With all the discussion this week about increased visitor fees, it didn’t take long for one iconic Hawaii destination to test out visitor rate hikes. It all starts July 1, when the visitor entry fee at Hanauma Bay will go from $12 to $25 per person or more than double the current charge.
Admission is free for residents, children under two, and active military. The City of Honolulu says that the money raised will go directly to management and improvement at Hanauma Bay.
Recently Hanauma Bay launched its online reservation to control admission and to protect the park. About 75% of the admissions are by advance reservation, with the remainder reserved for last-minute visitors.
What’s your take on Hanauma Bay increasing visitor rates?
CoconutWilly from Honolulu wrote to us saying, “Oahu just implemented a $25 fee for Hanauma Bay. I have been in the hospitality industry here in Hawaii for 35 years. I disagree with price gouging the tourists to balance the budget. I always put myself in the other person’s shoes. A family of 4 needs to fork over another $100 to go to Hanauma? Forget it! HTA, your tactics to limit visitors are working!”
While $25 per person may not seem like a dramatic increase, it is more than double the prior rate. And, it comes at a time when visitor fees are under extreme scrutiny.
Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation’s View.
Honolulu DPR spokesperson Nate Serota said that “all the money that’s made from the entrance fees goes back into the maintenance, the education, the conservation efforts. So we need to maintain that source of funding in order to keep it the thriving attraction, not just for recreational enjoyment, but for conservation and to make it such a beautiful place in perpetuity.”
The city said that it is “looking at different ways to have revenue come in and one of the big things with Hanauma Bay is it’s free for locals and we charge the non-local residents to enter the bay.” The city plans to use this “visitors pay” but “locals do not” concept at other facilities soon.
Since Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve reopened post-Covid, earlier this year, the rules have been changing. First, the county banned walk-in visitors due to a safety concern along the Kalanianaole Highway. Thereafter, the iconic bay again began allowing walk-in entry. The most recent change was an online reservation system.
“Providing a safe & enjoyable experience for bay visitors, while keeping the preserve’s conservation and fiscal sustainability objectives in mind, continues to be our ultimate goals…The ticketing system and increased access to the preserve’s parking lot proved to be the solutions we needed. ” –DPR Director-Designate Laura H. Thielen.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve was closed for 9 months due to COVID.
Hanauma is the spectacular cove located inside a volcanic crater that is packed with fish and is just a 25-minute drive from Waikiki Beach. It is always one of the state’s primary snorkeling attractions for both visitors and residents. In the past, throngs came there to see the beauty both above and below the water that appeared to outnumber the marine creatures.
Hanauma is the first Marine Life Conservation District in Hawaii and is considered one of Hawaii’s most breathtaking natural resources. Now you can be part of preserving and protecting one of the state’s rarest locations. The bay features both a deep outer reef and a shallow inner reef for protection, which results in calm, sparkling-clear waters.
Tip: Be aware that there is an unofficial website that looks official which is hanaumabaystatepark.com. We won’t link to that one. Here is the official state website for Hanauma Bay.
Visitors and locals previously imperiled Hanauma Bay.
Before COVID, Hanauma Bay saw up to 6,000 visitors per day, but will now be limited to 720 per day. Prior to the first efforts to limit visitors, it saw many times more. After it was closed due to COVID in March, the bay started to heal following decades of abuse. Water quality and clarity improved without the visitors, their sunscreen, and the bread and other food they fed the fish.
The marine ecosystem and its plethora of colorful coral and fish have since clearly begun to restore. Endangered species found there including sea turtles and monk seals have been seen in greater numbers.
That is the not-for-profit organization that closely monitors everything happening within the bay. Their president, Lisa Bishop, said that water visibility had improved 64% since before the COVID shutdown. She also noted that was the first time in four decades that dangerous sunscreen chemicals have not been in the water.
Since the closure, larger species and an abundance of tropical fish have returned making it worth the wait to enter.
Pristine ecosystems in recovery
More than a decade ago, new efforts got underway to restore Hanauma Bay. Due to long-term abuse and overuse, with millions of annual visitors, 30 years ago Honolulu unveiled a plan to restore the bay by implementing restrictions including visitor counts, and the creation of educational programs. Then in 2002, the Hanauma Bay Marine Education Center opened. It is there that visitors watch a short video supporting efforts to restore this special place when we visit. Further back, in 1967, Hawaii first designated the 100 acre Marine Life Conservation District.
New opening hours and reservation system.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is now open from Wednesday through Sunday. Entrance is permitted from 8am to 2pm, and the preserve closes at 4 pm. Check online for changes or call them at (808) 768-6861.
Tickets must be reserved in advance for the mandatory 9-minute orientation video. Reservations can be made for up to 10 people – 5 Adults and/or 5 kids.
Visit the Honolulu Parks & Recreation website for reservations.
Tickets for the mandatory 9-minute orientation video can be reserved starting at 7:00 am (HST) daily.
Walk-ins without a reservation are allowed, but limited seats.
Only 1000 guests will be allowed each day / 30 guests every 10 min.
Parking is first come first served – even if you have a reservation.
The education center will remain closed at this time.
Hanauma Bay is open Wednesday through Sunday from 6:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Visitors must leave by 4:00 pm).
All face mask mandates must be followed within Hanauma Bay.
Updated entrance and parking fees.
The new cost of admissions starting July 1 is $25 per person for those 13 years and above, while it is free for those up to age 12. Hawaii residents are offered free admission with proper identification. Parking is $3 for visitors and $1 for residents.
There are no commercial activities at Hanauma Bay, which means that commercial vehicles, taxis, and tour groups cannot enter.
Bring your own equipment or rent there.
The rental concession for fins and mask has reopened. The fee is $20 per day per set. Lockers are also available.
Bathrooms, showers, and the snack bar are now open.
These facilities remain operational.
Sunscreen at Hanauma Bay.
Hawaii has banned sunscreens deemed unsafe. There is a prohibition on the sale and distribution of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate. These are chemicals that are found in thousands of sunscreens. This new law became effective on January 1, 2021.
“Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts…. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawaii’s coral reefs.” — Governor David Ige.
Revised 6/30/21.
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Andrew B. says
So, I was born at Tripler Army Hospital, Oahu, Hawaii. I left the islands when I was 5 years old in 1970. I have been back multiple times, but not anymore. They started slowly milking tourists. First, they started Charging to park at the hotels, $35 a day to park in a building that has been there for 40 years, and was always free. WOW. Then they started charging the silly resort fees at the hotels, another $30,$40, $100 a day, depending on where you stay. And now this garbage at the bay? I still remember when there was no silly center on top of the hill to watch the silly video. We used to park and walk down and snorkle all day, but I guess the times are changing, and they are going to continue to milk the tourists. Enjoy your spam and eggs!
cindy L. says
I commented earlier about the bay but after reading about complaints on how hawaii is so expensive to visit. Hawaii has always been special and commensurates a price. Just because airlines are whoring their airfares doesn’t mean hotels and local exhibitions will do the same. Hawaii wants to attract a higher dollar clientele like they did in the 70’s & 80’s not the low end people. Face it, low end people don’t spend money. High end clientele do spend money. Sorry if this rubs folks the wrong way but it’s pretty much true. Tourists that say they won’t come back – we will never run out of tourists coming to Hawaii, so if you don’t, that’s ok too.
Cindy L. says
Limiting the amount of people is a good start and the admission fee is reasonable. Perhaps dedicate a Saturday or Sunday to locals – no tourist integration. Locals work all week, tourists here on vacation they can go any day. Just know any decision, people will always complain because it’s self motivated – do the right thing for the park and secondly the residents. Maybe your example of taking the high road will lead others to do the same thing.
Windy C says
If we arrive at 6 am, are we able to park and walk to the bay? It used to be you could do so. Thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Windy.
We don’t know but don’t think so. Perhaps someone will give us a hand.
Aloha.
Elizabeth s. says
Will not visit. Out of control Thanks but no thanks.
Peggy says
I will not be supporting the overcharging in Hawaii! I love the people of Hawaii but not the politicians who support visitors and locals on going price gouging. My family will not be returning to the islands until things like this stop. I wish you all the best and hope Hawaiian citizens stand up to government over reach. Aloha
Goldie C says
Hawaii continues to shoot itself in the foot. They whine and complain about everything from no tourists, to too many tourists. Now they are implementing outrageous fees on tourists, the very people which allow them to stay in business. Coconut Willy is right, what visiting family of 4 is going to pay $100 just to snorkel at Haunauma Bay, and possibly another $80 to rent snorkel gear for THE DAY? There are lots of other places that tourists can go to snorkel that don’t require ANY fees. Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island are just as ridiculous with their fees to go to Haena & Ke’e Beach, Haleakala, and Volcanoes National Park. They are too stupid to realize that they are destroying their bread & butter – tourism.
Deb H says
I so agree with Nancy M and Jeanne F. and a few others on here. I can remember back in the day when Hawaii sat on my bucket list and thrilled to say it’s now my reality. My daughter purchased a home here and I visit at least 2-3 times a year since 2014 and will continue to do so. With that said, I’ve always known Hawaii to be expensive (hence that bucket list for so long),I do find myself questioning what it is that Hawaiians really want because what is happening seems to be sending the wrong message. Would it be safe to say that tourism is Hawaii’s biggest industry? Leading me to the question, “Why”? If you continue on this path making it so people really can’t afford to visit your beautiful state, your local businesses won’t thrive, your homeless population/tent cities will continue to grow, and Hawaiian’s will be so stressed that the Aloha friendliness will no longer exist. Though I have my own personal thoughts on this whole COVID hysteria, I understand safety first, and Hawaii wanting to continue with the vaccines, testing and mask wearing…however, it’s gone beyond that with car rentals out of control,I’m sure hotels and restaurants the same, and now increased visitor rates? During this whole pandemic, we’ve seen so many local businesses shut down, never to reopen, we’ve eaten at popular restaurants where my husband and I were practically the only customers, tipping the poor waitress 100.00 because we realized that was probably one of the few tips she’d get that day, and watched as the hub of Waikiki became eerily deserted and ghost like. There’s a phrase, “If you build it, they will come”…and my own phrase, “If you keep raising your prices, they won’t be able to afford to come”…. I can only say this Hawaii …Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face…
Rachel C. says
When an unexpected, uncontrollable event like Covid 19 occurs… with it’s miraculous impact on natural places such as Hanauma Bay (does not okay the human toll exacted by the pandemic), we need to take our wins, where we may. Saving a place as incomparable as Hanauma Bay with increased entry charges, seems a small price to pay to continue the restoration; limiting human damage is a positive and proven method. Whatever it takes?
Thanks
Tana G says
Hawaii is becoming too expensive in many ways I used to be able to go once or twice a year and travel thrifty now I can barely manage once a year. I would not take my family to this beautiful public park and pay $25 per person or $125 just to get in. Covid has harmed many of us financially and either Hawaii wants visitors or it doesn’t. We can always watch videos and just swim at the hotel pool that has all kinds of fees too.
Sue S says
Thanks for all the information you provide – it is always so useful. Trying to balance the fee against the effort to protect the reef is a huge task I’m sure. The problem I see is that Hawaii is asking only visitors to carry the burden. And that sends a negative message to tourists. Every visitor to the location has an impact so if the fee is only to sustain the natural resource then everyone should be willing to help. Of course residents should be given a discount. But a more than 100% increase levied only upon visitors is sending the wrong message – or is it??
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Sue.
Thanks. Yes, messaging certainly is critical, maybe as much so as costs.
Thanks.
Mark A D says
Aloha to all whom read this website, and a special Aloha to all those whom monitor and operate this website! Mahalo for all the information you provide. 🙂 Now, personally the new ‘visitor fee’ rate being doubled is a bit much and could, I said could and not should, be lowered to $18.00 as a way to control access while still generating revenue. With that said, and I shall contradict my previous comment, I am all for the strict preservation of the Hanauma Bay region, and especially the new sunscreen ban. I say this because I do remember Hanauma Bay from my time on Oahu (1979 to 1981) years ago and how beautiful the water was, yet was over crowded by people whom did not understand natural fish habitats. Please continue to see this beautiful location return to as natural a state as possible, while continuing to share its beauty with those inclined to enjoy it. Again, Mahalo to all! Aloha to all! Be safe everyone!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mark.
Thanks for your first time comment. Hope to see you again.
Aloha.
Tully M. says
For a State that relies heavily on tourism it sure seems like everything is being done to discourage tourist from visiting.
Jeanne F says
I agree with fees for these very unique and special places in Hawaii. I also agree with fees for parking. I think residents should also have to pay,parking included. Many residents take these very beautiful special places for granted. As I compose this I am sitting in a beach chair on a beautiful but not well known beach on Kauai looking at abandoned cars.
Residents too leave a carbon footprint,and for too long many have had a disregard ,and sense of entitlement to these places.
Nancy M says
It seems more and more that Hawaii is discouraging tourists from visiting your beautiful islands. As someone who has visited 20+ times to enjoy the beauty and culture of your islands, I have to say that I don’t feel welcome to visit anytime in the near future.
Dick O says
Sadly, it seems like every other article is about a new “tourist tax”. Kauai is proposing charging only tourists for some beach parking, with penalties of $100 for the first violation and a whopping $500 for the second!
Pretty soon tourists will be prevented from going to most of the scenic locations because they missed the ticket lottery, are sent away because too many people are there already, or like this article says, can’t necessarily afford an unplanned $100 for a family of four. Tourists are probably going to decide to go elsewhere and that will impact an economy that relies on billions (with a b) of tourist dollars.
Jim B says
First it was the pool use fee, then the air conditioning fee, that all turned into the resort fee which almost all resorts charge but you don’t find out until you get ready to check out surprise surprise surprise, then the $100 visitor fee and a beach use fee. When will it stop
Bette B says
Good for Hunama Bay! Its not about gouging visitors, it’s about protecting the fish and coral. I wish DLNR would do the same at Ahihi Reserve on Maui.
Jeff M says
Betty you’re WRONG and that is why a lot of us visitors are upset. Your politicians don’t give a flying rat fart about the fish or coral!If they did we’d understand however, in their own words it’s all about making money!
The city said that it is “looking at different ways to have revenue come in and one of the big things with Hanauma Bay is it’s free for locals and we charge the non-local residents to enter the bay.” The city plans to use this “visitors pay” but “locals do not” concept at other facilities soon.
Skip S. says
Wondering how Hawaii residents would react to special fees for visiting and parking at mainland or Alaskan destinations, charged only to Hawaii residents?
Maybe special charges wouldn’t be so appealing.
Mike S. says
Maybe they should implement these extra charges only on foreign visitors. People from the mainland should be allowed the same priviledges as Hawaii residents because we are all of the same country. Mahalo for your wonderful information.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Mike.
Thanks for your feedback on visitor fees and for your other comments as well.
Aloha.
Elizabeth S says
Must be a resident.