Posted at 2:22 a.m., Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Kilauea Refuge a $10.4 million boost to Kauai economy
News Release
Recreational use of Kilauea Point Wildlife Refuge on Kauai generated approximately $10.4 million in economic return during fiscal year 2006, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.The report, titled "Banking on Nature 2006: The Economic Benefits to Local Communities of National Wildlife Refuge Visitation, was complied by Wildlife Service economists.
According to the report, 986,088 people visited Kilauea Point NWR in 2006 to view birds, whales and other wildlife, with non-residents accounting for 97 percent of all visits.
Visitation at the refuge was responsible for the creation of 142 private sector jobs, generating about $4.1 million in job income, according to the report. Total tax revenue was $2.2 million, the report said.
For every dollar in refuge budget expenditures, the refuge returned $16.12 in economic benefits to the the community, the reported stated.
Kilauea Point NWR provides one of the most important seabird nesting sites in the main Hawaiian Islands, refuge officials said. Red-footed boobies, great frigatebirds, red- and white-tailed tropic birds and the Laysan albatross are readily viewed at the refuge.
Reintroduction of the endangered nene, or Hawaiian goose, began at the refuge in 1991 as part of a statewide recovery program and native plant restoration has been ongoing since the refuge was established in 1985.
For a copy of the "Banking on Nature 2006" report or to find more information on the National Wildlife Refuge System, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.
