Moku Economy initiates rural tourism project to empower native Hawaiian communities

The recent Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Budget and Finance meeting highlighted a significant initiative aimed at reshaping tourism in Hawaii through the Moku Economy project. This initiative focuses on rural regenerative tourism, emphasizing the importance of cultural integrity and community involvement in the visitor economy.

The Moku Economy seeks to empower native Hawaiians by restoring narrative control and ensuring that the benefits of tourism flow back to rural communities. Currently, while native Hawaiians represent nearly 20% of the tourism workforce, they remain underrepresented in ownership and leadership roles. This initiative aims to address the structural imbalances that have historically marginalized these communities.

A key component of the Moku Economy is the proposed Rural Heritage Trail initiative, which will pilot community-led visitor experiences rooted in local stories and cultural practices. Over the next two years, OHA plans to collaborate with rural communities across the islands to develop educational materials, signage, and digital tools that promote respectful engagement with local culture. The goal is to create a statewide network of heritage trails that not only enhance the visitor experience but also support local practitioners and small businesses.

To launch this initiative, OHA is requesting $250,000 over the next two fiscal years. This funding will cover project management, cultural facilitation, and the development of visitor wayfinding tools. The initiative is designed to create a sustainable model of tourism that prioritizes community input and economic return for native Hawaiians.

During the meeting, trustees emphasized the need for cultural representation in tourism, including the importance of Hawaiian language signage and the integration of cultural elements into the visitor experience. Discussions also touched on the potential for partnerships with technology companies to enhance visitor engagement through tools like QR codes that provide historical context about the lands and communities.

In conclusion, the Moku Economy initiative represents a strategic shift towards a more equitable tourism model in Hawaii, one that recognizes and elevates the voices of native Hawaiians while fostering economic opportunities for rural communities. As OHA moves forward with this project, it aims to redefine tourism as a collaborative effort that benefits both visitors and the local population.