Hawaii's Hanauma Bay
The progression of management at Hanauma Bay has been very successful in recent years and can be used as an example for other natural attractions in similar situations. The bay's future was in serious danger of suffering irreversible degradation to its ecosystem due to overuse. In 1967 Hanauma Bay was added to the Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD). However, the concern of Hawaii residents continued to grow for the protection of the bay as its popularity spread.
The safekeeping of Hanauma Bay is the responsibility of several entities. The city is responsible for its Preserve aspect, the State of Hawaii is in charge of everything in the water, and the education programs are coordinated by the UH Sea Grant. There is also a group called the Friends of Hanauma Bay who help assist in all operations with supervision of the prior three. They add the vital role of community voice and concern. However, each of these groups plays an important role in the preservation of the bay.
In the early 1990s some of the first attempts to conserve the bay were to impose restrictions. Time constraints of two hours were created for large groups. A smoking ban cut down on litter, and after growing aggression of the bay's fish, feeding was prohibited. Hanauma Bay is one of the most heavily used nature preserves in the world, drawing over one million visitors per year (Cornia 2002). Recently in 2002, the current Marine Education Center opened.
The current education and programs offered at Hanauma Bay encourage all types of sustainability. Socially, this is a great opportunity for visitors to interact with the volunteers provided by the University of Hawaii. When tourists can talk with a local, knowledgeable individual, they are more apt to considerer their role of responsibility. Visitor's need to be aware of the role they should to play at destination attractions. Approaching them in a social, and friendly way can be very effective. Hanauma Bay also offers...
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