Even as Hawaii visitor satisfaction remains near 90%, concerns are rapidly escalating. What does that mean to your Hawaii travel plans?
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200 thoughts on “Changed Visitor Habits Crush Hawaii Travel Outlook”
Even as Hawaii visitor satisfaction remains near 90%, concerns are rapidly escalating. What does that mean to your Hawaii travel plans?
These comments indicate that some you might not be understanding an important point….Hawaiians put less importance on money than you might think. It is an extremely remote island, where access to goods, services, labor, etc. is limited. This has made Hawaii care less about material things. They get their quality of life through nature and simpler pursuits.
All of this is to say that the fact that Hawaii’s main source of income might drop by 30% or even 50% is not of dire concern to those that don’t rely on tourism. For those whose livelihoods do rely on tourism…well, they will probably have to migrate out of Hawaii, which isn’t a new concept. There has been an excessively large out-migration of Hawaiians for years.
“the fact that Hawaii’s main source of income might drop by 30% or even 50% is not of dire concern to those that don’t rely on tourism”
Most (not all) of “those that don’t rely on tourism” instead rely of government checks – either as employees or on some sort of assistance. Those government checks rely heavily on tourism. So do the prices for those scarce goods and services. Costco would close (at least on Kauai) without all the tourist business they get. Walmart prices will go up, because their shipping costs go up if no tourism demand to make it worthwhile for the barges. This happened during the 2020 tourism shut down.
Completely agree with you, but the people who don’t rely on tourism don’t know this, especially the ones on some sort of assistance, or the ones in other non-tourist industries on the islands.
The government (city and county councils, mayor, governor, etc.) are totally aware, but they are between a rock and a hard place. These non-tourism folks vote in this state. A lot of the tourist businesses you are referring to don’t vote in this state. The government must appease these loud voices or they will be voted out.
Luckily, I don’t go to Costco and don’t even know how much of their profit stays on island
PatG, it never fails to amaze me that many Native Hawaiians don’t rely on money, until it’s reduced or cut off entirely. The sudden loss of Assistance of whatever type has an Amazing Effect on everything, bartering when you have Nothing doesn’t work too well. Living on an island with nothing but Tourism to rely on funding everyone’s lifestyle has drawbacks when tourists don’t feel appreciated and go elsewhere. Hawaii has chosen a path, now learn how to live with Much Less and appreciate it!
Let’s hope Hawaiians don’t have to leave the islands just because tourism drops. Hawaii needs to become more self-sufficient and I am happy that Agriculture is coming back to Maui. Let’s bring more solar and wind energy, too! I heard that the new Mayor in Maui will stop all new construction of resorts! Mahalo!
Where did you hear that? If you are talking about the hotel moratorium, that’s over and done with, and hotels are allowed to build without caps.
That’s too bad. I was hopeful that the New Mayor would push that bill through. We really don’t need more resorts in Kaanapali …still waiting for that hospital to be built on the West side of Maui.
The County Council was able ban the building of new accommodations in every single zoning area on Maui Except hotel zoning. Hotels have a very strong lobby and are hard to stop.
This should not be a surprise at all!!
Hawaii’s “Gouge the Tourista” message has been loud and clear. We don’t want you. Well this new Hawaii tourism marketing campaign has been a great success in getting just what they wanted.
Coming from a former resident from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Miss the Frank Fasi style of leadership.
I lived on Maui for six years. COVID hit and tourism stopped. Did the hate and anger toward haoles ever surface. My wife didn’t experience it as I did but man did I get some hateful looks every day. The Hawaiian Sovereignity Movement was everywhere. Flags flown from pickup trucks and gatherings in the parks. Very angry people. Twice I thought I was going to be beaten. I’m in my seventies. Maui is mini Calif. Street people and drug addicts everywhere and nothing you own is safe. We sold out and moved to a state where we feel safe and are free. Beautiful? Absolutely but there are other places just as beautiful if not more so. I will never return. Mahalo, Mike
Was planning on a Hawaii trip until I found hotels were $500 plus per night. Going to Tahiti instead. Only 3 hours further and better deals.
I must admit that Tahiti is on my list for vacationing from Hawaii …but it’s almost 6 hours from Maui, so where could you possibly live that would only add 3 hours?
You are right !
Exorbeant increase In hotel and fees. Especially and also car rentals has stopped me Family friends from going to hawaii this summer.
Used to go every year for 25 years , felt welcome . No more , happy to go where people are friendly . Hope they starve .
Thanks a heck of a reaction to a place/people that you profess to have enjoyed once upon a time.
I have a hard time understanding the animus toward others that seems to be the norm in BOH comments.
So after coming for 25 years, you now hope they “starve” because you are no longer coming? And you can’t see why certain people are no longer welcome?
Agree with all of your report. One thing that is hard to point out or prove is the sentiment of locals towards tourists . When i read the local newspapers theres always mention of how tourists are not respecting the land, the people .. Its a love hate relationship that bubbles and transpires .
On the other hand a roundtrip from LAX to Costa Rica was only 700 dollars and hotel and a nice ish resort is 100 dollars a day incl. breakfast for the period of May 22 so all my friends were going there instead .
It’s Amazing how tourists are to blame for all of the woes in Hawaii. If more honest people would pay attention to what is occurring there would be a real concensus that Most of the problems blamed on tourists are actually perpetrated by Residents of Hawaii.
I’d consider the source of the newspaper articles. You mentioned “local newspapers”. If the “local” sentiment is against tourists, the “local writer” of that newspaper is likely parroting the angst against tourists and/or shares that same feeling, thus the reporting. This is rampant in all journalism these days. Journalism isn’t like it used to be, with many journalists unable to be unbiased in their reporting, as they should be.
Great articles. Thank you. We have visited Maui 9 times, last three times for 4 weeks. As of this moment, air, hotel and condo rates too high for us to return in ’24.
Sadly, Maui is no longer my Happy Place. After vacationing almost there every year for over 30 years, I will not be back. I will instead be taking multiple vacations this year to Baja where the beaches are free, my dollars go much further and the locals are very friendly. Aloha Maui & thanks for the memories!
Mexico is the last place I would go, Way to much crime.
Mexico is very much like anywhere else, including Hawaii, the Crime is in certain areas and that’s where you Don’t Go!
It always amazes me that people don’t “google” it. Mexico “clearly” has more crime than Hawaii …not that it matters to me. I have been and don’t need to return there.
We’ve been visiting Hawaii regularly since about 1980. It has always been an expensive experience. Where did all these people stay before covid? The only thing that was less expensive than the mainland was car rentals, which were oddly inexpensive.
Many parts of the world are experiencing inflation, it is not limited to Hawaii.
I actually think it’s great that Americans are traveling more widely, it could open a lot of myopic eyes.
You are getting the fruit you sowed during covid. You treated people like trash. Limit access and preach about Hawaiian life style and culture. I want to go to the beach be left alone and not get my pockets picked. My son is leaving so I won’t be coming back after 10 years of coming I won’t be back.
I lived on both Hawaii island and Kauai. These are islands that used to belong to the indigenous Hawaiians so if you are irritated that Hawaiians do not want you on their land, who can complain. Itd be like people who take over your house and then your backyard as well. Those from elsewhere are often called Haole which can mean a white person…but if you see the other meaning it could mean a white person “is without breath.” Be happy, be genial, smile and laugh always. I was once called a local haole. I laughed and giggled. Honor those who should own the land.
You made a good point there. That’s the truth.
I left Hawaii years ago after a divorce and could not support myself as a single parent. I was born and raised and still have family residing in Hawaii. Fortunately I acquired a job with the airlines that allowed me to travel home whenever I wanted. However, now having to pay for parking at the beaches I grew up in and all the additional fees, not being able to find an Air BnB and everything being over priced, all I can say is that it isn’t the Hawaii I grew up in. 8 years ago we rented a big beach house for a family reunion. It cost $600/night, today that same house is a whopping $6,000/night! Hm, price of paradise…but who will suffer in the end? Kamaaina or tourist?
Car rental booked 3 months ahead for Kauai was @$100 a day for mid May. Missed connection caused me to rebook for one less day! Rate was only $50 per day
We lived in Hawaii for close to 2 years. We even built a home there. Our family took the time to learn and protect the islands. We took advantage of tourist snd “local” locations during our time there, always with respect for culture and history. I have always wanted to go back but I am unwilling to do so for several reasons. The prices are ridiculous. The attitude towards tourists is unpleasant. I don’t want to be restricted from visiting places that I loved to visit when I lived there. We could not afford to continue to live there once we retired. Now we choose not to visit under current circumstances.
I have been going to Hawaii since 1979 every year for a month, love staying in the hotels,
They are so high for a single. It seem the average price is $300-400 a night.
I do not know what will happen with my yearly trip. And I usually go in sept when the crowd leave.
I love the islands…
Repeat, as well as 1st time, Vacationers have been warning that they Won’t Be Back. Many Hawaiians Cheered! It’s interesting that 30% reduction would be met with such Anxiety, wait until the redux is 50% and Hawaiians loose their hair, Bald Hawaiians! 😳 I can fly to Ireland, stay for a Week, Good Hotels, a Rental Car, some guided tours and All for $849 per person, did I mention Breakfast? Europe and other Amazing Destinations are Reasonable unlike Hawaii, and they’re Welcoming unlike Hawaii. If I want to be Abused I know where to go, personally I choose to Enjoy my Vacations. Is Hawaii getting more political by the moment?
What does politics have to do with it?
Barbara if you, or anyone else, hasn’t realized how much Politics effects Everything, especially in Hawaii, then I understand why things are as bad as they are in Hawaii. Why don’t they see what’s in front of their faces, that they alone have caused, and make lasting changes that will Benefit themselves into the future!
Yes, and I love blue …just like blue skies and the blue ocean! Ireland is way too cold for me. I grew up in Germany and moved to the South of France when I was 18. Now living happily in Maui!
I have been visiting Hawaii regularly for the past 25 years but will be changing that going forward as the post pandemic price gouging, way above inflation, has gotten out of hand. Tourism is the islands primary industry accounts for $18B in revenue but Hawaii does not have a lock on paradise and people will find alternative destinations where their dollar will go allot further. Hawaii is pricing themselves out of the tourism market and they don’t have any secondary industry to fall back on.
2017, and 2014 Maui was my dream place, my ultimate happy place, but when I went in 2022, Wow! What a drastic change! From the friendliness, well more Non friendliness of the people to the prices, it was certainly no longer the place in my dreams! You couldn’t even take a drive and make stops at parks or beaches anymore without paying an arm and a leg, and having a prior reservation!!! You could really feel a hatred too coming from the locals that clearly did NOT want you there at their beaches. It was really so, so sad. I know I will never go back.
Everything is Blissful, Everyone can live like their Ancestors, no need for outsiders. Money isn’t needed, live off of the land, the land that Everyone will be fighting over. This is what many believe and are fighting for, maybe it would be possible if 90% of the population of Hawaii were to be gone, but they’re Not.
I think the biggest issue Hawaii faces is the almost triple cost increases for airfares. We live in NJ and own property airfares have increased so much we have decreased our visits in half. Ridiculous it cost much less to fly to Asia and Europe than to fly to Hawaii.
Looks good on you Hawaii for ripping people off the last couple of years. I spent winter 2023 in Costa Rica for $120/night for the condo (2 bedrooms) and $50/day car. Next I’m trying Aruba. Anywhere but Hawaii until the prices come down.
You arent wrong, Hawaii has become greedy and outpriced mainland inflation by a mile..the air bnb movement has pushed working class off island leaving the rest of us a bit bitter and over worked leading to not so “pleasant” experiences for travelers spending thousands to come here. from a service perspective visitors with “revenge travel” mentality and ltd workers post covid has coupled with inflation to cause quite the cluster. If it continues you will have an island of millionaires with no one to serve them.. aloha
But hasn’t that been their Ultimate Solution, Goal, and Master Plan as of late? Only the Rich and Wealthy should come to Hawaii has been the Mantra, that’s beside the No Tourists at all Movement. I’d enjoy seeing the Results of that after Year One!
Well the rich elite will still come because they can afford to.
Even the rich and elite don’t like to be ripped off! And let’s not forget these are the same people buying up the land so I don’t see this as a winning situation
Aloha! I was unclear what “revenge travel” meant?
We know two families that traveled to Hawaii w/ extended family at least 1x a year pre-pandemic & my husband and I have been a half dozen times over a couple decades.
We all watched how tourism was handled during & post pandemic and, as a result, have decided to travel elsewhere. Neither of them have plans to return. In fact one couple just returned from their first ever international trip to the Dominican Republic & are already planning their return trip there.
So, perhaps that’s what revenge travel means?
While never say never comes to mind, I’m not seeing the three of us families returning in the near future.
We’ll keep following along with BOH to see how things unfold.
We are able to fly to Cancun in 2 hours, and they really value my business and have beautiful beaches and water. Even better diving. Lest anyone comment on safety, I have never felt unsafe as long as I used the same common sense I would use in any city, Honolulu included