THE TRUTH IS MORETHE TRUTH IS MORE VALUABLE THAN FICTIONThe Economic Development Benefits of Cultural Heritage in Hawai`i’s Visitor Industry

Trisha Kehaulani Watson, JD, PhD, ,

Born and raised in MānoaBorn and raised in MānoaB.A. Sociology / American StudiesM A American StudiesM.A. American StudiesJ.D. / Environmental Law CertificatePh D A i St diPh.D. American Studies Native Hawaiian Organizations: Hawaiian Civic Cl b f H l l `Ah h i K ` hClub of Honolulu, Ahahui Ka ahumanu, Daughters of Hawai`i, (co-founder) Kāko`o `Ōiwi

What is Cultural Heritage?gCultural Heritage refers to the cultural legacy inherited from

i ti l hi h ft t tprevious generations, a legacy which we often want to identify and preserve because it reinforces our cultural identity or sense of who we are as a people. Cultural Heritage is typically associated with a particular people or g yp y p p pgroup.

Cultural heritage may be tangible and include archaeological sites artifacts buildings historic sites monuments gravessites, artifacts, buildings, historic sites, monuments, graves, and culturally significant landscapes such as sacred places. It may also be intangible, as in language, oral histories, beliefs, practices, rituals, ceremonies, customs, t diti i d ft d th ttraditions, music, dance, crafts, and other arts.(Missouri State University)

What is Cultural Tourism?

Cultural tourism forms an important component of p pinternational tourism in our world today. It represents movements of people motivated by cultural intents such as study tours performingcultural intents such as study tours, performing arts, festivals, cultural events, visits to sites and monuments, as well as travel for pilgrimages. C l l i i l b i i i dCultural tourism is also about immersion in and enjoyment of the lifestyle of the local people, the local area and what constitutes its identity andlocal area and what constitutes its identity and character. (World Tourism Organization)

What does this mean for Hawai`i?

I d i itIncreased visitorsIncreased revenue to small and local b sinesseslocal businessesIncreased support to local events and programs that protect culturaland programs that protect cultural heritage resources

Understanding the Changeg g

With the expansion of the global economy theWith the expansion of the global economy, the desire to learn about global cultures has grownYet many Americans may still not beYet, many Americans may still not be comfortable travelling outside the United StatesHawai`i offers unique travel experiences within the United States

Then… and Now

Oppression of N i H ii

Partnerships with

What was done wrong What can be better

Native HawaiiansOver-sexualized images of Hawaiian

the Hawaiian community

images of Hawaiian womenMisappropriation of

Economic benefits to Hawaiians

Misappropriation of culture and cultural identity

Accuracy in cultural knowledge

H t G t ThI l ti C lt l H it i t th

How to Get ThereImplementing Cultural Heritage into the Visitor Industry

Pragmatic Progressg g

In these economic times the goal toIn these economic times, the goal to implementing cultural heritage into the tourism industry will be taking pragmatic and y g p gaffordable steps. No reasonable person should expect p psweeping changes overnight. The keys are 1) educate, 2) invest, 3) trainy ) ) )

Educate, Invest, Train, ,

Educate: Management and Owners shouldEducate: Management and Owners should work with highly qualified experts in local cultural knowledge and heritage to decide

th t b i d d tareas that can be improved and create a strategic planInvest: Invest in ways that are reasonable andInvest: Invest in ways that are reasonable and affordable to make these changesTrain: Train and educate staff as to how toTrain: Train and educate staff as to how to maximize and sustain the benefits from the changes