In a surprising twist in Hawaii’s tourism landscape, an increasing number of visitors are bidding farewell to idyllic Maui and setting sights on vibrant Honolulu.
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47 thoughts on “From Maui to Oahu | Hawaii Visitors’ Exodus Saga (Part 2)”
This post is starting to get out-of-date, as there has been big shift in visitor arrivals just over the past few weeks. Near where I live, the Andaz is 90% full, and a friend of mine who works in the restaurant there has 200 diners every night.
I think there has been a lot of positive press generated lately about the beauty of this island, how much there is to do here, and how much visitor support for the local economy is appreciated. It seems to be working. Take a look at the 2024 visitor counts for Maui on the government charts here:
dbedt.hawaii.gov/visitor/daily-passenger-counts/
Having lived in Maui for years it was very apparent that people didn’t want tourists there. Maybe people are starting to listen. Who wants to go somewhere they are not welcome. Especially at the high expense. The Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean are all cheaper and more welcoming
Who is surprised that tourism is tanking? And the fire is a small part of the reason. Hawaiian tourism board has been loud and clear that the welcome mat has been taken in. Once that happened it took hold right down to rude service at record high prices. The public isn’t as ignorant as the Tourism board. Sorry folks. You shot yourselves in the foot. Enjoy the higher taxes you may face to make up for the financial loss.
I enjoyed Oahu as it is built better for tourism . Maui is nice but stuck in time with narrow roads and lack of imaginative tourist attractions. As in the PCC, North Shore surfing, shrimp trucks, a diamond head view of the island by foot, pearl harbour and movie locations
I went to Oahu in 2009 and have been trying to get back ever since. I have always felt I should’ve been born here. Beautiful paradise that I would love to live in.
So it’s clear the writer has an agenda. All descriptions of Oahu are glowing … while all descriptions of Maui are “horrible, awful, terrible.” Obviously neither extreme is accurate, so it makes me wonder whether this writer is being paid to steer visitors away from Maui and towards other islands. Not credible, but designed to stir up controversy. Grow up. All the islands need help and improvement, so the question should be, “what can we do to help?”