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Did you know there are only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hawaii?

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was first recognized in 1987 followed by Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in 2010. Surprisingly or not, both places were recognized more for their natural beauty and not so much for cultural significance.

Their own legacy is completely absent on the world stage. So why isn’t Hawaii’s own cultural heritage getting the recognition it deserves?

Despite the devastation inflicted upon Hawaii’s cultural and historical sites due to British and American influence, Christianization, and internal Hawaiian conflicts, substantial efforts have been undertaken to restore and preserve these remnants of the islands’ heritage.

I believe it’s time for the state of Hawaii to petition the Office of International Affairs of the National Park Service and the Secretary of the Interior for the inclusion of Hawaiian cultural sites on UNESCO’s Tentative List.

UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. To qualify as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a location must meet a few key checklist items.

It should showcase incredible human creativity, highlight important designs in architecture, art, or landscapes, and tell a unique story about a culture or civilization. It should also serve as a remarkable example of historic buildings or landscapes, reflect how people once lived or interacted with the land or sea in ways now at risk, or be linked to significant events, traditions, or works of art and literature.

The Tentative List includes cultural sites like Moravian church settlements, Native American burial grounds, and NYC’s Central Park. Hawaii could petition for sites such as Iolani Palace, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Puukohola Heiau, and the Puu Loa Petroglyphs to join the ranks of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in the cultural sphere.

Being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a few notable advantages.

First and foremost, it raises global awareness about the site’s cultural, historical, or natural value, which can bring much-needed attention to potential manmade or environmental threats. An increase in media attention also often leads to a boost in tourism, which generates essential revenue for the community and creates jobs in sectors like hospitality, transportation, and retail, which benefits locals.

For example, in its first 30 years since gaining the distinction of UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois was able to attract 10 million visitors, with hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Antonio Missions in Texas, saw 1.2 million visitors in 2022 alone, which supported 1,540 local jobs and yielded a collective benefit of $155 million to the local economy.

Revenue Opportunities

Most of the proposed Hawaiian cultural sites are on Hawaii island, where tourism can provide much-needed revenue and job opportunities. Data from the 2010 U.S. Census and the 2022 American Community Survey highlighted Hawaii County as having the lowest per capita income ($26,194) and median family income ($66,348) in the state.

The county also has the highest poverty rate (13.8%) of its population live below the poverty line, compared to the 9.5% state average. The windfall from UNESCO tourism’s potential could be significant in transforming Hawaii Island’s dire economic situation.

Furthermore, World Heritage status would strengthen a sense of pride and identity among local communities, as their connection to the site grows. The designation also opens the door to funding opportunities from UNESCO, which can be used for preservation and conservation efforts — critical for sites that struggle with limited resources.

Beyond tourism, these sites can serve as important educational tools, providing resources for learning and research in history and culture for the local youth.

Finally, the status ensures long-term commitment from national governments to protect the site, regardless of political changes, and facilitates collaboration between government bodies, private sectors, and NGOs to achieve conservation goals and secure the site’s future.

While being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site can bring numerous advantages, it is also important to note that it can create some serious difficulties. Too many tourists can damage the site and drain local resources, as in the case of Venice, Italy.

Finding the right balance between protecting the site and keeping it enjoyable for visitors is also challenging, and building hotels or other developments for tourists can harm the historic value of the area. An increase in tourism also leads to higher levels of pollution, which can further damage the site.

At the end of the day, local communities need to be consulted with conservation efforts, or the whole process could backfire.