While Governor Green’s New Year’s message did feature important issues to those of us in Hawaii, one crucial group and the state’s major industry were left out. That was Hawaii tourism and the U.S. visitors who help drive the state’s economy. Here’s an excerpt from Governor Green:
“In preparation for the 2024 legislative session, I submitted an Executive Supplemental Budget for the fiscal biennium 2023-2025 to the House and Senate last month. The proposal allocates funds for addressing Maui’s recovery from the August 2023 wildfires and reducing the risk of future wildfire disasters across the state. While supporting Maui is top of mind, I remain dedicated to pursuing all my key initiatives to help our financially struggling families through tax breaks, creating more housing, easing homelessness, expanding access to health care, improving education, and mitigating the effects of climate change.”
Governor Josh Green
Who is Green courting: voters, Japanese visitors, or mainland tourists?
The last time we recall Governor Green talking about tourism in any context was in November when he went to Japan to help sway those visitors deemed highly desirable back to Hawaii.
The only thing is that Japanese visitor numbers are and will remain down for years. There is currently a 50% decrease compared with pre-Covid. Issues include a weak Yen in relation to the US dollar. Also, as requested by their government, the Japanese aren’t traveling much internationally and are visiting domestic destinations to help their own country’s economy.
What about Hawaii’s domestic visitors?
Considering the lack of returning international visitors, Hawaii’s reliance will remain on mainland travel. While that is improving somewhat, the situation is still depressed following the Lahaina fire. Should Hawaii look to these largely return visitors from the US mainland and help welcome them back?
No mention of long-proposed $50 fee for tourists. Yet.
Green is an advocate for reduced domestic Hawaii tourism, with one of his top administrative priorities being “reducing the total number of tourists” and “low-end” tourists, as well as getting going on his “$50 impact fee for visitors.”
In its latest iteration, Green has promoted a newly revised visitor fee called “Climate Impact Fee.” He said, “We’re going to need money to make sure we have more firefighters, that we have more equipment, and we have more money for investigations like this.”
Hawaii’s high fees and taxes deter visitors.
The highest accommodation tax in the US isn’t going away. That together with a myriad of other fees both public and private remain sources of frustration for visitors who sometimes encounter axle-breaking sized pot-holes on our roads. That’s just one example of the state’s dismal tourism infrastructure, which is also seen in our airports and public restrooms at beaches.
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I have never felt unwanted, in Maui until my current trip. The local native people were always helpful and deserving of absolute respect. Now they are asking for respect but many are not giving any. I have had 3 extremely rude encounters in stores ranging from absolute ignoring with disdain to intentionally blocking aisles and refusing to move. All 3 were native locals. Will we be back to support the small business. Doubtful.
I resent the statement “low end tourists”! That’s comparable to racist!
We’ve beening visting the Hawaii islands for 40 + yrs. On our last trip in Nov. it was going to cost us $140.for a family of 4 to visit Ke’e on Kaui, for 1 day. This is absolutely insane. Rental cars have tripled in 18 months, food prices have increased. As retirees the proposals & taxes the govenor & officals are proposing are unacceptable & unaffordable, for us to continue going back . Family who live on the Big Island said they are seeing less & less tourism & the rising fees are causing them to consider moving to mainland . Governor & his cabinet are so far removed from the common people that it is mind boggling. Wake up Hawaiians vote these people out . The Alohoa spirt is being wiped out so sad. Hawaii is for everyone.
Well said Karen L and so true regarding the tone deaf Governor and his incompetent administration. The people of Hawaii deserve better and need to vote these special interest people out!
Well said Karen. I loved what Kevin Oleary. “Mr Wonderful” from the Shark Tank said about my California governor. ” I wouldn’t let him run a candy store”. Time for real leaders to run a state with common sense.
Green is supporting Voters . This is politcal. It goes on all the time. And he should be no different. I don’t respect these type of people and would never have them as friends. Locals should watch their backs. Politicians Never do what they say they will do. And you “locals” will unfortunately experience a loss again great as the very unfortunate fires.
As a long time travelor to the islands, I have seen the Mahalo spirit fade perhaps because the locals really don’t like depending on tourism to support their economy. I guess dropping a few thousand dollars for a weeks stay is considered “low end” so I will be planning my future vacations where tourists are appreciated, not hit with “climate fees” and I can enjoy a relaxing time without meeting Their expectations!
Hi Sue. I feel same and this will be my last Aloha! I will not be dropping the huge extra tips as the travel costs are high enough, so this trip is for us to enjoy our golden anniversary . My heart goes out for any one in the world that has a huge loss. But I have lost my Aloha to the so called locals that have no appreciation for any thing that has come there way. Greene is the final cap on the bottle.
Just more reasons to take vacations elsewhere. I have made many trips to the Hawaiin islands in the past but feel the direction of government imposing “climate taxes ” on visitors as their people seem hostile and unfriendly, majkes for an expensive vacation. I do not see myself returning as there are many beautiful more cost effective places to go where visitors are treated better.
Help poor and homeless while taking away income potentials related to tourism and create more poverty and homeless?
After reading the word salad from the Governor. What exactly can he perform. School improvement? Climate change? Better fire fighting equipment? I was in construction for over 50 years owning my company. All the fault lies with the power infrastructure. I saw poles overload with non electric and fiber optics that I bet my software program could tell you that the maximum wind was no more than 35-40mph. But Hawaii wants foolish money for Green energy but nothing to build the power poles with engineer steel
Check out Nevada and Florida where they do their homework. John
Perhaps it’s time to send Governor Josh Green back to the mainland where he came from, permanently! He certainly is not helping his constituents, the working people of Hawaii, secure a solid economic future in these beautiful islands.
Sadly this is another example of a state dominated by radical one party rule and politics for far too long.
The people of Hawaii deserve so much better from their government and its leaders.
If Maui was safe from fires and floods then the tourists would have returned.
The fact that the kaanapali area has had 5 fires and 2 evacuations since the August Lahaina Fire Disaster , has scared well read travellers away.
The Maui beach parks restrooms are locked and the park’s water supply is turned off and that surprises visitors.
When visitors miss their flights because of road closures they tell their friends.
When Maui Visitors Bureau is still promoting visiting Lahaina, the tourists are angry that it is closed.
When the tourists find Lahaina harbor and loading dock is closed they don’t love the options.
For a foodie traveller it is hard to lose 50 restaurants that burnt down.
Safe Travels!
This sounds more like a scare tactic for the un-informed tourists.
It’s a sad day for Hawaii tourism. More fees, higher prices, and an unwelcoming attitude won’t spell recovery
Voters. Dedicated Hawaiian tourists will not be deterred by anything the Governor or HTA or activist locals say. They know the territory and will be happy to hear of these initiatives. Those same loyal tourists don’t need to be told about “mindful travel,” either. They know all about it. Casual tourists will never know about the Governors message – they’re in YOLO mode. Sidebar: Report from Feds this week speak of shortage of skilled construction workers for coming Hawaii (Maui) recovery boom. Good jobs for mainlanders await in paradise…but where do you live?!
What if you’re visiting family, are you considered a “tourist” then? What constitutes a tourist, and especially a “low-end” one at that? How can they vet and verify these things? Seems illegal at best.
Green has me seeing red.
I have been coming to the Hawaiian Islands for 30 plus years. I’m here now in Oahu and I am always bewildered by the state or should I say disrepair of the public restrooms. The Japanese are such clean people and they are subjected to the nastiess of public facilities. Governor Green do something about the Public Restrooms.
Hi Rosemary . Many of the parks in Maui have locked their restrooms and turned off the water. No showers, no toilets, no tourists.
Biting the hand that feeds it!
While we appreciate the overabused term of climate chsnge, the Lahaina fire should teach that better water conservation and management was needed before and certainly now! Lahaina Strong should also include more accomodating housing rules and regulations for the displaced pets that wound up abandoned.
Lahaina town produced 15% of all of the tourist revenue for Hawaii. Unfortunately that revenue was never invested in Lahaina infrastructure, fire stations, hospitals, back up lower for water or sewer and still isn’t.
Kaanapali has had 5 fires and 2 evacuations since the August 8,th Lahaina fire. So it is still not safe!
Well read tourist know that Maui is still a fire and flood risk and are travelling elsewhere.
Is Gov. Green’s New Years message “Plagiarism”, because other then Maui fire victims it sounds a lot like our Gov Newsome’s message and other governors.
So a mainland doctor turned governor wants to keep us low end tourists at bay? Ok. This state will never see another cent of mine
Maybe Hawaii should elect a new governor in the next election. This one seems to think tourists from the mainland are not important except to pay all the bills for the state. We are wanted only to come and pay more fees and taxes and then go home. We have made many trips to Hawaii, mostly Maui, and will not return until things change. We are deeply saddened with the events taking place in Hawaii. We planned to return this year but after all that has happened we will not be coming.
Your Governor sounds just as insane as the California governor.
The governor may a well announce that the ‘Aloha Spirit’ will no longer be extended to Maui tourists.
Yes, but I think he has now spoken!
Adding. Fees for people coming to Hawaii will hurt more. Since, things are expensive there already. You can name it anything does not change that you want to charge people to come there.
Being called “low end”, being told we need to be “educated”, slapping on bogus fees … nope! We will go elsewhere, thank you very much!
The fees and taxes are out of control. We are going where we are welcome and get a lot more for our dollars. A cruise or Mexican resorts are a much better bargain even with air fare getting to be an irritation. Maui is the one island we have not been to and it looks like it will stay that way.
Green has no clue.
After having lived pleasantly enough, despite being a Haole , in Hawaii for 6 years and then commuting there for another 7, and seeing the nearly anti-mainland tourist sentiment developing then even 20 years ago, it would seem to me a more conciliatory and welcoming attitude is needed or Hawaii may well have to rely solely on Japanese tourism. Good luck with that.
One would think and the Hawaii Tourism actually flew to Japan to try to invite and encourage their return. Their dollars are not strong enough right now, so even Japan will find another outing, unless they welcome the opportunity to take over the island(s).
I have enjoyed and loved these islands for over 25 years. However, the gross mismanagement of these beautiful resources by the government is never ending. Having nothing to do with the Maui fire, their decision years ago to rely solely on tourism leading to cruise ships, a huge increase in licensed commercial vessels, more resort building, etc. was very short sighted and not good for the Hawaiian people. I have always been respectful of the environment, wildlife, people and appreciated the sense of Aloha from so many people over the years. It is so sad to see it come to this. Now the government feels they can reverse the level of tourism and keep the tax dollars from those visitors flowing? Need to build non tourism industry.
Regarding the need to build a substantial non-tourism industry. Based on my many years on Maui, it may be possible for small niche type small, boutique busineses to thrive and create jobs and revenue, agriculture is a good example.
Expecting these to replace even 10 percent of the jobs and income that is generated by tourism is, I think, a dream. Maui just does not have the infrastructure, hospitals, educational institutions and frankly the human capital required to attract any major industry to locate there. Transportation costs are prohibitive as well driving up the cost of everything. So unless tectonic plate movement carries Maui a lot closer to the mainland it’s unlikey to happen without huge investment.
Jeri. I feel the same way. MOved there in 1971 and have been a contributor financially for 47 years. You said this so eloquently. Well-stated. This is the most perfect statement on here that hits the points well! Thank you! Sadly, yes, I agree and very sadly!
I own a timeshare at the Westin Nanea in Ka’anapali. I’ve got two trips planned this year and one includes bringing my 2 year old grandson. I’m very concerned with the safety of the water quality due to the toxic ash (both the ocean and tap). I’ve read it’s prohibited to swim anywhere south of Ka’anapali. Also not to drink the tap water and not to breathe in the steam from showering. Do you have any links to share of recent water testing reports?
I want to keep tracking this. Thank you.
Hi Lori.
We’ll ask others for that information. Have you inquired with the timeshare assn or other homeowners? And if not, what about the Maui division of the Hawaii Department of Health.
Aloha.
Thanks for those suggestions. I emailed the resort tonight and will look into the Health Dept. I’ll share what I find.
Signs posted from Mala Ramp south to Baby Beach (Lahaina) warning of “possibility of higher than normal pollutant levels.”
Thank you for this very important statement. I am quite concerned about these factors. It is never mentioned by anyone on any travel sites, locals are too busy shooshing us away by bullying, and yet is a common sense and a huge concern that would be the best approach for everyone traveling to Maui. Just because the area is now shielded by a cloth, the winds still blow. We are on East Coast of Mainland and received the smoke winds from Canada fires. It is truly a concern. I will be following your posts with Dept of Health. But at this point, it is pretty certain it is not a temporary thing. I would be very careful if you or your family have asthma/breathing issues!
No mention here of Canadian visitors. Don’t know what percentage we Canadians make of total visitation, but we’re doing our part, welcome or not. We’ll be in Maui most of February.
So, let’s increase revenues by adding a $50 tax…to help discourage people from coming.
This kind of thing is best left for smoking and other unhealthy behaviors. If you make the island’s welcoming again, the tax revenues will increase. If you want people to behave better, model good behavior without being a scold.
I’m a 6.5 year Uber driver and agree wholeheartedly about our infrastructure including our 10% worst in the country roads, one of the lowest ranked airports and a stadium that was never maintained! I’ll regularly tell my clients that the main thing we maintain here is our trees as you hardly find a loose or broken limb!
I love Hawaii and its citizens. I fell in love with Hawaii when on my R&R from Vietnam in 1967. I will always remember how friendly the Hawaiian people were. If I have to pay an additional fee of to visit this beautiful state, so be it.
For those of us mainlanders who frequently visit the islands,it would be nice to have an idea as to weather west Maui will be open. There is more to Maui than Lahaina.We are planning our 30th anniversary trip in March,have condo rented,car rented etc. As yet we have no idea if the condo will be used for local long term renters or not. Very frustrating and could be awful pricey considering all we have already paid for,not even considering the airfare alone!!!
We’ve been here, in Honokowai, for two months. While there’s an element of sadness, it’s been really wonderful.
It is less busy, which is fine with me. Although, Kaanapali seems to have really picked up for the holidays.
There are so many condos in West Maui, I think there are enough for displaced people and visitors.
Everyone has been really nice.
Aloha
Just curious….Who or what defines a “low -end tourist”?
That, Victoria, is the right question.
Hi. I would ignore this type of social mis behavior. People that make statements like “low end” tourists, have little class and have not been educated on healthy tourism habits. I just scroll by those type of posts. Albeit, they are aplenty!
Sandi, this isn’t something in a random post, this is something the Governor of Hawaii said! I heard him say it myself (in a video)!
Sandi…The governor of Hawaii is the one that used that term in one of his speeches regarding how to curb tourism to Hawaii.
I can sort of see a fee that goes towards taking care of all the things that tourists typically use and need to be maintained but what in the heck does a fee on visitors have to do with “needing money to make sure we have more firefighters, that we have more equipment, and we have more money for investigations like this.” This has nothing to do with visitors, other than a way to get more money.
After visiting Maui and the Big Island every year since 1976 thinking of your proposed $50 impact fee makes me angry. We will now be staying away from Hawaii for quite a while because we don’t really feel welcome as tourists. So many great places to go in the world at half the price of Hawaii. Aloha
Jeffrey,
So agree. We are here right now. We’ve been coming back since 2003. It’s so completely different and more work than fun. Customer service is lacking and we haven’t felt welcome here in a while. And we agree that this is most likely our last visit here. Time to move on, unfortunately.
You know. I am returning for a golden last visit. It’s amazing how things do work out, as I usually cry and have been saving for this and am a long long time Hawaiian visitor since 1970. But, it may be a relief after this trip to know I will not return, as it is always a yes to get back, but very difficult financially anymore.
Jeffrey,
I agree, but did you notice that besides resorts not full most offered basically the same food? My friend and I noticed much was Costco frozen food and bag salad. We ordered salad and coconut shrimp appetizer it came with 4 pieces for $20 ,fries were also frozen. The food used to be goodand better value.