(AP) — The first in a series of sustainable tourism town halls on Maui focused on lessons learned at another Pacific tourist hotspot. Orion Cruz is a Maui attorney who has worked with the government of Palau on tourism issues. He participated in the virtual panel this week and said the Western Pacific island nation encourages environmentally friendly visitors. Palau enacted measures to ensure sustainability funding. There is a $100 fee added to every international airline ticket that supports Palau’s protected natural areas. Some residents and political leaders on Maui believe there are more tourists than the island can sustainably accommodate.

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