literature review Dr. John Gartrell (Social Science Assistance in statistical analysis of Research Institute, University of Hawai`i tourism-crime data Ms. Laura McIntye Assistance in case studies, Sustainable Tourism systems outside Hawai`i (“Limits of Acceptable Change” and “Kangaroo Island”) (And special recognition to Ms. Aja Kaikilani Devoll of John M. Knox & Associates, who did a little bit of everything!) NOTE: Throughout this report, we use the acronym “DBEDT” to refer to the Hawai`i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. Planning for Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i John M. Knox & Associates, Inc. Socio-Cultural and Public Input Study Summary Report ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Study Overview The Socio-Cultural and Public Input component of the Sustainable Tourism Study differed from the other two components not only in content but also in the diverse nature of its activities. This report covers: • Review of Hawai`i tourism trends (growth and change); • Socio-cultural impacts/issues in the general population; • Socio-cultural effects on Native Hawaiians; • Public input from meetings and e-mails; • Results of a statewide resident survey; • Work of the Sustainable Tourism Study Group; and • Research on the history of the “sustainable tourism” concept, and review of sustainable tourism planning/management systems elsewhere. But the challenge in an Executive Summary is to answer the question, “So what? What’s important here?” To answer this question, we must admit some pieces of this report seem more inter-related than others. For example, we did an extensive analysis of the effects of tourism on crime rates in Hawai`i (and found relatively little impact). However, this tourism-crime analysis ultimately is self- contained, unrelated to what we now believe to be the primary value of this effort: We believe it is usually more valuable to plan for and manage socio-cultural aspects than to analyze them. We believe the key objective is to identify the concerns and ideas of affected stakeholders, and act on them. We believe the work of the Sustainable Tourism Study Group provides an initial blueprint for such action, and we further believe the Study Group may prove to have been a successful “pilot program” for an ongoing Sustainable Tourism planning and management system in Hawai`i. The Sustainable Tourism Study Group and the Native Hawaiian Advisory Group: Much of the effort in this project was contributed by the Sustainable Tourism Study Group (which was actually more of a “working group”). This was a 16-month collaboration of 24 people from all islands, representing key visitor industry, environmental, Native Hawaiian, government planning, and other tourism stakeholders. Similarly, a four-member Native Hawaiian Advisory Group – including both critics of and participants in the industry – worked to analyze industry impacts on the host population and offer recommendations for actions from a uniquely Hawaiian perspective. Planning for Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i John M. Knox & Associates, Inc. Socio-Cultural and Public Input Study Summary Report iii Recommendations from these two groups comprise the most solid and specific outcomes from the overall study, and they are summarized shortly. Additionally, the Sustainable Tourism Study Group created a comprehensive “Vision for Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i,” including broad and specific goals, possible indicators, and action recommendations. This document – which appears in full at the report’s end as an Appendix – is significant because of the broad-based consensus-oriented group of stakeholders which was able to find substantial common ground after initial periods of disagreement. The Study Group’s work encouraged the consultant team to exceed our contract scope in several ways. One of these was to examine the Sustainable Tourism literature to see what sort of similar processes had been tried elsewhere. We discovered that tourism destinations and international organizations around the world are beginning to develop results-oriented planning and management systems to assure that local visitor industries are long-lasting and beneficial in environmental and cultural, as well as economic ways. Initiatives such as the Study Group and the Native Hawaiian Advisory Group are part of those wider efforts to develop what may be called “Sustainable Tourism Systems.” What Does “Sustainable Tourism” Mean? The idea is part of the sustainable development movement – it means economic development that will last, because it does not destroy the basic resources or assets on which development is based. On an international basis, “Sustainable Tourism” is now generally recognized as the principal model for the future of tourism by agencies such as the World Tourism Organization, World Travel & Tourism Council, United Nations, Pacific Area Travel Association, etc. (See Chapter VIII.) “Sustainable Tourism” focuses on protecting the underlying natural and cultural resources on which the visitor industry depends – the uniqueness and appeal of the place itself, as determined by a sense of cultural authenticity, friendly workers and residents, well-maintained public facilities, uncrowded natural and recreational areas, etc. In Hawai`i, these are often collectively referred to as the “quality of the tourism product.” Most of these are also critical to resident quality of life. Also critical to the “sustainability” concept is the concept of an ongoing public-private collaborative process to identify/monitor key values and assets. In truth, sustaining the quality of the product is only one part of the formula for assuring the ongoing success of the industry. Effective marketing, adequate airlift, favorable economic conditions in market areas, eliminating threats from terrorism or other travel deterrents – all of these remain crucial. But their importance is obvious on a day-to-day basis. “Sustainability” relates to long-term concerns about the potential gradual erosion of a destination’s overall charm and uniqueness – things less obvious but ultimately just as important. What Is a “Sustainable Tourism System?” It is some sort of ongoing, organized, public-private commitment to maintaining product quality and Planning for Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i John M. Knox & Associates, Inc. Socio-Cultural and Public Input Study Summary Report iv preserving key assets. Based on writings of groups such as the United Nations Environmental Program, a “Sustainable Tourism System” is just a general template for planning/management – but with these essential elements: 1. A focus on the entire, overall destination (“quality of the place”), including but not limited to designated resort areas. 2. Coordination by local government authority, but with ongoing collaboration and input from working groups comprised of key industry and community stakeholders. 3. Development of consensus long-term goals and actions. 4. Identification of indicators of success – preferably including target figures, ongoing monitoring of data, and contingency plans for actions when indicators are going in the wrong direction: • Research capability to help determine cause-and-effect factors; • Management response capability to react to problems. 5. Adoption by an official agency with authority to implement, revise, and oversee the ongoing process. While government usually plays a coordinating role, the Sustainable Tourism literature suggests the concept works well only if key stakeholder groups – and particularly the industry itself – find ways to be partners in carrying out some of the activities, not simply assuming this is the domain of the government alone. Our sense is that “Sustainable Tourism” will simply be another passing conceptual fad unless it is actually embraced