The Visitor Coordinator project is aimed at increasing occupancy in our existing hotels/infrastructure, which averages less than 50% throughout the year. Molokai is a place that many kama'aina love to visit, we can capitalize on this allure by focusing on marketing our local events and making it easier for the local traveler to visit Molokai. It is expected that the Visitor Coordinator would be located at Malama Park (EC Project #29) and would coordinate and calendar events to be staggered over a 12-month period, for more economic consistency during the year in Molokai's tourism industry.

Reason for Need

Molokai has the lowest occupancy rate in the State and visitor arrivals were down 21% in 2004 compared to the previous year. The Molokai community recognizes that they are losing local control of the island and wants to do their best to make tourism work for the community by the terms of the community.

EC Support

The EC has allocated funding toward the hiring of a Visitor Coordinator to carry out the duties and methodologies outlined in Moloka'i's Responsible Tourism Initiative Plan.