The data is in, the causes are clear and now even Hawaii officials are rapidly growing concerned.
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The data is in, the causes are clear and now even Hawaii officials are rapidly growing concerned.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
We have been visiting for the past 43 years almost once yearly. The airports present the initial for experience for arriving visitors. They are simply dirty, old fashioned and unwelcoming. Fully functions toilette facilities would be a good start. How about some new fresh artwork and Island photographs?
Maybe it should read: Hawaii is getting more of what they deserve! Shhh! Don’t broadcast it too much as its only a light rumor at this time, but what would happen if the U.S. Military decided to move some of their facilities off the islands to other locations?
We and a lot of our friends vacation in Hawaii. But, most if not all of us are retired and on fixed incomes. These don’t rise at anywhere near the same rate as inflation. As Hawaii becomes more expensive it will simply price itself out of our ability to pay and still meet obligations at home (like taxes that keep rising, too). As I spend more money for accommodations, car, and food that sim ply leaves less to use elsewhere.
My family has been coming to Hawaii since 1983 and annually since 1993 however, with the steep increase in hotels, car rentals and lack of short term vacation rentals in “private” accommodations, the proposed “tourist tax” and a general feel of “tourists go away”, this year (2024) will be our last year. Costa Rica and Belize, here we come.
We got back a week ago from our 30th visit to Hawaii. We’ve made reservations for next year (4 weeks). The roads on Kauai are bad, and the speed limit signs on the north end of the island leave me scratching my head (I’ve only been driving since 1968). And now the governor is pushing for another tax increase? They’ve got plenty of money now, it just goes to who knows where. They are going to kill the goose that lays the golden egg, if they haven’t done so already.
The Governor & state legislature…you get what you wish for! The leadership in Hawaii is the result of what is happening in Hawaii. Higher taxes, more fees & locals fleeing to the continental US. Too bad greedy are running Hawaii!😡
You didn’t mention the weak Yen. That’s a huge driver of why the Japanese visitor numbers have plummeted.
Also my comment. It is a great time for Americans to visit non-dollar counties. But not a good time for non dollar folks to visit the US. Several young people we know on Kauai have been taking annual long ski trips to Japan the last two year because it’s relatively cheap for them. Good skiing, too.
What a well written article. Green and many others forget that they live in a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific. The only meaningful industry will always be tourism. Instead of being good at it, and the population earning enough to buy homes, they handcuff it. Jobs and tax revenue will be lost. Residents will be replaced by retirees. Retirees don’t spend money like tourists and the spiral will continue.
We have taken Hawaii off our vacation list . Value and the attitude of locals are the two main reasons, among others. We travel 4-6 weeks a year and found other locations “more welcoming” and as a result more relaxing.
Your 10 items listed plus the cost of flying pretty much sum it up. We had planned 2 weeks on Maui this year, it’s an island we hadn’t visited yet, but canceled after seeing protest signs pictured on Kaanapali Beach. We’ve been to places in n the Caribbean and along Mexico’s west coast and we can enjoy the warm water, warm sand, and unwind there for a more relaxing and cheaper vacation. Doesn’t Aloha also mean goodbye?
Its not just the confused messages that people received about visiting Hawaii that put people off but the extortionate fees that visitors face plus the inflammatory Low end visitors that was described by Green himself. There are other destinations in fact plenty of other destinations.
It’s really simple folks. Hawaii suffers from horrendous leadership. Lots of nepotism going on and when the people continue to support one political party blindly this is the end result. It would have been nice to see BJ Penn become the governor to see what changes he could’ve implemented. After all he’s from the islands so he is far more in tune with what the people want over another hand picked puppet. If you look closely to what is happening, it’s eerily similar to what has happened to California. Oahu has serious problems with violent and non violent crime. Kauai has a Serious drug problem. These things need to be addressed otherwise it’ll slowly decay from the inside out and there are no signs of things getting better.
If you continue to elect the same type of people to public office nothing changes. Try, just for once, voting for someone with a R behind their name on the ballot.
Yes try it. You might like it
I agree. I tried saying the same thing last year but I was “edited”
I’ve travelled to Hawaii every year or so my whole (50+ years) life. Two main points stand out to me that are preventing both Hawaii and visitors from benefitting from tourism.
1. Visitors need a stronger understanding of the history of the islands. The messaging needs to highlight the importance of the culture and historical land use. Spending time in Hawaii should be emphasized as a huge honor – you are visiting someone else’s home. Educate tourists on arrival how to pay respect and embrace aloha. Hawaii legislators need to implement a tourist education entry program and more restrictive real estate laws.
2. Prices of flights are beyond unreasonable. $500 to Europe, $5,000 to Hawaii. The airlines are a problem. Money cannot buy aloha.
Your #1 point is exactly what is driving visitors away. Visitors want to have a vacation. The definition of “vacation” is relaxation and enjoyment. It is not “stronger understanding of the history”, “understanding of the historical land use”, and being made to feel that “visiting someone else’s home” is a “huge honor”. Nowhere else insists on these kinds of “requirements” of their visitors.
Also, less than 10% of residents are actually Hawaiian, so as to “importance of the culture”… the percentage who really have any kind of Hawaiian heritage at all is less than 10%. The majority of Asians on Maui are Filipino. You may not be able to tell the difference between these 2 groups when you visit.
I could say the same about Yosemite and our coasts here in California. I think what would help is stiffer penalties for those who don’t respect and care for it by trashing and trespassing. Be it locals or tourists. One place is not more important than the other.
Where are you seeing $5,000 flights to Hawaii? LOL! That seems like satire. And how do you plan on educating visitors upon arrival? You can barely make people fill out the Hawaiian entry forms that everyone is required to complete.
Delta, United. Flying from small cities in West and Midwest is always more than flying from a West Coast city, but now it is thousands more. Not satire.
Surveys are a weak and unreliable form of feedback. They are like comment cards in restaurants – 90% are used for a complaint.
I meant to suggest that a moment of welcoming info on Hawaii, its culture and history could set an upbeat tone for arrival and might help with some traveller’s horrendous, entitled behavior. It might not. Just an idea. And to address another response, I did not infer that only indigenous Hawaiians do not make up the total population. Calm down everyone. We are just sharing opinions here. Let’s not contribute to more infighting. Mahalo
Visiting Hawaii is no more of an honor than visiting Michigan. It is just another of 50 US states.
Most people visit for the beaches and the sun not to get a history lesson.
I totally concur on all points. Hawaii is declining on many levels and people will go somewhere else.
This is a well written article and I believe the points mentioned are very valid. I had actually just recently cancelled my trip to Hawaii, as I had planned at first to do a Norwegian Cruise Island hopping which after reviewing all the excess fees I cancelled that trip to them look at visiting just Maui. However, it seems like the resorts are charging well beyond what seems feasible, in addition there are a lot excessive tourist related fees, along with a general feeling that tourist are not welcome. I certainly do not want to visit a tourist trap, so I’m redirecting my plans to the Caribbean, hopefully Hawaii can turn things around without imposing so many penalties to those that make an effort to visit the islands.
My first trip from California to Maui in 1997 cost less than $1,000 for airfare, a Lahaina hotel and rental car for a week. My last trip in 2017 cost over $3,000. Today it would be over $5,000. Very sad to see these price increases for such a beautiful place. I think it is ridiculous to stop homeowners from renting rooms. I rented a beautiful room in Hana for a reasonable price. Stopping this is raising hotel prices.
I would love to buy a condo on Maui to rent out and visit yearly until retirement, when I could perhaps spend more time there. But with costs now being so high, visitors seemingly unwelcome and the investment being on shaky ground based on the governor’s comments and apparent intentions, I think that dream is gone for me. Will have to look elsewhere. 🙁
We have been vacationing on Maui for 50 years. We have been over 40 times. The accommodation prices have now soared since covid to unreasonable levels. That combined with negativity makes one seriously consider other destinations. We volunteered several times last fall to ” give back” , which i am happy to do, but with the anti tourism sentiment floating around, even giving back wears thin. It is devastating what happened on Maui. Whole family cried. We donated money and time.
Get your head on right, Maui. So many people rely on tourism. More suffering will result. Dont shoot yourself in the foot. Makes zero sense
I don’t think those wealthy visitors will stoop to purchasing ABC type memorabilia or visit many lower end restaurants. These places will simply go out of business and Hawai’i unemployment will skyrocket
Unemployment skyrocket? Surely you jest. There are help wanted signs posted all over Kauai, at small businesses, big businesses, in the government, even at the post office…Kauai is desperate for working people. Now we need to somehow provide more reasonable housing options for working folks…
The help wanted signs are there because the employees have moved to the mainland because they can’t afford to live on Kauai
any move. Recently read about a Dentist on Kauai who in the last 2 years has had 3 Dental Hygienists quit and move to the mainland.
As a medical professional, myself, I looked into how realistic it might be to work/live in Hawaii. Even working in a high paying surgical specialty, it’s impossible and unrealistic due to cost of living. It’s so unfortunate because healthcare in Hawaii is in such dire need!
I found one particular comment to be the most interesting – “we travel to get away and relax not to be immersed in the local culture.” Then why complain about Hawaii and why not just go to Coney Island! I’m sure it’s a cheaper trip!
You’re not seriously attempting (and failing) to compare an east coast amusement attraction to a tropical paradise?! Most vacationers spend their hard earned cash on the islands to relax, enjoy the climate and the beauty of nature. We can do this without indulging the ever-growing sense of entitlement by ‘natives’ and the state and local governments.
Save the indignation and channel that energy towards improving the economy and infrastructure. That will help improve the ‘local culture’.
Hawaiians are 100% causing all the problems from the decline in tourism to destroying the land and oceans. Everyone is afraid to call out the truth. Perhaps if natives and the corrupt “cultural” 501c3s stop receiving millions of dollars for literally any reason they will appreciate things more, or better yet move to the mainland.
We love maui and go every year to watch the whales. We have always felt welcome and prices were what we expected. In 2020 everything seemed good but each year since has been more expensive then the last. We still feel welcomed by the locals but your government is taxing and adding fees to a point it’s ridiculous (for a week in kaanapali we paid over $1200.00) and that didn’t include resort fees. The Mahana has a small resort fee and free parking but the bigger resorts are mych higher. I think you need a government that wants to help promote tourism and you need to find out where these fees and taxes are going. I also think they allowed big time shares to be built like the 2 Westins in kaanapali which increases tourists.
That $25 fee will probably pay for some guy sitting in a hut at entry to Baldwin Beach checking for ‘mindful’ and polite mainlanders with a paid permit to get in. Costa Rica looks good!!
I think its more a me not you thing in thaf inflation esp the proxy war againt Russia that jacked fuel prices to the moon have left budgets tapped ouf. But then outrageous hotel and car rental rental rates kill any thought of going there when its cheaper to stay in an over the water bura in bora then a hotel on the kahola coast. Jacking fees and taxes just adds fuel to the fire. Techwise 787 makes long range travel possible and cheap a chg not seen since jets so good luck trying to get well healed Euro tourists theyre taking af to bob and getting treated like royals.
HI should move to green hydrogen production using geothermal this would drive costs down as shipping moves to green amonia.
The government needs to focus on Zuckerberg, Benoit, Winfrey and Ellison buying up wide swathes of land and less on some poor person renting out their vacation home for a portion of the year
Those guys know a little bit about campaign contributions” and other ways to influence elections that the little guys cannot compete with (not unique to Hawaii). Plus, it is not illegal to buy private land in the US (at least, not yet). Know how much US farm and ranch land Bill and Melinda Gates own?
Your article is right on. We own a condo on Maui which we have had for 12 years. We do not feel welcome when we visit, the Mayor and Governor are doing everything they can to drive us out so they can give our apartment to the displaced families. The fire was caused by the high winds and a misappropriation of resources by HECO and the County of Maui but they have to have someone else to blame it on so they choose us.
I would add an eleventh issue. The airlines that we would take from Seattle all have equipment issues. That is a long stretch of water without recourse if there is a malfunction. I would be concerned about that over the course of six plus hours.
I’m a retired airline mechanic. And you’re wrong. The FAA has requirements on airplanes going across the pond. There are electric requirements fuel requirements. Etc etc . The airplane gets a ETOPS check done. Plus there 180 minutes from a sutiable airport to land. That’s narrow body’s. Some wide body’s can do 370 minutes. The engines are so reliable now. It’s save to fly across the pond
I have a bit of a different reason. After years of wanting to take NCL’s circle Hawaii cruise, I was finally in a position to book- and they’ve dropped the Na Pali Coast from the route. I don’t think alternatives like a helicopter or small boat would be accessible for our travel party, so almost instantly, NCL has de-prioritized Hawaii as a destination for us.
The State needs to address the homeless & crime. Top priority. It’s not safe with crazies throwing acid on innocent people to purse-snatching. Our public parks have become homeless encampments with unusable public bathrooms & people shooting up in public. Why on earth why would vacationers come here to what was once a gorgeous welcoming respite? It’s now the new blighted San Francisco. Totally not the Hawaii I grew up in. Shame on our politicians for them not being mindful of our island home. Mindful goes both ways!
I have never felt unsafe in Hawaii but seeing homeless encampments in public beach parks during our current visit to Kauai has been a huge turn off for me.
It isn’t that homeless people make me feel unsafe – there are plenty of homeless people where I live on the mainland. It is simply the trash and the fact that I don’t want to relax in a shanty town.
Out of curiosity, what beaches in Kauai did you see homeless encampments at?
Waimea Boat Ramp / Beach. 3 tents and a few very worn vans
I am in complete agreement with the quoted comments from readers in the article. Hawaii’s handling of the COVID times, rising costs, attitude towards visitors, and threats to ban short term rentals have led us to become disillusioned with Hawaii in general. We only travel there now to visit friends who live there. Otherwise we would not go back. There are plenty of other vacation destinations that do not come with the issues listed above.
You don’t mention the strong dollar, which makes traveling to Europe or any non US dollar location less expensive, while making Hawaii more expensive for Japanese and Canadians. London is about 40% off from back when I used to go there for business. Canada, every 4th day free compared with the US
You reap what you sow. Hawaii is in for a long long decline. A very corrupt government. You can only pile on visitors so long and so much before they start visiting somewhere else.
All the observations you made are accurate and saddens me. I love the islands, especially Kauai where I had a vacation rental and spent significant time at for 6 years. I’m not sure why mainland visitors are considering invaders. Not sure now when or if I will return.
Use to Vacation for 1 week a year in Kauai. Were able to get 4-5 star resorts at a price we could afford.
People were friendly and made yiu feel comfortable. In 2023 it was not pleasant. Room was not up to standard from prior years. Staff not friendly or helpful. Restaurant prices up and quality of service down. We will not return. We are doing a Trip to Italy this year. Good Luck
I lived in Hawaii in 70s on Oahu and went to elementary school in Waikiki, moved back to mainland then back to Oahu in 89, mist of my family lived on Oahu for it became our home ,we all honored the Hawaiian culture,lifestyle. I was married on Lanikai 2004 , my heart is for Hawaii. However in reading the negative comments all over social media from real estate to postings of beautiful beaches, the ” local ” community can be very negative and harsh. Now after all this years the general public is finally realizing ” they ” should plan their vacation elsewhere. This is very very unfortunate and will trickle down to the livelihood of the local community. Hawaii is in my heart always ♥️
Sorry. Too late Hawaii. The Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America are all calling with first class resorts reasonably priced and a genuine appreciation for our tourism business. Your governor’s and peoples’ message have been heard. Aloha!
Aloha Jeff and Rob. I feel there are a lot of wonderful people in Hawai’i and a small number that are being heard. In the short time that the new governor has been in office, he has managed to alienate a large group of core tourists needed to sustain the islands. He is probably finding that “high end tourists” are a limited number that can visit global destinations, but the families and budget minded have been the sustaining group for the islands. If he wants to rub elbows with wealthy people, so be it. But the vast majority of the residents aren’t so lucky. It’s not too late to turn it around, but the mindset needs to change. The survey people can’t be reliant on him for a job, or he will only receive info he wants to hear. Mahalo
Makes me sad. We love(d) Hawaii, but haven’t been there for several years. We play our golf in Scottsdale, Az; go to the beach in Mexico; enjoy cultures in Europe.
Looks like the Hawaii ‘power that be’ have shot themselves in the foot. We stayed on Oahu the entire month of July, 2023 & noticed a difference. Not a big one, but we just didn’t feel that Aloha spirit like last time. It HAD been 19 years since our last visit & couldn’t wait to take our 15 year old granddaughter. She loved it. We did, too. We will return in 2026, as her graduation gift. We spent upwards of $40k for the month, but we did many excursions. $23k was from my part of the sale of my mother’s home when she passed away. Anyway…we will always love Hawaii, with Oahu being our go-to island. They just need to make up their minds…do they want us or don’t they!