Why calling it quits may or may not be needed as visitors and Hawaii look for ways forward.
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23 thoughts on “Alternatives To Saying “Goodbye Hawaii.” Can You Hold On?”
Why calling it quits may or may not be needed as visitors and Hawaii look for ways forward.
Inflated prices ,dwindling hospitality, you nailed it ! Joe
We love Maui and have been going there for years. We just returned a couple of weeks ago and are debating if we will visit there again. Rental prices and restaurant prices have really gotten out of hand. I get that its an island and prices are higher, but they have increased so much that I feel like I am being cheated. It’s sad, but I think we will look for another vacation spot.
I will visit family on Maui again, as I don’t have to rent a place to stay or rent a car, and I would visit Honolulu again if I could find reasonably prices flights and accommodations, but I doubt that I will ever voluntarily fill out a Hawaii tourism survey again due to the negative impacts of being preached at about the need for tourists to be “mindful”, wealthy, and preferably Japanese or Canadian and not American.
What seems to get lost in the all the hand wringing, and hurt feelings is the fact that hotel rates reflect continued growing demand. While some long time visitors are feeling the pinch and getting priced out, there seems to be no end in sight of people wanting to visit despite the high prices. Airlines continue to meet the growing demand with even more flights.
It’s no picnic for those of us who live here finding the same rising prices. What nobody seems to care about are Hawaiians priced out of their own homeland. For those of you complaining, what becomes of Hawaii once there are no more Hawaiians?
The Hawaiians were replaced a long time ago by Asians, tongans, and lot of other hard working people’s. The economy has been built by them. Already making the Hawaiians irrelevant. It happens everywhere.
I’m a long time visitor to Hawaii. Hawaii just keeps making it harder and harder to want to return. Aloha is dying out. Hawaii will regret it. Plenty of nice places to spend less money in this world where people welcome you. Good luck.
My wife and I visit often to all the islands. Our son and daughter in law went to college there. We travel to see our grandchildren. Our trip in March 2024 will be our 23rd. While we do don’t see a huge increase in restaurant prices as compared to the mainland we do see lodging prices going through the roof. The same condo on Napili that we rented for $1900 is now $4000+ for the same amount of days. I rented a full size Jeep for $65 a day and now it has more than doubled. As far as hospitality, it feels about the same it did a few years ago…the majority of locals are very welcoming but you have a few that spoil that image. I will say however that I have been surprised by the trash around Hilo businesses downtown including syringes.
We have also been going to Maui for the past 25 years. Our hotel has skyrocketed from U.S 350.00 a night to $700.00. No kitchenette…450 sq meters…20.00 parking and 50.00 Cabana rental. We are going to the Grand Cayman this year! No Alohas from us!
Jeff & Rob, you have crystalized the current persona of Hawaii tourism. I have been an ardent defender of post-fire Maui and even called out opinions that I felt were unfair. But after our recent hands-on visit (which was deeply emotional) we have decided to pass on returning to Hawaii for the first time in decades. For all the reasons you list: Cost, sentiment, mood, lack of aloha (I’ll add victimhood) we’ll give it a rest. And you read our minds – when it’s time, we’ll look at Oahu, exactly where we fell in love with Hawaii over 40 years ago. Meanwhile, time to explore other ports of call. (But never leave BOH)
Hi Maleko.
We’ll alyways look forward to welcoming you back! Thank you.
Aloha.
I have only been to Hawaii twice, the latest trip was 3 weeks ago.
My return was because of a “pull” toward the Islands that I cannot explain. My (almost grown) kids feel the same. Despite all the
controversy surrounding tourism, escalating costs, etc., my deep
appreciation for the culture & beauty of each Island makes me
want to go back. No other destination could ever offer the true
Aloha that is very much alive & strong in Hawaii. The “mana” of the land is irreplaceable.