It’s not quite “those without funds or sweat equity need not apply,” but Kaua’i groups vying for Hawaii Tourism Authority funds for small projects, festivals and other events need to bring more than just a completed application to the table.
It’s not quite “those without funds or sweat equity need not apply,” but Kaua’i groups vying for Hawaii Tourism Authority funds for small projects, festivals and other events need to bring more than just a completed application to the table.
The first proposal condition is a one-to-one match in funds or funds plus in-kind contributions in the amount of money the group is requesting.
For example, if the new XYZ Festival wants $10,000 in funds, it must as part of the application process promise to commit $10,000 in either cash or in-kind services to the project.
Likely, that will mean volunteer hours or other services donated in cases of Kaua’i nonprofits seeking some of the $600,000 the county Office of Economic Development will dole out under the auspices of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) before the end of calendar 2003.
Kaua’i is the first county to be given funds and the mechanism to distribute them, in part because the county in the current fiscal year is the recipient of HTA funds for local cultural festivals, and according to the HTA has shown competence in that arena.
Under the pilot project to see if county governments can do a better job of doling out funds for small local festivals and events than the HTA can, Kaua’i did exemplary work, said Richard L. Humphreys, HTA executive director.
This county was chosen to be the first to take over the lion’s share of state funds for festivals and other tourism-related events and functions in part “because they have their act together,” Humphreys said.
The Kaua’i system for distributing HTA event funds is being implemented statewide, which pleases Mayor Maryanne Kusaka. What pleases her more is the additional funding the HTA is giving to Kaua’i for local events.
She said Nalani Brun, tourism specialist with the OED, has done a “terrific job.” The program enhances visitors’ experiences through interactions with residents, Kusaka noted.
Local groups have until the end of the business day Monday, July 1, to submit funding proposals, and a local committee will make decisions and mail out award letters on Monday, July 15.
The idea behind the HTA product development funding is to ensure Hawai’i remains a great place to live and visit, and crucial to that is the maintenance of cultural identities through festivals and other events, Humphreys said.
In the current fiscal year, the county received $150,000 in HTA funds, and approved awards ranging from $500 to $10,000, exclusively for cultural festivals.
The $600,000 for events from July 1 of this year through December 31 of next year are for the so-called “niche” market areas, including cultural tourism.
A good thing to come out of the county product enrichment program is definitions of the various types of niche markets given priority for these public funds:
– Agri-tourism is tourism related to experiencing and appreciating agricultural products, settings and lifestyles;
– Cultural tourism is tourism related to Hawai’i’s host and multi-ethnic cultures that provides residents and visitors with enriching experiences and insights into the history, customs, art and traditions of the islands;
– Edu-tourism is tourism related to formal and informal education and training in life-long learning experiences in Hawai’i’s unique natural and multi-cultural environment;
– Health and wellness tourism is tourism related to the burgeoning health and wellness industry, focusing on travel for the purpose of enhancing the wellness of the mind, body and spirit of individuals, families and groups;
– Eco-tourism is tourism related to experiencing Hawai’i’s natural attractions, unique flora, fauna, and culture in a manner which is ecologically responsible, economically sustainable, encourages the well-being of the local community, and is infused with the spirit of aloha ‘aina (love, care and respect for the land);
– Techno-tourism is tourism related to travel for the purpose of utilizing Hawai’i’s science and technology state and federal assets as well as attending conferences and symposiums devoted to the enhancement of these resources.
Around 40 people showed up at the Lihu’e Civic Center for a workshop last week regarding the application process, with Kusaka greeting the crowd by stating creative people are important to the island.
Anyone interested in more information about this program, or receiving application forms, can call Brun, 241-6394 or 241-6390, fax her at 241-6399, or e-mail her at nbrun@kauaigov.com.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 224).
