Need to find a place on Kaua'i that can host baseball, football, or soccer and has seating for 5,000? The new Hawai'i Sports Facility guide — being released today — points the way to Vidinha Stadium.

Although folks who live on the Garden Island might think that answer is pretty obvious, the staff at the Hawai'i Tourism Authority found the number of sports-related requests for information growing and no easy reference guide available.

"We knew that the best way to promote any type of sports at your destination was to know what you had to promote," said Mike Story, Hawai'i Tourism Authority sports manager.

So the people who earlier this year published the Style & Resource Guide to provide culturally correct references for things Hawaiian, decided it was time for another foray into publishing.

The guide responds to requests like this: "We want to bring our volleyball team to Maui — where's the best place to train?"

The new blue guide resembles a program for a sporting event and provides a brief description of 20 facilities scattered throughout the state.

The state Legislature has recognized the potential of sports tourism with steady support for "one of the fastest-growing aspects of tourism in the world" and one that is expected to generate fierce competition among destinations.

One report noted that more than 200 state and local associations dedicated to sports tourism promotion have been established in the last two decades, vying for a portion of the billions of dollars in economic benefits for host cities.

State lawmakers like the idea of diversifying tourism here. Story said sports tourism is attractive because it promotes health and community pride.

Some communities may be open to an annual or occasional event that brings people there in shorter visits rather than more traditional tourism that aims to attract numbers year-round.

For example, the Ironman Triathlon World Championship race on the Big Island brings a lot of attention to the Kohala coast and increased traffic for a while each year, but is a solid source of revenue. The NFL Pro Bowl has consistently brought in players, fans and money. Last year alone, the football game brought in 26,924 visitors, $33.26 million in visitor spending and $3.23 million in state taxes. However, the NFL has discussed moving the all-star game elsewhere.

"Sports tourism is growing," Story said. Officials note that sports tourism appears to bounce back more quickly from dips such as those that followed natural disasters or the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "Sports seems to be a vehicle to get people back to a region," Story said.

He said an important element of the research is asking the community what kind of growth works for those who live and work there. "It could be the best event in the world but if the community doesn't want it, it doesn't do any good," he said.

Story said the first try at the guide includes major facilities, and regional or district parks but not neighborhood basketball courts. To be listed, parks or facilities have to have the space and a willingness to host events that include out-of-towners.

He hopes most people will find the guide online but also call him to let him know about additions and corrections.

Story said it cost about $3,600 to print the first 1,000 copies. "The main idea is to put it on our Web site so we can update it constantly," he said.

In researching the guide, Story found that the state has a lot to offer in some sporting events and potential to grow in others. He found more on the Neighbor Islands than he expected.

Like most of us, Story knew Hilo's Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium for its most famous recurring role — not a sporting event, but playing host to the annual Merrie Monarch hula festival.

When he visited there, he found eight tennis courts, areas for baseball, basketball, football, volleyball and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

"I went over there and I was just shocked," Story said. "It's a great sports complex."

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.