232 thoughts on “Decline In Hawaii Tourism Starts According To State”
Kauidoug
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!
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.
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!
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 ? 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 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.
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!
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