Documenting Stakeholder Perceptions of an Urban Coastline to Inform Conservation Action Planning

Abstract

Waikīkī has long been the anchor of Hawaii's visitor industry. Approximately $3.6 billion or 46% of tourism's total contribution to Hawaii's Gross State Product originates directly and indirectly from this famed one-square-mile of Oahu's south shore (DBEDT, 2003). While extensive resources have been directed towards understanding the economic contribution of Waikīkī, far fewer have been directed to understanding and safeguarding the unique natural resources that lure both residents and visitors to the area. Yet maintaining--and improving--the health and vitality of these natural resources is integral to the continued economic contributions of Hawaii's flagship visitor destination as well as opportunities for ocean-based activities that contribute to the overall quality of life for Oahu's residents. In order to address this oversight, a coalition of community partners are currently planning to undertake a community planning process with the intention of integrating and improving disparate efforts to manage and steward the coastal and marine resources of Waikīkī through the development of an outcome-oriented, community-backed plan. To ensure success, the planning process must be framed by a thorough understanding of community concerns and perspectives, and once initiated, should maximize opportunities for meaningful stakeholder input and involvement. To this end, this study was conducted to: 1) document and analyze the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Waikīkī residents with respect to the past, present, and desired condition of coastal and nearshore resources; and, 2) identify resident priorities related to and potential stakeholder conflict that may arise from future management and restoration efforts. Data collection consisted of a stakeholder analysis targeting area residents and utilizing a mail survey as the primary research tool. Resident responses reveal both a perception that the condition of Waikīkī's coastal and nearshore resources has deteriorated over time, as well as a strong desire to maintain recreational opportunities and improve reef health. Where the results can best inform future management and restoration efforts lies in: 1) resident priorities and anticipated "deal-breakers" with regard to possible management strategies; 2) resident concerns, questions, and knowledge gaps associated with anticipated restoration efforts; and, 3) demographic characteristics of the respondents to this survey which hint that there will likely be a significant divergence in profiles and priorities with other stakeholder groups such as area businesses and recreational users residing outside of Waikīkī.