How Much Tourism Is Too Much, and Who Decides? Watch Now

KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall

How Much Tourism Is Too Much, and Who Decides?

Hawai‘i’s visitor count has come roaring back much quicker than experts predicted from the nearly empty days during the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of visitors has raised concerns from the community to limit the number of tourists. Join us for KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi's Town Hall where we'll discuss what the possible next steps are for our number one industry.
Air Date: Sat, Sep 4, 2021 8:00 PM

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