176 thoughts on “Hawaii Tries Controlling Visitors Who Simply Want Vacations”
Patricia D
Not for this at all. Hawaii is part of the USA so I believe if you want to limit guests – it must start with out of country guests!!!! Never should a U.S. citizen be limited as to when they can visit any of the islands. China & Japan are a large flex of the guests.
Another money grab and money corrupts and those who manage it will mismanage it. Visitors pay more to visit Hawaii than any other place on the Planet in special fees and taxes it’s obscene. Fees and taxes currently collected aren’t being applied to where they’re supposed to go. Hawaii has become a money pit much like Vegas and visitors pay more for less. We won’t be visiting Hawaii anytime soon unless it changes course. It’s for millionaires and homeless people now.
Hopefully they use the funds to get the homeless and drug issues under control. If the intent is to discourage visiting, job well done. Been coming for 20 years and this is my last. Will spend my vacations $ where they are welcomed.
Aloha, implementing a “Green fee”, is probably (not sure) against federal law. It is also the first step in creating the un-United States of America, if other states followed suite. Our son lives in Mt. View, Hawaii. Which get the most rain of any place in the USA. Having to pay $50 on top of the Sky High airline and hotel fee’s will turn visitors away. It will only line the pockets of the legislators.
Mahalo.
Lower your prices! You are a small market travel vacation destination. People have no reason to travel to your area to experience elevated prices that are not inline with prices they pay or expect to see when visiting other travel vacation destinations costing them much less to visit. The area has always been over priced and marketed as a dream vacation destination. Perhaps this was true in the 70’s and in the 80’s and early 90’s. It has not been a destination to experience pricewise in the past 5-6 years. It simply has not. From 1/1/2011 to 4/25/22 I traveled to Oahu 3-5 times yearly and spent between $3,000-$4,000 a visit up to as much as $10,000 a trip. This does not include my airline tickets or my taxi rides. Overpriced now!!
I have bought 3 timeshares in Hawaii. How will this affect us and penalize us? When we came back when HI was open after COVID everyone was thrilled that we were there so they could work. Last year when we went to the BI, many of the stores were still closed. How is this helping their economy?
In the 20 years we’ve owned vacation rentals on the Big Island, We’ve seen rampant overbuilding of timeshares and vacation rentals. If you build it, they will come. Visitors fly long distances and spend many thousands of dollars to see all of lovely, special Hawaii including volcanoes and waterfalls. They will not be confined to the beach resorts. Building departments: Stop permitting more timeshares and vacation rentals Now. (There are thousands more on the books right now permitted and being built.)
Such whining from visitors who prefer extractive tourism with no restrictions or true cost to anyone but locals & aina. Stay home, already! We don’t need your dollars.
Anela A, that i a very interesting response. How do you know you don’t need our dollars. What is your 2nd industry to Tourism. How would the state replace the dollars that receive from all the Tourist Taxes they gather? Be very careful what you wish for.
Yes you do! Tourist dollars are the bigger income source of Oahu Island.You mean you do not know this? Has been since Peral Harbor and that war ended.Ok. Know your history. Tourism yearly brings in more financial revenue than the resudents of all 8 islands combined and always will. You are a very small isolated area away from larger geographical areas with more people, with larger to much larger incomes and wealth. The area is a tourist transit, vacation retirement area. Believe it or not. The boats parked in the Ala Moana and Ali Way Harbors. Thats about mostly retirement and wealth. Learn your areas history.
“Extractive Tourism” – lol – you’ve been listening to some of the haters on the Maui County Council.
I hope you continue towards the rest of us residents when we are starving with no place to work and have to leave the islands. More of the islands to yourself, I suppose.
Once Hawaii became part of the US it no longer belonged exclusively to Hawaii residents wether anyone likes that fact or not.. Land management needs to happen not just for Hawaiians but for all future generations. Rather then try to control people control access with fees, toll roads, parking meters, etc… As far as needing those tax dollars go, tourism makes up 21% of the HI economy a good boost to anyones standard of living. It helps drive what businesses, educational and health facilities you will have. Covid gave a glimpse of life with out tourist and many businesses failed and some still struggling. It may not of been your family business but it was someones. Every should want better education and health care. (Tax $ from Tourism)
Please respect Americans,
Would you like all of the US Soldiers to “ Stay Home” if Hawaii is under attack again? Hawaii belongs to the USA & we will come and go as we please. Whether we own property or not it is our home as much as any residents. I respect authentic Hawaiian Culture & will always show that. But as for any given millionaire who pokes his flag in the sand and snobs Americans- forget about it.
Thanks for letting me reply.
Exactly. None of these comments take into consideration what the onslaught of tourists do the the people who call it home. The people who benefit economically enormously are Big business not the local people. It’s amazing to me that people overlook this.
It’s amazing to me that you don’t see that all the businesses, local and otherwise, create not only jobs at the businesses, but jobs at the auxiliary businesses that support the big businesses, and the benefits fan out from there. The whole economy is healthier because of the main economic engine of Hawaii, which has been tourism for the past 75 years.
However, since I am here I do understand the annoyances that crowds of tourists create. The quality of life for both tourists and residents is negatively affected if there are too many large crowds of people at beaches, in restaurants, on the highways, etc. Maui Island Plan says resident-to-visitor ratio should be 3-to-1, and we should work towards that goal.
All that Big money being made is being made primarily by the BIG corporations, for everyone else it’s the “trickle down” effect. A “trickle down” economy benefits no one but those at the top. There are other destinations around the world who are looking at severely limiting tourists. One example is Machu Picchu, others are: Amsterdam, Boracay, Angkor Wat, Galapagos, Iceland, Santorini, Bali, Dubrovnik, Barcelona, Thai Islands, Mount Everest, Venice and even some of our own National Parks. Again it’s best we start seriously addressing this, it’s unfortunate but par for the course that these problems rarely get addressed until they become a crisis.
Leigh C – So you are calling for population stagnation, then? The number of people on the planet will continue to grow otherwise, and they will also want to see those wonderful places. What Hawaii is experiencing has long been felt by other States and countries. Should we limit international travel? Should only those who can afford the high $$$ of airline tickets be allowed to travel? There is no easy solution, but complaining about it doesn’t help. I live in over-populated California. I try and count my blessings that I get to live in a beautiful place; I know there is still solitude to be found here.
1
Leigh C
“So you are calling for population stagnation, then?” Your statement is an assumption on your part. No where in my comments did I suggest or imply anything of the sort. “should we limit international travel?” Well that is literally already happening. Yosemite has a cap on reservation capacity in the valley during peak times. Other destinations around the globe that are overwrought are doing the same. I’m a 5th generation Californian & live in tourist town that gets 8.4 million tourists a year our pop is 50,000 residents. California is 24 times bigger than Hawaii , no comparison. I know 2 things that won’t solve the problem: Hyperbole & the status quo. People of a community deserve to be respected, to not be consistently over wrought by more
Regina
I am a small business owner here, i have lived in this state for 35 years,Hawaii is losing residence in record numbers. Because they’re bought and sold by the hotel lobby. And they have done nothing to protect the residence from gentrification,Hawaii is unfriendly to business,residence, and now the last thing tourist,they are making it impossible to rent your property and make your high Morgage they penalize residence with confusing and high tax on this endeavor. Residence are just trying to make they Morgage. They don’ protect landlords, but disparaging residence for not renting cheep to abusive renters. This fee will be a final death blow for modest income visitors
Thank you for your insight! I’ve been visiting the islands since 1979 and have seen many of the changes. Many of the people I’ve met are working two and three jobs; their kids are doing the same, but are unable to keep up with inflation or with the government working against them.
I go to enjoy the people and scenery… beaches and trails, not so much.
It’s truly sad that a large group of Hawaii’s residents can no longer sustain a living that enables them to keep or even afford a residence in the land of their birth. If indeed these fees are instituted a large portion should be allocated to affordable housing. The state government has never been been friendly to her tax paying residents and particilarly small businesses. Utterly ridiculous!!
It is truly sad, but Hawaiians shouldn’t feel alone or that they are somehow unique. The entire country’s grown children have been pushed out of their homelands in every state. It’s a national (maybe even international) problem that is difficult to solve.
I agree with Pat G. Just want to add that I was born and raised in California and can barely afford my home. My children have to live elsewhere. The state has now passed a law (without the vote of its citizens) that allows developers to buy up single family homes and replace them with MDU’s, without the approval of the cities or counties they decide to build in. So, Hawaii is Not alone and is Not unique in this parasitical developer situation.
Land and homes are also being bought up by foreign nationals who are looking for investment opportunities. It has been happening in California for decades, and only getting worse. Sadly, our government officials turn a blind eye to it. $$$ money rules.
Great article, a difficult and dilemma for Hawaiians. With Kamaaina Discounts and selected beaches restricted to residents of only, a $50 surcharge to many visitors may be the last straw. We’ve been visiting the islands every year for the last 16 years. I would gladly pay a $50 visitor charge if Hawaiian residents give up their preferential privileges, not both.
Not for this at all. Hawaii is part of the USA so I believe if you want to limit guests – it must start with out of country guests!!!! Never should a U.S. citizen be limited as to when they can visit any of the islands. China & Japan are a large flex of the guests.
Another money grab and money corrupts and those who manage it will mismanage it. Visitors pay more to visit Hawaii than any other place on the Planet in special fees and taxes it’s obscene. Fees and taxes currently collected aren’t being applied to where they’re supposed to go. Hawaii has become a money pit much like Vegas and visitors pay more for less. We won’t be visiting Hawaii anytime soon unless it changes course. It’s for millionaires and homeless people now.
So it still is all about the money!!!
Hopefully they use the funds to get the homeless and drug issues under control. If the intent is to discourage visiting, job well done. Been coming for 20 years and this is my last. Will spend my vacations $ where they are welcomed.
Aloha, implementing a “Green fee”, is probably (not sure) against federal law. It is also the first step in creating the un-United States of America, if other states followed suite. Our son lives in Mt. View, Hawaii. Which get the most rain of any place in the USA. Having to pay $50 on top of the Sky High airline and hotel fee’s will turn visitors away. It will only line the pockets of the legislators.
Mahalo.
Lower your prices! You are a small market travel vacation destination. People have no reason to travel to your area to experience elevated prices that are not inline with prices they pay or expect to see when visiting other travel vacation destinations costing them much less to visit. The area has always been over priced and marketed as a dream vacation destination. Perhaps this was true in the 70’s and in the 80’s and early 90’s. It has not been a destination to experience pricewise in the past 5-6 years. It simply has not. From 1/1/2011 to 4/25/22 I traveled to Oahu 3-5 times yearly and spent between $3,000-$4,000 a visit up to as much as $10,000 a trip. This does not include my airline tickets or my taxi rides. Overpriced now!!
I have bought 3 timeshares in Hawaii. How will this affect us and penalize us? When we came back when HI was open after COVID everyone was thrilled that we were there so they could work. Last year when we went to the BI, many of the stores were still closed. How is this helping their economy?
In the 20 years we’ve owned vacation rentals on the Big Island, We’ve seen rampant overbuilding of timeshares and vacation rentals. If you build it, they will come. Visitors fly long distances and spend many thousands of dollars to see all of lovely, special Hawaii including volcanoes and waterfalls. They will not be confined to the beach resorts. Building departments: Stop permitting more timeshares and vacation rentals Now. (There are thousands more on the books right now permitted and being built.)
So now that you got your vacation properties, you don’t want others to be able to get theirs?
When is enough, enough?
Such whining from visitors who prefer extractive tourism with no restrictions or true cost to anyone but locals & aina. Stay home, already! We don’t need your dollars.
Anela A, that i a very interesting response. How do you know you don’t need our dollars. What is your 2nd industry to Tourism. How would the state replace the dollars that receive from all the Tourist Taxes they gather? Be very careful what you wish for.
Gloria G. In regards to Anela A:
Amen!!!
Yes you do! Tourist dollars are the bigger income source of Oahu Island.You mean you do not know this? Has been since Peral Harbor and that war ended.Ok. Know your history. Tourism yearly brings in more financial revenue than the resudents of all 8 islands combined and always will. You are a very small isolated area away from larger geographical areas with more people, with larger to much larger incomes and wealth. The area is a tourist transit, vacation retirement area. Believe it or not. The boats parked in the Ala Moana and Ali Way Harbors. Thats about mostly retirement and wealth. Learn your areas history.
“Extractive Tourism” – lol – you’ve been listening to some of the haters on the Maui County Council.
I hope you continue towards the rest of us residents when we are starving with no place to work and have to leave the islands. More of the islands to yourself, I suppose.
Once Hawaii became part of the US it no longer belonged exclusively to Hawaii residents wether anyone likes that fact or not.. Land management needs to happen not just for Hawaiians but for all future generations. Rather then try to control people control access with fees, toll roads, parking meters, etc… As far as needing those tax dollars go, tourism makes up 21% of the HI economy a good boost to anyones standard of living. It helps drive what businesses, educational and health facilities you will have. Covid gave a glimpse of life with out tourist and many businesses failed and some still struggling. It may not of been your family business but it was someones. Every should want better education and health care. (Tax $ from Tourism)
Dis why no come again, been wanting to visit Caribbean anyways, will take my wallet somewhere they appreciate.
Please respect Americans,
Would you like all of the US Soldiers to “ Stay Home” if Hawaii is under attack again? Hawaii belongs to the USA & we will come and go as we please. Whether we own property or not it is our home as much as any residents. I respect authentic Hawaiian Culture & will always show that. But as for any given millionaire who pokes his flag in the sand and snobs Americans- forget about it.
Thanks for letting me reply.
Exactly. None of these comments take into consideration what the onslaught of tourists do the the people who call it home. The people who benefit economically enormously are Big business not the local people. It’s amazing to me that people overlook this.
It’s amazing to me that you don’t see that all the businesses, local and otherwise, create not only jobs at the businesses, but jobs at the auxiliary businesses that support the big businesses, and the benefits fan out from there. The whole economy is healthier because of the main economic engine of Hawaii, which has been tourism for the past 75 years.
However, since I am here I do understand the annoyances that crowds of tourists create. The quality of life for both tourists and residents is negatively affected if there are too many large crowds of people at beaches, in restaurants, on the highways, etc. Maui Island Plan says resident-to-visitor ratio should be 3-to-1, and we should work towards that goal.
All that Big money being made is being made primarily by the BIG corporations, for everyone else it’s the “trickle down” effect. A “trickle down” economy benefits no one but those at the top. There are other destinations around the world who are looking at severely limiting tourists. One example is Machu Picchu, others are: Amsterdam, Boracay, Angkor Wat, Galapagos, Iceland, Santorini, Bali, Dubrovnik, Barcelona, Thai Islands, Mount Everest, Venice and even some of our own National Parks. Again it’s best we start seriously addressing this, it’s unfortunate but par for the course that these problems rarely get addressed until they become a crisis.
Leigh C – So you are calling for population stagnation, then? The number of people on the planet will continue to grow otherwise, and they will also want to see those wonderful places. What Hawaii is experiencing has long been felt by other States and countries. Should we limit international travel? Should only those who can afford the high $$$ of airline tickets be allowed to travel? There is no easy solution, but complaining about it doesn’t help. I live in over-populated California. I try and count my blessings that I get to live in a beautiful place; I know there is still solitude to be found here.
“So you are calling for population stagnation, then?” Your statement is an assumption on your part. No where in my comments did I suggest or imply anything of the sort. “should we limit international travel?” Well that is literally already happening. Yosemite has a cap on reservation capacity in the valley during peak times. Other destinations around the globe that are overwrought are doing the same. I’m a 5th generation Californian & live in tourist town that gets 8.4 million tourists a year our pop is 50,000 residents. California is 24 times bigger than Hawaii , no comparison. I know 2 things that won’t solve the problem: Hyperbole & the status quo. People of a community deserve to be respected, to not be consistently over wrought by more
I am a small business owner here, i have lived in this state for 35 years,Hawaii is losing residence in record numbers. Because they’re bought and sold by the hotel lobby. And they have done nothing to protect the residence from gentrification,Hawaii is unfriendly to business,residence, and now the last thing tourist,they are making it impossible to rent your property and make your high Morgage they penalize residence with confusing and high tax on this endeavor. Residence are just trying to make they Morgage. They don’ protect landlords, but disparaging residence for not renting cheep to abusive renters. This fee will be a final death blow for modest income visitors
Thank you for your insight! I’ve been visiting the islands since 1979 and have seen many of the changes. Many of the people I’ve met are working two and three jobs; their kids are doing the same, but are unable to keep up with inflation or with the government working against them.
I go to enjoy the people and scenery… beaches and trails, not so much.
It’s truly sad that a large group of Hawaii’s residents can no longer sustain a living that enables them to keep or even afford a residence in the land of their birth. If indeed these fees are instituted a large portion should be allocated to affordable housing. The state government has never been been friendly to her tax paying residents and particilarly small businesses. Utterly ridiculous!!
It is truly sad, but Hawaiians shouldn’t feel alone or that they are somehow unique. The entire country’s grown children have been pushed out of their homelands in every state. It’s a national (maybe even international) problem that is difficult to solve.
I agree with Pat G. Just want to add that I was born and raised in California and can barely afford my home. My children have to live elsewhere. The state has now passed a law (without the vote of its citizens) that allows developers to buy up single family homes and replace them with MDU’s, without the approval of the cities or counties they decide to build in. So, Hawaii is Not alone and is Not unique in this parasitical developer situation.
Land and homes are also being bought up by foreign nationals who are looking for investment opportunities. It has been happening in California for decades, and only getting worse. Sadly, our government officials turn a blind eye to it. $$$ money rules.
Great article, a difficult and dilemma for Hawaiians. With Kamaaina Discounts and selected beaches restricted to residents of only, a $50 surcharge to many visitors may be the last straw. We’ve been visiting the islands every year for the last 16 years. I would gladly pay a $50 visitor charge if Hawaiian residents give up their preferential privileges, not both.