The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development is seeking applications for its Regenerative Tourism Program.
Donor Name: County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development
State: Hawaii
County: Hawaii County (HI)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/05/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Eligible proposals for Impact Grant Awards under the Regenerative Tourism Program may address the following program objectives:
- Improving quality of life by enhancing cultural experiences and providing essential support services. By expanding visitor services at key locations with cultural offerings such as Hawaiian music and hula performances, the local economy benefits from increased tourism, enriching both residents’ and visitors’ experiences. Offer support to individuals facing adversity to ensure they receive the care and help they need to foster a compassionate and supportive community. Together this will create a vibrant, caring environment that enhances the well-being of everyone involved.
- Enhance visitor services at the Hilo and Kona piers, expanding cultural offerings with Hawaiian music and hula performances, and manage a visitor booth to pass out information and educate the visitors about the Pono Pledge. By maximizing the economic impact of cruise ship visitors, who contribute to the local economy, this initiative aims to significantly benefit businesses across both East and West Hawai’i. Increased funding will ensure a memorable, culturally rich experience for visitors and boost local economic growth.
- Provide support and assistance to individuals facing adversity, such as crime, medical emergencies, and death, while away from home. Have dedicated staff and volunteers available 24/7 to offer emotional support and practical help, representing the aloha spirit in their time of need.
- Create and manage a carrying capacity pilot of popular hotspots to ensure that these locations can be enjoyed by future generations while maintaining their ecological and cultural significance. This initiative will foster a sustainable tourism model that benefits both the local community and the visitors who come to experience the beauty and heritage of the island.
- Implement strategies to assess and manage carrying capacity at popular island hotspots.
- Ensure sustainable tourism practices to preserve natural and cultural resources while enhancing visitor experiences.
Funding Information
A total of $70,000.00 is available to award grants in the range of $3,000.00 to $25,000.00.
Grant Period
12 months.
Eligible Expenses
The following list includes examples of some common expenses allowed under this RFP:
- Advertising and public relations.
- Electronic media.
- Equipment, purchase or rental.
- Facility rental.
- Postage.
- Printing, posters, signage, brochures, collateral materials.
- Products.
- Salary and wages (at prevailing rates). While salary and wages are eligible uses of grant funds, personal costs should ideally not be the primary use of grant funds. To demonstrate financial sustainability potential, projects shall not rely on County funds for critical ongoing operating expenses.
- Security.
- Shipping.
- Some consultant services.
- Supplies and materials.
- Travel.
- Website development or enhancement.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible for an award through this RFP, the proposer shall:
- Be an educational institution, state of county agency, a not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Hawaiʻi, or a non-profit organization exempt from the federal income tax by the Internal Revenue Service. In the case of a non-profit organization, members of its governing board shall have served without compensation and have no material conflict of interest.
- Be licensed and accredited, in accordance with the applicable statutes, codes, or ordinances of the federal, state, and county governments.
- Have bylaws or policies that describe the manner in which business is conducted including management, fiscal policies and procedures, and policies on nepotism and the management of potential conflicts of interest.
- Have at least one (1) year of experience with the project or in the program area being proposed. The Director may grant an exception from this requirement, if, in the Director’s sole discretion, the entity can show it has the equivalent level of expertise and experience, which may include proof of project management capabilities and understanding of the program area for which the entity is applying.
- Have staff or authorized representatives adequately trained to administer and conduct the service described.
- Meet all the requirements set forth in this RFP.
For more information, visit DRD.
