The draft of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s latest destination management action plan for Hawai‘i Island has honed in on three priority hotspots: Keaukaha, Kealakekua and Ka Lae, also known as South Point.

The draft Big Island Destination Management Action Plan for 2026-2028 capture months of in-person and virtual community engagement in 2025 to identify and prioritize hotspots – sites under strain that are cherished by residents and visitors – and undertake collaborative action to improve natural and cultural resources across the state, according to Hawai‘i Tourism Authority website.

The 2021-2023 destination management action plans were the first community-driven plans to rebuild, redefine and reset the direction of tourism in Hawaiʻi following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown that showed what the islands are like without visitors.

The previous destination management action plans for the islands were more sweeping in scope, in part to address the renewed backlash against overtourism. Lessons were learned and these new draft plans are more narrowly focused in order to be able to take action that is achievable during the three years of the plan.

Manini Beach is located south along Kealakekua Bay. Photo courtesy of Hoāla Kealakekua Nui website.

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The community identified the following priorities for Keaukaha:

Community-led shoreline stewardship

Protection of nearshore ecosystems and marine habitats

Resident access

Improved visitor orientation/education

Better alignment of guided tour activity with community expectations

Enhanced management of cruise-day impacts

Long-term local capacity for management and governance

To address these priorities, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority identified the following solutions:

Build long-term capacity for a Keaukaha Steward and Education Program

Support county-supported, community-led management initiatives

Establish a standing East Hawai‘i Cruise Coordination Hui

Fund a Mobility and Visitor Flow Feasibility Study for the port

The community identified the following priorities for Kealakekua:

Protection of cultural and lineal descendant practice

Stewardship of marine and coastal ecosystems

Managed visitor access across land and water

Improved visitor orientation

Better alignment of guided tour and commercial activity with resource capacity

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Management actions for Kealakekua include:

Implement a reservation-based access system for Kealakekua Bay

Implement an on-site visitor experience pathway for Kealakekua Bay

Disseminate the bay’s Code of Conduct across visitor-facing channels

Establish and implement a proactive rest-day communications and visitor industry support process for Kealakekua Bay

The cliffs near South Point, as seen on day of calm ocean conditions. Photo courtesy of eliduke.

The community identified the following priorities for Ka Lae in South Point:

Protection of cultural landscapes and ancestral sites

Managed vehicle access and parking

Clear visitor expectations

Reduction of environmental degradation

Improved safety measures

Sanitation and waste management

Management actions for the area include re-engaging and advancing priority components of Department of Hawaiian Homelands South Point Management Plan.

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While not part of the main hotspot focus for this DMAP, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority proposed Hilo as a site of
opportunity to alleviate pressures from strained sites. Community-identified priorities include:

Strengthening Hilo as a place where visitors more meaningfully spend time

Articulating a clear, community-informed sense of place

Featuring existing community assets and offerings

Leveraging Hilo’s capacity and readiness

Elevating agritourism and food-based experiences

Strengthening the accuracy, consistency, and coordination of visitor information

Proposed actions include developing a community-defined destination identity for greater Hilo area as well as updating and digitizing the historic Downtown Hilo Walking Tour.

The content of the plan will be finalized on March 16 and will be reviewed by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority at the end of the month.

Public comment on the draft plans are welcome until 11:59 p.m. today. Click here to comment.