The World Tourism Organization (www.wto.org) defines “sustainable tourism” as tourism that meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future of the tourist sector. This is what the University of Hawaii is trying to do with its Schools. Hawaii's tourism industry needs a training program for students to get involved in Sustainable Travel.

Here at Manoa, we are working toward a Sustainability Studies program starting from scratch and working toward a Sustainability Studies certificate and possibly a major in the near future. There are proposals in ink waiting to be passed that just need the approval of the University. Dr. Cusick is to be one of the faculty in charge of the certificate and is confident that it will be done by fall 2009.