As Hawaii’s busy summer travel season kicked off, things quickly went sideways. Two flight threats, one false bomb report, and a Big Island earthquake disrupted plans for hundreds of travelers within a 24-hour window. But that was only part of the story.
For many visitors, these incidents added to the growing list of frustrations that define travel to Hawaii in 2025—skyrocketing costs, flights and airlines in flux, and annoying crowds chasing the same Instagram-perfect moments.
But if you know what to expect and plan around the pressure points, Hawaii still delivers the beauty, culture, and awe that make it worth the effort.
A rocky start: bomb threats and an earthquake in one day.
It began early Monday in San Diego, when a Hawaiian Airlines flight bound for Honolulu was halted on the tarmac. A passenger falsely claimed someone seated nearby had a bomb. Everyone was evacuated. FBI and SWAT swarmed the plane. No explosives were found, and the passenger was later arrested. The flight eventually left, five hours behind schedule.
Later that evening, a second bomb scare forced another flight—this time United’s flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles—to turn around midair after a message was found written on a lavatory mirror. That aircraft, a widebody carrying 339 passengers, landed safely back at HNL just after 1:30 a.m on Tuesday. Again, no threat was found.
Then, as if to round out the day, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Hawaii Island just before 6 p.m. No damage, no injuries—but plenty of shaken nerves.
Hawaii travel in 2025: less predictable, more expensive.
These emergencies would be notable any time, but they hit during what should be one of the most reliable, rewarding times to visit. And they come on top of what many travelers say is the most stressful Hawaii trip planning experience they’ve ever had.
Flights are less comfortable and at times more crowded than ever, and seats are tight. For relief, try our three-seat trick for our own version of first class, which has become a workaround for BOH editors and other travelers who can’t justify or necessarily desire being in first class (especially on narrow-body planes) but cannot endure the standard three-across economy either.
Hotels? You’re not just paying more—you’re paying more on top of more. Room rates routinely top $500 per night, and you’ll then face 19% in taxes. That’s before resort fees, parking, or tips. Add a car rental—if you can get one at a reasonable cost—and you might be looking at $1,000 a night for the full experience. For budget relief, try booking sites like Costco Travel and more budget-friendly accommodations.
Hawaii travel contradiction: price pain vs. high demand.
What’s fueling this contradiction? On one hand, visitors are telling us they’re feeling squeezed. On the other hand, Hawaii keeps landing on every top summer destination list.
We’ve been asking this question all year: If people are so concerned about inflation and value, why are they still coming in such large numbers?
Some say it’s aspirational. Others say it’s the desire to escape everything else. As one reader commented, “I can’t really afford this, but I’m going anyway. I need it more than ever.”
That mindset is set to keep planes full and hotel calendars booked—even as many travelers feel burned by the result.
Timed reservations and lost spontaneity.
Even once you arrive, accessing the Hawaii you may remember is not easy. Most of the state’s top natural and cultural sites now require reservations, some weeks in advance. Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Waianapanapa, and now some of Maui’s most desired attractions are locked behind apps, booking windows, and rapidly vanishing availability.
The systems—like Park Maui—often glitch, confuse visitors, or offer so little flexibility that missing a slot means missing the experience entirely.
The result? Less spontaneity. More structure. And for some, real disappointment. For stress relief, plan then book your not-to-be-missed attractions before leaving for Hawaii.
A social media overload with real consequences.
Even if you do get in, you may not find the moment you hoped for. Crowds gather at the same lookouts, beaches, and trails, chasing the same influencer-approved photo.
A reader who just returned told us, “It felt like we were on a scavenger hunt, not a vacation. Everyone was performing their trip for someone else.”
The tourism industry has done little to address crowding outside of restrictions and reservations. However, the deeper cultural issue—the shift from respectful visitors to curated Instagram performance—is wearing thin for many.
For stress relief from crowds, we seek out less touristy areas that may not always get mentioned in social media.
What still makes Hawaii worth visiting.
Despite the rising frustration, people are still finding reasons to come—and meaningful moments when they do. For some, it’s discovering a quieter beach. For others, it’s a last-minute hula performance in a hotel lobby, or a long, slow breakfast watching the ocean.
Travelers who avoid peak hours, book smaller accommodations, and seek out lesser-known trails or local festivals are often rewarded with a more relaxed pace and genuine aloha. It’s not gone. It’s just not automatic anymore. And good research pays off.
Hawaii travel tips for 2025.
If you’re heading to Hawaii this summer—or anytime soon—there are still ways to reduce stress.
- Sign up for airline and TSA alerts in advance. Keep essentials like medication and ID in your carry-on, in case of unexpected delays or diversions. Review possible trip insurance for interruption coverage, especially now that airline disruptions seem to be rising again.
- For reservations, double-check policies beforehand. Screenshot confirmations in case of service outages. And have a few backup activities in mind if your plans fall through.
- When heading to someplace that you know will be crowded, try to be the first one there.
- Also, don’t forget to leave time for doing nothing. Hawaii isn’t a checklist. The quieter moments may be harder to find, but they still exist—and might just become the highlights of your trip.
What’s changed most is the feeling.
This week’s bomb threats and earthquake were extreme examples. But they tapped into something more profound: a feeling among many travelers that Hawaii is no longer as much of a relaxing place to get away—it’s something you have to brace for, fight for, and pay more for than ever before.
One reader wrote, “It’s not that I don’t love Hawaii. It’s that Hawaii doesn’t feel like it loves visitors anymore.”
Another said, “We’ll keep coming. But we’re coming with eyes wide open.”
Tell us what you’re seeing.
Have you visited Hawaii recently? Are you planning a trip this summer, or canceling one? Did the incidents this week change how you feel about visiting? Share your experience in the comments.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
“It’s not that I don’t love Hawaii. It’s that Hawaii doesn’t feel like it loves visitors anymore.”
As a local resident, let me tell you, come this year because prices will be higher next year. The State of Hawaii is about to spring an additional daily tax upon you starting in 2026.
I just returned a week ago. Every person I encountered was so friendly and nice. I felt very welcome. Yes, things are expensive but not outrageous. Gas is cheaper than California. Air flights are expensive. I will be coming back.
The most important factor now is the treatment of international visitors. Another horror story from Honolulu was just reported by Hawaii News Now. Since you ask for no links, search ‘hawaiinewsnow’ for “Military wife detained, deported at Honolulu airport” from May 23, 2025. An Australian Nicolle Saroukos of Sydney: “too many cloths in the luggage, surely intent to overstay.” And again, like with these two German teenagers recently, not just confined to a lounge, and flown back to Sydney: She also was stripped, cavity searched, detained over night in prison, denied contact to consulate and her American husband, who serves in armed forces(!!), and only after all this she could leave with her mom.
Evil spawns more Evil. If these officers at this airport are not held accountable, removed from service in disgrace, they will continue their horrific disservice the the country. Worldwide travel warning against US are enacted. Here, this is the death of the Aloha Spirit.
Like ourselves if you’ve been a regular visitor to Hawaii you notice how travel to the islands have changed, but travel everywhere has changed.
We recently visited Las Vegas, you talk about changed, like Hawaii everything is expensive you must book restaurants, shows and activities well in advance of travel.
In June we’re off to Disneyland for a family vacation again everything is expensive, you must get up at 6am west coast time 60days ahead of your trip to book any popular restaurants or activities.
Our kids are camping this weekend they had to book their campsite months in advance.
First timers to Hawaii have no reference to how the islands were in the past. For them it’s still a special place to visit filled with gorgeous beaches and natural beauty.
We were on Maui earlier this month had a wonderful time will be returning in October.
I’m glad I live here, but if I didn’t, I wouldn’t come here. As a tourist, I’d go elsewhere. Hawaii has changed and it’s way to expensive to visit. I was checking to fly interisland and that has changed considerably in the past half a year. Mileage programs value have diminished considerably too. It’s sad, tourism has become a plastic lei, a shell of what it used to be.
Sitting outside L&L BBQ in Hanalei as I type this, borrowing some internet since our power out in Wainiha has been out since early yesterday afternoon. We were last told it will be late this afternoon at earliest. Just another 30-48 hour power outage, or what we call out here, “Friday”.
Anyway, tons of tourists in Hanalei this morning. Been this way all week. And the rain has taken a break, so bright sunny with some dark clouds lurking nearby.
We just left Maui 2 weeks ago. Restaurant prices and cocktail prices were much more expensive than last August 2024. We still had a fabulous time and can’t wait to return.
I am an artist showing my wares at various pop-up shows on Kauai.
Appreciation and sales come not from buttoned up corporate types or those wearing obscenely bright “Hawaiian wear” but from those seeking a connection with a local artist and 40 year Kauai resident.
I encourage those who come to slow down, stop stuffing your face at markets, get out of your box and engage in meaningful conversations with myself and like-minded artists and artisans.
What do you mean stop stuffing your faces at markets? Markets are where locals sell their goods. You don’t want tourists helping the locals a the markets? Very strange comment.
All I am saying is reporting on what I am seeing. Tourists come to markets, stay well inside their social bubble (family and friends) and miss out on engaging long-time residents in conversations that can make their stay more meaningful, many while sipping from overpriced $12 coconuts with little colorful umbrellas made in Asia. Get out of your box and engage local artists, artisans, and farmers for a more worthwhile adventure.
Do the locals engage the tourists? I will admit tourists can be as you described, I live it but only for a couple months out of a year, don’t let someone visitors deemed, bad attitude, affect your attitude…rise above it
We are on Maui now, and having a blast. West Maui beaches are in great shape, and parking really is not a problem. There just aren’t that many people here right now, maybe it will get busier in the summer. It’s been pretty easy to get restaurant reservations and the food truck scene is pretty active. Cost of travel is Up everywhere, I think Maui offers a pretty good experience.
We were able to find last minute availability in Maui during this past April. Hawaii is our happy place. Unexpectedly, whales were still out in front of our hotel. Other than one restaurant we were able to make reservations without much wait time. We enjoyed our time so much we booked a room in January for next year. Have prices increased. Yes, as much as every where else. During our stay we had nothing but good experiences. Our stay was finished off with our last meal at Mama’s Fish House. What a way end a wonderful vacation.
Heading to Kauai in July, first visit. Been to Oahu 20 years ago. A bit unsure what to expect as I read articles pertaining to Hawaii nowadays. People make the difference no matter where you go, I hope I walk amongst the good ones.
I just returned from Oahu. It couldn’t have been better. Good flight on Hawaiian. Got a taxi immediately. Checkin smooth. Absolutely everyone I encountered was so friendly and welcoming. Tourists seemed very welcomed. Not more expensive than I expected. Paradise.
On our last visit in 2023, the highlights of the trip were the accidental ones. On our last day on Kauai, we were on our way from Kapaa to the airport, with some time to kill. We turned off on a side road toward the ocean, and stumbled upon a beach where there were some amazing windsurfers. It was stunning. We just sat there and watched for about an hour. Other favorite times were sitting at an outdoors bar listening to Hawaiian music, enjoying the tradewinds. Any time spent outdoors is time well spent.
That’s awesome, which outdoor bar. Headed out in July. Would love to do that. Happy travels.
The most memorable outdoor bar was on our leg in
Waikiki—House Without a Key at the Halekulani Hotel. We will be seeking out outdoor experiences on our next trip,, to Kauai and the Big Island.
Aloha is gone…When our Mayor says….”I am going to use the Nuclar option”. On tourists. Who is going to pay my paycheck?
Hopefully the Good People will Rise Up and set a better course …need to get involved and make change for the better.