According to a recent National Park Service report for 2022, 1.6 million visitors went to the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, resulting in expenditures of $149 million within the communities near the park.
"We recognize that tourism is a critical driver to the local economy," said Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. "People come to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park to experience volcanic eruptions, the rich island biodiversity, and cherished cultural landscapes."
As per a newly issued 2022 report by the National Park Service (NPS), the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park saw approximately 1.6 million visitors during the year. Visitors spent $149 million in the communities surrounding the park, NPS reported.
As per the NPS findings, visitor expenses supported a total of 1,500 jobs in the area, fostering an economic output of $195 million within the local gateway communities surrounding the park. The report indicated that park visitors, numbering around 312 million nationally, engaged in direct spending amounting to $23.9 billion within a 60-mile radius of national parks. This spending had a positive impact on the national job market, resulting in 378,400 jobs being supported across the country.
Notably, 314,600 of these jobs were situated in the gateway communities. The overall cumulative advantage to the U.S. economy from this activity was calculated at $50.3 billion. Analyzing the economic implications of visitor spending, it was found that the lodging sector played a pivotal role, generating the highest direct effects. This sector alone contributed $9 billion to the national economic output, according to the NPS findings. The restaurant sector followed closely, exerting the second most significant impact, with a reported national economic output of $4.6 billion.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is an ecologically diverse protected area renowned for its active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Encompassing over 300,000 acres, the park features striking landscapes that range from lush rainforests to barren lava fields, showcasing the dynamic forces of volcanic activity and their profound influence on the island's geological and cultural evolution. Visitors to the park have the opportunity to witness volcanic phenomena such as flowing lava, volcanic craters, steam vents, and lava tubes. Additionally, the park holds immense cultural significance to the native Hawaiian people, preserving ancient archaeological sites, petroglyphs, and historic structures that provide insight into the region's rich cultural heritage.