The state surveyed 4,000 recent visitors and the news portends big changes ahead.
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234 thoughts on “Decline In Hawaii Tourism Starts According To State”
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The state surveyed 4,000 recent visitors and the news portends big changes ahead.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
I have noticed a lot more foreign accents at the Waimea Lookout and other popular tourist sites around Kauai. My post pandemic business sense is that as our American tourists visits wane the world will come back to Hawaii taking up a bit of that slack. I was at the Wailua falls last week and it was a Zoo! Ridiculously crowded with cars piling up in that dead end parking lot built years ago. As long as Blue Hawaii endures the world will come to Hawaii/Kauai. Kauai needs the world and the world needs Kauai!
balance between the tourism and environment will be a long line of discussion, debate and rebates
The only way this makes sense is that this survey was conducted before the summer season. We just spent 2 weeks on Oahu and Kauai and it’s more crowded than we remember over the past 20 years. And there are not enough people working to support the visitors. Hawaii needs to decide if they are going to be a bankrupt state or support tourism. All the crazy prices in Waikiki are just typical inflation signs and dealing with a failing economy.
I don’t think that your population (taxes) can support the infrastructure without the Tourism Taxes …
As someone who visits 2x/year – it is getting harder and harder to justify: Car Rentals, Parking, Hotels and the Taxes … goodness! It is my favorite place on the planet, but we have already decided we will spend $5,000 on a 14 day cruise next year instead of our 2nd trip to Hawaii – especially since Hawaii doesn’t want us as we have been told over and over again. It makes me very sad.
Listening to an extremely small amount of people shouldn’t disuade you from where you decide to vacation. Realizing that your money can be better spent is different. Currently with the amount of problems facing Hawaii as a whole it’s definitely a consideration to be somewhat choosing. Full Service V What’s Available makes it easier for people. Hope that you have a wonderful cruise, enjoy!
Well we are coming back and hope to take advantage of cheaper prices. There is no place like Hawaii
I normally go to Hawaii 1-3 times a year. I go to Oahu annually in October and usually can snag an airfare around $300 from SF, and usually lower. This year that fare is over $500. Was successful in getting a fairly decent hotel rate (not the greatest) but then the tax estimate – OMG…. If costs continue to be that high, trips to Hawaii will definitely be cut back.
We need to start limiting tourists that’s just a fact if we want to protect our environmentn
We ? Who’s we Erika?
We’re longtime residents. We make our living because of tourism!
Do you? Does anyone in your Ohana?
Your comment is the type of opinion that’s going to be the death knell of our islands.
I love our visitors and I’m thankful for the fact they chose Hawai’i over anywhere else on the planet!
Please, Everyone, stop with the hate..only Aloha. That’s all that matters in life.
Thank you Rob and Jeff for your always interesting information and insight.
Mahalo nui loa.
Blessings to you always 🌺🌺
Hi Pam.
Just when we wonder where you’ve gone, you show up again. Thank you!
Aloha.
Hi Pamm, your job must be wonderful once the stress goes away, just in time to get stressed again the next day. Negative comments must drive you crazy! Hopefully, eventually, they will disappear and be dispelled as nonsense and people who don’t even live on the Islands. Keep up the good work.
Erika, I suppose that you, and your family are independently wealthy. The way that you dismiss Tourism it is possible. Most people in Hawaii depend on Tourism Money one way or another. Without It they would be on assistance sooner or later. Businesses would shutter, possibly permanently this time, but you would have Waikiki Beach to yourself for the most part. Every beach possibly, except for all of the unemployed that is. Taxes would need to be increased to new highs on all Residents and any still existing businesses. Your wish may already be coming, returning visitors are expected to drop off significantly in several months and it may continue. But wait, the Asians will be coming in droves sooner than You can say overcrowding! Just wait.
Put a head tax on tourists at $1,000 each.
I remember the islands in 2008, 2009. A financial disaster.
Less tourism pressure would be wonderful. The islands survived decades without surplus tourism so I’m sure they can do it again. I don’t put a ton of faith in surveys though.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Surveys are typically tilted depending on who they ask, very few exist that are totally non partisan and independent. Could Hawaii as a whole survive without “excess” tourism, I believe so to a point. Some cut backs in County budgets will occur and certain projects will suffer. Choices will be made. The more tourism the more money goes around, businesses need the money after Covid to recoup losses. It’s a give and take that no one wants blamed on them.
When we’re those decades, hate to tell you but fruit farms aren’t driving the economy and lots more people live in the islands now…I agree they need to diversify, but don’t bite they hand that feeds you!
Yes visiting Hawaii have becoming very expensive and crowded
Hi guys , Thanks for your informative articles .as a very frequent visitor to Oahu I have noticed the negative changes in Waikiki . Too much crime , too many drug addicts ,and mentally I’ll without their meds . On Nov 1 I was standing in front of my hotel ( near the hyatt Waikiki ) at 12 noon looking at my phone tracking my uber. I was moving to a condo . My bags were 6 inches behind me , a big heavy duffel bag and a small computer size bag . The uber pulled up and my smaller bag was gone . A driver had seen a woman take it . I noticed when I stayed at that hotel in may they lock the front door at night , you need to knock to get in .
Hi Tim.
Thanks for your many comments. We’re sorry to hear about your experience.
Aloha.
I’ve heard of the problems but Thankfully haven’t experienced any yet. A couple of times I was aware of someone paying more attention to my things than I was but nothing occurred. Maybe it’s my due diligence, maybe my look of go ahead and get hurt, I can’t be sure. Downtown, name the City or Town, and it’s becoming a bit treacherous. Waikiki finally has a constant, large, police presence and they’re very active! It’s been out of control for so long. Good to see some changes, Protection!
We lived in Hawaii for many years. The cost of living and quality of life on Oahu was why we left. Even so, we still have a place on the North Shore and like to visit once a year. Generally, we head into town a couple of nights before we leave. We will not stay in Waikiki because of the exorbitant costs that you have mentioned above. Resort and parking fees on top of room prices are the reason why. They definitely have priced themselves out of the market and are losing a lot of guests who would stay at the properties. It would be nice to see fewer tourists, but the economy depends on them. I don’t know which would be better, empty rooms or reasonable prices. Either way many people’s livelihoods depend on people visiting Hawaii. Thanks
Hawaii folks in Charge ….
R Yes blowing it !!!
Long time yearly visitor since 1985
– saying Adios >>>
due to the folks
In Charge 👎
B. R.
The Folks In Charge have a grip on Everything and it’s out of control. I do Believe that shortly Hawaii will be seeing New Tourists from Asia and Surrounds. New means More Money Spent on Average, More Time Share Sales, Home Sales and the like. More Residents unable to afford rent or buy their own. It’s not going to be a Happy Moment for them. Chase Tourists to Get New Ones, a win/win for the few, and the Governments. Sad Tale, But True.
Strength of the dollar may have something to say about that.
You know what they say: “Be careful what you wish for…” Take a look at Hawaii specific recessions in the past and you can see the effects. Many tour operators run close to margin and need 93% sold just to break even. Some interisland cruises are giving stuff away to fill the ship! I feel bad for the Mom and Pop operations who made it through COVID and refinanced only to be looking at this. I think the city should consider putting parking rate controls in effect immediately as the rates show up on many search engines. Try searching hotels with free parking. There used to be plenty. I have people who don’t visit just because of that!
Tourism on Maui is overwhelming. The tourists are staying in illegal vacation rentals and are not counted in tourist figures. Now they have started renting camper vans and as keeping in a vehicle is illegal and they are not counted.
Traffic accidents are up. Ocean rescues are up. Airvaced rescues are up. Lost tourist hikers are up. Traffic’s jams are up. Line ups for restaurants are common.
More tourists than ever for Maui.
But the County of Maui still does not shut down illegal vacation rentals and approving vacation rentals in neighborhoods. Resident renters have no where to live.
Where on earth are you getting your information? Most of what you said is false. They have capped vacation rentals and put a moratorium on building new rentals, and even new hotels. What illegal vacation rentals are you talking about? Name one. The county collaborated with the vacation rental agencies and thousands of illegal rentals were shut down this year. They have passed new legislation forbidding sleeping in rented campers on the road as well. All the “are up” things you are repeating aren’t up at all, they are the same numbers as they’ve always been.
The only thing you said that’s remotely true is that renters are having a hard time finding affordable rentals. That is happening all over the country. Maui not special there.
Last time i went i got an air bnb in Kula. The lady lied about the place ( supposed shared house, ie rooms in her house). The bedroom door could not be locked for safekeeping our stuff, and guess where she was staying in the house? The kitchen! There was this Curtin across party of the kitchen and i asked what was being it and she said, oh that’s where i stay. Then she pointed out her landlords were at the adjacent house, and this was to help her pay her rent. Then the porch outside out room was a safety hazard with missing and breaking rotting wood, and the heater advertised, since it’s cooler up there, was broken and she said she’d fix it next day. I can guarantee this was not legal.
I don’t think you know what “legal” means with regards to short-term rentals. Any owner who is able to get a license and a permit and pays the TAT, GET and property taxes can run a short-term rental. There are no inspections required. And with a landlord’s permission, you can turn your rental into a short-term rental. So nothing you said makes the property an illegal short-term rental. It sounds like a terrible rental, especially if it did not appear as advertised, and if so hopefully the reviews online will not only drive down her business, but the platforms she advertises on will shut her down. But that is different than being illegal.
The way to solve the affordable housing problem is to build more affordable housing. The county is working on that but they need to do more. Getting rid of renting luxury condos in Wailea and Ka’anapali are not going to help affordable housing even a little bit.
You get the government you vote for….next time….
Some say it’s not true, its stopped, but who knows better than You. It’s the same, almost, on every Island and little to nothing is done about it. People sleeping on the beach or with relatives to rent to Vacationers. Money is great from what I have been told. Camping gear is cheap and reusable. Hawaii, the place of dreams! With Enforcement things would change, jail time would be appropriate, but not happening and no one knows why! Then, where’s the tax and fee money going? Endless unanswered questions abound, ask every Elected Official and Demand Answers, don’t reelect them if they can’t. Demand Better, Hawaii.
I totally understand why visitor to the islands might not return. I live here on the big island and needed to travel over to Oahu. The hotel nightly rate was reasonable on the surface until parking, resort fees, and taxes almost doubled the overall rate. Combine that with renting a car, and it did get extremely expensive
Aloha Guys
Seems to me there is some positive here. Hawaii was the first place that felt safe to travel for many after Covid, we had a lot of visitors that came here as an only option at the time and will now try elsewhere, no harm that. International travel is soon to open up and now there will be room for them. Can’t blame people for feeling ripped off by rental car prices and hotel rates of late so downward pressure on that is good. Hawaii is still the same as it always has been and will soon have a balance of Mainland and International visitors that will enjoy it as much as they ever did.
Amid Hawaii’s tourism roller-coaster economy and hopes for a more stable balance between tourist dearth and over – abundance and the resulting feast or famine for those Kama Aina whose livelihood depends upon tourism income, please keep in mind the wise words of Don Ho, “It ain’t just the rain that keeps Hawaii green!” JimE
Those companies feeding off the tourists, rental cars, hotels, restaurants, etc., are laughing uproariously as they troop to the bank. I’ve seen hotel rates 30-50+ percent above usual, never mind rental cars! People will put up with that for only so long, then they will find better deals elsewhere. You are right, HI has a ‘love-hate’ relationship with tourists, don’t know if there is a good resolution to it. Too many hotels brings too many people, but provides jobs to a state with little to no industry. What to do?
If I didn’t have a timeshare, I wouldn’t return. I don’t like being gouged!
No one complained or stepped forward to help the tourist industry when covid lock downs nearly decimated it and all the unemployed Hawaiian citizens.
Folks conveniently ignore that reality.
I would think all got money from the Govt?
Everyone throughout the United States went through the same thing. You all received money from the Feral Government. Whether Ige helped businesses or not I don’t know. Very little help reached small businesses. Most Businesses were shut down, renter’s received an enormous Holiday of not paying rent without being tossed out. That just ended in March for everyone. Plenty of people benefited, big business too, but some were really left holding the bag, like Me. Now that things are screwed up more than ever, Hawaii needs to spend the Federal Billions on Housing for residents, no excuses, and get people back to work. No Free Stuff if you’re able to Work!
No one complained or stepped forward to help the tourist industry when covid lock downs nearly decimated it and all the unemployed Hawaiian citizens.
Folks conveniently ignore that reality.
It is getting to the point where cost becomes a factor. Car rental costs need to come down. Our accommodation the past two years doubled rates for next year so we looked elsewhere. For us most of our time is spent on essentially free activities such as snorkeling, birding, and such. Since we stay in condos we eat in most often and utilize the Farmer’s Markets. This comes from 40+ years experience. But, if you come to the islands to be entertained, fed, and such then the prices are becoming much more important and will lead to changes.
The marketplace will adjust all pricing to a new equilibrium.
Yes. .unfortunately I agree with the survey. We were there in May. (Our 12th trip) While it was really nice in general there were several factors that make it much less likely we will return unless things change a bit.
1. Horribly expensive…car rental, food ($9 loaf of bread)big increase in all costs making it comparable to Europe trip).
2. Where’d the “Hawaii” and “Aloha”go. This trip was like visiting any crowded generally depressed location with beautiful scenery.
3. Limited hours in restaurants making it difficult and aggravating to eat out. Wait staff was understandably stressed and seemed overworked and rushed.
So there ya go. I wish it wasn’t so. I will watch for changes back to the Hawaii I know and love! Mahalo.
Hi Timmie.
Thanks for your personal insights. We appreciate it!
Aloha.
We have the same stress and suffer from bad policies as the mainland.
I love Maui and we come every other year before the pandemic. This year I have been twice and I am going back next month. The parking in hotels is Outrageous! It cost that much to park in San Francisco! It already expensive to stay in Maui. I also read that the big Hotels are not giving back to the island and it’s economy. I want the Hawaiian people to benefit from the tourism on their island!
Where do you think the thousands of residents who work and support the hotel industry get their paychecks? It is ludicrous to say that tourism does not support the people of Hawaii. On the contrary, they will starve without it.
The US government wants you to believe that
Good to know what’s happening in the Hawaiian Islands
The Government needs to get their act together. This is a direct result of bad/knee jerk policy decisions. One week they say the islands are being inundated with “record number” of mainlanders and the next they say there isn’t enough. Which is it? They make it sound like the sky is falling. Balance is key to everything in life. Maybe with less visitors, costs will become more local friendly again and those that left during the pandemic (which were a lot just to find work!) will return to the islands. Mahalo BOH for always keeping it real!
Hi SD.
Thank you for being a regular part of the discussion!
Aloha.
It really saddens me the way costs have increased so much. The rental car situation is a bit more easily understood given the auto manufacturing situation. Many of our local car dealers still can’t get new inventory after all this time.
The lodging costs are not the same easily understood situation. To me, it is just greed and owners trying to make up for losses from the first years of the pandemic. The hotel we stay at on Waikiki every year cost us around $450 per night last year. This year, when I went to book it, the cost for the same dates as last year and the same room type was $1,416 per night! We won’t be staying there this year for the first time in 12 years.
I sincerely hope next year costs return to a more reasonable amount.
What’s wrong with owners making up for all the pandemic losses? They are not running a charity for mainlanders.
Bill M, the Hotels and Resorts/Time Shares will make their losses back quickly but they don’t need to Gouge Tourists to do so. A reasonable cost recovery schedule is typically utilized. Then let’s not forget that all of them wrote off huge losses for 2 years with carry over. They have a real double win. Don’t stick up for them until you realize just how much they really didn’t suffer.
I agree with survey results. We own deed TS since 1986 and have been returning to HI every few years. We will most likely do so less in the future because of the high prices, including air fare. 3 years ago we were able to fly rt from Chattanooga, TN for less than $700, our trip in Dec will cost over $1000 and we will have to fly out of Nashville , pay AP parking, and 2 hotel nights because of the extremely early departure and 1am return. Just getting too expensive.
Hey Tom, consider getting a Chase United Explorer credit card. You get good miles for your dollar spent. We haven’t paid for airfare in decades! It’s like a $22 fee. Check it out. We funnel our groceries, some insurance, etc. through the card and pay it in full monthly. That way we pay no interest either. Just a thought…
So you know – December can be the most expensive time to travel here. Try shoulder season.
Was bound to happen you ring the bell to many times and the monkeys don’t want the pellets after a while. Now they want a $50 fee. I guess they are getting what they want. I guess if they want less people they achieved that. As a 20 year resident and 20 year visitor it’s not worth the money they ask. People can be delusional and say it’s “paradise” but their lives are really bad and there bar is low. I remember Hawaii when it was. Hawaii is like when I went a recent Van Halen concert. Having seen them many times in the late 70s early 80s I wanted to believe in 2018 that it was all the same but it wasn’t. Actually left after 4 songs.
An interesting article laying out the map of worse or better things to come? When consistent rebookings wane the loss 📉 is noteworthy in returning guaranteed dollars. This, however, will simply allow for significant targeting of Advertising towards the Asian Market where New Tourists tend to spend significantly more money. Hawaii’s Problem is that there’s Expectations that Can’t be met due to Supply Chain issues and not enough Workers. Couple that with the Vocal Minority insulting Tourists, Negative Word of Mouth Accounts will Reduce tourism substantially over the long term. Hawaii’s challenges are to eliminate every issue deterring tourism before this occurs or face even more devastation to its Primary Industry. Good Luck, Hawaii.
We love Hawaii and used to return every year. We’ve enjoyed every Island. However, cost does matter and we’ve discovered there are too many places in the world we haven’t seen yet. We won’t be returning to the Islands for awhile. I do agree with the takeaways.
I love receiving your updates and am glad tourisim is going to slow. We’ve been coming to maui for 35 years and 2021 and 2022 were so crowded. Looking forward to next visit with less crowds. Love the Beauty and hospitality.
I just came back from Costa Rica and spent 1/3 of what I would spend in Hawaii and had an incredible time doing things that I could never expect to do in Hawaii. I’ll be back maybe when prices go back to sane levels.
I feel the same way, too many other beautiful places on this earth and friendly welcoming locals to settle on Hawaii now. BTW, the way the Hawaiian govt treated people during and after Covid lockdowns was atrocious. I’ve never heard so many bad comments from locals and been made to feel so unwelcome in a place.
Funny, I live here. Haven’t heard too many people complain about the support they got from the State, nor a lot of dissatisfaction over the lifesaving measures the State took. Of course there’s always some with complaints but the majority from were I sit are satisfied and understand what happened was unique and certainly not Hawaii’s fault. The world got turned on its head and we handled it pretty well. Especially since the everchanging situation had to be handled in real time. You can find anything you want on the internet that you think supports your perspective but when you are actually seeing it for real you get a whole different perspective.
Interesting, accurate article, mahalo! Like I’ve said all along lately with all of the “sticking it” to the visitors and lack of aloha, tourist reduction is now accelerating. Congrats to us all, it’s all working! Too bad the side effect will be a continuation of the mass exodus of families who have lived on the islands for generations, at least until we find a more sustainable way of supporting ourselves. The government is working on this in various ways, here’s hoping that we will be able to diversify soon before there is none of us left!
Pat G, hopefully the Exodus will stop and be reversed, seeing a Culture reducing itself is never a good thing. The increases in Tourism is probably a couple of years due to people being locked up with the unsurities of Covid. Unfortunately I do believe that they will be targeting Asians for New Tourists, they being 1st timers spend Much More Money. Lose Us, Gain Them, it’s all a Game to those with the money. Good Luck.
Ernie, “Asians” are a significant and important part of the fabric of Hawaii.
I hope you didn’t mean it but that sounded a bit racist.
Asian tourists are and have been an important part of the tourism industry here. International travelers are in fact returning and this is a very good thing. Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures, it’s one of the many things that make Hawaii special.
When were not home, 4-6 months a year, we rent our condo. Sleeps 6, ground floor, attached garage (no parking fees). We’ve kept our unit at $200-$300 a night and are booked solid when we’re not there.I believe fair priced accommodations will remain busy. Families can’t enjoy a budget breaking vacation.
We recently had a Scotland/Ireland trip and concure, European travel is exploding.
I made reservations for next year several months ago. I received a phone call from my prospective condo rep Informing me The governor just signed a bill requiring a 3 month minimum stay. This building is a combination of residence short term and monthly stay. It’s in litigation I have made a hefty down payment and don’t know whether I’ll have a place to stay next year And it’s all up to the governor. My husband and I have been coming to Hawaii once or twice a year for 25 years now it’s all in jeopardy the only place on Earth I want to visit.
Actually that new law was passed by the city council of Honolulu on a 6 to 1 vote. It has nothing to do with the governor . A judge has issued a temporary stay so you should for sure be ok til April .
My friend, and now an in law, is in the same position. These “People” that have no skin in the game make decisions effecting renter’s but not the Time Share, Hotel, Motel Industries. They are the Driving Forces behind all of this, it takes away a little bit from them and they don’t like it. This home rents for 800 per night, no one is going to rent it for 3 months never mind paying what it’s worth if it’s for sale. Voters are too afraid to shake up the status quo even for their own good. This is why Hawaii is like it is without much hope of lasting change. Hawaii and Hawaiians deserve so much better, only they can choose to do it.
I believe the 3 month rule is only for new Condos … others have been grandfathered in. BOH can you please enlighten?
Hi Gloria.
Yes we will do that. Thanks for the suggestion.
Aloha.
I personally know of 3 return visitors who will not be returning this coming Feb., ourselves included, and we have all been coming to Hawaii every year for over 30 years. Cost is the reason, and all of us are there for a minimum of 3 weeks and up to 3 months per visit. I personally think the survey numbers of return visitors who won’t return is low. The residents of Hawaii are the ones who will have to pay the price for their desired drop in visitors, because what happens when times get tough in Hawaii…they raise taxes, of course, on those who can least afford it. Good luck and be careful what you wish for.
I concur. Past regular visitor here. Understand Hawaii has always been on the high end of the price spectrum, but I will not pay the prices being asked of now. My money was spent and enjoyed on Mexican beaches my past two vacations.
With the new 90 day minimum stay in a condo rentals, coupled with expensive car rentals, for the first time in 25 years we do not plan on returning to Hawaii.
I hope the slowdown will result in lower prices. The condo we last stayed at on Maui in January 2019 was $329 a night. For the same period in 2023 it is $549 per night. We have visited Maui many times but as noted there are many more options at better pricing to consider. Then again, Hawaii is beautiful and we miss visiting.
Well I would have to highly disagree with the satisfaction of people going there. When I was there I was complaining as we’re just about everyone around me about the ridiculous stuff going on in Kauai with the North shore beaches and that’s a slippery slope it’s going to spread throughout the island and already has the Maui so it’s the Caribbean for me bye bye Hawaii used to be my favorite place.
Yep! We’ve already booked to vacations to Europe next year! Don’t care to go back to Hawaii with the overpriced hotels, not enough staff, and the comments from the people of Hawaii who don’t want us !!!!