This article examines overtourism indicators at Kailua Beach Park in HawaiModified Letter Turned Commai, and demonstrates a systematic approach to assessing carrying capacity by pairing descriptive indicators with more commonly used evaluative indicators. Data were obtained from an onsite survey of 452 visitors. Questionnaires with embedded photographs measured visitors' perceived encounters, norms, and crowding (evaluative indicators), while an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to collect actual use levels at the site (descriptive indicator). In total, 63% of respondents felt crowded at this site, suggesting that it is nearing over-capacity. Respondent norms showed that no more than approximately 950 people should be allowed. Use levels exceeding 700 people caused respondents to feel moderately or extremely crowded, yet use levels commonly exceeded this threshold. Standards representing these numeric thresholds should be set at this site, and management action is critical (e.g., quotas, reservations, fees, encourage alternative sites). This research contributes to the literature by demonstrating the importance of all four indicators (use levels, encounters, norms, crowding) when investigating overtourism issues, and the potential of UAVs to support the measurement of descriptive indicators.

This research adds to a small body of literature studying longitudinal change in coastal tourism environments. Site use and crowding at Kailua Beach Park in Hawai'i was investigated through research conducted in 2007 and 2019. Reported encounters, perceived crowding and the minimum acceptable condition all increased between these years. Overall, crowding scores were highest for respondents who reported more encounters than they think should be allowed, and the percentage of users who encountered more people than they think should be allowed has grown substantially. A significant increase of US mainland users was identified in 2019 (which mirrors broader tourism trends in Hawai'i) and local beach users are now in the minority at this site. Respondents from the USA mainland were less likely than local or international user groups to experience encounters exceeding their norm, and if their encounter norms were exceeded, USA mainland respondents generally displayed lower crowding scores. These findings have implications for norm stability, the development of appropriate standards of quality for crowding, and post-pandemic management.

Heritage trees are identified and valued based on important historical, cultural and physical criteria that these specimens possess. This research attempts to support heritage tree programmes by identifying a standardised set of expert-verified criteria that can be applied regardless of geographic location. An initial set of 40 criteria were derived from an analysis of 46 case studies and presented to a panel of heritage tree experts to obtain consensus on the core criteria that should be used by any heritage tree programme. A three iteration Delphi method was used to evaluate the criteria and allowed additional content to be generated by the panel. The result saw 50 criteria analysed to produce a set of 16 consensus core criteria and an additional 29 situational criteria that can apply on a case-by-case basis. This study identified the existence of 16 common values shared among these tree programmes and serves as an initial template for use by current and proposed heritage tree programmes to select ideal candidates. Through this standardised evaluation system, the current patchwork of heritage tree programmes now has the potential to become a unified network leading to the increased awareness and protection of these trees.

Shrimp farming in Southeast Asia is often touted as a globalisation success story. The region emerged as a key area for farmed shrimp production in the 1990s, and it remains a leading producer of shrimp for export to international markets to this day. This achievement has not, however, been without cost. Small-scale shrimp farmers in Southeast Asia have suffered persistent social, economic and environmental dislocations stemming from price pressures imposed by globalisation and neoliberal economic policies in the seafood sector. Community supported fisheries (CSF) represent an alternative marketing model which could potentially support small-scale producers in Southeast Asia whose viability is threatened by the intensification of shrimp production by large corporate interests. This article investigates opportunities for CSF in the region, encourages research that builds social capital in aquaculture communities, and identifies opportunities to link small-scale shrimp farming operations with local markets that seek high quality seafood produced in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner.

Marine tourism is increasing in popularity, which may cause conflicts among tourists who value different aspects of settings and experiences. Visitors surveyed before and after tours to Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District in Hawaii (USA) reported considerable (63%) in-group conflicts (bump into people and rude or discourteous) between snorkelers and other snorkelers. One third of scuba divers experienced conflicts with other divers. Most conflicts were interpersonal (interactions between individuals interfering with experiences). There were fewer out-group conflicts between snorkelers and divers (15-28%) and minimal social values conflicts (6-13%; negative preconceptions without interactions). Many visitors had strong biocentric and protectionist value orientations toward the environment and coral reefs, and these individuals were most likely to report conflicts.

Researchers have long aimed to quantify environmental attitudes, subsequently incorporating them into more comprehensive models of values, attitudes, and behaviors. However, many metrics, notably the New Environmental Paradigm scale, conflate a situated, incomplete set of environmental attitudes with pro-environmental worldviews generally. Further, the measurement of environmental worldviews is often used instrumentally to engender pro-environmental behaviors, proving problematic both theoretically and pragmatically. Three dimensions are suggested to better explain the diversity of contemporary environmentalism-view of technology, view of societal response, and view of nature. This article argues that any multi-item scale will be limited in its ability to capture a dynamic concept like environmentalism, but when used appropriately quantitative scales can engender individual and community empowerment; therefore, reassessment rather than rejection is the appropriate way forward.

Environmental organizations have become increasingly interested in identifying groups in the general population that understand scientific issues in an internally cohesive way. However segmenting these groups empirically is contingent on employing metrics with high levels of reliability and validity, and many existing metrics are dated or make assumptions about what constitutes pro-environmental attitudes. This research project explores the heterogeneous worldviews of a non-random sample of contemporary environmentalists. Through the use of surveys and repertory grid interviews, research participants were differentiated into sub-groups based on their attitudes towards nature's resilience, locus of control, catastrophism, and faith in technology. While cognizant of the potentially instrumentalist nature of audience segmentations, this study is descriptive rather than normative. As environmental organizations seek to communicate science more effectively, this study reveals how subgroups of environmentalists make sense of existing problems and challenges and why recognizing these differences can facilitate progress in achieving social change goals.

This research note examined encounters, norms, crowding, satisfaction, and displacement among people snorkeling and scuba diving with manta rays at sites in Hawaii. These sites are popular with up to 30 tour boats and 300 participants each day. Data from a survey of 444 participants showed that 82% felt crowded by snorkelers, 78% felt crowded by boats, and 69% felt crowded by scuba divers when viewing manta rays. In reporting their norms, participants stated they would accept seeing an average of no more than 52 snorkelers, 32 scuba divers, and 11 boats at one time. However, 77% of respondents encountered more snorkelers than their norm for seeing snorkelers, 67% saw more scuba divers than they would accept, and 68% encountered more boats than their norm. These participants were more crowded, less satisfied, and more likely to become displaced (not visit again) compared to those who encountered fewer than their norms.

The New Environmental Paradigm scale (NEP) is the most widely used measure of environmental attitudes globally, consisting of 15 unidimensional question items. Given the increased diversification of the environment movement in the 40 years since the NEP was introduced, this study used quantitative and qualitative methodologies to explore environmentalism's heterogeneity and suggest areas in which the NEP might be modified. We fielded short surveys containing the NEP question items, and conducted in-depth, open-ended repertory grid interviews to supplement the survey data and minimize the priming influence of the researchers. Participants, despite harboring strong pro-environmental attitudes, expressed heterogeneous responses to the NEP question items. During the interview process, participants suggested a wide range of solutions to environmental problems, differentiating them on the basis of cost, scale, exigence, and agency. Despite expressing skepticism of technology in the survey data, green technologies proved salient in the repertory grid interviews. Differential analysis by age suggested attitudinal differences, but statistical significance was stymied by the small sample size. The results indicate that while aspects of the NEP remain theoretically relevant and analytically powerful, other components merit re-examination. The mixed methodologies suggest that repertory grid interviews can add depth and provide direction for construct development in traditional survey data collection. Further research could operationalize these findings with the goal of establishing a valid and reliable measure that expresses the diversity of contemporary pro-environmental attitudes.

Scuba diving and snorkeling with manta rays (M. birostris, M. alfredi) at sites in Hawaii, USA, have become popular, with upward of 30 tour boats and 300 participants daily. This article examined whether conflicts are occurring within and between these activities and if so, what types of conflict are prevalent and how would participants respond (support restrictions, sanction others). Data from surveys of 444 participants following evening trips to view manta rays showed that 79% of snorkelers experienced in-group conflict with other snorkelers, and 53% of scuba divers reported conflict with other divers. Most conflicts were interpersonal (physical interactions among individuals interfering with experiences). Conflict behaviors included bumping into people (up to 92%), not being aware (up to 73%), and blinding people with underwater flashlights (up to 56%). There were fewer out-group conflicts between different activities (snorkelers vs. scuba divers) and minimal social values conflicts (negative preconceptions, no physical interactions among individuals). Participants supported limiting numbers of snorkelers, scuba divers, and boats, and providing education on how to behave with others. Those experiencing conflicts were more supportive of these strategies and more likely to directly sanction participants causing conflicts, but were not more likely to indirectly sanction managers and operators.

Humans are transforming the coastal and marine tourism environment at an ever-increasing rate. Concurrently, the multiple amenities and natural resources of coastal zones and the reality of population growth contribute to omnipresent tourism user conflicts. This results in social, wicked, and super wicked problems that are value infused, difficult to frame, and seemingly intractable. In response, scientists and other experts are encouraged to engage in use-inspired research. Further, they are advised to reconsider the basic applied science dichotomy and to make policy contributions in the role of the honest broker. Articles from the 8th International Congress on Coastal and Marine Tourism are introduced that deal with tsunami vulnerability (Thailand), wreck diving (Australia/Micronesia), national forest planning (Gulf of Alaska), cruise industry research, aquatic safety (Australia), surfing expansion (South Africa), stakeholder relations (Zanzibar, Tanzania), and kiteboarding (the Netherlands).

This article examines environmental education by focusing on recreationist expectations for. interpretation on marine tours, satisfaction with. this interpretation and whether expectations were met, and how these perceptions correlate with components of the norm activation. model. Recreationists surveyed before and after tours to Molokini, Hawaii. (n = 439) had high pre-trip expectations for interpretation (e.g, about reefs, history), but satisfaction was lower and expectations for many recreationists were not met. Those who, had their expectations met had higher problem awareness and ascribed more responsibility (i.e, norm activation) than those Who did not,. suggesting that interpretation is desired and may promote pro environmental behavior.

Conservation organizations are increasingly applying adaptive capacity assessments in response to escalating climate change impacts. These assessments are essential to identify climate risks to ecosystems, prioritize management interventions, maximize the effectiveness of conservation actions, and ensure conservation resources are allocated appropriately. Despite an extensive literature on the topic, there is little agreement on the most relevant factors needed to support local scale initiatives, and additional guidance is needed to clarify how adaptive capacity should be assessed. This article discusses why adaptive capacity assessment represents a critical tool supporting conservation planning and management. It also evaluates key factors guiding conservation NGOs conducting these assessments in tropical island communities, and explores alternative priorities based on input from academic experts and key local stakeholders. Our results demonstrate that important differences exist between local stakeholders and nonlocal academic experts on key factors affecting adaptation and coping mechanisms. The exclusion of local community input affects the validity of adaptive capacity assessment findings, and has significant implications for the prioritization and effectiveness of conservation strategies and funding allocation.

Climate change threatens tropical coastal communities and ecosystems. Governments, resource managers, and communities recognize the value of assessing the social and ecological impacts of climate change, but there is little consensus on the most effective framework to support vulnerability and adaptation assessments. The framework presented in this research is based on a gap analysis developed from the recommendations of climate and adaptation experts. The article highlights social and ecological factors that affect vulnerability to climate change; adaptive capacity and adaptation options informing policy and conservation management decisions; and a methodology including criteria to assess current and future vulnerability to climate change. The framework is intended for conservation practitioners working in developing countries, small island nations, and traditional communities. It identifies core components that assess climate change impacts on coastal communities and environments at the local scale, and supports the identification of locally relevant adaptation strategies. Although the literature supporting vulnerability adaptation assessments is extensive, little emphasis has been placed on the systematic validation of these tools. To address this, we validate the framework using the Delphi technique, a group facilitation technique used to achieve convergence of expert opinion, and address gaps in previous vulnerability assessments.

Acceptance of tourism and recreation management strategies depends on situational factors including social, resource, and facility impacts. If an area has adequate facilities, little crowding, and minimal environmental impacts, modifying existing management may be opposed. If an area is damaged and overcrowded, actions such as limiting access may be acceptable. This article measures normative acceptance of management strategies and how situational factors differentially influence acceptance. Surveys of 1399 tourists and residents at coastal sites in Hawai’i included eight hypothetical scenarios describing impacts to four factors: use level/density, presence of litter, damage to reefs, and condition of facilities. Respondents rated their acceptance of improving awareness/education, restricting use, increasing facilities, and improving maintenance for each scenario. Factors differentially influenced acceptance of these actions. Damage to reefs was the most important factor influencing acceptance of improving awareness. Use level was most important when rating acceptance of restricting people, and facility conditions were most important in acceptance of increasing maintenance and facilities. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This article describes three exploratory investigations of dimensions influencing scuba diver perceptions of crowding in underwater settings. Five focus groups of five to eight divers each suggested that number, proximity, and clustering of divers were important crowding dimensions. A multiple sort procedure with 60 other divers revealed that number and proximity were most important. A survey of 101 additional divers confirmed that number and proximity of divers significantly influenced crowding, but the number of divers was the strongest determinant. Photographs were used to test crowding dimensions underwater. Although additional research is needed to confirm these findings, this study serves as a guide for future research on social aspects of dive site planning and management.

Acceptance of tourism and recreation management strategies depends on situational factors including social, resource, and facility impacts. If an area has adequate facilities, little crowding, and minimal environmental impacts, modifying existing management may be opposed. If an area is damaged and overcrowded, actions such as limiting access may be acceptable. This article measures normative acceptance of management strategies and how situational factors differentially influence acceptance. Surveys of 1399 tourists and residents at coastal sites in Hawai'i included eight hypothetical scenarios describing impacts to four factors: use level/density, presence of litter, damage to reefs, and condition of facilities. Respondents rated their acceptance of improving awareness/education, restricting use, increasing facilities, and improving maintenance for each scenario. Factors differentially influenced acceptance of these actions. Damage to reefs was the most important factor influencing acceptance of improving awareness. Use level was most important when rating acceptance of restricting people, and facility conditions were most important in acceptance of increasing maintenance and facilities.