Skip to Main Content

Hawaiʻi Island Destination Management Action Plan 2026-2028

Ohia lehua flower

The Hawaiʻi Island Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP) 2026-2028 outlines a community-driven approach to stewarding the island’s natural and cultural resources while enhancing residents’ quality of life and fostering a more meaningful visitor experience. Developed with input from community members, industry partners, County leadership, and the Hawaiʻi Island Advisory Group, the plan identifies practical actions for the next three years to address priority hotspots; align tourism more fully with the values, capacities, people, and moʻolelo (narratives) of Moku o Keawe; and protect resources that sustain both community and economy.

These actions reflect priorities voiced by residents from across Hawaiʻi Island: practical, place-specific actions; stronger systems for visitor orientation and communication; and management that is collaborative, visible, and grounded in localized ʻike (knowledge).

Hawaiʻi Island Visitor Industry Snapshot

  • $3.23 billion in total visitor expenditures in 2025*, a 0.3% increase from 2024 ($3.22 billion).
  • $245.41 average daily visitor spending in 2025*, a 2.4% increase over 2024 ($239.74).
  • The Spring 2025 Resident Sentiment Survey measures several indicators and provides a baseline for analyzing the effectiveness of the DMAPs on resident quality of life: In 2025, 51% of Hawaiʻi Island residents agreed that “Tourism has brought more benefits than problems.”
    • In 2025, 47% of Hawaiʻi Island residents agreed that “Tourism is being better managed on my island.”
    • The DMAP implementation and engagement process provides room for further inclusion of diverse voices: In 2025, 29% of Hawaiʻi Island residents agreed that “I have a voice in my island’s tourism development decisions.”
  • Very high average visitor satisfaction in 2025* across major market areas: 88.5% of visitors rated their experience on the Island of Hawaiʻi as “excellent.”
  • While not one of HTA’s key performance indicators, total visitor arrivals to Hawaiʻi Island in 2025* was 1.75 million, an increase of 1.0% from 2024.

*2025 data is preliminary and is expected to be finalized in Fall 2026.

Click or tap on the cover to read the DMAP.

Hawaii Island DMAP Cover
Read the Hawaiʻi Island DMAP

  • Early 2025: Identify and invite prospective Hawaiʻi Island Advisory Group members that represents diverse sectors, neighborhoods, and perspectives across community, industry, and government leaders. Learn more about our process for assembling Advisory Groups here.
  • Advisory Group Meetings. The island Advisory Group provided ongoing guidance throughout the DMAP development process, helping review emerging themes from community input, identify sites under strain, and refine draft actions. In addition to regular correspondence with HTA’s Hawaiʻi Island destination manager, the Hawaiʻi Island Advisory Group met on:
    • August 6, 2025
    • September 15, 2025
    • October 3, 2025
    • December 5, 2025
    • March 23, 2026
  • August 6, 2025: Hawaiʻi Island visitor industry virtual input session on industry priorities and needs, held in concurrent process to develop HTA Strategic Plan 2026-2030.
  • August 25, 2025: Virtual Hawaiʻi Island-specific community input session on destination management and tourism in general, through concurrent process to develop HTA Strategic Plan 2026-2030.
  • September 22, 2025: Industry Engagement Session at the HTA Tourism Conference 2025. Discussions were held across six sector groupings: accommodations and lodging; tours and activities; transportation and access; food, retail and events; marketing, media and travel trade; and community and cultural stewardship partners. These discussions helped identify practical opportunities for industry participation in destination management.
  • October & November, 2025: In-person Community Sessions. In addition to regular attendance by our Destination Manager at community meetings across the island, HTA also hosted in-person community input sessions to discuss themes that emerged early in the drafting process. At these sessions, participants discussed recurring concerns including: hotspots and access, stewardship and management, visitor education, and resident engagement and communication. The in-person community input sessions were held on:
    • October 1, 2025: Kona Community Session
    • October 2, 2025: Hilo Community Session
    • November 14, 2025: Waimea Community Session
    • November 19, 2025: Pāhala Community Session
  • November 2025: Begin drafting DMAP. Derive priority hotspots and preliminary actions from suggestions and needs identified in community and industry input sessions.
  • February 12, 2026: Present draft Hawaiʻi Island DMAP to the general public in lunchtime webinar. Announce public comment period on HTA website. Publicize webinar recording and upcoming public comment period through HTA channels. View the webinar recording here.
  • March 2026: Public comment period open. Reviewed comments and revised the draft DMAP for approval by the HTA Advisory Board.
  • April 15, 2026: Draft DMAPs for all islands approved by the HTA Advisory Board.
  • May and June 2026: DMAPs for all islands reviewed and approved by DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka and Governor Josh Green, M.D.

The Hawaiʻi Island DMAP Advisory Group is made up of residents from across the island who serve in nonprofit organizations, represent the visitor industry, run local businesses, lead State and County agencies, and more. Their guidance was essential in synthesizing community input and shaping actions that are feasible, impactful, and grounded in local priorities. Over the next three years, the Advisory Group will help advance the DMAP by applying their expertise, relationships, and organizational capacity to support site‑specific work and island‑wide goals. They also serve as on‑the‑ground ambassadors for destination management—listening to community and industry stakeholders and ensuring that implementation remains responsive to real-time conditions.

Jackson Bauer
Hawai‘i Island Nā Ala Hele Trail and Access Program Manager
Nā Ala Hele Trail and Access Program

Leiokekoʻolani Brown
Community Member

Margo Bunnell
General Manager
Roberts Hawaii

Frecia Cevallos
Economic Development Specialist – Tourism
County of Hawai‘i

Department of Research and Development

Mendy Dant
President
Fair Wind Cruises;
Board Member
Hoʻala Kealakekua Nui

Jessica Ferracane
Public Affairs Specialist
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Grayden Haʻi-Kelly
Director of Culture
Mauna Kea Resort

ʻĀinaaloha W. Ioane
Community Member
Kelii William Ioane Legacy Foundation

Victoria Jones
Director of Culture and Community
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort

Kumu Micah Kamohoalii
Cultural Chairman & Cultural Advisor
Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders’ Association;
Chief Executive Officer
Kihikihinuiakea & Associates

Huihui Kanahele-Mossman
Executive Director
Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation

David Kurohara
Consultant, Government Community Affairs – Hawai‘i Island
Hawaiian Electric

Wendy Laros
President & CEO
Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce

Ryan Okano
Biologist
Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources

Mahina Paishon
CEO and Co-Founder
Waiwai Collective

Aoloa Patao
Community Member

Scott Pauli
General Manager

Mauna Lani Point

Matt Pickett
General Manager
Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel

Cindi Punihaole
Director of ‘Āina Advocacy
The Kohala Center

Jodie Rosam
Director
Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo;
Program Manager
Kaʻū Hoa Pili ʻĀina Stewardship Training Program

Natasha Soriano
Multimodal Transportation Coordinator
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Transportation

Jasmine Tamanaha
Sales and Community Marketing Manager
Hawaiian Airlines

Dr. Lehua M. Veincent
Educator

Pomai Weigert
AgBusiness Consultant
GoFarm Hawai‘i

Charles Young
Ho‘okena Representative
‘Aha Moku Advisory Committee

Implementation updates and progress reporting for the 2026–2028 Hawaiʻi Island DMAP will be added as actions move forward.