Throughout the month of July, advanced undergraduate and graduate students have had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of responsible tourism with the summer session course, TIM 469 – Principles of Sustainable Tourism, taught by visiting Professor, Dr. Sam Lankford. Currently the Program Director of STEP – Sustainable Tourism and the Environment Program at the University of Northern Iowa, this is Dr. Lankford’s third summer presenting this course as a visiting Professor.

Having previously taught at UH Manoa in the College of Education’s Recreation and Leisure Science department from 1994, then in the TIM School from 1999 to 2001, Dr. Lankford has an intimate knowledge of the issues of sustainability relative to Hawai`i and its tourism industry. As the students proceed through the topics such as: water use; energy; transportation; wildlife habitats; decision making; citizen participation; education and landscape design, they are treated to a host of specialized, expert guests speakers. Additionally, the walls of the classroom expanded to encompass the beautiful outdoors of Hawai`i as the students embarked on field trips to experience first-hand the practices of sustainability. Trips included the new visitor education center and guided snorkeling tour of Hanauma Bay, a trail hike to Manoa Falls and a cultural eco-tour from Mauka-Makai Excursions.

Stay warm through another Iowa winter, Dr. Sam and we hope to see you back again next summer.