University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2005 Application of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) model to structure long-term social and resource management for South Maui Hawaii Cheryl S. Vann The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Vann, Cheryl S., "Application of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) model to structure long-term social and resource management for South Maui Hawaii" (2005). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4740. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4740 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Maureen and Mike MANSFIELD LIBRARY The University of Montana Permission is granted by the author to reproduce this material in its entirety, provided that this material is used for scholarly purposes and is properly cited in published works and reports. **Please check "Yes" or "No" and provide signature** Yes, I grant permission No, I do not grant permission Author's Signature: Date: Any copying for commercial purposes or financial gain may be undertaken only with the author's explicit consent. An Application of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) Model to Structure Long-Term Social and Resource Management for South Maui, Hawaii Keone‘5 ‘io shoreline, Photo by John Boyden Professional Paper Submitted by Cheryl Vann B.A. in Human Biology, Stanford University, California 1994 In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science Environmental Studies Department The University of Montana, Missoula March 2005 Approved by: chairperson Dean, Graduate School S ' 2 0 Date UMI Number: EP40204 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI Dissertation RMsfcing UMI EP40204 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest' ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Vann, Cheryl S., March 2005 Environmental Studies An Application of the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) Model to Structure Long-Term Social and Resource Management for South Maui, Hawaii Committee Chair: Len Broberg Resource management is “messy” in that it is difficult to protect natural and cultural resources while allowing for their recreational and commercial use. The State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is currently engaged in efforts to protect the South Maui coast, yet there is still no comprehensive long-term management plan for the area. This is in part because of limited personnel and funding available for these efforts, but also because there are many contentious issues requiring resolution. This professional paper frames the key recreation and natural and cultural resources management issues for South Maui using a model that could be implemented by the DLNR. The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) model is a values-driven process relying on a transactive planning process involving the community as well as scientists and managers. While this paper can not and does not intend to replace the transactive planning process critical to the development of a long-term comprehensive management plan, it can serve as a springboard for discussion, and is meant to familiarize DLNR managers with the LAC model. In this paper the nine-step LAC model is explained and applied to South Maui. Step 1 defines the social and natural and cultural resource values to be achieved. Step 2 defines three opportunity classes for the management area based on desired future conditions. Step 3 identifies two social and ten resource indicators pertaining to conditions within the management area. Step 4 inventories the range of existing conditions of these indicators, and Step 5 assigns standards of minimally acceptable conditions to these indicators. Step 6 identifies where opportunity classes could be allocated within the management area. Step 7 identifies a continuum of management actions for each of the indicators and implementation constraints. Step 8 suggests guidelines for finalizing opportunity class allocations and for identifying a specific management program to achieve the desired conditions. Step 9 suggests guidelines for implementing the management actions and conducting ongoing monitoring. The LAC model proves to be a viable option for the DLNR and may be the simplest available approach for effectively dealing with the complexity of social and resource management in South Maui. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements .............................................................................................. vii Purpose Statement ......................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Study Approach .......................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2: Human Use Pattern Research at Keone‘o‘io .......................................... 7 Chapter 3: Background Information ........................................................................... 11 3.1 An Island Perspective ............................................................................... 11 3.2 Messy Natural Resources Management .......................................... 14 3.3 History of South Maui Protection Efforts ...................................... 19 3.4 Recreational Carrying Capacity ................................................... 20 3.5 Limits of Acceptable Change Model .................................................... 23 Chapter 3 Summary................................................................................. 26 Chapter 4: An Application of the LAC Model ........................................................... 28 4.1 Management Area Boundary ................................................................... 28 4.2 Physical Description of the Management Area ..................................... 31 4.3 LAC Model Application ........................................................................... 36 Step 1: Identify Area Concerns and Issues ................................. 36 Step 2: Define and Describe Opportunity Classes ...................... 42 Step 3: Select Indicators of Resource and Social Conditions.... 49 Step 4: Inventory Resource and Social Conditions .................... 64 Step 5: Specify Standards for Resource and Social Conditions... 95 Step 6: Identify Alternative Opportunity Class Allocations 100 Step 7: Identify Management Actions for Each Alternative 104 iii Step 8: Evaluation and Selection of An Alternative ................ 121 Step 9: Implement Actions and Monitor Conditions ................. 122 Chapter 4 Summary..................................................................................... 124 Chapter 5: Conclusion .............................................................................................. 127 References ................................................................................................................ 132 Appendices ................................................................................................................. 142 TABLES Table 1: Summary of South Maui Protection Efforts, 1960s-present ................. 19 Table 2: Values Determination: Matters to Consider and Possible Responses for South Maui ............................................................................................... 38 Table 3: Opportunity Class Factors and Indicators ............................................... 52 Table 4: Numbers of Vehicles and People at Keone‘o‘io (averaged over 70 surveys) ....................................................................................................... 71 Table 5: Monthly Averages of Vehicle Use in Areas 1-4, Keone‘o‘io , Annual Mean (Year 2003), and Number of Observations/Month (N)... 73 Table 6: Vehicle Use in Areas 1-4, per half hour, Year 2003, Keone‘o‘io 74 Table 7: Monthly Averages for Hikers in Area 8 (NAR) and Annual Mean, 2003 .................................................................................. 76 Table 8: Mean Number of Hikers in Area 8 per half hour, Year 2003 ....... 76 Table 9: Summary of Daily Percentage of Arrivals at Keone‘ocio , based on Daily Totals Surveyed between 6:00am and 7:00pm ...................... 77 Table 10: Monthly Averages of Number of Fishermen in Areas 2-4, Keone‘o‘io , 2003 ...................................................................................... 80 Table 11: Fishing Use in Areas 2-4, Year 2003, Keone‘o‘io ............................ 80 Table 12: Monthly Averages for Boat Use in La Perouse Bay and Annual Mean for Yr 2003 ........................................................................ 87 iv