New site launched by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority shares Destination Management progress

A new website, “Holomua,” is an online platform created by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to share collective updates and progress on each of its community-based Destination Management Action Plans.

The action plans, referred to as “DMAPs” by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, are part of its effort to balance tourism’s benefits with community needs, manage visitor impacts in hotspot areas, and protect Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources.

The new website features stories, progress reports, and updates related to the action plans in the areas of natural resources, Hawaiian culture, visitor education, community programs, regenerative tourism, support for local businesses, tourism management and more.

The word holomua means to go forward or progress.

“Destination management is essential to ensuring the long-term health of our home which includes uplifting the voices of our residents and empowering them to play an active role in shaping tourism on their island,” said Caroline Anderson, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s director of planning who oversees the Destination Management Action Plan process.

As part of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, the Destination Management Action Plans were developed to address tourism’s impacts and reset its direction over a three-year period through a collaborative process with local communities.

Through its destination management focus, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority says it continues to deliver on its commitments to the Aloha+ Challenge, United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures Declaration.

“We extend our gratitude to the destination managers in each county who have been instrumental in facilitating destination management progress through programs being instituted by the community and for the community, which HTA is proud to support,” said Anderson. “We also appreciate their efforts in helping us share that work with the public through our Holomua website and will be providing updates on an ongoing basis.”

Visit the Holomua website Holomua.hawaiitourismauthority.org.