What goes through your mind when you see Kamaʻāina savings? A sudden glee or a punch in the gut because of how much your trip cost.
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102 thoughts on “Are “Kamaaina” Discounts Discriminatory Towards Hawaii Visitors?”
What goes through your mind when you see Kamaʻāina savings? A sudden glee or a punch in the gut because of how much your trip cost.
There are quite a few “local” or “resident” discounts throughout the US. The most obvious to me is the no-resident fees for hunting and fishing. I have seen different fees for residents in State Parks. Normally, these seem to be fees set by the several states. Seems to me that a local business can offer discounts to locals, residents, etc. as a choice in how they do business. If, as a visitor, I don’t like that then I don’t need to shop or visit there.
We own at Ko Olina Beach Club. We have been to O’ahu 1-2 times a year every year since 2003 (except 2020). We stay for a month now. We paid a lot for our ownership, we pay a lot annually in maintenance fees and property taxes. We contribute a lot to the economy while we are there. We care for Hawai’i. Twenty years ago, I brought my golf clubs and played a lot because fees were reasonable. Not now – courses want $150-250 for a round of golf. Unless you are kama’aina, and the fees are as low as $40. We “own” in Hawai’i, but don’t have Hawai’i privileges. We have reduced our spending and the time is coming soon when we will divest ourselves of our beloved Hawai’i home. It will hurt Hawai’i in the long run. You can’t keep soaking everyone.
Kamaaina discount is the same as Resident Discount – like in Florida.
I do not see any sort of discrimination.
I was born and raised on the Big Island. Cost of living in Hawaii is very high and the residents of the 50th state deserve all the Kamaaina discounts afforded to them.
Malama Pono!
Not being eligible for kama’aina discounts doesnt bother me in the least. I know how expensive it is for residents and how difficult it can be to make ends meet. I tried to live there in the 70’s and wasnt able to make enough (legally) to survive. It has only gotten more expensive and the people need every break they can get.
I’m not a Hawaii resident, but I visit as often as I can. I think it’s fair to offer Kamaʻāina discounts to residents. Their cost of living is so high that they need all the help they can get just to survive. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Disney offer resident rates at certain times of the year? And I assume other theme parks do the same. I doubt anyone on the mainland thinks that’s discriminatory. Some people just aren’t happy unless they have something to complain about.
Funny thing… as I was typing this comment an ad popped up for 30% off a Disney resort for Florida residents. Hmm.
About Disney, we went to Disneyland many years ago at what we thought was a slow time, but it was packed! Turns out there was some sort of special for local people, this the crowds.
Hotels use kamaʻaina rates as a marketing ploy to fill their rooms when tourism numbers are down. Kamaʻaina rates are to encourage residents to use businesses perceived as for tourists only. They fluctuate wildly in accommodations and even airlines. Residents are not always welcome in tourist spots. So, although it may seem discriminatory to visitors, often it is not. As a retailer, it always surprises me that those that ask for discounts are generally either frequent returnees or those that have Jjust moved here.
Guarantee as one haole crying about Kamaaina rates.
Not much difference than senior discounts or the like.
On a related matter, since I was born in HI, shouldn’t I be able to get the discount? 🙂
Hawaiian dictionary (Pukui-Elbert) defines Kamaʻāina as “native-born.”
Just more anti-tourist sentiment. Not the only place that does this, but likely the most overt. As much as I’ve loved my 10 trips to Hawaii I find the constant anti tourist policies, rules and sentiment off putting. Couple this with rising prices, and falling service quality, the travel future doesn’t look great.
After living on the big island for close to 19 years I can safely say that I know, and understand, how much it costs to live in the state of Hawaii. It is more than fair to continue to recognize Kama’aina discounts in all of the state for people who live there, no matter where they moved from. More so, it is even more fair for people who were born there to continue to receive the discounted rates for the obvious reason that they have been there and supporting that state by living there since they were born. It is a privilege and a luxury to be able to travel to that beautiful state. The Kama’aina rates are the least the state can give to its residents.
Aloha,
No, these discounts aren’t discriminatory. We on the ninth island of Las Vegas have discounted rates for locals on everything from pizza to hotel offerings.
Mahalo!
I think kama’āina discounts are fine. Lots of cities and towns have deals on certain slow times of the week for locals.
I can see, though, that with all the other recent talk about visitor discrimination, it might sting a little bit more.
I don’t see anything wrong with taking care of home folks. But if you already live in Hawaii why do you need to stay at a hotel? I can see discounts at restaurants and attractions for Kama`aina. When I stayed at the Ilima hotel in Waikiki I got a low rate called Hot Deals and once I paid the standard room rate and was upgraded to a higher floor.
I love it!! They help me big time with green fees when I golf.
Don’t think it’s discriminatory since they also had resident rates in place when I used to live in AZ too.
Many big cities have the problem of high prices forcing “locals” to move further and further out. In Hawaii there is no further out. So natives and locals are subject to increasing prices on all things from mortgage and rents to actives and food shipped in. Those of us on vacation expect to pay more. As a frequent traveler to Maui I am so grateful to visit that anything that helps the citizens is a good thing. I want Hawaii to be a good place to live for the residents. I wish real estate wasn’t so expensive for residents. It is very much like San Francisco or New York where working class people can’t afford to live.
Recently went to Honolulu from Big Island for medical. My K. rate was the same as AARP OR AAA,so not really a savings there as I’m all 3, I don’t here a complaint about those discounts.
It’s no different than the people in California or Florida. They get discounted Disney fees when entering the parks. Cost of living is high in Hawaii. The locals deserve a discount. I visit Hawaii once 2-3 times a year. So, I’m speaking as someone that would not be subject to a discount.
TJ
Side note, could you tell me how I can give a shout out to a new, very small, family owned business on Maui? These folks have lived there all their lives and bust their butts to give visitors a great time.
Hi TJ.
You’re welcome to mention their business by name. We don’t allow links, however.
Aloha.
Bottomline, Kamaʻāina discounts are discriminatory and should be eliminated! Certain destinations on the mainland have become so popular over the last 3-4 decades and the cost to live there is and has been ridiculous. Born and raised in So. California, I NEVER got a discount as a resident of coastal San Diego county. I raised the subject with my local governmental representatives and all rolled their eyes in offense. HI receives funding from the Fed govt, and as an American paying taxes I don’t want to see any part of Kamaʻāina discounts.
Aloha! So you never visited, or took advantage of the Disneyland “Southern California Resident” discount? It’s the same thing. I’ve been going to the Hawaiian Islands for 20 years & never thought any problem with residents receiving discounts.
When I go and visit my parents on Kauai I always ask for kamaaina discounts, I tell them I was born and raised on Kauai and it’s good to know lots of friends all over the island(s)
It’s just another tax on visitors that everyone knows that visitors cannot avoid. You come, you pay.