Posted on: Thursday, July 26, 2001

Tourism's effects concern residents

By Michele Kayal
Advertiser Staff Writer

Island residents voiced considerable concern over tourism's impact on the environment during nearly three weeks of community meetings, according to a report released yesterday, and said they want more help in monitoring and dealing with it.

A total of about 200 people showed up for 10 informational sessions held by the Hawaii Tourism Authority around the Islands during June and July, the authority said in a summary of the meetings.

Across the state, a number of participants supported a proposed "sustainable tourism" study that would determine at what point Hawai'i's environmental and infrastructure resources become stressed. In particular, some residents said they want the board to examine the impact of traffic and alien species, such as miconia.

Some wanted environmental investigations taken further, and called for a formal environmental impact statement, the report said. An environmental impact statement specifically measures effects on the natural surroundings.

The Sierra Club has sued the authority for an environmental assessment of its $60 million annual marketing plan. The case, heard in October by the state Supreme Court, is pending. An environmental assessment is a rudimentary study sometimes aimed at determining whether a more complete environmental impact statement should be prepared.

Residents statewide said they worried about pollution from cruise ships and degradation of coastal resources. On the Big Island in particular, residents said they were disturbed about trash and sewage from the ships, and noted problems from the ships in Kawaihae harbor.

More money should be invested in the environment, people said across the board, especially in state parks. Kaua'i residents in particular said beaches and parks need significant assistance in maintenance. On Maui, people said they want to protect and preserve parks, the environment and endangered species. They also want more efforts to deal with alien species.

Infrastructure improvements to parks, piers, small towns and recreation areas should be funded by the tourism board, some people said, especially on O'ahu.

The authority plans to use the feedback to update its tourism plan, called "Ke Kumu." But some attendees, particularly on O'ahu, were concerned about what would be done with the comments.

When the authority conducted similar sessions two years ago while drafting the initial version of Ke Kumu, it did not incorporate any of the feedback from the meetings in its final document.

The authority also said it would use the comments to develop specific aspects of its programs, enhance community relations, and shape legislative positions.