Tourists are back at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAVING TOURISM HERE IS WORTH IT for most residents across the state, concludes the Hawai`i Tourism Authority report on its Spring 2021 Residential Survey. HTA released the results at its board meeting on Friday, announcing, "The survey found that while many are concerned with the visitor industry’s growth, the majority of Hawai'i residents believe that tourism is worth the issues associated with the industry."
Residents were asked: “In 2019, visitors spent nearly $18 billion in Hawai'i, which produced $2 billion in state tax revenues to support local schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. Do you think tourism is worth the issues associated with the industry?” More than 75 percent of Hawai'i residents statewide said “yes,” with 78 percent on O'ahu, 73 percent on Hawai'i Island, 70 percent in Maui County and 70 percent of Kaua'i residents. When broken down by demographics, "the highest percentage of respondents who said they do not think tourism is worth the issues came from residents 18-34 years old and those who have lived in Hawai'i for less than one year," according to HTA.
Visitors and residents park vehicles out onto the sand at Punalu`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
When residents were asked statewide about tourism management efforts, results were mixed. Just under half (44%) provided a positive rating of 6 to 10 or “don’t know” rating in their agreement that “I feel like tourism is being better managed on my island.” Of the four counties, those on Kaua'i had the highest percentage of positive responses (46%) to that statement.
HTA concludes that its survey results "also revealed what is most important to residents when it comes to specific tourism management strategies. The highest percentage of residents said that it is extremely or somewhat important to educate visitors and residents to malama the islands and each other (88%), to eliminate illegal vacation rentals on my island (76%), and to charge visitor access fees to state parks and trails (71%)."
Regarding overall resident sentiment towards tourism, the survey found that initiatives that grow the economic and quality-of-life benefits of tourism, integrated with managed tourism efforts, can help to improve resident sentiment the most. When compared to the 2020 survey results, fewer residents felt that the tourism industry creates many well-paying jobs or jobs that have opportunities for advancement. Fewer residents also felt that the tourism industry enhances residents’ quality of life.
HTA’s Tourism Research Division contracted Omnitrak Group, Inc. to conduct the survey from April 27
Vehicles through the palms at Punalu`u Beach. Photo by Julia Neal |
The results of the 2021 survey are compared to HTA’s last Resident Sentiment Survey, from September 16 through October 25, 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and just as Hawai'i’s Safe Travels program got underway, allowing travelers with a valid negative COVID-19 test to bypass the state’s mandatory quarantine.
The 2021 Resident Sentiment Survey is available on HTA’s website: www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/research/evaluation-
Tribune Herald and West Hawai`i Today ran a story this morning listing dates:
Calling into Hilo: Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess on Nov. 11, Nov. 25 and Christmas Day; Ruby Princess on Nov. 12 and Dec. 15 and 27; Holland America’s MS Zuiderdam on Nov. 27 and Dec. 11; and Carnival Miracle on Dec. 6 and 12.
Calling into Kailua-Kona: Carnival Miracle on Sept. 24, Oct. 24, and Dec. 5 and 11. Celebrity Eclipse on Sept. 27; Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas on Oct. 11; Norwegian Jewel on Oct. 12, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9; MS Zuiderdam on Nov. 28 and Dec. 12; and Pride of America on Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15, 23 and 29.
Lisa Barnard founded Kula 'Amakahi at Volcano School. |
Field trips are essential in the Kula 'Amakihi program. Images from Volcano School |
Students work from home most of the week, follow an innovative curriculum, and keep in close contact with Kula ʻAmakihi program teachers. Each week, students, parents, and teachers meet up for small group lessons or a field trip that reinforces the real-life applications of what they have been studying, offering a place-based perspective in nature.
Lisa Barnard, the teacher who founded the Kula ʻAmakihi program and also a founder of the school, said, “We’ve been on a double hulled sailing canoe, gone to the ʻalalā (endangered Hawaiian crow) facility, visited local farms and aquaculture facilities, seen the HI-Seas Mars Lab on Mauna Loa (where scientists are preparing for long-term space travel), and been on excursions with the Three Mountain Alliance and other groups.”
Principal Kalima Kinney said, “Students are most successful in the program when they have an involved parent, or other adult learning coach, at home to help them. Kula ʻAmakihi is perfect for children who learn best in a home setting and whose parents want more of a role in their children’s education.”
To learn more or to enroll a child in Kula ʻAmakihi, call 808-985-9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.
print edition at kaucalendar.com.
KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Kaʻū. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.bi
GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and
current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramic ocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.
Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com. See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.
ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Kaʻū Main Street, is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., grounds of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church in Waiʻohinu. "It's a Farmer's Market, Swap Meet, Food Court, Arts & Crafts, Health Practitioners, Entertainment and more sharing our Manao and Aloha," says a statementfrom Nāʻālehu Main Street. "Our intention and mission is to increase economic viability in Kaʻū by providing additional opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses to share their products and services with the community. We welcome you to participate and help create a vibrant community!" Email AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com for vendor inquiries, availability and application.
KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.
CHURCH SERVICES
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85798655114?pwd=QW5YSmQwNFAyWVZud3QvSVBiNXJ0Zz09. Meeting ID is 857 9865 5114. Passcode is Aloha.
Free hot showers are open to anyone on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 pm There are two private stalls. The church provides body wash, shampoo and a clean towel. Shower participants must be signed up by 12:30 p.m.
Free showers and lunches are available for anyone at St. Judes on Saturdays. Photo from St. Jude's |
St. Jude's is also working with Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary for educational outreach and better internet for the entire Ocean View Community.
Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pahala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.
Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.
Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net.
Apply for Utility Assistance to pay for electricity, non-government water, or gas. Applicants must be a Hawaiʻi Island resident, at least 18 years old, lost income or work hours due to COVID-19, and not previously received assistance from other COVID-19 federal or state-funded programs. Funded by CARES Act and distributed by Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, required documents for application are government-issued identification, income verification documents for all household members, utility statement with address of services, lease/rental agreement or mortgage document, and proof of hardship. Hardship may include, but not limited to, pay stubs documenting pre-COVID-19 income, unemployment approval letter, or layoff letter. Apply at HCEOC.net or call 808-961-2681.
Apply for Expanded Hawaiʻi County Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Contact RMAP partners: Hawaiian Community Assets/Hawaiʻi Community Lending, HawaiianCommunity.net, 808-934-0801; HOPE Services Hawaiʻi, hopeserviceshawaii.org/rmap, 808-935- 3050; Hawai‘i First Federal Credit Union, hawaiifirstfcu.com/pathways, 808-933- 6600; Neighborhood Place of Puna, neighborhoodplaceofpuna.org/coronavirus-rent-mortgage-relief, 808-965-5550; Hawai‘i Island Home for Recovery, hihrecovery.org/RMAP, 808-640-4443 or 808- 934-7852; Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island, habitathawaiiisland.org/rmap.html, 808-450-2118.
Apply for Holomua Hawaiʻi Relief Grants for small businesses and nonprofits, up to $10,000, support core operations, safe on-going and reopening costs, personal protective equipment, and training and technical assistance. The business or nonprofit must employ 50 people or fewer. See rb.gy/v2x2vy.
For free Veterinary Care, Spay & Neuter, visit hihs.org, Services Tab, Spay and Neuter or Community Vet Care, or email petsupport@hihs.org. Call 808-217- 0154. All appointments must be scheduled in advance and are open to healthy dogs and cats. Two pets per family will be accommodated, each pet with own appointment. Unavailable to animals other than dogs and cats. Unavailable to strays and those with contagious illnesses.