There’s no way this will be anything but fuel for the fire of Hawaii tourism’s makeover.
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380 thoughts on “Hawaii “Does Not Encourage Visiting:” Waikiki, Diamond Head, Volcanoes, Poipu, Etc.”
There’s no way this will be anything but fuel for the fire of Hawaii tourism’s makeover.
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Can you recommend any nice hotels or resorts on Maui, Kauai or the big island for under $250 per night?
With the current climate of gentrification (not just in Hawai’i, but all over the upper 48), I’m not surprised that this list has been released. I’ve lived here one short year. The more I know, and the more I discover, about the land, about the people, about the history, the more I want to leave this place for the kanaka maoli to be the loving stewards of the land that has been stolen. Though all land is stolen land, these islands are so fragile, so uniquely beautiful, the thought of 30 million people passing through on a yearly basis seems wholly unsustainable. I feel a green tax, only on tourists (free for residents and indigenous Hawai’ians), could help with the protection of these sacred places.
I was always respectful when on the islands. They got their wish as my family will not be back. People are friendly when spending money in the shops , in hotels and tipping. Outside of that one should stay in your pricy accommodation, to keep Hawaii to the Hawaiian people, as they wish. I went to Hawaii to be outdoors and dare I say be on one of their beaches! Even New residents now have the this is my home attitude. The simple solution would be to close hotels, time share condos etc.
I agree 100%, with the places which should not be visited by tourists. I know Hawaii has sold it’s soul to tourism and the all mighty dollar, but it has gone too far in every direction. Until Hawaii residents take back Hawaii, it is just going to get worse. My major complaint besides the aina being overrun with tourists, is that the price of everything has gotten totally out of 🎛️ control. My son born and raised in Hawaii would love to come back and teach, but he can not because of the overall outlandish costs of everything from food to housing. Tourists should be limited, and anyone coming to live in Hawaii needs a sponsor to vouch for them.
Mahalo Kawika. Mahalo Hawaiian. Imua.
Nice thought. But that won’t happen. It would be unconstitutional. One state cannot limit citizens of another state from freely traveling from one to the other. The Supreme Court has addressed that issue several times.
I live here, my whole life I’m 50 years old. this is no longer the Aloha States! this is the evil state now I am an outsider, the Hawaiian have sold out to evil, because what was done to me & my family, I believe soon Hawaii will no longer the 50 state of the USA. The state of Hawaii is dirty and they are making moves to take down the United States of America. They are bringing in immigrants.
All beaches in Hawaii are public.
There’s this little document called the Constitution of the United States that would prevent that. But, I doubt you care much about that.
Of course tourism can be limited. Just raise the prices. It happens everywhere. There’s nothing in the constitution about that.
Have a nice day!
Too bad that’s not what the post I replied to was advocating. Nice try.
Your words of encouragement may blossom into beautiful daisies Eldo. If limiting tourism is the ultimate goal, why not limit the amount of Hotel and Resort Accommodations available? I Believe that coupled with your suggestion would certainly curtail the amount of tourists quickly and easily.
Ernie, are you suggesting that the HI State Government could stop hotel companies from doing business in the islands ? Why…that sounds downright… Un-American!
Eldo I would Never suggest such a thing. I was suggesting that at certain times of the year they “could” cut back on the number of rooms available for tourists, of course they could raise their rates may accordingly to compensate, thus limiting out of State tourism, regulate by unavailability. Less Tourists, approximately the same money made by the hotels, easier on the limited resources and people. A Win/Win for Hawaii! Just thinking outside of the box.
How do you cut back on rooms for Tourists? Someone checks in and the front desk says “BTW… are you a tourist?” And if they answer yes then they have to check to see if all the tourist rooms taken?
Patrick all that the Consortium of Hotels and Resorts need to do is Block Out a number of Rooms during certain periods of time, raise the rates to Compensate, and suddenly Tourists are cut back. This can be done at certain times to “persuade” tourists to travel at more preferential times of the year or for whatever reason. See, it’s Not that difficult!
Do you really think hotels would be willing to do that? I doubt it.
When you say “blockout a number of rooms” do you mean just don’t sell them and let them go empty? Let’s see… let’s close off half our rooms and double the price. What a genius idea. All he hotels would jump on that in a minute.
Understand preserving the culture, beauty, and purity of the island for the residents to enjoy.
However, unless more industry is developed so we can be self-sustaining, tourist dollars will be sorely missed.
You are right on the money. We cannot go backwards without destroying the local economy. Locals will actually be starving! This is not a joke. Read up on nations who have tried it. Economic manipulation never works. Countries in South America tried it to the dismay of the starving people.
I appreciate the earnestness of this article, but the Internet is definitely going to turn this into “The Top 10 Places you’re not supposed to go (you won’t believe #4).”
#4 on which island?
It’s a joke. A reference to pop-up internet ads.
Where to begin? My husband and I have collectively spent more time on ALL the islands than many who now call themselves residents. Grad school in Hilo in 1975 and so many years there-and now we fear discrimination if we go back. Ironic that so many Hawaii residents crave coming here to SoCal or Las Vegas!! Perhaps the same treatment/restrictions in reverse? We feel for all those businesses/hotels, etc. that keep residents solvent/financially secure. There’s still time to end the perceived hate and sustain towards all of us…
The Ma’ema’e Toolkit is virtue signaling document for a small angry minority of individuals living on Hawaii.
Hawaii is run by Big Corp first it was agriculture, pineapple and sugarcane, now it’s tourism. The planes are going to keep coming, new resorts will be built and tourist will be there in record numbers.
Hawaii has become a theme park full of tourist activities, ziplines, booze cruise, learn to surf, snorkeling, themed restaurants, Luau’s and lets not forget Aulani a Disney Resort & Spa.
You invited us we came and we are staying. Game over.
Been reading these comments through the rains. Sadly, this is probably the truest, most realistic comment of the whole bunch. Once you sell the farm you’ll never get enough money to buy it back and no one is going to give it back.
I’ve been visiting the islands with my parents and grandparents since I was a little girl, 5, I believe. I was taught to respect the islands, traditions and culture. To this day, that’s exactly what I do. The islands have a calming effect on me, peaceful you could say. I always feel awful when I see litter(I pick up) people approaching natural wildlife, it makes me feel ill. Last year I celebrated my 60th birthday in Kauai and got to share it with my 7 year old grandson. I would be sad not to be able to travel there.
My grandparents and parents were born and raised on Maui and Oahu. I love the Hawaiian islands and the people (native Hawaiian and all the people who have called Hawaii their “home”, regardless of their ethnicity.) we go home to visit each year and visit family. I understand the reason behind this article but I believe it is being taken out of context. Of course, visitors are welcome as that is most of their business! Just be respectful while there. No different than people of Montana who tell me they don’t appreciate visitors who come to see where “Yellowstone” is filmed and the trail they blaze through disturbing the majestic beauty of their home.
Hawaii is a tourist destination, the economy depends on it. There is no other commodity that can support those who live there. During Covid the economy spiraled down because there were no tourists. There are beautiful people and places in Hawaii that others can enjoy that don’t have the opportunity to live there.
Can you imagine the French tourist authority not promoting the Eiffel Tower, Paris or Venice? Or anywhere else in the world that is a tourist destination.
This report is actually economically hurting those who live there.
Hawaii is no longer what it was. This is my home. Im not of Hawaiian blood but the island is apart of me. Never lived anywhere else but here. I feel that no I know the True island ways of the Hawaiian people has turned into hate from the the United States of America congratulations repeat your history.
Have worked in Hawaii providing medical services for 30 years this article couldn’t be more right on. Hawaiian people are rude, confrontational, and not very friendly in general.
In those 30 years I visited many of these places and there’s always some underlying resentment to visitors. Plan on visiting one last time and never to return I’m sure they’re happy to hear that.
I Agree 100 percent that social media will destroy the beautiful lands as we once knew them….all over the world, but especially dear to my heart Hawaiian islands. The posts I read are so exasperating. Individuals wantng to know where to go in every step of their visit. My Golly, just open your eyes and it is right there, without posting how you look, etc.Please do no posting and tagging on every single site on socials… I was raised to honor all lands and its people. Many have not been taught to even Not litter. Parents, grandparents, teach your children to respect Everything. As their taught so shall they do! Our islands will be so injured if we dont get a handle on this social posting. Thanks for this article!
I certainly have sympathy for those who don’t want tourists. I know how I’d feel if thousands of strangers were tromping through my neighborhood. And I don’t see anything wrong with limiting the number of visitors, lots of places have limits on visitors. Demand will always overwhelm the sustainable capacity.
I don’t think there really are any good alternatives. Diversify? To what? Hawaii is too small and too remote. Clamping down on tourism and non resident property ownership is the best bet.
I hope it can be made to work, for the sake of the people and the place.
We visited in September for the first time in 12 years and were shocked at how busy and overrun some areas were.
I think it’s a delicate balance. And part of visiting respectfully is knowing which areas are sacred, off limits, or at capacity and exercise judgment and discretion rather than feeling entitled to full-access. And on top of that, maybe not posting and tagging every single site on socials…
Very accurate with the tagging abuse. We lived in Hawaii Kai for years and went to Halona Cove, often by ourselves, for a quiet day at the beach. When we drove there in September it was overrun by people who didn’t know how to safely get to and from the beach and there was trash everywhere. I wish there was a way to stop tagging.
Basically they are saying we can come, but stay in our room the entire time. If they really want to decrease tourism, shut down half of the hotels and other types of lodging. No place to stay, no tourists. Plus it would achieve your goal of only having wealthy people come. I have been to Hawaii numerous times. We have always been respectful of the islands. Apparently we aren’t wanted anymore so we won’t be back. So much is made of the Hawaiian culture and that’s great, but native Hawiians are less than 10% of the population according to the census. Maybe kick out the other 90%. None of this is realistic but then what the state wants to do isn’t either.
With all due respect, spoken as a true, uninformed tourist. While you are correct that the native Hawaiian, i.e., original Polynesian, population is small, the contemporary interpretation of Hawaiian culture includes all of the ethnic groups that comprise the population of these islands, including the large influx of eastern Asian nationals in the middle of the 19th century. So Hawaiian culture is much broader and diverse than what you are assuming. You exemplify what I see is one of the problems: outsiders making assumptions based on movies and popular representations that are not based in reality.
Eldo, I am not uninformed, 37 trips from NYC. It is a sad state of affairs today in the Islands. Stopped going with pandemic. Read this newsletter and daily Honolulu Advertiser. Things have changed and all involved will regret it soon. Don’t diss people for their opinion when that is what comment section is for.. things have changed in the wrong direction.Add more cheap airfares and see what type of tourist will outnumber respectful ones. Put your efforts into helping the homeless and mentally ill…
I was only responding to your comment about how only 10% of the people here are native Hawaiian so the rest should probably be kicked out. That is a statement that I have a significant problem with, because it is based in ignorance. Although maybe that’s not what you meant to say, but that’s what you wrote. Mahalo.
Wow. So in other words, come to Hawaii shop or shops, but don’t go to our attractions. Don’t look at our views. Is this why in the last couple years Hawaii is now charging to go to a lot of these places on this list
Unfortunately, I have witnessed some ‘“less than hospitable’ behavior of visitors to these beautiful places. It is so sad that people have forgotten to be good guests and show respect for other cultures and natural treasures such as these spectacular sites. They need to be respected and preserved so they may be shared with future generations.
Just want to add, with all the tourist that come to our islands and buy from our grocery stores. You are taking the food we need to live. We go weeks with out flour, milk, and so much more. And when you leave, you leave food in your condo’s we have to throw it all away. Then some of you just decided to stay and buy your summer home. Driving up housing prices. So the rest of us can’t even think about owning a home or even renting one. We work 2or 3 jobs just to live humbly.
When we get more tourists all the prices go up. What you pay is what we pay. You come here and treat us like we are scum only here to serve your every whim. You don’t tip properly and you throw you trash all over the place. Do us all a favor respect us, we earned it.
Are you saying that the grocery stores cannot buy enough for locals and tourists. I have not experienced that on any on the 4 islands I have been to. If you go without flour or milk, are so rural that deliveries are not often enough? I know you are supposed to throw away food that is left behind in condos, but why not donate it to a food bank? That rule was not made by tourists, it was made by your people who come up with some stupid laws. More tourists cause the prices to go up but in this case, it’s the hotels, restaurants, shops etc. sending the prices sky high as long as people will pay them. That will not last. No wonder it is said they only want rich people.
I don’t know about the other islands, because we have spent the last 10 years visiting Kauai once each year, But they may as well just say Don’t visit our island! And this year we aren’t! We are spending our two weeks on a Caribbean island instead. Not sure I will have the same emotions and spiritual healing I experience on Kauai , but I am sure hoping I will. So we can have a new, more welcoming vacation home… I will miss “my Kauai island home ” 🙁
Don’t allow the small mindedness of a few selfish residents affect your feelings about visiting Kauai. It’s as much your island as it is theirs.
Instead of promoting the idea all visitors are ugly ungrateful and don’t come why not make videos to be shown at airports that promote how to behave? The rules to follow to be a Good visitor. Show what being a respectful visitor means and how to behave. And include fines with teeth ($75k for urinating in public, or found to have trespassed on private property for example). If instead of headline “visitor urinated at top of ***” the headline read “Uncouth visitor fined $75k for desecrating scared ground”- would get the attention and get message across better.
Tourism does the good and the bad. They have to respect the Island’s. I’ve lived in Hawaii and me coming from an Island I understand perfectly. Thay do the same thing in Puerto Rico. Mahalo and respect.
Is this an example of a few outspoken unreasonable people that are influencing others. They can not see what this could do future of Hawaii? People do not come to Hawaii for a Hotel or Walmart they have that on the mainland. If this were to happen as proposed it will have long last implantations.
This crazy needs to stop before you drive people out of your market and they find another place to spend there money giving it to other communities.
If I were planning a trip to Hawaii I would reconsider spending my money elsewhere. People with fringe views can ruining the communities that they supposedly are trying to protect.
What draws visitors to Hawaii is the beauty of the land… a me ke kanaka maoli. If we do not care for and respect the land the very home of these majestic people, it will be a huge loss for everyone. We all need to practice respect… to my friends and ‘Ohana… A Hui Hou Kakou, Malama Pono. Lesu Pu. Mahalo allowing me to feel as Hanai… Aloha.
As a military member in the 80’s I had the honor to be stationed on O’ahu. I say honor not just out of having served, but being given the chance to live there for several years and learn about culture and traditions that make this land and people so majestic. I have been blessed with the ability and opportunity to visit twice yearly. Some of my closest friend are native hawaiian. Ha’awi Ho’ihi, Loa’a Ho’ihi!
Maybe “outsiders” should be more respectful to the people alive here and accept the culture instead of trying to change it. They can leave their entitlement back in the state they came from.
In the year living here it is very clear how the people here feel about “outsiders”. The state had the worst unemployment recovery rate in the country post pandemic, and has the lowest gdp in the country. Without the “outsiders” this place would be a bankrupt state. Stop treating the people who stand this state up like and maybe it wouldn’t be written about like it’s a 3rd world country you should be weary about..
Live hear one whole year and you know all that. My oh my. Hawaii did fine before all the tourist. We will be fine without your entitled attitude.
They did fine, disputes and other things settled by ritual beheading and also sacrificial offerings to the Gods via tossing people into volcanoes as well as other types of torturous death? Slave Labor to support the Kingdom of Paradise and the Current Ruling Family. It sounds like something similar to the Southern States prior to the Civil War, without the volcanoes and the weather wasn’t as nice. Amazing how people will perceive a past that they aren’t fully knowledgeable of, isn’t it?
Curious about “…fine before the tourist…”
I wonder when it was that Hawaii started to be considered to be a tourist destination. And what was going on before that point, industry wise, that allowed them to prosper and thrive? Was in sugar cane? Pineapples? A stop off point for whalers transiting the Pacific?
Here’s a Very interesting piece on how and when Tourism got started and when it really started to take off.
uhero.hawaii.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/WP_2015-1.pdf
Hawaii & the HTA epitomizes the saying “You can’t fix stupid!”
ha utter nonsense .. it’s been my experience that the people who propose such dribble are wealthy immigrants to Hawaii. Take a closer look at this list and you’ll see it’s more to do with lack of regulation (parking, littering, and noise pollution) and less to do with tourist conduct. Somebody needs to do a census beacause the brand, “locals” includes a lot more immigrants, retirees, etc. than they realize. If anthing, the military footprint needs to be greatly reduced on Oahu .. than they would see it’s really not the tourists at fault.
Hawaii & the HTA epitomizes the saying “You can’t fix stupid (lolo)! 1) Publishing a no visit list is the equivalent of telling the entire universe that they are the very places to visit. 2) Placing Federal sites on the list is the ultimate version of stupidity. And for the locals what ever happened to “live aloha?” And as for not being able to sustain 30M visitors annually. If you can’t make a living with that number in HI’s main industry what makes you think you can make a living with less? Do the math. You need visitors. Find smarter people that have had success with finding a workable solution. They sure aren’t within HTA! Can’t fix stupid, remember?
Visitors already pay about 18% in taxes, and now they want to add a Green Fee. It won’t be surprising when tourists start choosing to go to places that are much easier to to get to, like the Caribbean. Especially when they find out that if they were to take a tour with a tour company in Hawaii, that they are banned from all State parks, and most of the City beach parks. And that all of the rental cars are sold out, and that the traffic is backed up for miles anyway with all the rental cars with only 2 people in them clogging up the roads and taking up all the parking spaces at the beaches.
Saying the Caribbean is easier to get to is definitely a very broad stroke. If you live in the west the Caribbean is a real drag to get to. I know, I did it, once. It was definitely not worth the effort.
I did it from Los Angeles. We stopped in Florida and then landed in Puerto Rico. From there we flew to the Virgin Islands. It was a long day, but it didn’t bother us. Obviously Hawaii is much easier to get to, but if the prices keep going up we can’t afford to return.
Those lists are ridiculous. They should just say their real message.
Don’t come.
The organization awarded the marketing contract is the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement NOT the Natve Hawaiian Hospitality Association.
Hi Rob.
Thanks. That was in error and has been updated.
Aloha.
The people of Hawaii seem to think they are their own country and can bar citizens of the US from coming there or make them pay for the privilege to visit. How incensed would these Hawaiian residents be if this were reversed and they were charged extra to visit California, Las Vegas or anywhere else in the US? Like it or not, Hawaii is a US state and as such must abide US laws. I wonder how the locals would like it if the US stopped all of their government subsidies and let them fend for themselves and return to living off the land as they say they want to do? How about they blame themselves for electing money hungry officials for this mess instead of the tourist who keep their businesses afloat.
Touche!
Perfect !!
Live hear one whole year and you know all that. My oh my. Hawaii did fine before all the tourist. We will be fine without your entitled attitude.
Don’t like it don’t come. I don’t hear of any Hawaiians going to your state and telling you how to run it. States rights.lol
Were you fine during the closures due to the Pandemic? You might want to re-think that comment. The industries such as sugar cane that supported the population are all gone. It’s your choice how to run your state, but don’t decide with a knee jerk reaction.
I also don’t see our lower 48 telling Hawaiians they must pay for the tourist areas because they are not local.
Quick question to our two are graceful and always helpful Beat of Hawaii editors: has there ever been a hot -button issue in the history of your website that has attracted as many heated comments as this one (i.e. Hawaii and tourists “not welcome”)?
Just curious.
Hi Eldo.
First, thank you. Good question. We have had articles with up to 5,000 comments. So this isn’t even close, at least thus far.
Aloha.
Case in point: Maunawili Falls in windwards Oahu. I lived in the neighborhood where the trail to the falls originates. Fortunately I lived several blocks away. The utter disregard by tourists of the homes in that neighborhood was breathtaking. Litter. Drunkenness. Public urination. Parking in front of driveways. It was utter chaos. Plus, about once a week the county would have to helicopter evacuate someone disregarding the warning signs and jump from the top of the falls into the pool below, usually fracturing their lumbar spine. It was horrible. Tourists come to Hawaii to have a good time; it’s a myth that the majority of them are respectful or interested in local customs or culture. They might as well be on spring break in Florida.
Aloha Eldo,
I’m fairly confident that it would be considerably far worse than you’re describing (all over the islands), if it’s a “myth that the majority” of tourists are not respectful or are not interested in the local customs or culture.
It appears a bit short sighted to suggest that it’s that many, based on your singular experience, without providing factual evidence to back your opinion.
I’m pretty positive, based on the hundreds of times that I’ve visited multiple tourist destinations, on multiple islands (even those off the beaten path), that it’s not a majority of tourists at all; however, feel free to provide statistics that prove me wrong. I’d truly like to see that statistical data, if it exists.
Mahalo! 😊
I agree, show the statistics! I have indigenous American in me. I’m always respectful of our native nations. I understand their points,but I’m always wanting to explore our nations cultures, customs, and beliefs. Don’t punish everyone because of a few bad visitors.
One of the reasons for this lack of regard of courtesy is that these tourists do not have a tour guide. It is actually illegal for tour guides to take people to places like this. It should actually be the other way around, it should almost be Mandatory that if tourist ventures to places like this, that they should have a guide with them to make sure that they don’t do things that they’re not supposed to do. But tour companies are banned from all State parks, and now most of the City Beach Parks (with recently passed laws, tour companies are banned from all of the beaches in Kailua and Waimanalo, and all of the beach parks on the North Shore from Sunset Beach through Hale’iwa, and Kokololio), and are only allowed in 7 trails with a permit.
If there are no tours available to those places, visitors will be forced to rent vehicles, further degrading traffic
This makes so much more sense!
There is a similar arrangement when visiting slot canyons of AZ. They are on tribal land and in order to visit, you must have a native tour guide from an established tour company.
Oooof the entitlement in these comments! If you’re taking this personally, think long and hard about why that might be. The reality is that tourism as it stands is not sustainable and very little of the dollars you spend are going to those who live here. If you want to visit, spend time learning about Hawaiian culture and/or volunteering to repair some of the damage that has been done. This is the kind of tourism that will most help Hawaii.
Aloha,
I own a small tour company with 5 tour vans. Last year we took in just under $400,000. Almost 100% of that went back out into the local economy. 1/3rd of that went to pay the local drivers, who I’m sure spent it in the local economy. One of the drivers uses that money to support her Hula Halau. All of the rest of the money went to expenses like to the mechanics that maintain our tour vans, and local printing companies that print our brochures and make the signage on our vans. I’m doing my taxes right now, and believe me when I say, 100% of the money was spent, with nothing left over, and most of it went to the local economy.
So, a question is – where exactly is all that money from tourism and exorbitant taxes going to if not to the people of Hawai’i? Maybe some failed projects? Or bad politicians? “You get what you vote for” never sounded more accurate than when we talk about the island politics.
Tourism in Hawaii supports over 200,000 jobs and a quarter of state’s GDP.
If they don’t want tourism, then they need to develop other industries.
I’m about to visit HI for the first time in my life and I’ll be half a century old. I’ve read a few parties over the last few weeks at this site thst make me feel like I’m unwelcome and already I feel like I’m about to regret spending my money at the islands. I love the outdoors and have always wanted to visit but wow. Seems like everyone complains a lot about not having enough income and then shuns the very people that contribute to it.
Go, enjoy it. I have no doubt that you’ll be respectful to the land. I went last October and everyone there was so welcoming and just overall friendly. I hiked Diamond head too. So this article doesn’t make sense to me because that’s something people there suggested to me and they even have a little gift shop to buy stuff like “I hiked Diamond Head” so why wouldn’t they want you to take photographs? Seems odd. Just be respectful of where you are just like you should do anywhere you go. Safe travels!
I have been to Hawai’i 3 times as a tourist and I never got a sense that any of the places on the lists above (I’ve been to most of them on 3 islands) are overcrowded or degraded.
Hawai’i has to be one of the most remote places in the Northern Hemisphere. You know that because of your cost of living. Your main source of income is tourism. Sure, the big resorts are owned by mainland or multinational corporations, but Hawai’ians built them, maintain them, work at them, supply them. The resorts pay as much tax as the State of Hawai’i asks them to. Countless Hawai’ian resident owned businesses depend on tourism.
What would happen if tourism was significantly curtailed? You already know: remember the pandemic? Don’t kill your golden goose.
Perhaps if we would ask the locals what bothers them most about tourism, and as tourists, try to respect their wishes, we wouldn’t be seeing such extreme measures being introduced.
I don’t want those measures, but everyone needs a voice to be heard and respected when it comes to this issue.
I am a writer who stays in a very remote location on the Big Island for months at a time b/c the island is the most magnificent place I’ve ever been. Hearing “loud Americans” playing football on the beach was so incongruous to the environment. That particular environment has a holy feel. No one would have a raucous football game in church.
I hope Hawaii gets rid of the rule breakers one by one, instead of this broad sweep. All love.
Same 😩😫 i go in august and im like man i really wish i would of been more educated on all this before booking my trip. Im okay with not taking videos and posting anything, i just wanna be in the presence of the beauty of the lands and the beautiful people and culture as respectful as they need be. I just don’t want to experience rudeness and unkindness. I wish there was an article on the positive experiences we could have aside from these places or what we can do to help while there(except for the obvious). That obviously people have no home training, ruining it for us all. But what can we do to help if we are already coming?
Gosh, I wish more tourists thought like you. I wish you a great time in The Sandwich Islands. I pray you pick up some aloha and take it back with you. When you appreciate the aina (land) it will open a whole new perspective on your view of this planet. You will become delightfully lazy smelling the flowers, hiking, beaching and gazing at the magnificent mountain ranges. I wish you peace and happiness.
What you said about the holy land is so true. It’s why outsiders like me want to be there so much. All love to you. To everyone on this site.
I’d wager that if you added all of the supporting businesses, IE: construction/development, maintenance, retail sales, etc. that are indirectly tied to the travel industry, it would be a lot higher than 25%. I’m sure those statistics are out there somewhere?
I’ll make it short and s. I’ve read all the comments, how soon you forget how bad it was during the pandemic. If you don’t want or want to regulate tourist then you better think again. Hawaii not a place that can sustain without tourism. Remember the past 3 yrs and the people that were out of a job???
Think about it.
Fishing in the ocean doesn’t make as much money as fishing on the land 😉
If you don’t want visitors then why did you allow all of the major hotel chains to built huge resorts on these islands? Please don’t tell people marketing Hawaii on the mainland not to mention for example Volcanos National Park which is federal land. The state has nothing to say about it. Fear not, with prices going up 25% on accommodations for next year, eventually only the rich will be coming. The prices this year are absolutely over the top already. Hope that makes the locals happy when jobs are cut by 50% or more.
The wealthy white people who move there want all the best spots to themselves. Take this list when you travel to Hawaii so you’ll know the best places to visit.
I know some wealthy, not-so-white people moving there who want some best spots all to themselves. Just ask the secret service 🤣
Is that a racist crack? Well, it has no place on this forum. Obama’s new home in Waimanalo happens to be a discreet, beautiful, low rise residence that blends in with that particular area. Aloha
Multiple negative “wealthy white people” posts are fine, but “wealthy not-so-white people” is a racist crack?
She was using a joke to point out the double standard.
Magnum PI land
I agree that the wealthy white people who move there want all the best spots to themselves. But let’s please step in kindness and not act like them. All love to you.
“Wealthy white people want all the best spots for themselves”
Willing buyers paying willing sellers a mutually agreeable price.
I’m one of those white wealthy people that moved to Hawai’i,and while I’m happy to share in our natural wonders with everyone, it’s the tourism and other people in my socioeconomic strata that keep the islands moving forward. Along with tourism, We pay the vast amount of taxes that support over 200,000 local people on foodstamps that can’t or won’t work because of bad life decisions.
It’s a very small group of absolutely crazy people, extremists radicals with practically no heritage or plan to change the economy drawing all the attention. They simply want to cause a scene but not really improve anything.
It’s the entitled as you say, people such as myself, that are actively preserving vast amounts of property from degradation by “locals
Until it’s past one, we have to spend the last 12 Christmases in Hawaii for a 3 week vacation. We buy jet $1,000 a day for our time in Hawaii and a lot of that money goes to taxes to support the local economy. But the increase in occupancy taxes and the overall unfriendly attitude of the locals. We chose to take our money elsewhere this year. I suggest others start looking at Tahiti as an alternative to Hawaii. We found the cost of the roughly the same. The locals to be much friendlier in the location was more beautiful than Hawaii. We love Hawaii but until things change we won’t be back.
Essentially they are saying they don’t want tourists at all. The reason people want to go all those places is that they are so utterly beautiful. I visit Hawaii as often as I can afford it which is usually after 3-5 years of saving money. There are many reasons that we love Hawaii – the people, ocean, flowers, music, culture, scenery, food, wildlife etc. We can sadly go elsewhere. It is all well and good to say Hawaiians want Hawaii for locals but I wonder how will they make a living without tourists?
Someone mentioned above that 25% of the economy is based on tourism dollars. I’d wager that if you added all of the supporting businesses, IE: construction/development, maintenance, retail sales, etc. that are indirectly tied to the travel industry, it would be a lot higher than 25%. I’m sure those statistics are out there somewhere?
Imagine, for a moment, every tourist who reads this article takes it to heart and quits coming to Hawaii. Word gets around that Hawaii is closed to non-residents. Hawaii would be financially ruined. Unemployment would soar and thousands would leave the state for the mainland. Be careful what you wish for. Hawaii isn’t the only location that is gorgeous. Certain Caribbean islands, Europe and Asia are all alternate places to visit and tourists are welcome.
By the sheer volume of comments here it doesn’t seem likely many will stop coming. I often wonder about the commenters who constantly rail that they’ll *never* return but they keep on following BOH. Why the interest of it’s off your list?
Hi Peg.
You are not the first person to wonder that same thing! And thanks for your 150 comments to date.
Aloha.
I know why I am on here, it’s because my family is from Hawaii. I will only go to the Big Island since I have a place to stay for free and not pay the onerous taxes and fees to non-residents.
Ha Ha, yes you can’t get much more seedy and overrun than Old Koloa Town, give me a break! I’m sure all the brand new small businesses in Koloa Village, who are locals trying to make a living, will love to hear the legislature has their back! We love the place because it’s clean, attractive, and pure enjoyment 🙂
I love Hawaii, the people, the culture, the natural beauty. Everything, all the islands. I am 76 years old and have been saving airline points for years so I could make a final visit to the Volcanoes, Kauai north shore. Actually just about anywhere on any island.
But It seems like I am not really welcome. From where I live, central US, the Caribbean and Mexican beaches are easier to travel to anyway. So disappointing, especially after reading about how difficult things were for many residents during the pandemic.