How Much Tourism Is Too Much, and Who Decides?

What are People Saying?


What can be done to smooth tensions between tourists and residents?



Is Hawaiʻi doing a good job with tourism management?


Can there be too much tourism? Who decides how much tourism is too much?


Have you been affected by tourism in your community?


Invited Guests: Stakeholders from the tourism industry, labor, government and communities from across Hawai‘i.

Confirmed guests include:

  • Carl Bonham, University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization
  • Curt Cottrell, State Parks Division Administrator
  • John De Fries, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority President and CEO
  • Eric Gill, Unite HERE Local 5 Financial Secretary
  • Joel Guy, The Hanalei Initiative (Kauaʻi)
  • Mufi Hannemann, Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Assoc., President and CEO
  • Napua Hueu, Hāna Highway Regulation (Maui)
  • Peter Ingram, Hawaiian Airlines President and CEO
  • Wendy J. Laros, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce
  • Greg Maples, Hawaii Restaurant Association
  • Kathleen Pahinui, North Shore Neighborhood Board Chair (Oʻahu)
  • Mahina Paishon-Duarte, Aloha ʻĀina Economic Futures
  • Cindi Punihaole, Kahaluʻu Bay Education Center (Hawaiʻi Island)
  • Mitch Roth, Hawaiʻi County Mayor
  • Kelly Takaya King, Maui County Councilmember
  • Mike Victorino, Maui County Mayor
  • Keith Vieira, Principal at KV & Associates, Hospitality Consulting
  • Tina Yamaki, Retail Merchants of Hawaii President


Join the Conversation: You can join the conversation by phoning in or leaving a comment Facebook or Twitter. KĀKOU will also stream live on our website and on PBS Hawaiʻi’s Facebook page.



Get Informed: Tourism Data and Stats

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/qser/tourism/
http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/visitor/
http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/visitor/tourism-forecast/
http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/visitor/tourismdata/

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority
https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/hta-programs/community-based-tourism/
https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/7436/hta-resident-sentiment-spring-2021-board-presentation-062421-final.pdf

University of Hawaiʻi Public Policy Center
https://www.hawaii.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Managing-Tourism-in-Hawaii-1.pdf