232 thoughts on “Decline In Hawaii Tourism Starts According To State”
Cory G
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 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 !!!!
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 !!!!