HONOLULU — The Hawaii Tourism Authority has selected 27 community-based projects to receive funding through its Natural Resources Program in 2010.

The program began in 2002 in response to a legislative mandate.
It stated the state agency must provide at least $1 million a year to assist projects and programs that support efforts to manage, improve and protect Hawaii’s natural environment and areas frequented by visitors.
The agency’s president and CEO, Mike McCartney, said Tuesday that the Hawaii Tourism Authority remains committed to supporting product development initiatives that showcase Hawaii’s “unique tourism product.”
One of the 27 projects is an effort by the Nature Conservancy to restore nearshore fisheries and coral reefs at Kaupulehu on the Big Island.