Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Improved Operations Should Enhance Stewardship and Visitor Experience

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Park), located on the island of Hawaii and encompassing two of the world's most active volcanoes, offers a dynamic environment that attracts over 1.3 million visitors annually. This number is expected to grow substantially in 2005 and beyond. The Park receives about $5.4 million in appropriated funds and $3 million in non-appropriated funds annually. Our audit objective was to determine whether the Park effectively managed selected aspects of its administrative operations. (The scope and methodology of our audit are detailed in Appendix 2.) Our audit is part of a continuing focus on a results-oriented use of public resources and government accountability and the Department of the Interior's (Department) emphasis on providing the best value to its constituents.