Evolving with newly signed landmark transformational law. Enhanced environmental protections and more coming to future Hawaii vacations
Evolving with newly signed landmark transformational law. Enhanced environmental protections and more coming to future Hawaii vacations
Well, here they go again shooting themselves in the foot…
“The focus on shifting away from a tourism-centric economy towards an undefined future raises questions about the state’s readiness to manage this transition smoothly.”
Thanks BoH for this informative article. Shifting away from a tourism-centric economy towards an undefined future managed by the state. Hmmm … sounds ominously reminiscent of HECO shutting down a power plant with no plan or infrastructure in place to replace the lost electrical generation capacity. That has resulted in numerous unannounced brownouts all over Oahu over the past year. What could possibly go wrong!?
Good point by Gary. Here in California, the Governor couldn’t wait to shut down the last remaining nuke plant(10% of the state’s electricity). Now he’s on his hands and knees begging the utility to keep it open.
If Hawaii is to help protect the environment by reducing tourists (mainlanders are the target, I assume) what can possibly replace the tourists’ dollars?
The people of Hawaii cannot survive on fewer $$$$$.
Lots of feel good verbal fluff, with no concrete strategies. A good diversion from the STR debacle, and my bet is that it will accomplish nothing in the long run.
Just what I want from a vacation, my every move regulated by a politician! Time to explore the US Virgin Islands!
You will love them, Scott!
For starters, why don’t they pick up and haul away the abandoned cars and couches?
Don’t forget those washer dryer and refrigerators .. oh never mind that was someone that must have bought durring there stay at a condo rental
Hi Guys. Here’s an idea. How about replacing the current tourism board with those Hawaiian youths that sued the government for climate control change and won before it could go to trial. Gov. Green couldn’t sign off on that any quicker to avoid a embarrassing situation that would reveal how little and how slow they take care of and implement improvements for the people. What do you think?
Sue the government. Sue, Sue, Sue. Taxpayers money paid out just to satisfy some states financial situation. Sorry not the bailout senerio for any state to structure as a operating budget plan. That’s all society needs is to sue the taxpayer. Hawaii needs to stop in just looking for some free money. IMO that really don’t make me wish to spend more while visiting.
The system will be corrupted from the outset. I can see the HTA approved internet ads now: “Skip the wait, go straight to Hanauma Bay with ___ Tours!” “Guaranteed swim in the Seven Sacred Pools!” Every place that limits tourism has “sweetener” deals for those tourists willing to pay extra. Example: The Louvre in Paris may be sold out, but you sure as heck can pay extra for a morning session or exclusive acce$$ through approved tours. These places will ultimately primarily serve privileged people. I’m not saying that’s bad, that’s economics at work. If you can’t afford it, don’t go.
Consider the green fee a gate admission and everything else is a charge or fee. The only thing Hawaii has not figured out is how to charge for oxygen or toilet use yet. If you can’t afford the attractions then the only other thing to do is dine or go shopping. Is it really possible to relax and not spend any money in Hawaii. Window shop?
Reservations to walk down a sidewalk or street? Whats next.
I own a small VRBO vacation rental condo on The Big Island – I bought it so I could visit regularly and be able to afford to visit often, hoping the rental would create enough income to make is a reality. Some years it’s worked, others not, but I do not regret buying it, and I hope I can continue to rent it out when I am not there…if not, I will probably have to sell it (perhaps the goal of the new regulations?) Hawaii creates warm fuzzies in my heart:) I am on board with supporting the ecology of Hawaii!. ***Does the island even have the start of a plan to recycle? Every time I go, I am disheartened that everything just gets dumped in the trash! I would think that would be a priority on an island!
All the trash in Hawaii is barged to Oregon and Washington to fill our landfills so why recycle? We have to tend to the island’s garbage both ways. If not the landfill would cover every island and stink to high heaven.
Maui finally got going on solid waste. Took 20 years.
One of the few government run things to by proud of. Tourism always draws new investors.
Kauai has had a landfill for decades (down on so-called west side of the island). It is approaching “full” or so we are regularly told. But, larger items like all the abandoned cars and trucks, do go away on a barge.
Not to be jaded and/or naive, but someone please wake me when something actually comes of this.
I have a trip planned for late December, 2024, with my granddaughter who has never been to Hawaii. We are going to Kauai. If reservations are required to visit state parks and beaches, when will I know? How can I insure we will be able to enjoy the Hawaii experience?
Hawaii will be a giant theme park. You will pay in advance to make reservations to go to the beach or go hiking.
It will be like being on a land based cruise.
Did the regenerative tourist plan include eliminating STR’s. Regenerative means to not generate which results in less tourists, less jobs, and less income. What’s next eliminating all carbon emission vehicles to be ecofriendly and only allow electric buses and scooters.
Sorry Hawaii IMO you’re more interested in saving the fish and not the people. No tourists mean no income and residents will have no choice but to relocate. Different day same song and dance.
Cut tax rates on tourism and more tourists will arrive. That includes, TAT, GEC, real estate taxes and income taxes on accommodations, gas taxes and sales taxes. Slash them all by 50%.
So more tourists will come and cash inflow will go up, resulting in more tax dollars being generated. It works every time. Just do a couple of press releases and save your ad $. They will come like crazy.
This bill looks like an excuse to do the opposite. “Regenerative” is the hint. Tax and spend doesn’t work.
Once again the politicians prove they are in it only for their personal gain. Vote wisely.
A great way to lower the cost of the local kama’aina is to eliminate the state income tax, which hits the wallets directly. The brain drain move to the Mainland will never end until the everyday worker can afford to breathe! But since the politicians love playing Robbing Hood with the workers and collude with the hotel lobby at costs, there’s no end to the madness and the 9th Island (Vegas) will continue to grow in popularity.
President Ronald Reagan, August 12, 1986 “I think you all know that I’ve always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help.”
The word salad is ridiculous. So many multisyllable words to say nothing of substance. And I do mean, quite literally, nothing of substance.
To say this is more political posturing does not even come close!
Environmental impact & respect_Start with the local fishermen that either over fish or take fish they are not supposed to so that they can sell them for aquariums. And then there’s the abandoned vehicles, appliances, and bags of trash spread around Maui. So will the “education of visitors” require a test to get into Hawaii? Finally, regenerative and sustainable tourism are just a part of a “vowel” movement that is completely ambiguous!
Technically, an “adjective” movement. Or maybe you meant “bowel” movement, in which case you are correct.
All the appropriate labels of the left are there. And, as is normally associated with those unicorn friendly-inspired messages, it’s totally devoid of practical applications of the bill.
I’ll just wait this out as Green and his bastion destroy the state and possibly, not definitely, return once rationale has returned. But I won’t hold my breath. Europe is beckoning as are countless other cheaper alternatives.
By all means, continue to vote the party whose motivation is emotional and not based on objective fact. Meantime, your tourism dollars will be cashed by and invested in other areas.
Hmmm…. my very expensive trip to HI will now be micromanaged by government bureaucrats. Sounds Magical. Where do I sign up?
Yup. But “Less” government is a 4 letter word in Tax-and-Spend politicians dictionary.
Once again the State wants its cake and eats it too. It wants to promote regenerative tourism but it’s not willing to force everyone to adjust to it. In my opinion, the only real regenerative tourism plan is to revamp the entire tourist experience in Hawaii. That means that we take the hotels that have limited services (in comparison to full-service resorts) and work to convert most of the properties in Waikiki into full service resorts. Then you make sure that the amount of people going to places like Hanauma bay is limited (instead of rental cars, and tourist shuttles from the resorts with limited capacity). And you keep the tourist on the resort as a primary experience.
What tourist wants to stay in a resort as a primary experience? They come to see Hawaii, not the innards of a resort!
Pat,
I’m sure the great majority of us do. Actually, for the past 20 years we’ve stayed in our timeshare. Like a hotel, we know what to expect. Consistency.