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.
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.