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.
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?