Hawaii Residents’ Perspectives on Tourism and Environmental Impact Survey

About this survey

Hello, I am a final-year student at the University of Sydney conducting a short survey for a university research project on protecting Hawaii’s unique biodiversity from tourism-related environmental damage. This survey is intended for current residents of Hawaii only.

Over the past decades, although tourism has created economic opportunities in Hawaii, it has also placed growing pressure on the natural environment, including fragile habitats, wildlife, and biodiversity. This survey aims to understand local perspectives on whether imposing a mandatory certified naturalist guide-only access to fragile natural sites policy for tourists could be a viable solution to this complex problem. This idea is inspired by the Galápagos model, where visitors to protected areas must be accompanied by an authorised naturalist guide to help prevent potential damage to the ecosystem.

The survey takes around 3 to 5 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymised and used for academic purposes only. Thank you for your time and participation.

1.Do you currently live in Hawaii?(Required.)

Yes

2.On a scale of 1 to 5, how much tourism-related environmental damage have you observed at natural sites near your community?(Required.)

3.To protect fragile ecosystems from further damage, how suitable do you think it would be to require tourists to enter fragile natural sites only with a licensed local guide?(Required.)

4.Please explain the main reason for your answer to the previous question.(Required.)

5.In your observation, which environmental area in Hawaii most urgently needs this solution?(Required.)

Native plant and bird habitats

Coastal and marine environments

Areas vulnerable to invasive species spread

Sites affected by pollution and litter

Other (please specify)

6.Which factors are most essential for this solution to be effective and realistic? (Select up to 3)(Required.)

Resident exemption for independent site access

Direct funding for habitat restoration

Small group limits to minimise impact

Strict monitoring and enforcement

Employment of local licensed guides

Fair and affordable tourist pricing

Other (please specify)

7.What do you see as the biggest barrier to this solution reducing tourist-related environmental damage?(Required.)

Difficulty enforcing and monitoring rules at remote sites

Potential for over-commercialisation of natural sites

Lack of sufficiently trained local naturalist guides

Resistance from established tourism businesses

High costs limiting access for some tourists

Other (please specify)

8.If this solution were introduced, what should be the primary role of the guide?(Required.)

Ensuring tourists follow environmental rules

Educating tourists about wildlife and habitat protection

Preventing tourists from entering restricted areas

Managing group size and movement

Reporting observed environmental damage

Other (please specify)

9.If this solution leads to fewer tourists visiting these sites, what should be prioritised?(Required.)

Long-term environmental protection

Local tourism economy

Other (please specify)

10.Is there anything else you would like to share about this solution, or about tourism and environmental impact in Hawaii?(Required.)