122 thoughts on “Does Hawaii Want Tourists or Not? It’s Fickle.”
Ray
Although there is some truth in Lily Hiʻilani Okimura’s statements, I can’t help but wonder how her comments about tourists helps Hawaii. Hawaii’s only business is tourism! Hawaii’s real estate taxes are heavily dependent on non-islanders owned timeshares, condos and homes. So what if tourism drops, real estate prices drop, tourist revenue reduces, jobs disappear and the state can’t pick up the financial slack? Who wins? Can the Hawaiians afford to live on the island?
2
Randy R
Over $16B spent on Tourism in 2019 before the Pandemic Lockdowns by Governor Ige, impacting over 200,000 Hawaii employee’s. It would seem, Governor Ige would rather have the Taxpayer $ from Mainland Citizenry to subsidize his State’s not wanting to go back to work, which took until June of 2022 to begin. Now, Governor Green, who proposed Visitor Fee’s (see Tax) a violation on Inter-state travel, on top of, the reality that in Maui, where no news comes out of west Maui, those from Wailea to Paia need Tourism to pay there Bills and support their employee’s. Hopefully Green can figure this out, I fear for all those in the one mile that was the Pier to Cannery in Lahaina, Blackstone will want for another Kaanapali-Wailea!
Robert J
I live on the Big Island in an area that does not get that many tourists..and it’s still too much..I left Kona side just because of all the tourists and Snow Birds.
So, here’s my idea…
State Legislatatre…just stop funding any of these programs and give us the money back in a refund.
How’s about that!!
Saves our money//because it is our money//and probably less tourists..
Just a thought..just let this whole thing go..if hotels want to fund their own..that’s up to them.
While I say this, I understand that alot of our economy is based on tourism, and that is something we Do need to address and start now..this year..changing that. Hawaii as a whole needs to figure out where the line on “development for tourist only” is going to be.
1
Xavier s
aloha Annie….I do not believe the People of Hawaii dont want you not to return to Hawaii…if you respect the island then, no problem……I know that we dont not want rude, wasteful, entitled, rude tourists who think that they can just disrespect and not care about Hawaii.
Aloha
Annie
I have loved the Hawaiian islands since I was a child, and it breaks my heart to slowly come to understand that we are not welcome there. I love learning about the culture, the history, and the traditions of the Hawaiian people. I feel such a draw to the islands, but am starting to realize that perhaps I should just stay away if I truly care about what’s best for the islands and the people. I would love to hear more from native Hawaiians on the topic.
1
Xavier S
aloha Annie….I do not believe the People of Hawaii dont want you not to return to Hawaii…if you respect the island then, no problem……I know that we dont not want rude, wasteful, entitled, rude tourists who think that they can just disrespect and not care about Hawaii.
Aloha
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Although there is some truth in Lily Hiʻilani Okimura’s statements, I can’t help but wonder how her comments about tourists helps Hawaii. Hawaii’s only business is tourism! Hawaii’s real estate taxes are heavily dependent on non-islanders owned timeshares, condos and homes. So what if tourism drops, real estate prices drop, tourist revenue reduces, jobs disappear and the state can’t pick up the financial slack? Who wins? Can the Hawaiians afford to live on the island?
Over $16B spent on Tourism in 2019 before the Pandemic Lockdowns by Governor Ige, impacting over 200,000 Hawaii employee’s. It would seem, Governor Ige would rather have the Taxpayer $ from Mainland Citizenry to subsidize his State’s not wanting to go back to work, which took until June of 2022 to begin. Now, Governor Green, who proposed Visitor Fee’s (see Tax) a violation on Inter-state travel, on top of, the reality that in Maui, where no news comes out of west Maui, those from Wailea to Paia need Tourism to pay there Bills and support their employee’s. Hopefully Green can figure this out, I fear for all those in the one mile that was the Pier to Cannery in Lahaina, Blackstone will want for another Kaanapali-Wailea!
I live on the Big Island in an area that does not get that many tourists..and it’s still too much..I left Kona side just because of all the tourists and Snow Birds.
So, here’s my idea…
State Legislatatre…just stop funding any of these programs and give us the money back in a refund.
How’s about that!!
Saves our money//because it is our money//and probably less tourists..
Just a thought..just let this whole thing go..if hotels want to fund their own..that’s up to them.
While I say this, I understand that alot of our economy is based on tourism, and that is something we Do need to address and start now..this year..changing that. Hawaii as a whole needs to figure out where the line on “development for tourist only” is going to be.
aloha Annie….I do not believe the People of Hawaii dont want you not to return to Hawaii…if you respect the island then, no problem……I know that we dont not want rude, wasteful, entitled, rude tourists who think that they can just disrespect and not care about Hawaii.
Aloha
I have loved the Hawaiian islands since I was a child, and it breaks my heart to slowly come to understand that we are not welcome there. I love learning about the culture, the history, and the traditions of the Hawaiian people. I feel such a draw to the islands, but am starting to realize that perhaps I should just stay away if I truly care about what’s best for the islands and the people. I would love to hear more from native Hawaiians on the topic.
aloha Annie….I do not believe the People of Hawaii dont want you not to return to Hawaii…if you respect the island then, no problem……I know that we dont not want rude, wasteful, entitled, rude tourists who think that they can just disrespect and not care about Hawaii.
Aloha