Airing some Hawaii travel industry dirty laundry. How Greedflation is impacting your Hawaii vacation.
Leave a Comment
112 thoughts on “Greedflation Smacks Hawaii Worst Among Destinations”
Airing some Hawaii travel industry dirty laundry. How Greedflation is impacting your Hawaii vacation.
It’s out of control. Between the hotels and government, people are going to choose to go elsewhere.
So then everyone will be crying and government will raise taxes for everyone.
I’m in Kauai now; am 90% sure we won’t be returning. My first trip was 48yrs ago-I was 18,on my own dime; fell in love with HI. I have traveled back to HI once a year, many years 3-4 times. March 2020 COVID, I did my best to stay here during the pandemic, but alas, the airlines said no more flights and resorts closed so my husband and I ended up being the only 2 passengers on the last 737 leaving Kona in April 2020. What is so very disappointing this year in Kauai Princeville is the ridiculous so called resort fee – we’re at an OLD but lovely timeshare resort we traded into and paid $ to trade. Tiny pool, no services, no even midweek cleaning and yet we are Forced to pay $26/night resort fee (WT@$!) plus HI taxes of $16/nt. Greed!!!!!!!
Why are Kamaaina rates allowed. Discrimination. After all, their travel costs are much cheaper than mainland visitors. Should they not pay their share. I bet they would complain if they paid more for mainland hotels.
Sorry, if your state doesn’t take care of you. When considering high prices inflated by tourists in Hawaii (after all, most only stay a week, so they don’t care how much they pay), I am glad that Kamaaina rates exist. Dont’ worry, they are probably not coming to your state. They can’t afford it. And what does that have to do with discrimination? Hope you live somewhere with a “diverse” population that is accepted by all. My 1st visit to Hawaii was in 1989 and there was a welcoming Aloha atmosphere all around. May be they were too friendly and accepting for too many years…tell me where people are friendlier to visitors who ruin their home state.
You do know that Vegas has local rates too, right?
Aloha. Does Las Vegas have local rates? I’ve lived in Vegas for 37 years. Don’t know of any hotel that gives locals a discount.
I’ve been coming to Maui and Oahu for 40 years every 2 years. I just came back from 3 weeks on Maui a couple of weeks ago. One disappointment after another..the services at my timeshare gone where I was expected to do all my own cleaning, terrible car to rent at triple the prices I paid last time in 2019, nothing new or improved for exhorbitant prices everywhere and lack of Hawaiian hospitality. I don’t plan on returning..how very sad.
One might try a timeshare rental. Ususally in a unit of a week, but at $3-4000, it might be the more affordable way to go.
I saw a 2 bdr at Waikoloa on TUG for $2000. There are other rental sites, as well.
The sad Reality is most Hawai’i Politicians (County council up to State Senators) already receive large support/donations from the Hospitality industry (unions, resorts and of course large corporations) so don’t look for common sense changes to ease residents & tourism costs. When Hawai’i government already believe they have the right to tell homeowners whether they can rent to tourists or restrict STVR’s so they can funnel all tourists into Expensive Hotels/Resorts.
Sad Reality in Paradise!
We had free first class tickets on Hawaiian for 8 days. We usually stay at the kahala where the rates drop end of April. But not this year. For 8 days with car would have been around 1k a day.
Instead we are heading to Hilton head island where I rented a vacation home furnished for 6 months 16k to total. I’ll drive from AZ and stay near friends and relatives. I’ll fly back every now and then on my free southwest flights 25k round trip. I have my cats with me use my car no need to board @50 day airport park $40 a day at the airport.
Hawaii wants big spenders. They aren’t stupid is why they have money. I don’t mind paying up but the value is no longer there. Hike fees park fees governor fees never ends
Never been a “value” place to visit. However, you are comparing apples to oranges. Been to Hilton Head and Arizona 😉
True, its comparing apples to oranges: Hiltn Head= great foods, friendly people, and, most of all- class!
We were cheated into losing use of our Kauai Marriott condo for last two years, turned off by greedy fees, exorbitant cR rentals, restrictions are excessive. We sold our condo timeshare of last 27 yearz- for nothing! From now on, more cruises, travel to French ( the real) Polynesia, nice jaunts up to classy Hilton
head, other Florida beautiful beaches,etc. No more wasted on ungrateful Hawaii.
Well, we all know that timeshares are a terrible investment.
Yeesh! I sense a disturbance in the force.🙄
Maybe old Hawaii not the new version been going down hill for last decade I lived on Maui for a decade and Oahu for 12 years. Lahaina is a shell of itself. Character charm and people all gone that made Lahaina what it was. Waikiki has turned into a sespool. Character and charm are gone. Can’t and won’t get it back. Hawaii has made its decision and that’s fine. I think long run they’ll regret it. Feel bad for the people there getting pushed out due to air bnb etc . The people made Hawaii now many have gone or are angry. No aloha it’s da kine.
It’s actually pretty simple. More profit from less customers means less staff / benefits / housing / etc.
It’s the perfect solution for the owner class. The losers in this transaction? Small businesses that service visitors. I’m quite sure those corporations don’t care about that.
Sorry to hear about Lahaina. Lived a couple years, left in ’18.
Dear Rob and Jeff,
Once again, you are laser focused on the challenges that face the middle class in the pursuit of leisure travel. I find that ,with the exception of domestic air travel , it is increasingly difficult to find value in leisure or business travel. I have four “must attend” trade shows per year. This year, I will be attending only two. I will have a robust budget for leisure travel but will not be traveling to Hawaii until I can afford our own separate dwelling and at least a month’s stay.
Your state is one of the best places on earth! Thanks for all your research. You are the “beat of Hawaii”!
Hi Hugh.
Thanks for your many comments and nice words. We appreciate it!
Aloha.
Aloha, I for one won’t be going back after going for 40 years. The cost is prohibited on our budget. Last year was very different from previous years. We can go to other countries and spend less and enjoy our time away. We will miss Hawaii but not the hassle and exorbitant costs.
Mahalo
I can’t believe Hawaii is doing this. They raise hotel prices, start charging to park in certain areas, and heaven knows what else. It might backfire and I hope it does. What if people boycott and decide that they won’t, or can’t afford the inflated prices. Where will you get your money then? How long can you live without visitors? I wanted to come back to the islands, but now I won’t be able to afford to visit. Hope Hawaii servives this rediculous idea!!! Thank you for allowing me to share my two cents.
It’s not a zero sum game. They are trying to turn Hawaii into a luxury destination so they can get the same money form fewer tourists.
Absolutely. Lower congestion and maintain income. Lower conflicts with residents.
We have watched prices continue to rise for the past few years. From what we paid 4 years ago to our last trip more than doubled. To adjust we cut back on extras, food and didn’t stay as long. Not the best option due to the travel time. It makes me sad to think that I may not be able to visit again due to costs.
We live on the big island and have seen prices really climb at restaurants and the customer service is pretty much non existent. When we traveled to Oahu in December, the hotel prices had really jumped up since our previous visit in June of the same year. We saved money by not renting a car and used Uber instead. We eliminated the airport fees and taxes and having to put gas in the rental. We didn’t have to pay for parking either. We called the hotels directly to get the best rates and were more conscience about where we ate and our tipping.