Should the state look closer to home for its loyal Hawaii visitors? We can’t help but wonder.
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28 thoughts on “Hawaii Governor Courts Japanese Tourists. What About Mainland Visitors?”
Should the state look closer to home for its loyal Hawaii visitors? We can’t help but wonder.
Doubtful that Japanese visitors will return in large numbers. I was happy to hear announcements in both English and Spanish at Hawaiian Airlines LAX as there were no Japanese travelers ,and Spanish speaking visitors are coming to Hawaii
I have Japanese family, they’re not budging. Hawaii is considered too expensive – especially with the Yen/Dollar exchange rate. Additionally, the islands, Waikiki in particular, are increasingly viewed as unsafe and hostile by many Japanese. They’re turning more and more to destinations such as Taiwan and Thailand for affordable, safe, tropical vacationing. Anecdotal but it’s what I hear from them.
Best
Interesting you bring up the safety, I travelled to Hawaii on Business 1986-2015, the first 20 years maybe 5X/Annum, the last 9, 4X/Annum, since Annually and Waikiki only now, there was never Security issues until the Ige Lock-down and following with the anti-Tourist, especially from the Mainland monolog. It seems in both Kauai and Maui it’s become militant, and in Waikiki there have been issues at night, when never before. Hopefully, that changes for all.
When a Japanese person starts using the words “abunai” (dangerous)and “kitanai” (dirty) as part of their description of what’s supposed to be a premium vacation destination it’s never good… My aunt was floored by the public urination on her last visit a few years ago…
Best regards
I used to think the anti visitor attitude was limited to a vocal minority, but once you start seeing laws passed that restrict visitor access and a two tiered system where only visitors are charged for access to certain areas, you realize the attitude towards tourists runs much deeper.
Also, as other have mentioned the disgusting elitist attitude toward “low value” tourists will likely not play out well, people that truly have the funds to stay anywhere they want will not tolerate run down rooms/facilities at “high end resorts”.
Also, the $50 fee and other fees are just plain insulting and I think part of the intent is to remind visitors of their “place” when visiting and Hawaiians getting their “pound of flesh”.
The way our moron Governor here in Colorado gets around imposing taxes he changes the wording to Fees. In short, we voted in a bill called The Tabor bill. Basically the state cannot impose a tax without a vote by the people. Then if the state has a surplus of tax funds, we get that surplus back as a refund. Fees don’t not need a vote by us. It’s amazing how soon the people that are vote into office forget how they got there.
Governor Green, seems to be very transparent, trying to move the shells in the table, now calling the $50 Fee (Violation of Interstate Commerce) a Climate Fee. This, not unlike, His predecessor Ige, scooping up all the County Room Taxes and putting them in the States General Fund, and creating the highest Room Tax worldwide. To Climate, would it not be more that Politico’s ignored Surveys built over 7 years, that Hawaiian Electric destroyed evidence during the lockdown and The State held back needed water to fight the fire, with trucks unable to go off road and pumps not functioning! It would seem Green, knows not that Japan retreated from Hawaii in the late 1990’s, despite owning most of the Resort hotels in Waikiki. Nice trip!
Also, when city cops pull you over on city road and give you a ticket, the money goes to the state general funds. Talk about slush money.
Be careful what you wish with for with “high-end “ vs. “low-end”. Some of the biggest cheapskates I know are wealthy people. They wouldn’t tip if their lives depended on it.
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for that interesting perspective. And for nearly 200 comments on Beat of Hawaii!
Aloha.
That’s because the “low end” visitors know how hard it is to earn a buck and acknowledge that by giving good tips when they are here and appreciate our Aloha spirit.