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.
Kama’aina discounts are a common practice in Hawaii and are not discriminatory towards visitors. These discounts are a way for businesses to show appreciation for the local community and to encourage residents to support them. Visitors to Hawaii still have access to a wide range of discounts and deals through various tourism programs and promotional offers. It’s important to remember that these discounts are voluntary and not mandatory for businesses, and ultimately it’s up to each individual business to decide whether or not to offer them.
Thank you for raising the question of whether kama’aina discounts in Hawaii are discriminatory towards visitors. It’s an interesting and nuanced topic that warrants thoughtful consideration.
Kama’aina discounts, which offer reduced rates or special benefits to Hawaii residents, are deeply rooted in the culture and history of the islands. They aim to acknowledge and honor the local community that has a distinct connection to the land and its traditions. These discounts are often seen as a way to support local businesses and foster a sense of solidarity among residents.
While it’s understandable that visitors may feel excluded from such discounts, it’s essential to recognize that they are intended to address the unique circumstances and cha
Kama’aina discounts are often offered to residents of Hawaii as a way to show appreciation for their support and patronage of local businesses. However, there has been some debate about whether these discounts are discriminatory towards visitors to the state.
It is important to note that kama’aina discounts are entirely voluntary on the part of businesses, and visitors to Hawaii are not entitled to receive them. The decision to offer these discounts is typically based on a desire to build goodwill and loyalty among the local community, rather than a desire to exclude visitors.
Furthermore, visitors to Hawaii are still able to take advantage of other discounts and promotions that may be offered by businesses, such as those for seniors, mil
Come on people! Why do visitors think they have the right or are “owed” the right to visit Hawaii. I am not rich. I have saved years for my wife and I to go to Maui for our 50th anniversary, which is coming up soon, and I have no problem with the discounts and preferential treatment for those who live there. If anyone visiting Hawaii lived in a place back home where it was difficult to park or even have access to their own parks and beaches, I would think they would have a major fit. Imagine wanting to go to a local beach, local park or restaurant and not being able to get in because of the mass of tourists. Imagine the driving nightmare when trying to go to work or really anywhere because of those same tourists. Have some respect!!
What mainlanders do not think about: I live on the Big Island. If I need an appointment with a specialist, I have to fly to Oahu, rent a car and sometimes even stay in a hotel just to see a doctor. Why should I have to pay $700-$1000 for a night in a hotel to see a doctor. I already have to pay around $120RT Airfare and then maybe $60 for a rental car. It is a beautiful place to live but much harder to live here logistically and financially and it is not just the inflated prices but the cost of doing things people on the mainland take for granted.
I work in healthcare and have lived here for the past 3 years, first on Big Island and now on Oahu. There are many tourists that strain the healthcare system here and resources are extremely limited. It is difficult to recruit and retain healthcare workers here because of the high cost of living. There are negative effects from tourism on the environment, and overcrowding at places that locals love too. There are many things I would not have the resources to enjoy if there weren’t kamaaina rates, and when I would visit before I moved here, I thought kamaaina rates were a lovely thing for locals! I think visitors complaining about this sound terribly selfish, find some aloha.
Kama’aina discriminates residents from tourists which is a good thing. Tourists, proportionately cause far more negative impacts to the vulnerable aina than residents. Hawaii is not disneyland. real people live here in an economically challenging environment for most, unless you’re a rich person who comes here, buys property and inflates the price of everything for everyone. in the best of worlds, there’d be a sliding scale where each pays according to her ability. no one gets left out,no one goes without.
I have no problem leaving the Kamaʻāina discounts just as they are. My only issue is that we live on Oahu 5-6 months a year and pay taxes but since we are not able to change our Driver’s License from Florida to Hawaii due to our Florida Homested Exemption….we are unable to take advantage of these discounts because we do not have a state license. Hubby was born here and is a UH Grad, ex HPD…so it’s not we are investors.
Yeah …unfortunately, you can’t claim an exemptions on 2 places!
I don’t understand why Kamaʻāina discounts are even an issue. I live in Venice Beach, CA. Restaurants will offer a 10% discount with DL proof. Disneyland will run a seasonal, local discount as well for anyone born in CA. If I’m visiting somewhere that offers locals a deal, I don’t think anything of it. Good for them!
The discounts wont counteract the $2,000 a year the union backed Jones act cost the average Hawaiian resident, but every little bit helps! Oh and then there are the sky high taxes (which every one pays), but i digress!
Because of tourism. the people who live and work in Hawaii should not have to pay high prices …if you don’t like the discount they give to the residents then do not go visit there islands…the Hawaiian Islands are not Disneyland. people live there life’s there. Because of tourism the prices of everything is out of control…
So yes residents should always get a big discount on everything.its the residents who pay the price for all you vacationers.
Mahalo
BOH Guys;
Usually I just wish I had a Hawaii drivers license. Given the amount of money I have spent on my visits, I should be given an honorary one.
I usually forget to ask!
Aloha! I don’t see the Kamaʻāina discount as a problem. Why not? At Disneyland, in Southern California, they periodically offer a “Southern California Resident” discount which is unbelievable. They are residents so they should get discounts. It doesn’t bother me one bit.
Kamaaina Discounts are not discriminatory.They are not 30-40%. More like 5-10%. And with the high cost of living here, they are still unaffordable for kamaainas. Tourist and the military discounts are more discriminatory to kamaainas.
Going to Hawaii is like going to Disney land Prices are out of reach for the working class families, Hawaii is biting the hand that feeds them how would it be if every one stopped going to the Islands see what could happen then .
During Covid people were saying the natural resources had improved without the many tourists.
See, there’s the issue. Hawaii is Not ‘like” Disneyland”. People live their regular lives in Hawaii. It’s exactly this attitude that turns the people who live there against tourists. You’e a visitor to someone’s home, act like it and everything will be fine. Act like the entire islands are “like Disneyland” and you’re going to run into trouble eventually.
I’ve lived in several touristy areas and most of them offer discounts to locals, especially in the off season. Locals keep the lights on when the kids go back to school or the weather is bad. This includes inviting all the offices in the neighborhood 10% off sandwiches to Disney offering special deals to California or Florida residents. They’re not doing it to be nice. They’re doing it to fill empty rooms.
We get many “ local” deals here where we live on the Russian River in Northwrn California. Seems fair considering tourists overrun our beaches, roads, and redwood Forests. Not discrimination , just a little local looking out for the neighbors.
When you’re living day to day in Hawaii and paying their high prices, especially in going out to a restaurant it helps to have that kama’aina discount. It’s not much but it’s something. I’ve lived on the Island and have been in the visitor status, I never felt cheated in not getting a discount as a visitor.
Same with me. I was 1st a visitor and was wondering how locals can pay those prices, then happy to hear that there were discounts for them. I now live here full time and mostly go to restaurants and stay at hotels that do offer Kamaaina rates. I also ask those who don’t advertise it. As was mentioned before, you do need to present a Hawaiian driver’s license and to get it, you have to give up the one in your state …It took me many years to get here.
I live in a touristy area of California. A few local hotels give locals rates during various off seasons. Everyone deserves a staycation, so I’m fine with it. Aloha
I visit my son and I think the discount encourages him to do things with me that he otherwise wouldn’t do. (I have to pay full price.) I don’t have a problem with locals getting discounts. We used to get more in Vegas, but most of those have dried up.