These projects help manage visitor impacts while protecting the natural and cultural resources that support Hawai‘i’s communities and economy.
Sustainable Tourism
Funding Appropriated
Regulatory and Interpretive Signage Plan and Implementation
This project strengthens conservation by making it easier for both visitors and residents to understand and follow regulations that protect Hawai‘i’s fragile marine and coastal environments. Clear, consistent regulatory signage will ensure that rules around fishing, habitat protection, and marine resource management are visible and enforceable. By mapping, updating, and standardizing every sign in Marine Managed Areas, DAR is creating a reliable system for compliance and stewardship. These updates not only safeguard fish populations and ecosystems but also build long-term accountability for natural resource protection.
Funding Appropriated
Protecting Communities from Wave Energy and Storm Surge by Maintaining Natural Coral Reef Breakwaters
Engaging and educating visitors through community-led outreach is key to reducing tourism impacts and protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources. This program will hire local ambassadors at high-traffic sites such as Pūpūkea MLCD, Hāʻena CBSFA, and ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu NAR to provide on-the-ground education about ecological and cultural significance while promoting sustainable visitor practices. A dedicated coordinator will oversee training, partnerships, and program management, ensuring that ambassadors are well-supported and that efforts are consistent and impactful. This approach both safeguards fragile ecosystems and empowers community members to share their knowledge and values with visitors.
Funding Appropriated
Nā Manu ‘Elele Statewide Land Steward Program
The Nā Manu ʻElele Trail Steward Program strengthens sustainable tourism by placing trained local stewards in Hawai‘i’s highest-use, most culturally and ecologically sensitive trail areas. Stewards educate visitors on cultural history, natural resources, safety, and proper trail etiquette - reducing impacts, preventing accidents, and protecting heritage sites. The program has delivered major benefits: safer hiking conditions, improved visitor behavior, preserved resources, reduced emergency responses and crime, and less congestion at popular trailheads, ensuring a high-quality, low-impact visitor experience.
Funding Appropriated
Kui‘a and Honopū Trail Improvement
Request to Add Funds for Kui‘a and Honopū Trail Improvement to develop a comprehensive, sustainable trail system to improve visitor safety, elevate the hiking experience, and protect Hawai‘i’s most sensitive natural areas. Many reserves currently face unplanned access that accelerates erosion, harms native species, and puts hikers at risk. Using proven National Park Service–aligned planning methods, the project will design trails that minimize ecological impact, safeguard cultural and wildlife resources, and provide clear, safe routes for public enjoyment. Deliverables include trail design standards, impact assessments, and a phased implementation plan, ensuring long-term resilience, responsible access, and high-quality outdoor experiences in Hawai‘i’s natural heritage areas.
Funding Appropriated
Day-use mooring buoy maintenance
This two-phase project expands Hawai‘i’s boating infrastructure by performing critical repairs and strategically installing new Day-Use Mooring Buoys (DMBs), a proven tool for preventing anchor-related damage to coral reefs.
Funding Appropriated
Kāʻanapali Beach restoration
Kāʻanapali Beach is one of Maui’s most valuable public trust resources, supporting tourism, local jobs, and culture. Yet this coastline faces accelerating erosion and sea level rise that threaten its future. Funding for an Adaptation Pathways Planning Program with the Kāʻanapali Operators Association, government, and community partners to identify long-term, science-based strategies for resilience. Using the “adaptation pathways” framework applied in Santa Cruz, California, the program will map flexible options and triggers for actions like dune restoration, hybrid protection, and managed retreat, creating a community-driven roadmap for Maui’s coastal adaptation.
Recommended for Funding
Pololū Parking and Lookout Improvements, Hawai‘i
This project advances environmental stewardship and responsible visitor management at the Pololū Trailhead by constructing a sustainable parking area, restroom, and lookout consistent with the 2025 Trailhead Management Plan. Visitor numbers far exceed the site’s capacity, resulting in roadside congestion, safety hazards, sanitation issues, and damage to the historic trail. The new facilities on land generously donated by a neighboring landowner will reduce illegal parking, protect cultural and natural resources, improve trail conditions, and provide safe, sanitary options for more than 150 daily users. A future reservation-based parking system will fund ongoing maintenance, ensuring long-term, community-supported stewardship.
Not Recommended
Nearshore Use Mapping from Cell Phone Data
Using data available from cell phones, we aim to quantify human use of nearshore areas to identify hotspots by both residents and non-residents. We can then understand how these hotspots correspond with ecologically and culturally sensitive areas to inform future decisions such as carrying capacity of parks and protected areas.
Not Recommended
Directory of Biocultural Stewardship Efforts
Develop, maintain, and update an online, map-based directory of biocultural stewardship projects and organizations across the state. The proposed directory should focus on on-the-ground stewardship and restoration of Hawai‘i's unique and important natural environment and cultural resources, in particular community-centered and culturally-grounded efforts in, with, by, and for community stewardship practitioners, and community organizations. The directory should connect, deepen, and expand upon existing, yet distinct, efforts such as ʻĀinaVIS and StewMAP to consolidate information about community stewardship organizations, describe specific natural resource efforts underway, and to characterize ways in which both residents and visitors can meaningfully engage and support stewardship efforts across Hawai‘i.
Not Recommended
Keep Kaua‘i Green
A great way to motivate visitors and residents to care for our environment is through exposure to the mo'olelo and the historical and cultural traditions that speak to how we connect and care for our environment, including the concept of kuleana. This project produces and presents engaging, story-based content to both visitors and local youth where they are a captive audience, such as the airport, hotels, and schools, providing them with the information and inspiration to care about and therefore care for our land and water. We will document mo'olelo and other place-based cultural practices and artifacts, along with scientific information about these places, their status and their care. We will curate this content into multi-media formats, including augmented reality, to immerse participants in the experience of these stories, art and knowledge. We will also produce a series of print and digital materials and curricula that can be distributed by tourist-serving businesses and schools.
Not Recommended
Puakō Boat Ramp Repair and Floating Dock Improvements, Puakō, Hawai‘i
Construction to replace boat ramp concrete panels and replace existing fixed dock with new floating dock.
Not Recommended
Kaiwi Coast Mauka to Makai
Kaiwi Coast Mauka to Makai project promotes regenerative land use, strengthening community stewardship, and enhancing visitor understanding of the area’s natural and cultural significance. This initiative aligns with and supports the broader goals of the State Maunalua-Makapu‘u Scenic Byway Management Plan and opportunity to collaboratively create an action plan (plus implement) with State, County, Kaiwi stewards, community and visitors. This program includes repurposing the former clubhouse at the Hawai‘i Kai Golf Course as a community-oriented facility that supports stewardship and education for the Kaiwi coast. Although the building has remained largely unused in recent years and shows signs of age, it has great potential for revitalization. By transforming the existing structure into an interpretive and information center, the site can serve as a hub for visitor education, cultural interpretation, and community engagement focused on protecting both mauka lands and coastal resources.
Not Recommended
Kupu ʻĀina Corps Climate Resilience Workforce
Based on the proven success of Kupu ʻĀina Corps, we propose a statewide initiative to train and employ the next generation of climate resilience professionals. Kupu would serve as the hub of a network based model, working with host sites who would provide day to day supervision of Kupu ʻĀina Corps climate resilience professionals.
Not Recommended
True Nature Biomimicry Excursions on Kauaʻi
The True Nature Biomimicry Excursions brings high networth visiting clients to Kaua‘i's backcountry to provide them with an authentic indigenous-led excursion. The purpose is to provide a deeper understanding of the true nature of Kaua‘i, the current challenges facing native Hawaiians, and through biomimicry, a language to help our clients both understand how to practice indigenous, regenerative, strategies in their homes and businesses and to potentially support local ‘āina-based businesses in Hawai‘i.
Not Recommended
Kailua Pier Public Restroom Rehabilitation
The restrooms on the Kailua Pier have been in disrepair and closed for a number of years. They are the only public restrooms in downtown Kailua-Kona. They are used by cruise ship passengers, canoe clubs, event attendees, and members of the general public. When they are closed because of no maintenance, sewage spills into the sea, ruining water quality in Kailua Bay - home to iconic events like the Ironman World Championships.
Not Recommended
Stormwater Management Ka‘elepulu Watershed
There are over 600 stormdrains that empty into Ka‘elepulu Pond and flow out to Kailua Bay. There are millions of tourists who visit Kailua beach and recreate in Kailua Bay each year along with local families, fishermen, paddling teams and those who love watersports More than half of these stormdrains do not have screens that help keep trash and pollution out of the waterways. We need to help increase the resilience of aging infrastructure by adding additional screens and curb inlet baskets that would prevent pollution from flowing to kailua bay during rain events. We also need trash racks on the hardened channels that empty directly into the waterway from the streets. This would not only reduce pollution, it would also help to prevent flooding during periods of heavy rain.
Not Recommended
Kahana Bay Shoreline Resiliency Project
Through a nature-based, community driven approach, this beach restoration project will restore the Kahana Bay area which has faced substantial shoreline erosion and is putting housing at risk. This project would entail transporting approximately 100,000 cubic yards of native sand to the beaches of Kahana Bay, retaining the sand by installing beach stabilizing structures such as low-profile groins. A vegetated sand dune, planted with native coastal flora, would provide wave run-up protection as well as providing additional sand stability. Oceanit, the engineering company retained to produce the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, places the cost of the project at approximately $30 million.
Not Recommended
HTA Destination Management and Stewardship
I propose that Green Fee funds for visitor impact mitigation and experience flow primarily through the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). (Disclaimer: I am an HTA employee, though my views do not reflect those of the agency nor the State) HTA is the State's lead organization for strategic tourism management, defined in HRS 201B. The agency has robust RFP, grant, and contract management processes in place for working directly with community groups and nonprofits to responsibly manage visitor experience and impact on natural resources. One example is HTA's Kahu ʻĀina program, which reinvested $500,000 in community groups from January-June 2025. Other programs support capacity building, cultural stewardship, and regenerative tourism development. HTA's Strategic Plan and Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs) provide a resident-driven guiding framework and vision for these types of stewardship, ensuring alignment and ongoing engagement with community priorities.
Not Recommended
Hawaiʻi Green Growth - Regenerative Tourism Forum
The Regenerative Tourism Forum (RTF) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to transforming Hawai‘i’s tourism industry to a regenerative model - one that restores ecosystems, uplifts communities, and honors indigenous knowledge. Guided by the Aloha+ Challenge goals, the RTF brings together tourism leaders, Native Hawaiian-serving organizations, policymakers, and community stakeholders to co-create solutions that align tourism with Hawai‘i’s sustainability priorities. The RTF will provide a platform for dialogue, joint action, and accountability, ensuring that tourism actively contributes to environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and local well-being. The RTF will develop shared metrics and culturally grounded indicators to measure progress, strengthen transparency through tools such as the Aloha+ Dashboard, and identify opportunities for collective impact, positioning Hawai‘i as a global leader in regenerative tourism.