Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan - U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
The success of the tourism industry on Hawai‘i Island has been attributed to the diversity the island
offers (First Hawaiian Bank 2007). Recreational opportunities include the following: SCUBA
diving, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, shopping, wildlife observation, and viewing
historical/cultural sites. More modern tourism opportunities such as ecotourism, health and wellness
tourism, and educational tourism are also growing. The most popular tourist attraction is Hawai‘i
Volcanoes National Park; however, the principal visitor destination area on the Island of Hawai‘i is
the South Kohala-North Kona region in West Hawai‘i (County of Hawai‘i 2006).
Secondary components of the Hawai‘i County economy are agriculture and research. Historically,
agriculture has played a large role in the economy of the island, and the State as a whole. During the
19 th and 20 th centuries, the main industries were sugar cultivation and cattle ranching. The sugar
industry gradually declined and finally ceased with the closure of the last sugar operation in Ka‘ū in
1997 (County of Hawai‘i 2007). Although this industry has declined in importance in other parts of
the State, it remains a strong part of the Hawai‘i County economy (First Hawaiian Bank 2007).
Current diversified agricultural activities include flowers and nursery products, coffee, macadamia
nuts, tropical fruits, vegetable crops, orchards, aquaculture, and forestry (Research Solutions, LLC
and Gopalakrishnan 2002, County of Hawai‘i 2007). In 2008, the Island of Hawai‘i had 4,650 farms
employing approximately 2,350 people. Agricultural sales during 2007 totaled approximately
$202 million. The State’s livestock and aquaculture operations are centered on Hawai‘i Island.
Seventy percent of Hawai‘i’s livestock are raised on the island and nearly half of the aquaculture
facilities are on Hawai‘i Island. Sales of these two industries in 2000 were $14 million and
$16 million, respectively (Research Solutions, LLC and Gopalakrishnan 2002).
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is also a major component of the island’s economy. It is estimated
that the direct contribution of the University is $136 million per year. This is generated from
research, construction, and foreign students. In addition, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is the
primary employer for the east side of the island (Research Solutions, LLC and Gopalakrishnan 2002,
First Hawaiian Bank 2007).
The construction industry peaked in early 2006 on the Island of Hawai‘i due to building within Puna
and luxury condos on the west side; however, the construction and real estate sectors have recently
slowed. This trend is evident in the decline in private construction permits (First Hawaiian Bank
2007).
The largest employers, after the government, were private entities (1) Hilton Waikoloa Village
(employing 984 people), (2) Wal-Mart (employing 852 people), and (3) KTA Superstores
(employing 800 people). (County of Hawai‘i 2008).
Statewide, the U.S. Department of Defense plays an important part in the economy as the second
major source of revenue behind tourism. Statewide defense expenditures were $5.6 billion in 2005.
An estimated $742 million is being appropriated for military construction and defense related
projects in Fiscal Year 2008. Annual per capita federal defense expenditures are $3,939. These
expenditures are the highest on O‘ahu (Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i 2008).
5-24 Chapter 5. Social and Economic Environment