The long-anticipated Hawaii summer tourism crunch officially gets underway today with more traffic, sold-out activities, longer lines at restaurants and crowding at beaches as Hawaii tensely prepares to welcome over 10 million annual visitors, or nearly 8x our population this year. As you’ll see in the chart from the state below, domestic arrivals are tracking well ahead of all previous years. Domestical arrivals disproportionately impact neighbor islands which see fewer international visitors than Oahu.
Residents and visitors alike are going to be on edge until the slow season starts in the middle of August. Both groups are bracing for an onslaught of arrivals and whatever they may need to endure. We’d like to think we are all in this together, and want to have the best possible situation for all of us.
And we’re still getting asked, “Does Hawaii hate visitors?”
The simple and obvious answer is no as we prepare to welcome an unprecedented number of guests over summer, while coping with, in many ways, woefully inadequate resources. We join you in not liking to see either visitors or residents lumped in with even a small bunch of bad eggs. And yet, it’s busy, probably too busy given our limited abilities, and there’s truth to overly demanding and expectant travelers damaging the Hawaii travel experience, especially at the peak of summer.
Speaking of how Hawaii residents feel about tourism, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) last year released of a Resident Sentiment Survey. “It found that while many are concerned with the visitor industry’s growth, the majority of Hawaii residents believe that tourism is worth the issues associated with the industry.”
A commentor said, “On many forums there seems to be an underlying resentment and hatred toward visitors, no matter how respectful we are. It really feels like many feel like they have the right to price gouge us at every turn (getting their 5 pounds of flesh) for visiting. It also seems like some want to treat us like visitors to “Disney” as this narrative keeps getting thrown around. Is this how Hawaiians truly feel or is this some “bad actors” trying to scare off visitors?”
For us and for you, let’s take a break during this ultimate summer of Hawaii revenge travel.
No doubt about it, we’re already seeing it even before the summer crunch officially gets underway today. For the next couple of months, we are going to experience more traffic, crowding and frustration as Hawaii prepares to welcome over 10 million annual visitors, or nearly 8x our population this year.
One reader had a solution for Kauai traffic, “A road connecting the north and south over the powerline trail will never happen, but how about a bike trail? How about a tram? … get tourists from Po’ipu to Ha’ena without traversing the perimeter.” What do you think?
Where we see frustrations with overtourism in Hawaii.
- Traffic congestion. It takes awhile to traverse from one side of an island to the other with the number of cars. You’ll notice this on all the islands, but for us, it is most noticeable in Honolulu traffic, Maui traffic, and Kauai traffic. Have you tried driving from Kahului Airport to Kaanapali lately? Oh my. Even during off-peak hours there can be traffic jams. During the summer you’re going to need to allow even more time to reach your destinations unharried.
- Worker shortages remain that exacerbate overtourism issues. Definitely a Catch-22. We have enough visitors to fill restaurants and activities, but not enough staff to serve them. That can result in long wait times with sometimes reduced hours, or seeing the “sold out” sign more. With hospitality industry worker shortages continuing, plus congested roads and 90-minute restaurant waiting times not infrequent when you can even get in, both locals and visitors easily get frustrated.
- Disrespect for Hawaii. Whether it is trespassing or touching monk seals. These stand out and they’re troubling.
- Lack of understanding of Hawaii issues. Return visitors know that Hawaii works differently than the mainland does. What words on the mainland may not here. Part of coming to Hawaii is being respectful of local culture and ways.
- Since Hawaii travel restarted, we have noticed a distinct big difference in the attitude of some visitors. While it is a minority, there seem to be more inconsiderate visitors, something that used to be much more rare.
Hawaii’s ease of access has turned out to be its nemesis.
No question, Hawaii is easy to get to. And that’s part of the problem, and the allure. Today there’s good news on international travel with the elimination of Covid testing requirements for those of us who travel internationally. Nonetheless, 2022 is the summer of Hawaii travel, and domestic travel in general, more so than that of international travel. Next year could look entirely different.
The official arrival numbers from HTA will be slow-coming, but when they do, we’ll reflect that this was the summer of all summers here in Hawaii.
How you can help during your Hawaii vacation.
- We keep saying this, but sometimes it falls on deaf ears. Whenever possible, delay your summer Hawaii vacation until late summer (mid-August) or after. Choose to come when overtourism and all its issues aren’t as much of an issue.
- Let’s all treat each other gently, even if it’s easier to say than to do. When you visit us here, we want to share our Aloha with you. We seek your help in respecting Hawaii and its residents, and in protecting it for all of us today and for future generations.
Hawaii remains one of the most in-demand and iconic vacation destinations worldwide.
From the state, our domestic arrivals are on track to exceed all previous records.
Please share your thoughts on the situation this summer in Hawaii.
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“It also seems like some want to treat us like visitors to “Disney” as this narrative keeps getting thrown around. Is this how Hawaiians truly feel or is this some “bad actors” trying to scare off visitors?'”
I think that quoted commenter has it backwards. It feels more to me like some people come here expecting Disneyland and then are disappointed. I also don’t know how the idea people living in Hawaii treat travelers like visitors to Disney is supposed to scare off visitors. I think this just highlights misconceptions that have been growing on both sides.
I like your advice: treat each other gently, take a deep breath, and start from a place of aloha.
We are in Molokia this week. We have been treated very kindly. Some have just ignored us, which is fine, I am sure they have busy lives. I saw a help wanted sign offering $11.00 an hour, no one can live on that. 20 percent for waiters should be mandatory. I was a teacher (low pay), but if you can come to Hawaii you can pay the 20% at the very least.
Waiters, like Smith Barney, should be expected to make money the old fashioned way.
Absolutely, love Hawaii and the locals. Went to Maui last November for the Holidays. Everyone is so kind and all you have to do is smile back & tip them $$$$. That’s why it has always worked. The plus is we get to enjoy their islands!
Hi,my son lives in Ocean Point. I have been there eight times over the ten years he has lived there. Hawawii is just another state of the union. If I am there for a month I feel no different from Miami beach. Your state is a great place but you don’t own it. Any American can move in.
Typical haole disrepect for Hawaiian people With this attitude why don’t you just stay on the mainland
Since I can’t say no profanity Rudeness or personal attacks or bullying all I can say is merry Christmas Hawaii
Pat G, Yes, mandates for sustainability should be imposed on all. Visitor tax and hospitality tax funds should be used to incentivise the mandates for locals. The Hawaiian people need help to fund EV’s,solar and energy storage. The billions made by hotels and the wealthy who visit can fund this. Then everyone wins and tourists will be an in a different light as well… as contributors to Hawaiian well being.:-)
And locals pay nothing for this? That doesn’t seem quite fair. We would benefit greatly from the investment you propose, and additionally, we would benefit all year round. Visitors are only here for a few days.
Everyone is so quick to feel some sort of entitlement, and is so quick to vilify others. We and the visitor industry can work on this and contribute together.
Agreed…. Both should contribute to this, corporations could allocate revenue from tourists as a start toward sustainability and make other small changes.
Recycling would be a great place to start, one thing that I have been seeing more on the mainland is the availability of aluminum cups that replace plastic cups (think aluminum Solo cup). These are starting to be used at sports events too and are infinitely recyclable, I hope more resorts and bars start to use these as a way to further reduce waste.
Hahahaha this thread is killing me with all the naive solutions to problems that the powers to be don’t want to resolve.
Your politicians spoon feed you the crap you want to hear while taking PAC money from their Big Corp stakeholders who are cashing in on the summer travel crush.
Oh wait is this Lake Tahoe, Yosemite oh we’re talking about Hawaii. Boo hoo.
This isn’t the new reality it’s Hawaii’s reality.
Another cause of the perception that locals have been anti tourism…when Hawaii opened up for travel there was an explosion of pent up demand that caught many off guard. Obviously some resented the influx when Covid was still very much on many residents mind. We went from uncrowded roads and beaches to a mass of tourists who themselves were still copping with what we all went through. Some handled it better than others on both sides. Reality is Hawaii is still recovering, but the essence of Aloha is still here and locals don’t hate tourists, some just don’t suffer fools very well. Give it time.
I do have a perspective I’ve used that’s served me well. Everyone I encounter I give them the benefit of the doubt. This has been a tough couple years on everyone, some more than others. For instance, my kids are grown but I really feel for parents of school age kids and what they have faced…home schooling/masks/are my kids safe, etc. can’t imagine dealing with that while handling your own possible job uncertainties. Others have faced unspeakable tragedy. Been a lot of hardship out there folks, a little kindness can work wonders.
Great comment by JohnW. It’s been a tough couple of years. I have a grandson who missed his kindergarten year because of Covid. His 1st-grade year has been a borderline disaster. Another grandson is just getting over his “separation anxiety”. Time to show a little grace to everybody. We’ll all be better off.
Thanks for this post. We are visiting Oahu in late September, staying on the North Shore, to be away from the hustle and bustle.
Good information under your “How You Can Help During Your Hawaii Vacation” section. I was hoping to also read about short service projects available for visitors to help/give back while visiting.
I believe that information in some form,ie. computer info attached on ticket purchases, info distributed on flight, on cruise ships. The info would include cultural manners, ocean and land etiquette, beach etiquette, turtle, monk seal and other creature education.Reef safe sunscreen, beach music manners….I could go on and on, but education is the first action.
Oh…major ideas…educational ads in all hotel TVs and guest info.
I don’t understand tourists being rude. For goodness sake, you’re in Hawaii! We were on the Big Island for 3 months this winter–the only time something remotely did not go our way was the restaurant ran out of prime rib a half hour before our reservation. Oh well, we will just make an earlier reservation next time. 🙂
Sounds like summer in Hawaii is crazy busy. I live in a summer vacation destination as well (Traverse City, MI). Some refer to my town as Traffic City or Travesty. We deal with similar issues Hawaii deals with, of course, on a much smaller scale.
The only way to cut the number of tourists is to cut the number of hotels. Prices can double and people will still come. It is here to stay. Unfortunately, some tourists will be rude, but inconsiderate locals lead to more inconsiderate tourists in a growing cycle. So tourists need too respect Hawaii, but locals need to understand that they need tourists too. In short, why can’t we all just get along.
I think a sustainability mandate would be good, for tourists, resorts, and residents.
– Tourists must rent zero emission vehicles
– Resorts need to be zero net energy by 2025
– Incentives for EV’s, solar,and energy storage for residents and businesses.
-water use restrictions and recycling mandates for resorts and tourism businesses
This way, everyone takes care of minimizing tourism impacts. Some people might not come because of these actions, and you get more of the kind of travelers we want here.
Although you started out saying these mandates should be on tourists and residents alike, your list only includes mandates on tourists and the hospitality industry. The only item you have that mentions residents is an “incentive”. If we are to import these types of mandates, they should be on both us and the visitor industry.
I love visiting Hawaii. It’s beauty and people are so lovely and loving. Truly a paradise. You’ll want to he a repeat visitor every year. Mahalo and Aloha
I hate this for you. My wife and I honeymooned there in 1978 and have been back (and remarried!) several times. We love the land, the people, the culture. I sit on my porch in Atlanta in the quiet morning listening to the Hawaiian Rainbow music station. We’ve even been to the Merry Monarch Hula Festival. When my wife passes I’m going to sneak in the Coco Palms and spread her ashes in the Royal Coconut Grove. But we are afraid to go back. Not because of Hawaii residents but because society has deteriorated so much that disrespect has become the norm. I hate that the residents feel so badly toward tourists, but I certainly understand it. Just know that there are some, probably many, like us who absolutely love and respect you and your home.
You speak of “love and respect” yet you are going to “sneak in and leave her ashes” in a place that is not designed for leaving ashes?? How do you reconcile that the 2 of those are not congruent???
I own a condo in Kihei. When on Island, I walk a 3.0 mi RT route S on S. Kihei Rd and back up the beach path. 1.5 yrs ago, a small section of the coastline path no longer had its border of coral and lava rock. Each morning I said to myself “someone needs to fix this path so folks don’t walk on the beach where honu come ashore.” After about 8 days of this lament, I said to myself ” I can fix this path”. I adopted this very small section of cove as my own. When I a on island, I maintain the trail. In Februrary 2022 I noted that other folks had chipped in with trail maintenance. I found my own way to contribute to Hawai’i. Mahalo
We need more like you CD. But then again…you “own” a 2nd home on Maui. Big difference, I think. But Mahalo for starting what you did.
In response to Michele M. Staying at the Marriott Po’ipu. We were just there & most nights ended up just ordering food to go from their beach front cafe (must order by 6:45 pm) & eating on ourlanai or on the ocean front beach chairs. The food is as good as any & can’t ask for a better view! On the way from airport to hotel, stop at ‘Mark’s Place’ in a Lihue business park & pick up plate lunches to go for a yummy, easy, filling, travel day meal! Also 2nd ‘Da Crack’ and we enjoy the Hyatt’s Sea View Terrace before sunset for the view, & Tidepools for the food; & the ocean front cafe at the Sheraton for breakfasts. But really with crowds & waits, your own Lanai is a pretty relaxed spot to eat! Enjoy your trip!
Thank you!!
If all would just think Ohana. We, visitors, are coming into you home – we should treat your home with respect and care, and hope to be treated as welcomed guest. We visit Kauai (and sometimes Maui) each year and have never been treated otherwise. So if you’re heading to the islands, Please keep in mind this Is their home. Aloha
Yes, and the same can be said for all visitors to all states. Respect and care should apply to the lands of all people everywhere.
I was on the Big Island recently and the attitude of the locals was strained and unfriendly. In the past it was not like that. Could this be the strain of severe Covid lockdowns. Half of Kona was boarded up. Not sure but hope the Big Island recovers. It is my favorite place.
Yes, this has been caused both by Covid, and the Internet.
Just an fyi – tourists are rude on the mainland too. We live in far northern California, where the redwoods grow, and the tourists here leave garbage everywhere and trample our beautiful forests with no regard for preservation. I love the Big Island! Aloha and Mahalo!
How does one “trample” a forest? Just asking so that I make sure not to do it. Maybe you mean people should stay on the paths?
I lived in Tahoe 46 years and saw how the “class” of tourist from the 1970’s to the 2017 changed. I knew people that lived at Tahoe back in the early days when the roads were closed, the only way around the Lake was by boat and only 6 people lived at the South Shore year-round.
My daughter and son-in-law are going to Hilo and Kona next month and they are deeply respectful
of locals as they have seen, growing up how so many tourists leave their brains and manners at home and have no respect for locals or their neighborhoods with the vacation rental system that came in.
What residents might consider is that a large percentage of them were once visitors….
In light of this report, it’s easy to see
Why no one cares about non returning
visitors. A whole new group, some of whom
Will claim hawaii as their personal possession, a whole new group of non returners.
In the mean time, Hawaii rocks ‘long.
That’s pretty – almost sounds like Haiku.
There are a small minority of people with extreme views and they flock to the Internet to express them.
Sadly some people think making up stories to support their views is acceptable. Others take an isolated incident and blow it out of per portion.
One rude tourist/resident does not define anybody but themselves by their behavior. I would confidently tell anyone that you can travel to Hawaii and not feel mistreated unless you are looking for it. That said, a new attitude has grown in America and it’s very much anti multi- culturism and pro narcissism. They are a bad fit for Hawaii and could be a cause of conflict.
Aloha!
We just returned from spending 10 days in Kauai and we had a wonderful time. Yes, some businesses were short-staffed and closed early, but everyone had the Aloha spirit and were very friendly. We have school-aged children and are not willing to pull them out of school for vacation so we go as soon as school is out to try to avoid the big rush. The key is to plan ahead, book early, be respectful, and bring your patience and Aloha spirit. It’s your vacation to enjoy!
Short staff was a problem everywhere last year. Both the Adirondacks and Hilton Head had trouble accommodating their visitors. I don’t think anyone should expect different from Hawaii.
What restaurants have been doing where I live is paying people a lot more than they used to. Many have closed but those that remain seem to have really good food & service.
I loved living in Pearl City when I was in the Navy at Pearl Harbor. Now, I’m planning to move back to Hawaii for the rest of my life.
Thanks for the insightful comments. Also, thank you for your concern to your children’s education. So many parents seems to think it’s okay to pull their kids out of school so they can travel. Have a wonderful time when you visit beautiful Hawaii.
September – if you are going to go to Hawaii (and don’t care about the whales) go in September. The weather is still great and the kids have gone back to school.
Shhhhh! Stop letting our secret out!
WE were in Maui last Thanksgiving. I did not notice any traffic problems or overcrowded beaches — and no ride tourists or locals. I think that is a busy time of year? Going back for spring break next year just to check on the crowds 😉
With respect to the comment about more people being inconsiderate I couldn’t agree more. Not necessarily on the islands but on the mainland as well. I’m not sure why people’s attitudes seem to have changed post-pandemic? People are driving like maniacs. Rude and inconsiderate for no reason. As you state it is still a small minority but much worse than ever before.
Aloha, where is Goldilocks when you need a just right amount of tourists. The world needs Kaua’i and Kaua’i needs the world!
Hi Kauaidoug.
True that. Feast or famine seem to be the only options.
Aloha.
Aloha! We are headed to Kauai in august. Staying at the Marriott Po’ipu. Could you please share some of your favorite food places on that side of the island?
Thanks so much!
Hi Michelle.
That’s not our thing, so we’ll leave it up to other commenters to give you a hand. Enjoy your time on Kauai!
Aloha.
Check out the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, they have an app as well.
A couple of options in Lihue area:
The Plantation House by Gaylords
Dukes at the Marriott
Tik Tok Cafe for breakfast
Whoops you said Poipu… tons of options there.
Keokis is one of our favorites
Shops at Kukuiula has a lot of good options
Beach House
Grand Hyatt (Tide Pools, Stevensons Library)
Kalaheo Cafe is a great spot for breakfast
Kalapaki Joes for a sports bar
Hi John.
Thanks for the helping hand.
Aloha.
Thank you!!
Tide pools our favorite for years!
Two of our favorite less expensive places near Poipu is Da Crack, dacrackkauai.com/ and Bubba’s Burgers, bubbaburger.com/. Both have great food and are reasonably priced for Hawaii! Enjoy!
Thank you!
Also… one thing my wife and I do on every trip is a sunset dinner cruise with Captain Andys on their Star Class catamaran (Southern Star), you won’t regret it.
Couldn’t agree more! They have a chef on board and their menu currently includes filet mignon and skewered shrimp! It’s $200 well spent…..
As Skyb says many locals were once visitors and if they visit a neighbor island they sort of are visitors again. Unless they have family there they need a car and a place to stay and eat.
I prefer going in early May but this year I’m going with my cousin and she works in a school and isn’t able to go until late June and I think many visitors are in the same position with their families.
Agree. The Southern Star is the way to go, plus you will sea a lot of sea life- spinner dolphins, sometimes manta rays, and during winter months, you get the humpbacks. And the food is amazing. We’re already making reservations for next February.
Hukilau Lanai is one of my favorites. Not in Poipu but worth the drive to Waipouli. For breakfast, Tip Top cafe in Lihue. Best loco moco ever.
Brennecke’s Beach Broiler is a favorite, along with Keoki’s paradise for fun and casual. Finer dining options in Poipu are Merriman’s, and Beach House. But nothing is really fine dining, it’s Hawaii so it’s still casual. If you get to the west side of the island, Japanese Grandma’s cafe is amazing. Their sushi is incredibly good quality and fresh.
We live in Tahoe and the same tourist issues have invaded us so we visit Maui yearly and are keenly aware of the situation. We are low key seeking out quiet beaches and getting food to go or cooking at condo. We greet all kindly and are understanding of staff shortages and delays.Mahalo.