We are at the time of summer when we expect visitor arrival numbers to wane. That’s traditional. But based on the numbers and what we see here on the ground, that just isn’t happening.
Hawaii travel usually starts to hit its summer peak in mid-June. It gets even busier as we approach July 4 and stays very busy until August 1. After that, arrival numbers decline consistently until the Christmas and New Year holidays. But not this year.
Arrivals are up 10% in late summer compared with 2019.
For the past eleven days, since August 1, in this late summer period, domestic arrivals were 321,613 compared with 292,165 in 2019. That seems very unusual to us, given the economic climate and the fact that people have been vacationing domestically and internationally.
So what is going on?
1 . Pent-up demand hasn’t yet been fulfilled. While many people traveled to Hawaii through Covid or have already made up lost time this year, others still have been waiting for their chance to enjoy a long-awaited Hawaii vacation.
2. Airfares are low. Mainland to Hawaii flights from the typical west coast gateways are relatively cheap. Even last-minute August flights to Hawaii are available for as little as about $300 round-trip, including all taxes and fees. Then, starting next month, those will drop on average another $100. Yikes.
3. Hawaii remains an easy-to-access, domestic, yet tropical vacation.
Why are late summer and fall so popular for Hawaii vacations?
Best weather of the entire year. While Hawaii is known for great weather year-round, late summer and fall are a secret find in terms of balmy warm days and slightly cooler than summer nights.
Ocean conditions also tend to be most wonderful at this time of year. North shores still most feature swimmable conditions while south shores have waves. Have you gone for a swim at Hanalei Bay Kauai recently? We can tell you conditions are idyllic.
We just came back from Hawaii and we were there from August 1 through August 10th because our kids have a late start to the school year. School this year is begins August 17, 2022.
We are looking forward to late August-early September on Maui and all our fave places! Very excited to go back again.
Thanks
We are coming in the beginning of October…Oahu & Maui. This was supposed to be a return trip back in 2020, but you know… Grateful for it now!🌺
Recession, what recession?
Probably a lot of people have been locked down and out of Hawaii for 2 years that they are hoping to take advantage of lower prices that should have begun. Don’t forget about the people that put off getting married, Hawaiian Honeymoon!
We are coming the 1st week of October put it off last year because of covid can’t wait
Say, aloha to Hawaii until this mess has been resolved…Really hurts after 36 trips…my friends are following.
HI can hardly wait to come back home to Kauai. We have been coming for about 40 years to our condo at Poi pu. We typically stay 5 weeks end of October to beginning of December. Flights have been booked for a long time and car rented too. Members of family coming this year. Lots of fun and volunteering time too. Aloha and stay safe.
I could be completely off base with this comment. My neighbor, who was both born and raised in Honolulu, goes back to Honolulu to see her daughters. I would not list her as a tourist. I saw an article in the Advertiser. It was a Polynesian woman who was bitterly complaining about her children and grandchildren were no longer able to live in the islands because of the cost. Her kids have moved to LV. It seems that more and more, when going and coming from Hawaii I am sitting next to a person who is going back home to visit relatives and no longer live on the islands either. It’s obvious that there are a good number of Hawaiians who are no longer living on the islands. I’m wondering what kind of impact they are having on travel.
Climate change.
Love your writings.
Aloha, guys
While I agree with all your observations, I think a big reason late summer fall travel is good because school has started and some people like to travel as kids and their parents head back to school. The Hanalei Pier is much quieter now that kids normally jumping off the pier have gone back to school. No kids, nice weather, travel deals, come on down!
As someone who works in a public school, I see an ever increasing number of parents or guardians who have no qualms about their kids missing school for a vacation. Especially if these periods abut a time where missing school is not as important (example a week before school holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas). As kids get older, the first few days of school become less necessary as they already know the routines. I am not saying this is good or bad just that I have observed this.
Big island for the month of September !!!!!
100% Yes for Family &
Friends !!! From SoCal you can find $280 or even less roundtrip LB to Maui !
Hi Guys. Oh yes. May and October are my favourite times to visit. Before and after summer. Less heat, less crowded and more relaxed. Everyone is taking advantage of the great fares, so it will be busy probably until October rolls around. Am look forward to come over then myself. I even like early December (my birthday) to visit. Love the rain. It’s a nice change from the drought.
Yep! Two weeks in October.
Aloha!
We usually go at the end of March- early April. This time we will be there mid-September. I hope it is not very crowded during that time period.
Summer is almost over