122 thoughts on “Does Hawaii Want Tourists or Not? It’s Fickle.”
Mark D
Be happy that there are paying tourists visiting the island. Be unhappy if numerous night flights arrive from the Texas border filled will migrants looking to take jobs from native Hawaiians or just looking for US government and state handouts.
I’ve been to Hawaii 4 times, to all the islands. I agree completely with Lily. Hawaii, though a state, is special. It’s being overrun with tourists and imo people moving there and driving up property values. Non-Hawaiian businesses own almost everything. Hawaiians are being priced and pushed out of their own land. I hate to say it, but perhaps tourism and non-Hawaiian businesses should be limited. Paradise is being destroyed.
So all I hear is that tourism is a problem. I’d love to see how Hawaii gets on without it? Don’t worry Hawaiians I’m not coming back anymore! You went from my favorite place to visit to nowhere on the radar ever again. And goodness, how are they have messed up Kauai! My favorite spots were on the North Shore and now they have this shuttle and other nonsense making it completely user unfriendly and quite expensive as well? Perfect example of what I’m talking about -they want all that money from visitors But were the problem?
I’ve been here since the late 80s. Quality of life here has deteriorated as tourism has exploded. Expand the road system. Put in the Pa’ia bypass, have passing lanes and viewing areas so that residential and commercial traffic flow isn’t obstructed by the tourist “road trains,” bring in stores for shopping that residents need not fast food to feed the tourists! Put in bike lanes that are separate from the roads. These things help our quality of life and that will help the attitude of the residents. We are always considered last.
quality of life, more stores and bike lanes just for tourists? You think that residents won’t enjoy a bike ride and will be able to support stores? you’re living in a bubble
Population of Hawaii in 1985 was approx 1.04 million, today it’s 1.42 million. So, a nearly 40% growth in population – maybe that’s why there’s so much traffic on the roads – locals. There are approx 190,000 tourists in Hawaii on any given day – half of the numbers associated with added residents.
Embrace us tourists – most of us come to take a break from our daily lives, we don’t come to destroy the the Islands.
With how shortages are rapidly happening everywhere along with food & gas costs, there will be no food to put in those stores. And it will not be because of tourism. Here on the mainland, farmers, vegetable & fruit, cattle, chickens are all being whittled down little by little.Just saying,this isn’t even our world. Hard times coming and not because of tourists!! Bigger problems ahead for the world, not just Hawaii!
Hawaii is an American state no different than Texas, New York or California.
My wife a native American could go on TikTok tell tourist not to vacation in California and easily get 86K plus followers.
An 86 year old Hawaiian customer of ours told us Hawaiians trashed and trespassed Hawaii long before the crush of tourism. Used mopes to entangle spiny lobsters to the point of extinction.
That Hawaiians were responsible for sea turtle decline. Its Hawaiians who hunted sea turtles for meat and their eggs, plus killed harp seals who stole their catch not tourist.
Don’t get me started about native Hawaiian meth problem another non-tourist issue.
Hawaiians it’s 2022 there’s no going back to the time before Cook.
I saw Lily’s rants and was totally disgusted. There was no internet when I was growing up there but if we had done anything like that we would have gotten more than a mere lecture from our parents. How old is she and where are her parents? I hope to god, she was not brought up to act like she does. No class at all.
I’m from San Diego and I’ve been visiting Hawaii for a few years now, particularly Oahu due to work, but also pleasure. I’ve always found it very simple no matter where I’ve went, if you show respect to others, they’ll show it back. It’s just unfortunate that our society as a whole has seen a significant decline in general common courtesy and consideration for others and their environment. I can empathize with those that view the tourism negatively, because unfortunately, most people are inconsiderate these days…that’s just the sad truth. Despite that fact, I still aspire to live in Hawaii some day, and until I actually do, will respect the people and the land all the same.
WillG, I believe you identified the crux of the issue. People are less curteous, less tolerant, and less neighborly then in the past. That is why, you should do fine over in the Islands. That is why you will standout as refreshingly different than most self entitled poeple. Get involved in the culture, yes the Islands have their natural beauty, but for me, (I have never been there), the most beautiful aspect of Hawaii is the people and their culture. No matter where we travel overseas- my wife and I have always had a pleasant experience with the people who live there. Like you we learn to live by the Golden Rule. We show the initiative by treating others as we would like to be treated in return. That rule is Universal. It works everywhere!
I live in Colorado. We have the same problem here, a constant stream of tourist,they cause extra traffic, litter & disrespect our wildlife too. Some come to enjoy all that’s offered & others are just idiots. That’s the problem. There are idiots everywhere! I’m not one of the idiots. I’ve volunteered many hours with a turtle conservancy, never litter & tip at least 20% everywhere I go. It’s kind of the price you pay for living in a beautiful place-everyone wants a piece of it. Based on what I have read from Hawaii, I can’t say I feel very welcome there. I hope people don’t feel that way about Colorado!
As usual, BOH hits it out of the park with their great travel columns. You guys are always very balanced in your approach to this delicate subject. Here on the Central Coast of California, we are experiencing a high volume of tourists, especially since the state opened up Hearst Castle for tours. Please come. We welcome you with open arms. It’s not Hawaii, but pretty darn close.
Be happy that there are paying tourists visiting the island. Be unhappy if numerous night flights arrive from the Texas border filled will migrants looking to take jobs from native Hawaiians or just looking for US government and state handouts.
I’ve been to Hawaii 4 times, to all the islands. I agree completely with Lily. Hawaii, though a state, is special. It’s being overrun with tourists and imo people moving there and driving up property values. Non-Hawaiian businesses own almost everything. Hawaiians are being priced and pushed out of their own land. I hate to say it, but perhaps tourism and non-Hawaiian businesses should be limited. Paradise is being destroyed.
Kim
So all I hear is that tourism is a problem. I’d love to see how Hawaii gets on without it? Don’t worry Hawaiians I’m not coming back anymore! You went from my favorite place to visit to nowhere on the radar ever again. And goodness, how are they have messed up Kauai! My favorite spots were on the North Shore and now they have this shuttle and other nonsense making it completely user unfriendly and quite expensive as well? Perfect example of what I’m talking about -they want all that money from visitors But were the problem?
I’ve been here since the late 80s. Quality of life here has deteriorated as tourism has exploded. Expand the road system. Put in the Pa’ia bypass, have passing lanes and viewing areas so that residential and commercial traffic flow isn’t obstructed by the tourist “road trains,” bring in stores for shopping that residents need not fast food to feed the tourists! Put in bike lanes that are separate from the roads. These things help our quality of life and that will help the attitude of the residents. We are always considered last.
quality of life, more stores and bike lanes just for tourists? You think that residents won’t enjoy a bike ride and will be able to support stores? you’re living in a bubble
Joan,
Population of Hawaii in 1985 was approx 1.04 million, today it’s 1.42 million. So, a nearly 40% growth in population – maybe that’s why there’s so much traffic on the roads – locals. There are approx 190,000 tourists in Hawaii on any given day – half of the numbers associated with added residents.
Embrace us tourists – most of us come to take a break from our daily lives, we don’t come to destroy the the Islands.
With how shortages are rapidly happening everywhere along with food & gas costs, there will be no food to put in those stores. And it will not be because of tourism. Here on the mainland, farmers, vegetable & fruit, cattle, chickens are all being whittled down little by little.Just saying,this isn’t even our world. Hard times coming and not because of tourists!! Bigger problems ahead for the world, not just Hawaii!
Hawaii is an American state no different than Texas, New York or California.
My wife a native American could go on TikTok tell tourist not to vacation in California and easily get 86K plus followers.
An 86 year old Hawaiian customer of ours told us Hawaiians trashed and trespassed Hawaii long before the crush of tourism. Used mopes to entangle spiny lobsters to the point of extinction.
That Hawaiians were responsible for sea turtle decline. Its Hawaiians who hunted sea turtles for meat and their eggs, plus killed harp seals who stole their catch not tourist.
Don’t get me started about native Hawaiian meth problem another non-tourist issue.
Hawaiians it’s 2022 there’s no going back to the time before Cook.
Just returned from a week in Waikiki, I felt welcomed with open arms, don’t understand what all the fuss is about
I saw Lily’s rants and was totally disgusted. There was no internet when I was growing up there but if we had done anything like that we would have gotten more than a mere lecture from our parents. How old is she and where are her parents? I hope to god, she was not brought up to act like she does. No class at all.
I’m from San Diego and I’ve been visiting Hawaii for a few years now, particularly Oahu due to work, but also pleasure. I’ve always found it very simple no matter where I’ve went, if you show respect to others, they’ll show it back. It’s just unfortunate that our society as a whole has seen a significant decline in general common courtesy and consideration for others and their environment. I can empathize with those that view the tourism negatively, because unfortunately, most people are inconsiderate these days…that’s just the sad truth. Despite that fact, I still aspire to live in Hawaii some day, and until I actually do, will respect the people and the land all the same.
WillG, I believe you identified the crux of the issue. People are less curteous, less tolerant, and less neighborly then in the past. That is why, you should do fine over in the Islands. That is why you will standout as refreshingly different than most self entitled poeple. Get involved in the culture, yes the Islands have their natural beauty, but for me, (I have never been there), the most beautiful aspect of Hawaii is the people and their culture. No matter where we travel overseas- my wife and I have always had a pleasant experience with the people who live there. Like you we learn to live by the Golden Rule. We show the initiative by treating others as we would like to be treated in return. That rule is Universal. It works everywhere!
WilyG
This is the way people should act…which is the normal but apparently, it is not for many!
Disrespect is a Huge problem in the world now, but a lot of it here in the USA!
Xavier
I live in Colorado. We have the same problem here, a constant stream of tourist,they cause extra traffic, litter & disrespect our wildlife too. Some come to enjoy all that’s offered & others are just idiots. That’s the problem. There are idiots everywhere! I’m not one of the idiots. I’ve volunteered many hours with a turtle conservancy, never litter & tip at least 20% everywhere I go. It’s kind of the price you pay for living in a beautiful place-everyone wants a piece of it. Based on what I have read from Hawaii, I can’t say I feel very welcome there. I hope people don’t feel that way about Colorado!
As usual, BOH hits it out of the park with their great travel columns. You guys are always very balanced in your approach to this delicate subject. Here on the Central Coast of California, we are experiencing a high volume of tourists, especially since the state opened up Hearst Castle for tours. Please come. We welcome you with open arms. It’s not Hawaii, but pretty darn close.
Hi Curtis.
Good to hear from you. Thank you for your nice words and for so many comments over more than 5 years!
Aloha.