Of Mantas and Men: Understanding the Intersection of Hawaiʻi's Reef Manta Ray and Its Growing Tourism Industry

Abstract

In 2014, the Hawai’i state legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 170 urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to manage the Kona manta (Manta alfredi) viewing sites and address overcrowding, safety, and environmental concerns. DLNR made a thorough analysis of the popular Kona manta viewing sites and decided to implement mooring buoys, limited use permits, and a suite of accompanying regulations. This study examines proposed updates to Hawaiʻi Administrative Rule §13-256 and the Kona manta viewing sites management plan in comparison to (1) similar “charismatic megafauna” marine wildlife tourism (MWT; e.g. sharks, rays, and cetaceans), and (2) public perceptions surrounding these sites. Using methods from Chung et al. 2019 to systematically rank management tools at similar sites and an analysis of 36 stakeholder interviews, this study evaluates the likely effectiveness of the regulations in terms of impacts, compliance, and perceptions. After more than thirty years of unconstrained manta viewing tourism, proposals for management have included everything from the status quo (no regulation) to complete closure. DLNR’s task is to identify which of the many regulatory options should apply to these unique places. The success of the program will depend not only its ability to address the concerns of HCR 170, but also to advance DLNR’s mission to protect and conserve Hawaiʻi’s natural resources.