155 thoughts on “With State Destitute, How Will Hawaii Market Itself?”
JimB
What do we want to accomplish? A return to unrestricted tourism.
How do we accomplish this? With a specific plan!
First: Hawaii has to implement a pretesting program using a fast-test (saliva based) with 10-15 minute results. Mandatory to get on an airplane for intra and interisland travel.
Second, it needs to hire me with the authority to implement the rest of the plan.
I’d come out of retirement to do this.
Regards,
professor jimB
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Jim.
Thanks.
Aloha.
RichJ
I think what Hawaii needs to do is to sell authenticity. Cut back on the phony events and the tourista experiences and focus on the real hawaii. That does not mean closing the fancy stores but it does mean stop the Californification, stop the bulldozing of history to put up concrete canyons like another California with no soul and no heritage left. Hawaii will never be cheaper than Mexico but it has so much which can be sold without all the phony stuff. Nature, the environment, marvellous oceans, beautiful rainforests, Volcanic moonscapes even a real volcano. As everyone talks about the environment and the need to cherish it, this is something Hawaii can do so easily. Even Oahu has unspolied areas though Honolulu is a challenge. Still no reason to ban Waikiki as it is real, it has been there for 100 years of so. Just do not sell off the Natatorium War Memorial to Californicaters. Sept 2 after all marks 75 years of peace.
JD
A good start would be allowing visitors to come to Hawaii unencumbered by a 14 day quarantine.
This all points to a dysfunctional state government as a whole. It appears that state organizations simply do not communicate with each other. A case in point is the long standing goal of managing or reducing tourism impacts while approving resort expansion plans and new building permits. As much as I really, really want to believe that there’s a plan, I don’t think there is.
Hawaii has spent over $2 billion on unemployment payments. This is borrowed money that needs to be repaid in 2 years. State revenues are in the tank due to lack of tax income, so the deficit becomes deeper and more difficult to manage (roughly $1 billion of tourism tax revenues have already been lost and that number grows by $5.5 million each day). I fear that our beloved islands will not be recovering in any significant way for many years (I really hope I’m wrong about that).
As admirable as your question is, I think the more critical one is “How do we extinguish this dumpster fire?”
MargieP
A “dumpster fire”? No! It’s more like a raging forest fire with zero water to put it out!!! Perhaps a more realistic analogy since we’re surrounded by water … the Titanic! We’re sinking with no life boats to save us. Sound dire? Well it is dire!!!
Jared R
Hello BOH,
I will say, that as an American, who comes from “the mainland”, I am tired of all the racism that some of the 10.2% of “native” Hawaiians spew towards their fellow Americans. Time to accept that Hawaii is part of the United States, and we are all in this together. It is time to stop letting the media, our politicians, and yes many of our community leaders drive a wedge between us. Hawaii is a beautiful state, in my opinion the most in all of the USA, but the vitrol that I have been reading in comments on Mauinow, BOH, and GoHawaii from those who seem to have a deep distain against their fellow Americans is disgusting. When I visit San Francisco, New York, or Las Vegas, I don’t have people hating me because I am visiting and spending my hard earned money to enjoy myself. Hawaii, you are a tourist destination. You rely on the BILLIONS of dollars that people spend to enjoy your state. You should be welcoming and actually thankful that people choose to do so. Think about what state you will be in over the next decades if the majority of people choose to go elsewhere? The sheer cost of living in such an isolated location will result in the state degenerating into a third world state nation, or you will move out and leave it behind. Accept that the attraction to visit Hawaii is no different than the Las Vegas Strip, Hollywood Blvd, Statue of Liberty, or Golden Gate Bridge.
As for Marketing slogan… Hawaii. More Aloha, less Inaina now.
Kalani F
Wow. And right on point.I am a Native Hawaiian and some clown had the audacity to say something to me that I didnt belong there. But now locals are calling the police and chasing down tourists. What the hell kind of place is that? Sadly the “Haole” racism is now right out in the open. One hand out begging for aid while the other hand calls the cops to report visitors. shameful.
Esmerelda W.
Hey there,
I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that a Hawaii-sponsored website “is the most basic tool for driving tourism no matter the destination.” I travel (pre-COVID) extensively and have been to Hawai’i every year since I was five (am now 47) and I have never once in my life ever been on a state tourism website. My travel inspiration / recommendations come from media outlets— social or otherwise. In years past, it would be have been from Travel + Leisure, NYT Travel section, or Condé Nast Traveller. These days, it’s more from Instagram— be it pages or people I follow— or word of mouth from similarly-minded friends. Perhaps older travelers or retirees would consider a tourism bureau as a first stop, but pretty sure people my age and younger don’t even such a thing exists!
Michael K
I’ve spent countless hours in meetings working up strategic plans, mission statements, marketing visions, and similar documents – always under the supervision of a well-paid consultant. The end result is a happy consultant with a big paycheck and a vague document with no real value beyond PR. Then everybody goes back to doing what they’ve always done.
A plan that doesn’t include measurable goals and time objectives is useless.
Linda M.
As an owner of 2 vacation condos, this news is very disheartening. It seems that no real effort is being given to establishing tourism and a pre- travel testing program. The travel bubble concept offers no encouragement to us. If time and money are devoted to the bubble, what effort is being made for overall tourism. If October is very unlikely as a starting point, why doesn’t the governor give a realistic goal and a plan instead of doling out minor hope one month at a time? Trust has been lost by tourists and business people.
Pamela C
You have stated some good ideas in this article; however, it would appear that the people of Hawaii need to vote i some new government officials who will consider the economy and be able to develop a plan and provide some leadership.
dee s.
we want to go to Hawaii, we lived there many year, but we cannot stay quarantined for 2 weeks plus go visit our Ohanas. Wont financially work. What can we do for you to get us up and going to Hawaii?
Ron G
Well, if Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and more are tests for how ready people are to go out and do things…their not. Once travel opens to Hawaii they had best plan on seeing maybe 40% of past travelers numbers in the foreseeable future. People are simply not going out far from home or work, you can see the massive empty parking lots at malls, big box stores, and more. Yes, there are those who simply don’t care about others and will go anywhere at any time, but that isn’t most of the general population. For all you who disagree, I’ll bet I can find 100 people who wouldn’t go for every one you can find who will. All tourism, Hawaii and everywhere else is going to severely impacted for a very long time. A vaccine won’t help, too much politics and worry its going to be rushed and not safe…50% won’t take it, and if its only 75% effective (or 50% like Fauci said) its not going to change the picture at all in respect to the pandemic. Maybe in two years…when vaccines with complete trials and marketed as “finally” safe and effective will come to market life will change…of course currently there is a whole lot of people who simply no longer have their previous financial ability to travel.
Comments are closed.
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What do we want to accomplish? A return to unrestricted tourism.
How do we accomplish this? With a specific plan!
First: Hawaii has to implement a pretesting program using a fast-test (saliva based) with 10-15 minute results. Mandatory to get on an airplane for intra and interisland travel.
Second, it needs to hire me with the authority to implement the rest of the plan.
I’d come out of retirement to do this.
Regards,
professor jimB
Hi Jim.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I think what Hawaii needs to do is to sell authenticity. Cut back on the phony events and the tourista experiences and focus on the real hawaii. That does not mean closing the fancy stores but it does mean stop the Californification, stop the bulldozing of history to put up concrete canyons like another California with no soul and no heritage left. Hawaii will never be cheaper than Mexico but it has so much which can be sold without all the phony stuff. Nature, the environment, marvellous oceans, beautiful rainforests, Volcanic moonscapes even a real volcano. As everyone talks about the environment and the need to cherish it, this is something Hawaii can do so easily. Even Oahu has unspolied areas though Honolulu is a challenge. Still no reason to ban Waikiki as it is real, it has been there for 100 years of so. Just do not sell off the Natatorium War Memorial to Californicaters. Sept 2 after all marks 75 years of peace.
A good start would be allowing visitors to come to Hawaii unencumbered by a 14 day quarantine.
This all points to a dysfunctional state government as a whole. It appears that state organizations simply do not communicate with each other. A case in point is the long standing goal of managing or reducing tourism impacts while approving resort expansion plans and new building permits. As much as I really, really want to believe that there’s a plan, I don’t think there is.
Hawaii has spent over $2 billion on unemployment payments. This is borrowed money that needs to be repaid in 2 years. State revenues are in the tank due to lack of tax income, so the deficit becomes deeper and more difficult to manage (roughly $1 billion of tourism tax revenues have already been lost and that number grows by $5.5 million each day). I fear that our beloved islands will not be recovering in any significant way for many years (I really hope I’m wrong about that).
As admirable as your question is, I think the more critical one is “How do we extinguish this dumpster fire?”
A “dumpster fire”? No! It’s more like a raging forest fire with zero water to put it out!!! Perhaps a more realistic analogy since we’re surrounded by water … the Titanic! We’re sinking with no life boats to save us. Sound dire? Well it is dire!!!
Hello BOH,
I will say, that as an American, who comes from “the mainland”, I am tired of all the racism that some of the 10.2% of “native” Hawaiians spew towards their fellow Americans. Time to accept that Hawaii is part of the United States, and we are all in this together. It is time to stop letting the media, our politicians, and yes many of our community leaders drive a wedge between us. Hawaii is a beautiful state, in my opinion the most in all of the USA, but the vitrol that I have been reading in comments on Mauinow, BOH, and GoHawaii from those who seem to have a deep distain against their fellow Americans is disgusting. When I visit San Francisco, New York, or Las Vegas, I don’t have people hating me because I am visiting and spending my hard earned money to enjoy myself. Hawaii, you are a tourist destination. You rely on the BILLIONS of dollars that people spend to enjoy your state. You should be welcoming and actually thankful that people choose to do so. Think about what state you will be in over the next decades if the majority of people choose to go elsewhere? The sheer cost of living in such an isolated location will result in the state degenerating into a third world state nation, or you will move out and leave it behind. Accept that the attraction to visit Hawaii is no different than the Las Vegas Strip, Hollywood Blvd, Statue of Liberty, or Golden Gate Bridge.
As for Marketing slogan… Hawaii. More Aloha, less Inaina now.
Wow. And right on point.I am a Native Hawaiian and some clown had the audacity to say something to me that I didnt belong there. But now locals are calling the police and chasing down tourists. What the hell kind of place is that? Sadly the “Haole” racism is now right out in the open. One hand out begging for aid while the other hand calls the cops to report visitors. shameful.
Hey there,
I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that a Hawaii-sponsored website “is the most basic tool for driving tourism no matter the destination.” I travel (pre-COVID) extensively and have been to Hawai’i every year since I was five (am now 47) and I have never once in my life ever been on a state tourism website. My travel inspiration / recommendations come from media outlets— social or otherwise. In years past, it would be have been from Travel + Leisure, NYT Travel section, or Condé Nast Traveller. These days, it’s more from Instagram— be it pages or people I follow— or word of mouth from similarly-minded friends. Perhaps older travelers or retirees would consider a tourism bureau as a first stop, but pretty sure people my age and younger don’t even such a thing exists!
I’ve spent countless hours in meetings working up strategic plans, mission statements, marketing visions, and similar documents – always under the supervision of a well-paid consultant. The end result is a happy consultant with a big paycheck and a vague document with no real value beyond PR. Then everybody goes back to doing what they’ve always done.
A plan that doesn’t include measurable goals and time objectives is useless.
As an owner of 2 vacation condos, this news is very disheartening. It seems that no real effort is being given to establishing tourism and a pre- travel testing program. The travel bubble concept offers no encouragement to us. If time and money are devoted to the bubble, what effort is being made for overall tourism. If October is very unlikely as a starting point, why doesn’t the governor give a realistic goal and a plan instead of doling out minor hope one month at a time? Trust has been lost by tourists and business people.
You have stated some good ideas in this article; however, it would appear that the people of Hawaii need to vote i some new government officials who will consider the economy and be able to develop a plan and provide some leadership.
we want to go to Hawaii, we lived there many year, but we cannot stay quarantined for 2 weeks plus go visit our Ohanas. Wont financially work. What can we do for you to get us up and going to Hawaii?
Well, if Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and more are tests for how ready people are to go out and do things…their not. Once travel opens to Hawaii they had best plan on seeing maybe 40% of past travelers numbers in the foreseeable future. People are simply not going out far from home or work, you can see the massive empty parking lots at malls, big box stores, and more. Yes, there are those who simply don’t care about others and will go anywhere at any time, but that isn’t most of the general population. For all you who disagree, I’ll bet I can find 100 people who wouldn’t go for every one you can find who will. All tourism, Hawaii and everywhere else is going to severely impacted for a very long time. A vaccine won’t help, too much politics and worry its going to be rushed and not safe…50% won’t take it, and if its only 75% effective (or 50% like Fauci said) its not going to change the picture at all in respect to the pandemic. Maybe in two years…when vaccines with complete trials and marketed as “finally” safe and effective will come to market life will change…of course currently there is a whole lot of people who simply no longer have their previous financial ability to travel.