Hana revisited: development and controversy in a Hawaiian tourism community

Following an attempt to develop a sustainable, integrated tourism operation in Hana, Maul, a change of company ownership and a new approach to the problem of economic viability led to public protest and a deterioration of relations among residents, A proposal to strengthen the operation by building a resort golf course split the community and divided families, friends and neighbours. As the proposal proceeded through the public review process, frictions also developed between different County authorities, between the County Council and the company, and between company officials, The Hana controversy highlights the importance of inter-resident relations and illustrates some of the difficulties of implementing 'community-sensitive tourism' in destinations where people are sharply divided in their views on tourism development. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.