Where is Hawaii headed next following so much debate? We want to hear your vision for Hawaii tourism.
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170 thoughts on “Fading Allure of Hawaii? The Way Forward”
Where is Hawaii headed next following so much debate? We want to hear your vision for Hawaii tourism.
I have been a regular visitor to Hawaii for several years. My trip to Oahu in September of 2022 will be my last for the foreseeable future. It was very expensive and frankly the locals were rude on several different levels. I’ll spend my money elsewhere.
Aloha spirit doesn’t apply to tourists anymore. They don’t want tourists. They only want the money they bring in so they’ll reluctantly accept high end tourists. Hawaii is not what it used to be. It’s crowded. It’s beaches are ok for a tourist destination. Its exceedingly expensive. Locals give you the stink eye. Some want tourists to do community service like spend the day picking up trash. No thanks
I’ll go to more beautiful places where the people want you to visit at half the cost.
The comments I read here are the exact reason people loathe tourists. Rather than questioning the reasons that residents are unhappy with tourism, the visitors blame the locals for the current situation. The truth is that most locals do not “love money”, in fact most just want to live with some amount of peace and afford a roof over their head, which the current situation is preventing. Yes, it’s shameful that there are locals that commit crimes and leave trash, that would be a very few locals that do this. Some have been made homeless and pushed to crime because tourism and investors have taken over so much of our housing. Residents would love for better resources in Hawaii but politicians have other agendas and they “love money”.
Stop voting for the same politicians. Run for office. The majority must be voting for sameo sameo. Biggest problem is what would replace tourism dollars or at least reduce need?
At the Cruise landing in Lahaina,the public restrooms facilities were diSgusting. Overflowing toilets some portables filled almost to the the seat with waste. This was simple of lack of attention, not crude people. Not a good look for paradise!
That restroom has always been like that though. Too many people, would need like a full-time bathroom attendant.
Whining about entitled tourist, the lack of affordable housing, etc., etc., isn’t going to solve anyone’s problems. The reality is tourism isn’t going away and the negativity of hostile comments is a poor reflection on those who profess to ‘live Aloha’, not to mention that those in charge of managing it can’t even agree on how to do it, much less offer positive solutions. It obvious that those who proudly call themselves natives/locals need to check out what they see in the mirror first before blaming ‘outsiders’ – it’s not us who abandons cars, refrigerators, household trash, etc., on the backroads or neglects the need to improve the infrastructure, education or medical needs of those who are doing most of the whining…
Interesting that as an outsider you feel qualified to instruct locals on what they can and cannot complain about. I’d call that “The bravery of being out of range.” Very interesting….
I’m an ‘outsider’ by circumstances (mainly because of distance – we live and work in Colorado)…. I should point out however that my family and I have made at least one trip per year to the Islands for the past 30+ years – usually more often as my wife and I are both frequent flyers. My daughter also lives and works in Kauai by choice. My comments are based on multiple experiences as well as those of my daughter. I truly love Hawaii and it’s people – it makes me sad to see the hostility on both sides – it doesn’t need to be this way but each side has a responsibility to do their part in making Hawaii a place where everyone can celebrate Aloha!
Is it fading alure or failure of Hawaii? There was no golden era, there was no preservation of culture. A lot has changed, turning tourism into permanently staying, building more and more houses as well as more hotels. The people come for the culture and the beautiful waters/beaches filled with wild life. There seems to be no boost in economy just a downward spiral, I’m pretty sure everyone with a brain saw this coming from miles. The lack of systematic corrections and defamation of Hawaiian culture is what caused the downfall. Stealing the culture and land for personal gains brings shame to the island as a whole and it shows. Thank the governmental branches and banks for helping with this downfall.
As I understand it(hhaving not been born and raised in the islands) the “golden days” were that of the “hapa haole” culture….an Americanized version of an occupied Hawaii. Golden for some, not as much for others. (Again, to emphasize, I say this from the outside….)
Maui’s airport was built to handle 6,000 passengers per day but it is handling 11,000 to 13,000 per day.
Kaanapali, Lahaina , Kapalua and all of West Maui are served by 2 lifeguard stations , two fire stations, and only one road. The road is highway 30 and floods from high tides. The traffic delays are frequent.
Kaanapali- Mahinahina area had 5 fires last fall in the abandoned fields. Abandoned fields above Kihei have burnt and flooded.
The above ground electric system is outdated and questionable.
Maui has maxed out and residents are priced out.
I completely agree. And what do the powers that be normally do? They take more land in mainland by way of eminent domain or “railroad” there way to get more. You can’t do that here when at capacity. So then what bulldoze some sacred sites or mom and pop shops. It has long been over due. The taking is over now. We are entering into a period of giving back to land..healing and preservation and I’m here for it!
I’ve already commented to this article however, I need to add something, I lived on Oahu abit of help from locals that we met while on vacatiopeople to visitn.fter visiting. I fell in love with Hawaii when I visited. so, my girlfriend and I picked ourselves up and moved there (Makiki) from New York a few months after we visited. We had a bit of help from locals as far as shipping our belongings and finding an apartment. I loved living there, but because of heartbtreak, decided to move back to the Mainland. This was in the late 70’s. My best friend is stil living there and has raised a family there (Hawaii Kai). I think it’s awful how Hawaii is making it near impossible for people to visit and vacation there.
I lived in Hawaii recently and lived there years ago. I miss it so and I will return as soon as possible. It’s the best place ever….it is my heart’s home.
We just returned from our first trip to Hawaii. We are retired and enjoyed our time in Waikiki and exploring the entire Oahu island. The cost of our adventure was tolerable though maybe a bit higher than we expected. But a return to Oahu is very doubtful due to one major drawback. Traffic everywhere and all times of the day were very depressing and time consuming. We are not vacationers that remain locked into our hotel and beach area. We are explorers. I don’t disregard a cost to another island but Oahu will not be on our return list.
Dont give up.
Try the Big Island instead.
Look at any public school on the east side of oahu and Then tell me what tourism has done for the people here… definitely nothing for the schools