Energy and Tourism in Hawaii

Abstract

This paper explores the linkage between energy use and a tourism destination experiencing a rapid growth in visitors arrivals and changing visitor mix. The approach taken is to estimate the derived demand for a primary input (energy) using input-output analysis. The main finding of the study is that tourists account for a significant share (averaging 60%) of total energy and fuel use in Hawaii. Since foreign and domestic tourists, on average, use energy and fuel with different intensity, a rising proportion of foreign tourists in the total mix of tourists is predicted to increase the demand for energy and fuel in Hawaii by the end of the century.