Hawai‘i Island Destination Management Action Plan Fall 2021 Progress Report

Hawai‘i Island Destination Management Action Plan

Fall 2021 Progress Report

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is providing its second update on the progress toward fulfilling the Hawai‘i Island Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP), which aims to rebuild, redefine and reset the direction of tourism over a three-year period. The plan was approved by HTA’s board of directors in February 2021 and it was released to the public and published on HTA’s website on April 1, 2021.

This update focuses on the Hawai‘i Island actions identified for Phase 1 (calendar year 2021) implementation. There are 36 sub-actions in Phase 1, of which 31 (86%) are in progress as of November 15, 2021. There are also five Phase 2 actions that have been started.

Highlights of Hawai‘i Island DMAP Sub-Actions In Progress

The County of Hawai‘i is supporting the DMAP through its Department of Research & Development Innovation Grant RFP for FY 2021-2022. Awards were made in August 2021. (A.1, A.2, A.3, C.1, C.2, D.1)
The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) has a number of projects moving forward relating to Hawaiian culture and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, including the Wahi Pana webinar series (B.5), expanding its resource webpage (B.1, B.2, B.4), and its partnership with travel2change for their Kaiāulu Ho‘okipa program (C.1, D.1)
Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation’s Kipa program is a pilot certification program funded by the County. (C.3)
Hawaiian Airlines will be playing the Pono Pledge video inflight starting end of January 2022. (F.3)
The Kohala Coast Resort Association is working with the County to develop opportunities that connect the island’s hotels/resorts with farmers. (G.2)
RFPs were issued for the Kūkulu Ola, Aloha ‘Āina and Community Enrichment programs.

Mahalo to the County of Hawai‘i’s Department of Research & Development and the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau for their support and partnership in moving the Hawai‘i Island DMAP actions forward. HTA also acknowledges the other state, county and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the visitor industry which have been integral to advancing the DMAP efforts.