With proposals pushing total hotel taxes near 20%, concerns are rising about transparency, visitor backlash, and the future of Hawaii tourism.
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87 thoughts on “Hawaii Lodging Taxes Could Hit 20% As New Fees Loom”
Josh Green is using old-fashioned techniques to take money from people and and spend it without transparency possibly even increasing his pay and the pay of other political activist in his party. Everybody knows climate changes a hoax like what would they actually do for the climate in Hawaii with extra money. I can’t believe people would even believe that Josh Green is going to save the planet by charging tourist more money. The only thing he’s doing is ruining the economy.
The governor is clueless, and he is delusional to think visitors will continue to come. Visitors are already choosing other options. Numbers are down and will continue their downward spiral. The governor is determined to kill the golden goose (visitors).
The governors pandering to the voters is eventually going to put them out of jobs when visitors stop coming due to the continual high fees placed on them. The residents need to pay enough taxes to take care of their communities not the visitors. All he seems to want to do is cut taxes for his voter base and make tourists pay for his misuse of tax money, once again with this proposal there is no defined oversight or metrics.
Hawaii residents currently pay the highest taxes in the country.
You have to remember that Hawaii has the highest cost of living and many have moved to the mainland because of this.
Green has gone about this problem the wrong way, and it’s not fair that visitors are saddled with excessive taxes. Hawaii govt has been corrupt for decades and I don’t see this changing in the near future.
Myself, I was born & raised on Oahu and left 35 years ago. It breaks my heart that some of my family who still lives in Hawaii have to deal with ridiculous prices, high taxes, rent, gas, etc.
What projects will stop/slow climate change in Hawaii? I hear all the time that we need to spend money but I never see any projects that would Actually do anything. I think it’s just a money laundering scheme… the monies would just end up in the general fund.
Sure, the fees keep going up. Hotel rates keep going up. AirBnB rates keep going up. Car rentals keep going up. Airfares keep going up. Restaurant prices keep going up. Everything keeps going up. But somehow there are always people to fill the rooms. There’s always someone who will pay. If you don’t go, someone else will.
Maleko, you’re so right 👍
Actually, Maleko, that’s not altogether accurate. If you’ve ever worked in the hospitality industry you know that the term “occupancy” means everything. For example, places like Hilton and Hyatt have so much staff that they don’t even break even below 80% full. And it’s minimal profit up to 90%. Also remember that the other forms of rental units have to pay their mortgage and insurance even when empty for a month. Also, with low occupancy comes layoffs of local employees. So avoiding more taxes and keeping more tourists is good for Hawaii all around!
Keep dreaming. Keep saying that in the unemployment line!
We love going to Hawaii. We have gone every year for a number of years. This is the first year we haven’t. Everything is getting so expensive with hotels and fees. There are other places that seem to be more reasonable. It’s unfortunate because it’s a beautiful place but not the only place to go.
Having recently spent 2 weeks on the beautiful islands of Oahu and Maui, I felt so comfortable. Although while on Maui there was much talk about the delays and slow processing on the reconstruction of the harbor and the livelyhood of those who depend on tourism.
I have been to Maui at least 20 times. I will stay home until all these unnecessaries fees go away.
We are heading to the Big Island in June with the whole family. Six adults. We last visited 12 years ago. We scaled back our trip to one Island instead of several and down from 10 days to just a week. The airfare was the first shock. The accommodation (same condo we stayed in 12 years ago) was up but not terribly but the taxes both on the condo and rental car are nasty. If state government tries to implement a “green tax” on top of all that this will be our last trip. Europe with the exchange rate is a much better value and I will look at Tahiti or Bora Bora for my Tropical fix.
We’ve traveled to all the Hawaiian Islands annually since 2012. The last trip in December 2024 we experienced the rising costs that are affecting all aspects of visiting the Islands. Extra taxes and fees on everything. From rental cars, to lodging, food, parking, and beach access. Even as much as $25 just look at panoramic views, and now a toll fee to drive the road to Hana. It’s becoming a not go to place given the increase in fees. Especially when considering alternate destinations. It’s unfortunate, and it almost seems that the HI government isn’t interested in maintaining their most valuable asset. Tourism.
Hawaii is going to struggle for many more years. You can’t keep unloading on your visitors. There are many more options than Hawaii.
Add the TAT to the Property Tax increases over the last 20 years that I have been spending my meager fortune in Maui supporting the locals and it is serious Inflation that I may not be able to continue. I’m a retired school teacher, and retirement is getting more and more challenging. I may soon just have to ding some rich businessman to take over my condo.
Me too. My condo will be sold to another rich mainland guy.
It seems, especially on Maui, the hotel industry is getting its way. With lowered competition from vacation rentals they have raised the price of a hotel room dramatically. Even with lower occupancy I bet they are making better profits. Less housekeeping, utilities, etc. With the hotels in charge it’s now take it or leave it. Looks like some have chosen to leave it. And our money goes off island.
Why do we keep electing these people creating this situation?
my wife is a devoted fan of hawaii having been to the islands 17 times over the past 30 years. however it was apparent to us that future trips are becoming less certain due to the aggressive pricing all across the islands, particularly Maui. Hotel rooms that used to cost in the low 300’s are now closer to $1000 and generally don’t include resort fees, parking,taxes, and other miscellaneous costs. Even at restaurants kitchen surcharges are beoming rediculous. Please pass these comments along because I fear the Hawaii may be losing two devoted visitors
Hawai’i, just declare a covid like shutdown and stop the lower income tourists. Seems like what they want. Of course, after the previous shutdown they were screaming they need the money. And this time they won’t get all those federal dollars. Costa Rica is booming as are the Islands off the South coast of the US and Mexico. Much more affordable. My neighbor just flew to France and Portugal for less money than what the same time in Hawai’i would be. She said longer plane ride, but great service.
You are killing the goose that laid the golden egg with nonsense visitor taxes. Keep it up, I won’t be visiting!!!
Time for an audit. It’s long overdue. But who will do it? Voters apparently think the state officials are doing a good job, otherwise they would’ve voted them out long time ago. Looks like they got what they voted for.
We used to go to Hawaii every year for 30 years; now we are not going at all. Prices are just too high. We feel like we are being “gouged” and frankly we are.
I think we will just stay home and pass on Hawaii permanently
How much is enough? Visitors to Hawaii are already subsidizing each and every resident to the tune of $1600 a year under the current tax structure. The government of Hawaii has got to be more transparent and prudent in how these dollars are spent. Visitors are not going to pay unlimited tax increases without more positive, concrete results in the holiday experience.
Hawaii is really not worth the price anymore. The arrogance behind continual fee increases and additions makes the experience at best just ok.
Green is getting, along with the legislators, a 61% salary increase.He will be, the highest paid governor in the states.Yet, he continues to use tourists as the ultimate cash cow. NO, J.Green, you are dead wrong
Aloha Richard,
The answer to your question as to “why these politicians want to destroy the tourist industry,” is to put it bluntly; they’re globalist elitist liberals who want everyone to live in uniformity rather than unity. They worship at the altar of the “state” and as committed socialists, want to control, through government mandates, how you live all aspects of your life from the cradle to the grave. They despise the capitalist economic philosophy, but hide their contempt for it to stay in office.
It has never worked anywhere in the world where it has been tried, and it absolutely will not work in Hawaii. On the mainland their failed government philosophy can be seen in California, New York, and Illinois.
Common Denominator, One Party Rule!, look at California, Illinois, New York, Massachusett’s, Oregon, Washington State!
The fire were terrible.
I understand all of the pain and suffering.
Even deaths of loved ones.
After that tragedy, people were told to stay away. Even celebratories
Joined in to say we don’t want tourists.
That was followed by “locals ” basically saying they hated tourists.
There was also messages that said if you come you must understand and respect traditions.
Not much of a welcoming message.
Then the purge to eliminate weekly rentals.
Several moves to increase costs and fees.
Wonder why tourism is down?
Hawaii doesn’t want tourists but depends on them for their economy.
Other countries have their own traditions also, but there is no demand to be so respectful.
The island are beautiful but they are not that unique.
Keep raising prices and tell people you don’t want them and guess what happens.
You are killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
Higher prices mean less tourists. Just what the native Hawaiian’s want and wish for. I was told by a native local that most people live on Hawaii have some state disability assistance, unemployment, or have a good lawsuit settlement in their back pocket. Green only wants super wealthy people who don’t give a rip about how expensive some hotel is or where money is concerned. To a multimillionaire you’re talking about chump change. More privacy, higher prices to obtain more state revenue, Less workers needed to accomodate visitors and because of it more relaxing better tips. As long as the state can cover the state assisted programs budgets then the goal is accomplished. Just keep raising prices and receive more tax money so the rich can only afford to visit. Sad very Sad but this might be the future.
“the extra fees aren’t improving the experience,” says it all. We’ve been choosing Maui over almost everywhere else for decades, but no more. The things tourists have been required to do to “help” haven’t produced results. Nothing happens with erosion relief, though many plans have been proposed, power lines in the fire zone are still being put above ground! Insane behavior when that was a main factor in the fire. We want to help, but not if you squander our good will and money.