Getting more Hawaiians involved in shaping the future of Hawai'i's visitor industry is among the goals of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association's tourism conference next week.

The three-day conference beginning May 2 is the first of its kind, bringing members of the Hawaiian community and the visitor industry together to discuss mutual concerns, said Lulani Arquette, executive director of the private, nonprofit Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association.

"We are at a serious crossroads here," she said. "We really have to take a look at strains that have been put upon the state's natural, physical and cultural (assets) and our people."

Growing concerns about tourism's impact on the community and natural resources and an increasing number of travelers looking for authentic cultural experiences have helped stir efforts to get more Hawaiians involved in the visitor industry.

Hawaiian culture has long been recognized as key to tourism here, and at least some in the Hawaiian community have noted examples where the industry perpetuates the culture and community. But the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association and others have said more needs to be done.

The goal of the conference is to create a plan that will ultimately lead to more career and economic opportunities for Hawaiians; better management of Hawai'i's natural resources, environment and infrastructure; and educational resources on Hawaiian culture for the visitor industry.