More taxes are confirmed for your Hawaii hotel or vacation rental. Prepare for some sticker shock.
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230 thoughts on “Honolulu Latest to Hike New Accommodation Tax: Highest in US”
More taxes are confirmed for your Hawaii hotel or vacation rental. Prepare for some sticker shock.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
I am a frequent visitor to Hawaii. I have visited Hawaii Maui Kona and Oahu. I consider these taxes to be impact fees. Meaning they are used to pay for the infrastructure necessary to service a community made up of less than 200,000 which serves over 2 to four million visitors a year. That is a tremendous strain on infrastructure including roads sewer water electricity and other essential infrastructure needed to support both the tourism industry and the local economy as well as the local people. I have visited foreign countries wherein they have entry fees ranging from $15 to $100. On a multiple country trip I have paid in excess of $500 in these entry fees in addition to the local county state and federal taxes of the country.
We were in Hawaii January 7-15, 2022. Received letter stating new tax would be added to our already completely paid for reservations. Is that legal?
Hi Mindy, my understanding FOR Maui is if you made your reservation before Nov 1, 2021….regardless of when you are visiting/staying then you do not have to pay the tax. Again that is for Maui only, each island/county made their own effective date. Hope that helps.
When does the new tax get added on to the hotel bill in Waikiki? We are here now and they added it in already to our bill said in effect since the 8th of December. Please advise thank you so much.
Hi Daniel.
We commented on this question already. We believe it is January 1 but could not find anything confirming that.
Aloha.
Looks like it’s no longer the Aloha state anymore. May have to change our January travel plans!!!
Thank you for the information…
So, when does Oahu start implementing this?
Hi Kevin.
It has been signed into law, but we did not see an effective date confirmed. We believe it is starting January 1.
Aloha.
Apparently most of the entire Hawaii State politicians have decided for the residents of the islands that they wish to curtail tourism by passing more Tax Increases to those who visit. This also is aided by some of the major property owners who stand to make a bigger bundle when tourist visit and stay at their properties. I used to love to visit the islands and, have on numerous occasions, but poorer people are being priced out! Residents: Is this really what you want or what politicians wan
Actually residents want less tourists I’m part of a group that is titled enough tourists already so if the taxing works then so be it
Be careful what you wish for….as Covid went on the economy in Hawaii was devastated, I get perhaps limiting the number of tourists but on the other hand if Hawaii thinks it can do this by raising the fees/taxes etc eventually the majority of people will decide it’s not worth it and of course your tourism authority will once again be begging people to come. Everything has a certain price/value and once people decide it’s not worth it they will find other alternatives.
Spot-on, add-in the newly announced Supply Chain issues Bedding to Food & Beverage, the diminished Value received against older Pricing and Memories will be an issue with those with discretionary Spends. The Budget Traveler will still buy their Beer or Wine for the room, as we all do, but not spend where Prices are higher and Hotel Profit Margins greater in Revenue Production. Governor Ige, tied the Retailers hands for 18 months, now with the added Taxes, that comes from somewhere!
Exactly!!! The average traveler will have a set budget so Hawaii can raise prices, tax more etc etc but once the “budget” amount has been met he/she will no longer spend. Vegas is slowly finding that out and Hawaii will be next.
Are there any restrictions on travel to Maui at this time? We travel there Jan.1
Accommodations are becoming more and more unaffordable in Hawaii. Feels like price gouging. Soon the only tourists and business travelers there will be the wealthy. Is that what Hawaiians want?
Apparently Hawaiian government Officials never met Winston Churchill.
“We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
― Winston S. Churchill
Sadly comical, with One-Party Rule and a lame-duck Governor that coralled all the Counties collected Taxes for the States General Fund, this at the same time that Oahu’s International Airport and Maui’s come in 2nd worst in their respective categories! Rather then re-invest this Money by County into the Airports, they just let them get worse and worse, as if the Citizenry of the Aloha State doesn’t deserve better!
Thanks for the article, BOH. I really can’t understand the logic in taking the money away from the counties. Of course, they will raise their taxes. People should note that while the accommodation taxes are high, the sales tax is very low. In the Seattle area it is around 10%, in Hawaii it is around 4%. I have no idea about the rest of the country or the world, just thought I’d throw out a positive point.
Heading to Maui October 29, can’t wait!
Mahalo,
Lani
Hi Lani.
Thanks. Yes, good point. Enjoy your time on Maui.
Aloha.
Yes definitely will impact going back to Maui. Already have the highest tourism tax rates. Will need toook for another vacation destination. So sad
Does this tax apply to Timeshare if you own at the Hawaii property