As 2025 begins, Hawaii travel is poised for a year of complete transformation. From sweeping airline changes that have barely begun to Maui’s continued attempts to achieve tourism recovery, the year ahead promises new challenges, exciting opportunities, and a redefinition of what it means to visit the Hawaiian Islands. Here’s a closer look at the key trends shaping Hawaii travel in 2025.
New airline dynamics in Hawaii.
Alaska Airlines’ acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines will continue to headline and redefine Hawaii air travel in 2025. Alaska is set to begin flying Hawaiian’s widebody aircraft from Seattle, offering new service on international routes. Aircraft deployment across their route network will continue to see changes and optimization. Loyalty programs for both airlines are set to merge, further integrating the two brands under Alaska’s umbrella. Later in 2025, the two airlines will finally operate under one joint airline certificate, with marketing and branding remaining their primary distinctions.
Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, is quickly evolving its Hawaii strategy. With reduced interisland flights planned for 2025, Southwest is pivoting hard toward premium and fully assigned seating while focusing on mainland-Hawaii routes. Travelers will see fewer budget options for island hopping, and while the future of mainland-to-Hawaii routes is still unfolding, more consolidation to key cities like Las Vegas and San Jose seems likely.
The cost of flying interisland will rise in 2025 as reduced competition allows airlines to fill gaps left by Southwest’s flight reductions. Fares have already lifted from early 2024 lows of $39 to $60, and that is just the beginning.
We recently wrote about how Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines Just Rewrote the Rules of Airline Benefits with changes to their loyalty programs. Meanwhile, Southwest Slashes Hawaii Flights in Major Shake-Up highlights Southwest’s evolving focus on Hawaii flights.
Some predict reduced airline seats – we think otherwise.
Our take from years of reporting Hawaii air travel is to expect seat numbers to be similar to 2024. While some Southwest flights will be reduced, especially interisland, and international will remain suppressed, domestic travel isn’t currently set to change with any significance.
Hawaii’s green fee plan takes shape.
The state’s proposed green fee plan could take center stage in 2025 as the state explores ways to offset the environmental impact of tourism. Aimed at generating revenue for conservation and sustainability efforts, the fee would add another layer to Hawaii’s already high visitor costs, raising concerns about its effect on tourism.
The New Visitor Fee Could Push Hawaii Hotel Taxes Past Breaking Point article highlights how this initiative might reshape travel dynamics in the islands. While the fee’s final structure is still being debated, it represents a growing focus on balancing tourism with environmental stewardship.
Maui’s tourism recovery continues.
Maui enters 2025 at a pivotal moment in its recovery from the tragic Lahaina fire. With rebuilding efforts gaining traction, the island must balance welcoming visitors with respecting resident needs. Tourism numbers are expected to rise gradually, but the full recovery of Lahaina and surrounding areas will continue for years.
Tightening Hawaii vacation rental regulations will remain a central issue in 2025.
State and county policies aim to address housing shortages for residents while reshaping the options available to visitors. Travelers planning a trip to Maui this year, in particular, should expect stricter rules and fewer rental options.
A new law effective January 1 solidifies counties’ authority to phase out non-residential land uses, including vacation rentals. This legislation strengthens the legal foundation for Maui’s planned phase-out of dedicated short-term vacation rentals in what are known as apartment-zoned districts, set to begin in July 2025 for West Maui and January 2026 for the rest of the county. However, measures face potential legal challenges that could delay implementation.
Maui Tourism at a Crossroads: A Year After Lahaina Fire examines the island’s challenges, while Maui’s Vacation Rental Crackdown Intensifies delves into how regulations affect tourism.
Hawaii’s skies welcome new planes and routes and perhaps airlines.
Aviation advances may play a leading role in Hawaii’s travel this year. Not only is it about the airlines serving the islands but also about the aircraft they utilize. Introducing the new Airbus A321XLR to select routes could open up possibilities for long-haul travel to Hawaii that never existed previously. These fuel-efficient planes make direct connections between Hawaii and previously un-served destinations more feasible. But what the comfort will be like for passengers remains a question.
Several airlines, including Breeze, are also speculated to announce new Hawaii routes during 2025, broadening access for travelers from the mainland and beyond. Stand by for those.
Hotel prices and alternative accommodations.
Hawaii hotel prices are expected to remain very high in 2025, continuing the trend set in recent years. While this may deter budget-conscious travelers, it also creates opportunities for alternative accommodations to thrive. Vacation rentals, boutique hotels, and even offbeat options like camping could see increased demand as visitors seek affordable ways to experience the islands.
The rising costs also prompt more travelers to consider alternative Pacific destinations, including Tahiti, which offers unique appeal amid challenges.
Hawaii Hotel Prices Increase Up to 70%, Helping Stifle Over-Tourism provides insights into pricing trends, while Tahiti vs. Hawaii Vacations: Big Differences Make Choosing Easy offers a compelling comparison for those weighing their options.
Technology transforms the travel experience.
Technology will play an ever-increasing role in Hawaii travel in 2025. Airlines are partnering with tech companies to improve services, from enhanced luggage tracking with AirTags to streamlined check-in systems. Loyalty programs are also becoming more sophisticated, offering travelers new ways to earn and redeem points without stepping onto a plane.
These advancements aim to make travel more seamless and highlight the growing intersection of tech and Hawaii tourism.
Lessons Learned After Losing Bags Four Times on Hawaii Flights explores the frustrations of mishandled luggage and how new solutions could change the game for island-bound travelers.
The return of international visitors.
International visitor numbers, particularly from Japan and Canada, are expected to improve somewhat in 2025. ANA announced it would move to twice-daily A380 flights from Tokyo to Honolulu, reflecting their optimism about the resurgence. These markets are critical for Hawaii’s economy, and their return will help diversify the visitor base. However, challenges remain, including competition from other destinations and fluctuating U.S. economic conditions.
Additionally, lesser-known islands like Molokai and Lanai are attracting growing interest, offering quieter alternatives to Hawaii’s more popular spots. Forbidden Hawaii Destination May Soon See Visitors highlights the allure of less-visited areas in Hawaii.
What’s ahead for Hawaii travel in 2025.
As 2025 unfolds, Hawaii will face a year of change and opportunity. Airlines are set to expand and innovate, Maui continues its path to recovery, and travelers will navigate rising costs and new technologies. These changes will reshape how visitors experience Hawaii and shape the islands’ tourism future for years to come.
What are your thoughts on Hawaii travel in 2025?
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“Fares have already lifted from early 2024 lows of $39 to $60, and that is just the beginning.”
On what planet did anyone think $39 fares were sustainable? Seriously! One of the reasons Southwest is reducing inter-island flights after starting that absurd fare war is that they were losing their shirts on $39 fares.
I’d rather have sustainable fares (and service).
Seems as though the occupancy taxes have no limits. I guess as long as people are willing to pay it and not complain then all is okay. I’ll go to the Carribean.
I think Alaska’s use of the wide body aircraft out of Seattle will work very nicely for them, given all the connections of people who live in the North West connection to Hawaii. However, that rise in rental cost, I think is going to backfire on them, there are just getting to be too many other better options.
I’ve been coming to Hawaii All Islands for 40 plus years sometimes two or three times a year. After last year paying for a condo for $14,000 for a month, high cost of food, high cost to transportation, high cost of visiting sites advertised It’s way overpriced. And be insulted on a daily basis by the politicals is sickening. The premier club is the first to fall. I will be reassigned to the Puilani group is just a sign of changes and not helpful to the visitors. Last year was going to be my last trip but our local university is playing Hawaii in baseball next year. I’ve already booked for that but it will be my last trip. The green charges will be a slush fund with no accountability. Just like New York recently enacted. The politicians over decades have enabled destruction of their islands through greed and now we have to pay for it to put it back? Absurd
Linda… Could you explain what your comment means?
“The premier club is the first to fall. I will be reassigned to the Puilani group is just a sign of changes and not helpful to the visitors”
“Aimed at generating revenue for conservation and sustainability efforts…” Yeah… right. Conservation and sustainability… I’ll believe it when I see it.
Higher neighbor island fares, a result of the merger or Southwest reduction or both? How high could it go?
We are returning to Hawaii in June for the first time since 2008. The condo was reasonable but the airfare almost scuttled the trip. Dreading the cost of food and gas.
Aloha, we were in Tulum last month. Lots of Canadians. The busiest area of the airport was AirCanada. The place we stayed was owned by people from Toronto. I think you get the picture.
Yes, Kauai, where we are now, is expensive But nothing compares to Hawaii! You get what you pay for.
Thank you BOH for all the good info.
You might want to add an article on the new Bill 46 that Oahu county is attempting to pass. This new “empty homes tax” would add 30K/year (for every 1M of home value) of new taxes to home owners who choose not to change their residency to Hawaii by living here more than 6 months, or who choose not to rent their home to a Hawaiian residence for more than 6 months of the year. This would greatly discourage non-residents from spending part of the year in 2nd homes or condos in Hawaii.
I would like to know if the STR ban is going to happen …. Its suppose to start in like 6 months?!? Are people booking these STR hoping they will not get canceled on? Are the owners just posting them available until they hear it actually happening??
The law hasn’t passed the Maui County Council. They have budgeted $300 K for a study to examine what the effects of this ban would have on county tax revenue. But the study hasn’t even gone out for bid yet. The July 1 date is just blue sky now, until a law is actually passed. And even then, lawsuits could stop implementation of the law, if not outright kill it.
Yes the County is just sitting on it’s hands basically doing nothing and yes lawsuits are guaranteed we’re just waiting for the County to try to implement the ban.
If Hawaii raises costs much more they may lose tourists. The costs of a loaf of bread are high and more fees won’t make it very appealing.
I am not so sure that the international numbers of Canadians visitors will be rising in 2025. Our $CAD is not doing well and it is costing $1.468 CAD/ $1 USD today. Add that exchange surcharge to the already high costs in HI, it’s not pretty.
The green fee sounds like a good idea in theory, but I’m not sure how it will be enforced or if the funds will actually help the environment at all. Hawaii just seems like a bottomless pit for visitors’ cash.
I’ve always stayed in vacation rentals on Maui. These new regulations make me question if I’ll still have affordable options next time we visit or at what point the shoe will drop.
Yes Maui’s recovery is going to take a long time, but I hope that visitors both respect the situation and keep coming to help support the local economy. Mahalo.
I’m worried about the ever rising costs of visiting Hawaii. Between airfare, hotels, and now possibly a green fee and fewer vacation rentals, it’s getting harder for me to justify the cost of a trip.
The stricter vacation rental regulations are long overdue. Residents need housing, and this might help some towards easing the crisis. Fingers crossed.
How will eliminating short term rentals increase housing for locals? Can locals afford a monthly rental of $8000+? Because between the mortgage, monthly maintenance fees, and property taxes, that’s going to be the rental rate locals may be facing. Where in America do workers have beachfront properties as homes or rental units?
Totally agree Dave ~ Plus the STR are decent size for short term, but nor living full time….plus pets & parking ?!?
Our HOA and land lease fees are $7,015 a month plus 2k for property taxes and another 600 for electricity. It only works as a vacation rental
Wow, thanks for explaining the deal.
“…might help some…”? Doesn’t make any sense to this average bear.
I’m really curious how the Alaska-Hawaiian merger will impact interisland flights, not just Southwest. Will it make them more expensive or more convenient?
From my standpoint, the merger has been a disaster so far. I’ve come across several cancelled flights. Hawaiian is currently charging $413 for a one way April 3 flight from Kona to San Jose with a layover in Kahului.