When it comes to Hawaii hotel pricing, there is a big gap in terms of wanting visitors to return and making it financially attractive to do so. As exceptional nightly rates loom except on Oahu, there seems to be a mixed message on how eager the islands’ businesses are to see visitor numbers increase.
This week’s report from the ever-effervescent Hawaii Tourism Authority makes clear that hotel prices continue to climb in spite of all odds. We’ll look at the August 23 data, which included the drop in tourism caused by the Lahaina fire. Then, we looked at a comparison with 2019, which remains a good baseline, and with 2022, which, on the other hand, marked a travel paradigm of no amount is too high.
If you wish to dig into each island further and regionally, you can do so in the HTA report data attached below.
Maui hotel rates have jumped 44% since 2019.
Following six months of declining visitors on Maui and a 16% additional drop in August occupancy based largely on the fire and the mass evacuation that ensued, we might have expected to see a significant reduction in room costs. While there was an 8.6% drop in August compared with 2022, the rates still averaged $564 before taxes and fees. That is up 44% since pre-Covid.
Maui hotels, in particular, want visitors to return immediately to help keep the island’s economy from slipping into recession.
Kauai hotel rates are up 57% since 2019.
Visitors on Kauai forked over big money in August. With an average daily rate of $444 before taxes and fees, they paid 57% more than in 2019, even as rates increased only 9% from 2022.
Big Island hotel prices have climbed 58% since 2019.
Hawaii Island reported an average daily room rate of $436, which remains up only 3% since 2022 and 58% since 2019.
Honolulu hotel prices remain the most reasonable overall.
Honolulu hotels have gone up the least in price both since 2019 and since last year. In August, the average rate was $292 before taxes and fees. That is up just 2% since last year and a relatively modest 14% since 2019. We wish we could say that this means excellent value can be found in Honolulu hotels. Unfortunately, even with these more modest increases, we still find Honolulu hotels overpriced and generally lacking in value.
Even before August, there were serious visitor warning signs.
Our Beat of Hawaii editors’ friend Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, confirmed July and August would be lackluster compared with traditional summer performance, seeing what he called a “fairly slow pickup” in this key vacation period. Gibson also said the lack of return visitors is concerning, calling them “The best guests for Hawaii.” We concur with his assessment. Jerry further suggested that Hawaii “concentrate on repeat guests.” It isn’t clear that HTA is heeding anyone’s suggestions, however. Occupancy rates in August were down 3% compared with 2022 and 10% compared with 2019.
It seems abundantly obvious to me that a roughly 40% increase in prices since the pandemic are going to negatively affect all tourism numbers going forward. I used to go to Hawaii quite often and now – with these prices – Not going.
It’s easy math for the hotels, they prefer 1 room occupied for $1000 a night vs 2 rooms occupied for $400 each. More $ for less hassle. The tone of the majority of the comments from loyal visitors seems to be enough is enough, time to seek alternatives. This doesnt bother the hotels as long as the ‘mindful’ (well heeled) keep coming and are ok with the new normal. It will be tough however on the small operators, cafes, tours, etc. and kinda sad for regular folks who want to visit but cant afford the sky high pricing. The hotels have a threshold and until they hit a certain mark of lower bookings no changes should be expected from them as far as reducing rates. Expect to see more residents headed out of state for economic reasons.
My wife and I have been to Maui and Oahu multiple times. We were considering going to Maui this fall to help support after the fire. I looked at rates in Wailea and it’s ridiculous the prices they are charging. If Maui truly wants tourist to return then stop being greedy and lower your prices. Once that happens we’ll be happy to return.
As Canadians, we are being priced out of this Market. We are looking at other options such as Costa Rica and Mexico or the Caribbean.
My family visited Maui and Kauai in 2019, both wonderful islands and people. Our hearts are so heavy for the people of Maui. Our hearts are just as heavy about the rapid increase of prices making it impossible for us to be able to afford to return. The sharp increases in prices send a message to middle income families that they don’t want people to return.
Sad because we loved it so much.
My wife and I arrived in West Maui two days before the Lahaina fire. Our first trip to Hawaii to celebrate our 30th anniversary. Obviously it was a miserable trip, but nothing compared to what the poor residents are dealing with in the aftermath of the fire.
Regardless, hotel rates are outrageous and I don’t see ourselves returning to the islands. There are many other more economical places to visit than Hawaii.
Hawaii should be grateful people are still coming to Hawaii. Hotel rates, car rental rates, are outrageously to high. It’s a mystery to me that people are willing to pay so much.
Seems that Tahiti is more on the bucket list now. Been to Maui, kauai, big island so many times I lost count. When I was there in January, I realized this was going to be my last time. The crazy prices for hotels, food, and gas were insane. Now there’s a whole contingency of locals that don’t want tourists. You have lost me and my family for tourism money. Mexico is a deal and the Greek Islands are awesome. Aloha…
This is called greedflation. Owners of condos and timeshares have raised pricing astronomically. If Maui wants tourists to return these owners must cut back their greed and price their units realistically. Otherwise as many have said there are other places to go that are affordable and you are welcomed.
While travel costs are higher all around post-COVID, Maui’s costs seem to be on the higher end of the price increases.
I’ve been staying at the Hyatt for a week using points almost every year since 2014, and usually in the late May and early June timeframe. The average per night cost with taxes and fees for 2018 & 2019 was $400. For 2022 & 2023, it was $816. That’s a 104% increase! Granted, they did a major remodel, but an extra $400 per night!?!?
The increase hasn’t slowed down the party. People are ordering nonstop drinks at $15 each, food and booking lots of activities.
While repeat visitors like us are looking and going elsewhere, the hotels have no incentive to cut prices given the stream of new visitors.
Andy C: We too were Hyatt people at same time of year, and rentals at Puamana for so many years. A $400 a night Pumana 3 br Oceanfront became a $1000 a day with the Pandemic and people working from home. Sadly out of my reach as is the Hyatt at those prices. We bit the bullet and bought a timeshare from the Hyatt.
One thing I might suggest to save money on meals is: Do as many of the locals do and visit the food courts and takeout counters of our local supermarkets – Don Quijote, Times, Foodland, etc. They all offer a myriad of low cost (10 – 14 $) plate lunch options and an array of very reasonably price takeout food ranging from excellent poke bowls to fresh sushi, sashimi, hot and cold ethnic foods from Korean Fried Chicken to Filipino Lechon Kawali to seafood, vegan dishes, salads, sweets, the works. Is is gourmet food rivalling Halekulani’s Sunday Brunch (my one real splurge when I’m in HNL)? NO. Is it hot, tasty, filling, and cheap? YES!
donquijotehawaii.com/okazuya-menu
Hotel corporations don’t care about lowering hotel rates, they only go up. They pass on expenses/inflation/taxes, take overs. Compare the empty malls and comercial space available, if they are empty for years it doesn’t effect there deep pockets. If the business owner can’t afford it they say to bad. This is big business. Or as they say, it’s just business.
We’re on Kaimana Beach right now and it’s lovely, the views are spectacular. We’re paying just a bit more than we’d pay for a staycay in San Diego. Prices are up everywhere.
Interesting vacancy rates. Luxury statewide at 80%. Midscale\economy at 80%. Wailea at 56%. Kauai at 80%. Big Island at 69%. Higher then 2022, but lower then 2019. Seems like huge demand because of covid, now going down. I am not an expert, but 80% occupancy with the ridiculous rates, the hotels are probably making money, with less expense. Seems like the middle class is being priced out, perhaps permanently.
On a side note, we have been wanting to return pre-covid, I priced out several trips, on different months. All were close to $10k for a week. Not including food. Hotel prices are astronomical. Looking else where for a vacay
I understand this is an Hawaiian travel website, but it’s a little unfair to portray the higher cost of travel as just a Hawaii thing.
We take 3 to 4 vacations a year all over the western US states prices for accommodations, restaurants and activities are significantly higher now then in past years.
We were in Vegas in August a pound of Alaskan King Crab was 199.00 and people were ordering it.
Everything is more expensive to day then prior to pandemic not just Hawaiian travel.
Richard,
Yes, you are correct. However our vacation in Kauai next month
costing 50 % more than October 2019 staying at the same condo for the same number of days flying on the same airline is a bit much.
Is HTA starting to see a trend in the responses here? Count me as another likely ready to make my last trip, booked and paid for quite a while ago. It’s a big world out there!
I wonder if you could edit the headline to say hotel RATES up … One could have come to the conclusion hotel nights (stays) were up.