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”
The state surveyed 4,000 recent visitors and the news portends big changes ahead.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Hi John W, Thank You for your Comment as it gives me a chance to clarify. In No Way was what I wrote intended to be Racist, despite being Caucasian (stereotypical) I am one of the least Racist people you will ever know. I was referring to who the Tourism Dollars will be aimed at and should have included Asian also. To Draw more consistent higher amounts of money they need 1st timers that tend to spend much more. I know the connections and melting pot reference well, America still is and hopefully shall continue to be. Economally America is in turmoil, others possibly have more to spend benefitting Hawaii Businesses more than return visitors who aren’t able or willing to.
Hawaii holds a special allure and place in many of our hearts. We have visited and lived in Hawaii for several decades. Hawaii and her population remain amazing. However,the Aloha Spirit is waning. Whether due to overpopulation, too much tourism, economy, covid…who knows….but sad to see and experience.
When 75 percent of return visitors decide not to come back for myriad of reasons, that hurts Hawaii in more ways than one can imagine. Word of mouth can be devastating chasing tourists to other destinations. Those not returning are the ones that Hawaiians could tolerate. If you can’t keep repeat visitors content you’re doing plenty wrong. Maybe it’s just time for everyone to move along to somewhere else, allowing Hawaiians to fend for themselves. Surely there’s plentiful jobs to be had to support yourselves and families without worrying the losses of Tourism money.
We just experienced a huge post pandemic surge from the mainland. We all know since about 2016 and with the help of social media, name calling, conspiracy theories, narcissism and political divide have defined a significant slice of Americans who post on social media or respond negatively to polls. That seems to have defined the latest surge of negative rants on here about Hawaii. They don’t reflect most Americans. Read that again, most Americans are not like that, blue or red state. With Intl tourism returning Hawaii’s melting pot status will return. That’s one of the beautiful things about Hawaii.
This is the smartest, most true, most eloquent post I’ve read in a long time. Mahalo!
Seems like there’s a handful of people trying to paint Hawaii as being in trouble because of “Democrats!” Oddly enough some are saying “overcrowding” and “local attitude” is a problem and then saying how important “their” business is to us and they are taking it elsewhere. (hint, overcrowding doesn’t mean tourism is dropping)
On the other hand plenty are on here saying what a good time they had and how wonderful the people are and other comments that we all know to be true.
Takeaway? If you wear your politics or an attitude on your sleeve you will miss out on the Aloha spirit that is still in Hawaii in abundance. But it can be less friendly to angry, judgemental attitudes that think their political beliefs are right and Hawaii is wrong.
Great point and well taken by most who will read it. I don’t know about others but when I am on vacation the last thing that I want a conversation about is Politics! Unless it’s thrown in my lap or at my face it rarely enters my mind never even crossing my lips. I have better things to take up my time, my wife and friends, exploring roads not taken and Revisiting some places previously found. That is Vacation. Exchanging views on the Sunset or Sunrise is great conversation, why ruin it for anyone?
I love Hawaii.
This the best place for vacation.
I’ve enjoyed my vacation in Hawaii.
You and many many others Peter, good on you!
As NYC teachers with the summers off, we’ve been lucky to have spent our vacation renting various condos on Kauai for twenty years, and even got married here in the county Courthouse 14 years ago. It’s always been a splurge, but we’ll worth it.
We haven’t been here for two years due to COVID, but this year though, we are spending almost twice the amount for a car rental and considerably more for housing. We don’t eat out much, and depend on local farmers markets for French produce, so food isn’t an issue as restaurant costs are for many tourists.
We don’t regret our choice of returning to Kauai in any way, but I understand why many visitors won’t return because of high prices. Sorry for them!
First of all, thanks for your great coverage regarding Hawaii! I’m waiting for hotel prices to drop. They’re insane and way past the rate of inflation. We’re planning on the Caribbean and Mexico- better value.
Don’t try Cabo, prices have risen even more. Here in San Diego they’re insane. Not sure where you might find a deal, perhaps a cruise, if that’s your thing.
Just got back from a 3-week vacation on the islands and “Oh-Boy” prices have gone through the roof. We normally do 2 weeks and the total trip cost (including everything – food, airfare, lodging, car rental, entertainment, gas, etc.) usually comes out to about $3,000 per week. This year it cost $3,700 per week, which represents a %23 increase (and we did less eating out than we normally do, also the airfare was relatively about the same, and we got good deals on Maui (through a budget Co.) and Oahu (through Turo) for car rentals (Kauai not so much), so car rental prices were relatively the same). Where we really saw the changes was food prices, cost of excursion, and eating out (Mai Tai’s = $16, simple club sandwich = $28, Hamburger $23).
This is good news- the writing on the wall for years. Hawaii needs less unbridled tourism-and less spent on attracting more tourists- and more infrastructure and focus on diversifying its economy, developing clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and affordable housing. Then maybe the tourists will be attracted to a more affordable and friendly Hawaii as locals will be more in control. Right now visitors seem to think Hawaii is their theme park and California money drives up real estate, affecting everything else. $1.25million is the median home price on Maui while working local families are sometimes living out of minivans. There’s 40K acres of land to work with after sugar cane left, this is the time to redirect and redefine. Mahalo
It appears that your “25% decline in accommodation prices” is entirely arbitrary and without a solid basis in any real evidence. It’s certainly bold but so what? Anybody can pull a number. On what are you basing such a bold prediction? Incidentally, I’ve got $10,000 that says you’re wrong.
Trevor I wonder if it should have said 25% decrease in rentable housing with this unreasonable move by Council on Oahu, that would make more sense. Any reduction in prices, especially 25%, would have made headlines in every known language.
Thanks for your info. We just came from Hawaii for first time and loved it. But one thing you pointed out was parking fee’s for guests at $65.00 a night. That’s not a lie, but was ridiculous. That was not on any information we were researched. If you plan to go remember $$$$.
The tourism survey does not count tourists staying in illegal vacation rentals.
West Maui is flooded with legal and illegal vacation rentals in residential and farm neighborhoods.
West Maui is on water restriction (not for hotels) because of a severe drought. The drought conditions have even closed a sewer plant.
The Maui County issued the water restriction and $500 fines to residential neighborhoods and then 3 days later announced approving 800 homes to be built by the West Maui air strip . Residents of West Maui have no where to live and are leaving Hawaii. The mainland speculators are buying everything and converting to vacation rentals. The vacation rentals on agricultural zoned land can accommodate 25 tourists in 5 structures. 💰
Agricultural Lands should be protected from development and reserved specifically for Agriculture Specifically. Once it is gone it won’t be back to grow food on. It’s Time to conserve these lands.
Unfortunately and fortunately, there will always be US American tourism on the Hawaiian islands. It’s a non brainer since it has everything that the other USA states offer. I just hope the visitors and locals cherish and are grateful for whatever experiences we get to share. So we can move on and share the aloha to others as we go home back to our families whether it be on the island or on the mainland.
It’s to expensive.Hawaii has prices it self,out of the the market.its always the money,
Don’t try Cabo, prices have risen even more. Here in San Diego they’re insane. Not sure where you might find a deal, perhaps a cruise, if that’s your thing.
I really like how you said “the universe is responding” to the need for less tourism. I have intermittently checked in with your publication. I just “signed up” or whatever because this issue is near and dear to me. I am in favor of less tourism regardless of the negative monetary impact in the short term. Mahalo and Aloha. : )
Rental car prices are too high. Parking charged by hotels is terrible. The islands are fantastic the people are great. Waikiki needs to be cleaned up a little on the alcoholics and things of that nature but really no worse than other urban areas. We will probably come back but will choose a different location and be more careful in our reservations and will probably try to replace Hawaii with other locations. Think Costa Rica South Pacific Etc.
Many people don’t want to return to crowded hotels and touristy Waikiki. They want to be with their families playing games at night and enjoying a lingering and relaxing meal together, which you can’t do in a restaurant. That’s why vacation rentals are desirable and affordable. Now that Hawaii’s City Council and Mayor have outlawed them we will see less and less people returning.
LOL people who enjoy Hawaii will still come. Nothing stopping your family from doing any of that.
Until Oahu/Honolulu Council is removed and replaced by people that are not going to give in to the Interests of the Resorts/Hotels and Time Share Industry everyone on the outside shall continue to suffer. Just because everything seems on the up and up at Council Meetings, what goes on before and after has direct consequences on everyone else. Hopefully the Judge will rule in favor of Property Owners leaving Council to lick their wounded Egos. I wonder if they ever heard of the Sunshine Law? Jail time for Violations would be Wonderful!
I am pleased to see ‘hope’ for a net decrease in tourists to the islands. Visitors trample and defile the islands they visit with little to no regard for the waste they leave behind. The programs to educate and engage visitors about the unique and fragile environment in the islands has woefully failed.Ige’s ‘head in the Covid sandbox’ appproach for the last 2 years has epitomized the lack of leadership needed in our island chain. I hope a significant shift in governance is evidenced in the November elections.
I’m still trying to understand how visitors “trample” and “defile” our islands any more that our regular residents do. I see a lot more harm being done to the land with beer cans, junk, trash, furniture, oil dripping from motors on blocks into the gutters etc. courtesy of our own residents.
I dunno, Neil. I have seen far more trash from the homeless than from the tourists. Most I have spoken to or seen post here are well aware of protection of the land and respect that. Our resident homeless, however, seem to have an entitlement to have others clean up behind them. Granted there is a Very big mental health issue here, but as far back as the 80’s there has been a mistaken identity between “entitled native” and mentally ill to the point where C&C of Honolulu were afraid to take action.
Neil it’s wake up time! Despite the unsubstantiated claims of debauchery galore, decimation and waste left by slovenly tourists and too many of Them all of the time, you’re for the most part Wrong! The decimated conditions are from the Combination of Islanders and Tourists overburdening the fauna and flora. The waste issue, look towards Your own Islanders and “Houseless” as the Primary if not Exclusive Offenders. As is noted many times most Tourists stay at the Resorts and Downtown. When some venture out it’s to a luau or Dole, not to other places. Similarly on the other Islands too! Too many? Not Your Call. Too expensive? We know better than You. Try doing something about lowering the prices for Everyone.
Just got back from Hawaii and it was a very expensive trip. And I’ve never seen Waikiki so packed. People really needed to escape and I understand that’s what drove the high numbers we saw. But going forward, most people will be cutting back on going out, vacation budgeting, and anything non-essential as the biggest concern will be paying for the astronomical rise in food costs and fuel. I expect massive credit card defaults on the way, as well. Hawaiians will get their wish as far fewer people will make their way to the islands.
Spreading the Tourism out over the entire year is easier said than done but would possibly help. Identifying the heavy use months is easy, Identifying why is just as easy, it’s typically when people take vacations from work and most schools are out for summer vacation. How, and Who, to convince vacationing a few months later and what incentives are needed? Mid September to Early November and then Mid January to Before Easter. It’s doable but Who to Target? What demographics? Will it relieve and transfer enough people to make a difference? Will it last or be a one off? Is it a market transferable idea? What do you think BOH?
Hi Ernie.
Yes, it seems essential with our limited infrastructure, that tourism be spread out better. That used to happen somewhat organically in the past, based on pricing and availability among other things. But this year has been anything but normal, and this summer has been over the top. Will that settle down and things return to better equilibrium? Who knows.
Thanks for more than 300 comments to date!
Aloha.
I returned to Hawaii end of May with my daughter and grandkids. Everything was very expensive including gas. I am returning in October but my family is not planning to return any time soon. They think it is too far, long flight and there are best places to visit and have fun with children.
Sadly with children all of that does apply. The fact that you had the company for one trip will surely give you a lot of good memories until they are much older and possibly ready for a second trip to Hawaii. With maturity comes better understanding, appreciation, longevity and enjoyment. Until then they would be just as happy to have you on vacation with them at least now and then.
My family of 10 (3 families) will be doing a return visit to Maui in August for two weeks. We booked this trip back in Aug 2021 to make use of our air miles, to get good rates on condos, and RSVP rental cars. After adding the purchases to date we are spending approximately $15k excluding the little tourist extras- snorkeling, zip line, etc..
I did a comparison price recently as if I made my bookings in June 2022 and the prices jumped about 25% on condos and almost double in the rental cars. The flight didn’t change much – Alaska flights were a little less.
Our same trip trip back in 2019 precovid probably ran around $12k.
If prices continue climbing we may change from every two to visit every three.
PS.. Thank you Costco!
Good you’re all the reason everything is so expensive for people that actually live here full time. I have been literally assaulted and spit on when I used to work at hotel and the entitlement in the comments is absurd.
Assaulted and Spit On without any provocation on your part? That’s definitely a first that anyone has heard of with certainty. Of course the Police Reports would show all of that, there were Police Reports and Arrests made, Right? Blaming other’s abilities to spend $5000 per week for 10 people to vacation in Hawaii isn’t living extravagantly. It certainly isn’t driving up the already outrageous prices that are Dictated by the Few over the Many Tourists. Look towards your Council, State and of course the Consortium of Hotel/Resort and Timeshare Builders for that! Blaming Tourism for what Hawaiians have allowed of the Elected Politicians is akin to Blaming the Turtles for the Ocean Waves. You’re Way Off Base.
I have lived here since I was a kid and very much noticed a change in the last few years. Locals have become rude. Several tourists have now told me this as well.
Hi Paul,
I’m thankful that everyone that we met was very polite and welcoming.I chatted with several locals since we went to parks, grocery stores,stayed in a condo where mostly of tenants were the owners etc There was one time only that my daughter felt that we were being treated as an inconvenience. That was at a restaurant upon our arrival in the Island. We didn’t returned to it even we liked the food.
When we’ve visited Hawaii we felt the attitude of the locals was “just leave your money and go home.” When we’ve visited Mexico there is an attitude of gratefulness that we chose to go there and spend our money.I doubt that we’ll ever go back to Hawaii.
Prices are truly ridiculous for average incomes. It costs an arm and a leg for anything and everything in Hawaii, now more than ever. Hoping prices and flights go back to normal soon . Between flights, hotel, rental car, parking and food….. It’s truly ridiculous the cost of a decent Hawaii vacation.
Hawaii has always been an expensive vacation. But now, there is a greediness and gouging happening that I believe will bite us back in the end.
Hawaii has always been an E ticket. It’s true that not everyone can go everywhere, that’s a fact of life.
We recently traveled to Hawaii for my daughter’s elopement and we also had previously purchased an package from Hilton to try their resort so we were planning to travel to Hawaii anyway. I was blown away by the beauty of the islands. We landed on Kona and spent 6 days there before traveling to Maui for the wedding. Both islands were full of beauty and special in their own way.
My boyfriend had previously been to Maui as well as Kawaui. I will say that the taxes and fees are what set our budget off the rail. We expect food and drinks to be more expensive while traveling. While we would love to return soon it will probably be more economical to travel abroad for our next trip.
Totally different vibe now than in 2021 when things first loosened up. We spent $11,000 on our trip. Not anymore. Going to Sea of Cortez this summer instead—where we are welcome.
I lived on Oahu for over 20 years. I love every minute but due to illness wound up at Duke Medical Center in N.C. After a lengthy stay I lost everything. If I could financially do it O would move back a.s a.p. To those still there lucky you live Hawaii. Mahalia, Jon
I tend to agree with this because we were going to go to Hawaii as a return visitor. We felt it was safer and still part of the States. We changed our minds and we’re going to Switzerland instead. Experience someplace new.
My family lives in Orlando and were planning our third trip to Hawaii this year in November…until I read an e mail Saturday morning sent overnight from Hawaiian airlines. You are so aware of their decision to discontinue service from Orlando to Honolulu. Just this past June their CEO stated the company’s excitement to expand and enhance service to many destinations, and Orlando was in his statement. Maybe it’s karma, however, with all the hotel add-on increases (parking, resort fees blah blah blah) we are canceling the trip. Frankly it made us sad but maybe this is just one wake up call for things to come for the state of Hawaii. We are also sad for the Hawaiian residents that had a direct flight to our state to visit our many attractions.
With all the mayors on all the islands begging the airlines to reduce flights because of “overtourism”, it’s no wonder the airlines are taking them up on it. Visitors aren’t the only ones who don’t want to go where they’re not wanted; businesses are following suit as well.
I returned from my 23rd trip to Hawaii in November 2021. I was stationed at Hickam Air Base in the early 60s. I have visited the Big Island, Maui. Oahu and Kauai frequently. I am retired Military and I use my Military ID Card to go places a civilian tourist cannot. I also use it for The Hale Koa Hotel and also bot discounts at various placesI consider myself as an amateur tour guide for the Hawaiian Islands. I have take family and friends to the Islands 22 times. The Island folks are wonderful people if you treat them with respect. The long walk at the airport to the baggage claim area and then to the pickup point for transportation to the auto rental agencies, the long lines at the auto rental companies. the much higher cost for everything
IMO the return visitors are precisely the people the state should be concerned about losing. Those of us who return year after year know and love the island and it’s people and treat it as if it is our second home. When you price the “returners” out of the market, what you are left with are people who look for the $29 fares and a week of partying who have little regard for the culture or the people, or the super wealthy who are there to be waited on hand and foot and who could care less about the locals. The return visitors pump a lot of money in to the economy, we just do it differently than the people who come for a week or so, and the state is leaving us little choice but to look elsewhere for a place to spend our winters.
Spot-on insight. But Hawaii does everything backward and slow. By the time the attitudes change, our return visitor dollars will be elsewhere.
But the state is not concerned. They are welcoming the change with open arms. So we shall see how that all turns out for us over the next year or so.
Two thoughts on this matter. 1. Prices are too high here. Cars, hotels, food, gifts, even parking at a hotel is beginning to quell the euphoria of post pandemic travel. 2. For me personally, we need a downturn in visitors. The aina once again has to heal. The psychological well being of the locals needs healing. I would like to go grab a bite to eat in Paia. However I don’t, because I don’t want to be on a wait list for 45 minutes. I would like to find parking at Ho’okipa without having to do 3 loops through the lot. I’m tired of having to go to the airport hours in advance for inter island trips. And I’m hoping the future brings back more tourists who care about, Maui and don’t treat it as their own personal playground.
Be patient. You are now in the process of getting your wish!
My family of 9 just returned from the Big Island June 28th. We has a awesome time. Everything was wonderful. Good value for what we did.
Hawaii airports, accommodations, and all sorts of visitor attractions aren’t the only places overrun with tourists. Amsterdam Schipol airport trrminal has been jammed with humanity for weeks – my son and family took 12 hours just to do a change of planes with the same airline last week (KLM to KLM)! American Airlines seme an e-mail yesterday advising that it is pausing until January 2023 the sale of all tickrts to or through Schipol.
Jim E
Was planning a return trip to Hawaii. Then I checked out all the prices. I screamed What!!!! No Thanks! Too expensive.
You have to love Maui to keep coming back. We do and will come back. But we noticed a big jump in prices on our June 2 week trip. Almost $2500 to rent a car for 2 weeks. We didn’t. Restaurant cost up 20 to 25 percent. Hotel cost way up. Less trips in the future for us but most of our friends are going elsewhere
It’s really sad that we put so much money, time and effort into Tourism…and now we won’t have repeat visitors! It’s time we invest in sustainability and saving our aina for future generations.If we attract another type of visitors, they will come!
It’s true…there are so many other places in the world that is as beautiful as Hawaii, but so much more affordable.
Now what… Agritourism?? Let’s go!
My family & our daughters family vacationed in Kauai this April 2022. We all had a lovely experience & great fun. My husband & I are both retired (early 60’s). As a result of this trip, we purchased a resale timeshare. We had been to Maui & Big Island before. The beauty of Kauai was overwhelming & we decided we want to enjoy it over the next several years.
Lisa,
As timeshare travelers like you, we have used our timeshare resources to travel to many places and our timeshare stay in Kona was much as you described in Kauai. No doubt we will explore other islands in the future and I can state with confidence that without timeshare resources we would not have come to Hawaii due to the beyond explanation cost of hotels.
Looking for 30 days to rent condo on maui
Hawaii is beautiful, no question about it. It has become too expensive in all aspects and the world is big. Too many places are less expensive more welcoming than Hawaii as of lately. Money well spent along with a beautiful experience is what matters. Hawaii needs to try harder to keep its income from tourism. It is not the only beautiful place in this world!