Posted on: Monday, December 29, 2008
HTA to give out $1M for nature initiatives
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Native plant restoration, invasive species control and wildfire prevention are among more than two dozen community-based projects in line to receive $1 million in an initial round of funding next year from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority's scaled-down Natural Resources Program.
The HTA said it plans to spend a total of $2 million for such projects next year.
That's down from $4 million allocated in 2008; HTA has had to cut its spending because of dwindling hotel-room tax revenue resulting from the tourism slump.
HTA officials said they worked to minimize the impact of the spending cuts because of the important role Hawai'i's natural resources play in attracting tourists.
"Along with our host culture, Hawai'i's natural environment is an essential element of Hawai'i's tourism product," said Lloyd Unebasami, HTA interim president and chief executive officer.
"While marketing will continue to be an important focus for HTA in 2009, we will continue to support those strategic initiatives that strive to enhance and diversify Hawai'i's tourism product for our visitors and residents," he said.
The objectives of the programs and projects include: maintaining and improving Hawai'i's natural resources; raising awareness about the responsible use of natural resources; increasing collaboration among government agencies, the visitor industry and the community; and reviewing and enforcing rules and developing certification programs for commercial operations in natural resource areas.
The agency's Natural Resources Program began in 2002 in response to a legislative mandate that the HTA provide at least $1 million annually to support efforts to manage, improve and protect Hawai'i's natural environment and areas frequented by visitors.
Those organizations receiving funding in the latest round are:
Department of Land and Natural Resources. Division of Forestry and Wildlife for Invasive Pampas Grass Control on O'ahu. $20,000.
Department of Land and Natural Resources. Natural Area Reserve System. Creation of a Ka'ena Point Ecosystem Restoration Project Ambassador position will help educate visitors about the cultural and natural resources in the reserve, reduce harmful visitor impact and promote safety, coordinate volunteer efforts and encourage public involvement in conservation. $69,010.
Friends of He'eia State Park Inc. Historic trail and lo'i restoration. O'ahu. $25,000.
Hawai'i Nature Center. Establishes a phone system to provide nature interpretive information to visitors and installs informational signs that will include the Nature Calls phone number to educate visitors about Nature Center facilities. Maui and O'ahu. $22,500.
Hawai'i Wildfire Management Organization. Installs trail signs at firebreak intersections to aid firefighter navigation during active fire-suppression efforts, as well as provide information to visitors about the walking trails at Pu'u Wa'awa'a. $19,000.
Hui o Laka. Funds a volunteer coordinator position to train volunteers and market a stewardship program to residents and visitors to Koke'e State Park. Kaua'i. $60,000.
Ka 'Ahahui o Ka Nahelehele. Development of the Hawaiian Dryland Forest Education Resource Guide. Big Island. $30,000.
Ka'ala Farm Inc. Sponsors 12 "work-and-learn" days for volunteers, teaching the importance of restoration work, identification of native plants, removal of alien plants and planting of native species. O'ahu. $12,700.
Ke 'Aupuni Lokahi Inc. Plan to restore native forest habitat and rare species, provide interpretation, restore historic trails to improve access and views of Kalaupapa, and start a training program for residents. Moloka'i. $90,000.
Kipahulu 'Ohana Inc. Protects the native forest of Kipahulu by installing a feral animal control fence, removing feral goats from the area, and removing invasive species and planting native koa trees in the fence corridor. $40,000.
Kohala Center, The Kahalu'u Bay Project. Promotes marine education and marine resource monitoring, environmental restoration and community engagement activities that aim to preserve and restore the natural environment and special character of the shoreline and coral reef at Kahalu'u Bay on the Big Island. $40,000.
Kualoa — He'eia Ecumenical Youth Project. Waihe'e Ahupua'a Initiative. Engages community residents and visitors through cooperation among partners to identify, establish and enhance learning sites within the watershed. O'ahu. $40,000.
Malama Na Honu. Volunteer program that provides educational outreach to visitors and residents who come to view basking Hawaiian green sea turtles. O'ahu. $30,000.
Na Pali Coast 'Ohana. Expands protection and restoration efforts at Nu'alolo Kai on Kaua'i including the removal of invasive plant species and other undesirable vegetation from trails, cultural sites and high-use areas; restoring Native Hawaiian and Polynesian-introduced plant species; and providing interpretive and educational opportunities to tour operators, visitors and the local community. Kaua'i. $21,895.
National Tropical Botanical Garden. Program to protect, restore and improve Hawai'i's natural environments focusing on three ahupua'a on the islands of Maui and Kaua'i. $60,000.
Pacific Whale Foundation. Hawai'i Nature Guides: Education Resource Project. Maui. $23,000.
Pacific Whale Foundation. On-site educational program to promote environmentally friendly use of Maui's marine resources by offering a free public environmental education station at Ulua Beach in Wailea. $25,000.
Pacific Whale Foundation. Promote conservation and preservation of Maui's natural resources through volunteer efforts. $12,000.
Project S.E.A. — Link & Coral Reef Alliance. Builds on community-based reef conservation efforts. Develops new tools and methods to support Marine Managed Areas on Maui promoting community involvement and providing outreach and education services to Hawai'i visitors and residents. $46,500.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc. Maintenance program at Kanaha Beach Park on Maui to include contracted major cleanup, coordinated volunteer work and installation of park identity entry signs and interpretive signage at native plant garden. Maui. $50,000.
University of Hawai'i Reef Watch Waikiki. Community-based education and coastal monitoring program. $44,997.
Volcano Art Center. Volcano Native Rainforest Preservation & Education on the Big Island. $25,000.
West Kaua'i Business & Professional Association. Program to remove invasive species and maintain the natural resources surrounding the Russian Fort Elizabeth in Waimea, Kaua'i. $35,000
Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
