Wildlife-watching
fell here in ’01Tourists hoping to view
wild animals dropped 14%
since 1996, while spending
dropped 55%
Hawaii residents and visitors spent less time -- and money -- watching wildlife in 2001 than five years earlier, according to a recent report by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Taking a look
Some 220,000 people -- about 125,000 isle residents and 96,000 visitors -- spent time and money watching Hawaii wildlife in 2001. They:>> Spent $131.6 million on gear (such as cameras as binoculars) and trip expenses.
>> Supported 2,536 jobs and generated $15.3 million in state and federal taxes.
Source: 2001 National and State Economic Impacts of Wildlife Watching, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
A total of 220,000 people observed, fed or photographed wildlife in Hawaii in 2001, down from 255,000 in 1996, according to an economic analysis: "National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation."
In 2001, Hawaii wildlife-watchers spent $131.6 million for equipment such as cameras and binoculars, and for trip expenses, including food, transportation and lodging. In 1996 the total was $295 million.
The drop in spending -- 55 percent lower in 2001 -- was greater than the drop in overall wildlife-watching (14 percent lower in 2001). The change could be due to fewer visitors engaging in wildlife-watching.
In 2001, the report found 96,000 visitors to Hawaii pursued wildlife-watching, down from 144,000 in 1996.
Meanwhile, state residents increased wildlife-watching -- 125,000 participants in 2001, up from 111,000 five years earlier.
Wildlife-watching-related spending supported 2,536 jobs in Hawaii in 2001. The number of jobs supported in 1996 in Hawaii was not available.
People participating in whale watching, snorkeling, diving or kayaking were counted, as long as watching for wildlife was the main purpose of their outing, said Sylvia Cabrera, an economist who worked on the study.
The survey did not include trips to zoos, circuses, aquariums or museums.
Nationally, about 66 million Americans spent more than $38.4 billion in 2001 observing, feeding or photographing wildlife.
For each $1 of direct spending associated with wildlife-watching, an additional $1.49 of economic activity was generated, the study said.
If wildlife-watching were a company, its national sales would rank it 33rd in the Forbes 500 list for 2001, just ahead of Motorola and Kmart, the Fish & Wildlife Service said.
In 1996, the number of wildlife-watchers nationally was 62.9 million, which was less than in 2001. However, the 2001 total was less than for 1991, when 76.1 million engaged in wildlife-watching.
One theory about the drop in wildlife-watching since 1991 is that "families are working more and there are more demands on free time," said Nicholas Throckmorton, a Fish & Wildlife Service spokesman.
Nationally, bird-watching was the No. 1 wildlife-watching activity recorded by the survey, with 22 percent of Americans over 16 saying they watch birds.
But in Hawaii, only 9 percent of people classified themselves as bird-watchers -- fewer than in any other state. The survey found 164,000 bird-watchers in Hawaii in 2001, of which 52 percent were non-residents.
To be considered a bird-watcher by the federal agency, a person must take a trip a mile or more from home for the primary purpose of observing birds or must closely observe or try to identify birds around the home.
Linda Shapin, administrative assistant of the Hawaii Audubon Society, said the numbers show her that Hawaii isn't marketing its bird-watching opportunities to visitors well enough.
"We have some of the rarest birds in the world," which experienced birders are thrilled to observe, Shapin said.
Potential visitors call the Hawaii Audubon office daily to ask about birding tours or information, she said.
Shapin described birders as "mostly people in their 40s to 70s, with plenty of disposable income. They stay in better places, eat better food and are environmentally sensitive."
"If we courted those people a little more enthusiastically, that would be good" for Hawaii's tourism, Shapin said.
Said Annette Kaohelaulii, who conducts birding tours on Oahu: "I think if birding is the No. 1 hobby in the country, we should be looking at ways we can get people to come here and do it."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
