National Park Tourism in Hawaii Creates $278 Million in Economic Benefit

Part of $30 billion impact that supports 252,000 jobs nationwide

A new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2011 shows that the 4.7 million visitors to national parks in Hawaii spent $278 million in communities surrounding those parks.  This spending supported 3,330 jobs across the state.

The US Navy provides a free ferry to and from the USS Arizona Memorial

“The national parks in Hawaii are great places to learn about America’s story,” said NPS Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience these parks and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities and getting to know all that this state has to offer.  The National Park Service is proud to have been entrusted with the care of America’s most treasured places and delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state, and national economy.”

To download the report – which provides park-by-park information – visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation and Payroll, 2011.   The national parks in Hawaii included in this study are: Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohua National Historical Park, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, and World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.

The information is part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the country conducted by Michigan State University for the National Park Service.  For 2011, that report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.  That visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide.

Most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed by recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent.)

To learn more about national parks in Hawaii and how the National Park Service works with communities to preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide local recreation opportunities, go to www.nps.gov/hi.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks Joins Other National Parks Waiving Entrance Fees Veteran’s Day Weekend

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park joins all 398 national park units across the country in waiving entrance fees for the upcoming Veteran’s Day weekend, Nov. 10-12.

On the rainforested trail near Thurston. NPS Photo/Jessica Ferracane

“We are indebted to the sacrifices our veterans have made for our country’s freedom and heritage,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “The National Park Service invites all veterans to reconnect with their country through their national parks this weekend, and throughout the year,” she said.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which counts dozens of veterans among its employees and volunteers, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The park offers more than 150 miles of hiking trails and many opportunities to appreciate the volcanic landscape, the pristine native environment and the Hawaiian culture that define this magnificent World Heritage Site. More than a dozen free interpretive programs are offered daily, and special events, including ‘Ike Hana No‘eau cultural workshops, After Dark in the Park presentations, hula kahiko performances, and Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” concerts, are ongoing. Check www.nps.gov/havo for information for all events.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one of five national park units on the Island of Hawai‘i. Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is also free of charge Veteran’s Day weekend. There is no admission at Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, or along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

Information on special offerings at parks nationwide is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

The National Park Service has posted a video about veterans on YouTube: http://pacificislandparks.com/2012/11/06/veterans-day-2012-national-park-service/

 

National Parks in Hawaii = Visitors, Money and Jobs

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that national park visitors in Hawaii in 2010 spent more than $252 million in communities near national parks and supported 3,420 jobs in the state.

“The people and the business owners in communities near national parks have always known their economic value,” said NPS Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “In Hawaii communities, national parks are clean, green fuel for the engine that drives the economy.”

Most of the spending/jobs are related to lodging, food, and beverage service (52 percent) followed by other retail (29 percent), entertainment/amusements (10 percent), gas and local transportation (7 percent) and groceries (2 percent).

The figures are based on $12 billion of direct spending by 281 million visitors in 394 national parks and nearby communities and are included in an annual, peer-reviewed, visitor spending analysis conducted by Dr. Daniel Stynes of Michigan State University for the National Park Service.

The national parks in Hawaii included in this study are: Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kalaupapa National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohua National Historical Park, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, and World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.

Across the U.S., local visitor spending added a total of $31 billion to the national economy and supported more than 258,000 jobs, an increase of $689 million and 11,500 jobs over 2009.

To download the report visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/products.cfm#MGM and click on Economic Benefits to Local Communities from National Park Visitation and Payroll, 2010.

The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

For more information on how the NPS is working in Hawaii, go to http://www.nps.gov/hawaii

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks Joining Others in Waiving Entrance Fees Martin Luther King Weekend – Other Free Days Coming Up

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will join all 397 national park units across the country in waiving entrance fees Jan. 14-16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Entrance fees will also be waived on Sat., Jan. 21 to honor the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s 100-year anniversary and Open House.

The HVO Open House on Jan. 21 is an ideal opportunity for residents and visitors to meet USGS scientists, learn how they monitor Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes, and appreciate the compelling history of this vital agency. HVO is located within the national park, but is typically not open
to the public. The Open House will feature observatory tours, demonstrations, and other activities, starting from 9 a.m.

For information on the HVO Open House and other programs offered by HVO in January, visit hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

“We are pleased to invite the public to explore their magnificent national park at no charge during these significant milestones,” said Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “I hope everyone has an opportunity to take advantage of the fee-free dates during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend, and can enjoy the rare privilege of visiting HVO’s Open House,” she said.

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will offer numerous ranger-led hikes and programs during the fee-free dates. Visitors can find information at http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm and check the ranger activities bulletin board at the Kīlauea Visitor Center each morning at 9 a.m.

The National Park Service will waive entrance fees on 14 other days in 2012: Apr. 21-29 (National Park Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), July 14 (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s 32nd Annual Cultural Festival), Sept. 29 (National Public Lands Day) and Nov. 10-12 (Veteran’s Day weekend).

Hawai‘i Volcanoes is one of five national park units on the Island of Hawai‘i. Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is also free of charge on the NPS fee-free 2012 dates. There is no admission at Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, or along the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.

Information on special offerings at parks nationwide is available at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.