Hawaii is about to become sold out. This is happening so fast that even those in the industry, and on the ground here, are still amazed. Here is what you need to do to stay ahead of the situation and still enjoy a 2021 Hawaii vacation.
Yesterday we addressed the situation with Hawaii car rentals. You’ll see, however, that is just one part of the situation. For a variety of reasons, all aspects of Hawaii travel will soon approach capacity for summer and perhaps beyond.
Why Hawaii travel leads the way.
Travel analytics firm Adara has just reported that the most popular of all domestic destinations for summer flights is Honolulu. Denver, Chicago, and Miami follow that.
This is a result of the plethora of benefits Hawaii has to offer. Those include:
- An exotic tropical destination with a warm year-round climate, superb beaches, and more.
- Ease of access with many airline choices.
- No concerns about foreign travel rules.
- Low COVID rates in the islands.
- No health insurance issues for mainland visitors.
- Ubiquitous COVID vaccinations.
- Flexible cancellation policies.
- Vaccination passport travel coming.
The bottom line is Americans can’t wait to resume travel, even before the CDC says it is okay to do so. The picture is clear as to where they are heading: Hawaii.
Get ahead with reservations for airlines, accommodations, car rentals, and even restaurants.
Flight bookings in the U.S. have risen sharply since February, and it is being reported that since then, hotel bookings throughout the U.S. have gone up by over 300%.
Restaurants and activities will need to be scheduled in advance.
This is partly due to limited capacity because of COVID rules in addition to soaring demand.
David just commented: “I would recommend making some dinner reservations as far ahead as possible, especially if there is someplace you really want to enjoy. I tried booking Mama’s Fish House 3 1/2 weeks out, and the entire week was already reserved. Also, plan on spending far more than you are used to on a rental car. Still worth it, though. After losing last year’s trip, we are very excited for this one.”
Regular Jon replied to David re Mama’s Fish House, saying, “Thanks for the heads up, David! I was able to snag lunch at Mama’s. Merriman’s Kapalua was also pretty booked.
Vacation rentals demand will far exceed hotels.
Hawaii vacation rentals have always been highly desirable. In today’s world, that is more so than ever before.
Are you ready to book your Hawaii vacation?
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Anyone going interisland should not, repeat NOT, use Vault Health for their covid test. Supposed to be a two-day turn around on a zoom call saliva test. Forget it – 6 days later I had to go with an in-person test. Cost $119 and I feel ripped off as they won’t refund even though package unopened. Hawaiian Airlines should take them off their site.
Thank you!
If the state of Hawaii insists on a Vaccination Passport in order to enter their state I will be more than happy to join a Class Action Lawsuit opposing this. Hawaii isn’t a separate country, they are PART of the United States of America, whether they like it or not. No other state in the union is requiring a vaccination passport. There are lots of people that can’t take vaccines. This COVID vaccine is still listed as “experimental” by the FDA and CDC. It doesn’t STOP or KILL the virus. It’s only effective for 90 days and it’s only 90%-95% effective. I’ll take my chances with my own immune system, no vaccine, to protect me against a virus that has a 99.5% SURVIVAL RATE!
By the way, I own property in Hawaii and haven’t been able to visit it for more than a year because of Hawaii’s BS lockdowns, quarantines, and mandates.
We just got back from Maui and aside from the cooler than “normal” weather we had a blast! A little shocked to find we had to make reservations at many restaurants (usually only do that for Mama’s!). We managed to get in some places as walk-ins or get takeout. The big shocker was showing up at the black sand beach on the road to Hana and told we needed a reservation and they were booked up. That’s ok, still hiked the bamboo forest to the falls. We noticed the car rental was much higher than normal and our condo wasn’t doing housekeeping but overall it’s still a little piece of heaven on earth and we are already planning our next trip back. Thanks for all your info!
Hi Erin.
Thanks. We appreciate you sharing how your recent trip to Maui went.
Aloha.
Thank you!
Aloha BOH,
We are excited about returning to beautiful Kauai in May for a belated 70th BD celebration with our family .. have a question for your readers – our checkout from rental home is 10am; flight departs at 10pm..Other than hanging out on beach? We are old so would prefer having a room to hang out in.. should we look into a hotel room?
Mahalo for any suggestions
Hi Cheryl.
Congratulations. Wishing you a great time on Kauai. Not sure what choices you are looking for regarding either spending the day out and about or at a hotel nearby the airport.
Aloha.
Often you can you can get a what is called a day room at hotels. Call a few hotels and see if you can find one that suits your needs.
Many thanks – will take your advice
Mahalo
Sorry to bother you and many thanks for quick reply – hoping for a hotel suggestion that may let us buy a day pass? Or any other suggestions on where to hang out till the evening?
Again, Mahalo and cannot wait to be back ..
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl.
Maybe someone else can help. We aren’t of any hotels that rent by the hour.
Aloha.
We have always paid for an extra night at our accommodation because most flights back to the mainland are red-eye, leaving well into the evening. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any “day rooms” to use.
It would be a great business idea to offer luggage storage and shower access to travelers who need this near the airports. I’d gladly pay up to the half the cost of another night at my condo.
Hi,
You are so right; I have learned a lesson..mahalo
Cheryl
We are expecting to visit Maui in April. And I just wanted to say THANK YOU B.O.H. VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF THE INFORMATION. Every day I look forward to seeing your posts. Thanks again, Bob D.
Hi Bob.
Thank you! Have a great time on Maui next month.
Aloha.
As a homeowner who does rentals in Ko Olina, I would agree with what the author is saying. We went from almost completely empty to almost fully booked in the span of a month or so. Never seen anything like this past year.
After reading the warning regarding car rental prices, I quickly booked a 6-day minivan rental for Maui (7/25-7/30) thru Costco for $1253. Ouch! The savings I gained from my Dec airfare booking has gone towards the vehicle rental.
Check Wisecars.com best prices of anyone and they do flash sales. Booked a minivan for Maui 7/7-721 for $853 and it’s from thrifty.
When you come please drive with aloha. I have seen a massive increase in rental cars over the past few weeks and most people are driving like they’re still on the mainland, speeding through school zones, cutting people off. Also check the weather before you venture out, so many rescues and sadly many tourists who have perished in the mountains and sea recently. Make sure when you venture somewhere off the beaten path that it is not private property and that you are physically fit enough to traverse it. Have fun, be kind & patient, stay safe♡
At HHV on Oahu, packed! Awesome time like always . Plan ahead Pearl Harbor hard to get. My observation regarding masks- only people with not on are people walking by themselves, with it in their hand. The swap meet today was hopping big time!
We always do PH, the next day after our arrival. 5 hour time difference, so we’re up early. PH opens @ 0700. We time our arrival to coincide with their opening, plenty of parking, we usually are on the 1st boat, out to the memorial.
I just returned from Oahu one week ago. We spent 10 days on the North Shore taking 9 people, including 5 children. Air fare was $198 RT on AA nonstop from DFW. Rental car for 10 days was $515. It was a minivan. Great affordable trip. Was advised by Beat of Hawaii of fare sale. Booked 3 months out. Only downside was the severe Flash Flooding. Lots of things were cancelled and roads impassable. Haleiwa was evacuated! We had a wonderful time despite the weather.
But the day we left EVERYTHING was picking up and really crowded. I wanted to eat at Dukes but the wait was 3 hours!
Very few places take reservations yet. So glad we listened to you and went when we did! Also no in restaurant seating at places like Zippys. Ate plate lunches in a minivan.
I will say I felt welcomed. The local people have suffered more than any other state. Hawaii will always be my favorite destination but understand the changes and please wear your mask.
Hi Karen.
Thanks much for the feedback on your trip to Oahu. We’re glad you had a great time in spite of the weather.
Aloha.
I’m wondering how The locals will respond to a big rush of visitors. Aloha spirit seemed pretty low for a while.
I tried to book any time 4/5-4/14 at Mamma’s and they are booked through early May. Soooo disappointed. I was lived at Maui 35 years ago and am bringing my daughter to see where she was born. Sounds like it will be totally different from what I was able to enjoy
I wonder if this is going to apply to Hawaii Island as well.
Shouldn’t be as big a problem since mainly just smarter people visit the big island and there aren’t as many of those out there… so big island is rarely crowded.
I work in a resort area in Wisconsin Dell. This week is spring break!! People are crazy for vacations! Had to call capacity because too many people in the store. I see that Hawaii will be full to over flowing. To the wonderful people of Hawaii take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. Aloha!
We are looking to visit Kauai in April of ’23 for a month. We have a place picked out. When should we make that reservation?
Thank you!
Hi John.
That is two years away. We have no idea. Typically if you’re coming during spring break time, you should book many months in advance and if not, then it can be done a month or two in advance.
Aloha.
Mahalo for the heads up! I just booked my rental car for our trip. Now looking for hotels!
Thanks for all your info. We’re going back to Maui for our fifth time in November 2021. Hopefully it will not be as crazy as it is now. I will plan on making reservations 3 months out. Especially for luau and brewery tour.
Since the “Spirit of Aloha” didn’t exactly exist over the last year this sounds like Hawaii’s new marketing ploy … “Book quickly before all the availability gets taken!” Ahhh the power of persuasion! 🤣
This last week was my 5th trip to Hawaii in the past 12 months and I honestly have experienced the Spirit of Aloha every sing trip. Hawaii is just different due to the Covid restrictions. But still totally worth it!
Here on the big island visitors can’t find Renata cars because of the demand, and resort prices are double what they were a couple months ago. Not a marketing ploy, lots of people escaping mainland craziness to enjoy the islands right now.
I booked a Jeep 2 months ago for 15 days. $950 which I thought was expensive. Just checked again this weekend-$2,400! Wow!
Thanks for all your information! We were worried about the demand so we booked our flights, lodging and car for late October. I normally don’t book so early but better to lock in pricing now.
Hi Cheri.
Time will tell, but it looks like you’ll think that was a good decision. Please let us know.
Aloha.
If you come, and I wish you would wait, please wear your mask!(It IS a statewide mandate, afterall.) We have not yet achieved herd immunity as a nation, and HI has not yet gotten to vaccinating much of the population. I continually see tourists pulling down their masks as soon as they walk past hotel employees or store staff. We have limited health facilities here, and can’t just drive over the state line for services.
Yes! I’m not sure what was meant by “Ubiquitous COVID vaccinations.” I work in a hotel and I’ve been fighting to get a vaccine, even though I qualify, but no luck so far.
I hear you. The state said people qualified but there was no way to get an appointment, and only recently have they started sending letters to many businesses with workers that qualify. My son and husband, who are essential workers in food and tourism, finally got their appointments, one goes tomorrow and the other the week after. I hope you get yours soon, too.
I totally understand your concerns. We will arrive fully vaccinated and we faithfully wear our masks and hope to spend most of our time outdoors. I had visions of peaceful times on the beach, now I am not so sure that is possible
Don’t let the haters and Debby Downers get you down. They exist everywhere. Have a great time, be happy, enjoy the beauty and thank you for contributing to the economy. Most are grateful. The ones that are not should be forgot.
Car prices are definitely jacked, but I’m seeing lots of availability at my usual accommodation provider on Maui. It’s usually already booked solid for the summer.
Please share your rental car provider.
I used Budget and paid $515 total for 10 days for a minivan. Smaller cars like Jeeps were more expensive.
But I had 5 grandkids! The jeep my daughter rented was $650 for 7 days!
Please share your usual accommodation provider.
Thank you.
I just called hawaii travel and learned Rapid ID NOW test are acceptable. My concern is that we get it and then somewhere someone flips the script to say it’s PCR only. Can anyone confirm on here as well if Rapid ID Now is sufficient? I appreciate the assist!
Hi Kristoffer.
The best advice we can offer is to check with the state’s Safe Travels help desk at 1-855-599-0888 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time.
Aloha.
My husband and I got the ID Now test through Walgreens. Followed the link through the state website. The Walgreens site confirmed it was good for Hawaii. Double check to be sure, as things can change.
We used the Walgreens Rapid ID Now. 7 members tested successfully. You will get a QR code that you must present on landing and when renting a car. But it was easy. I stressed way too much.. Hawaii is so worth the extra effort to protect the islands.
We used ID Now at Walgreens to travel in early March. No issues.
I’m very excited the vaccine passport is coming soon!! I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year!!♡♡
Spot On! I just got back from a 10 day trip to Maui last week( my son lives there!) We stayed at Royal Lahaina and it was pretty laid back for the 1st week, but then the area seemed to come alive! Wow! If you are particular about a certain restaurant book now! There are a few that don’t reservations, so we gravitated to those…but most are super booked!! So beautiful, it’s so worth it!!
Thank you for all the information you provide. We are planning a September vacation to Kauai and hope everything continues on a positive up swing. I hope to get all my reservations in place in the next 6-8 weeks,that will be 3+ months in advance. Do you feel that will be adequate? Your thoughts please.
Thanks, Bill
Hi Bill.
This demand just sprang seemingly from nowhere. So it is not possible to predict what September will look like. Our sense is that it will be far busier than a normal September, but again, no one knows.
Aloha.
Aloha,
I am on Maui right now and boy its packed…. Here are some suggestions because restaurant capacity is limited as are excursions. We have only been able to get into happy hours. Book yesterday. I get its spring break and you want to have fun but please wear a mask. All the stores are very diligent about asking you to and signs are everywhere but a few folks who are probably not used to mask wearing are walking in without them. I feel for the poor clerks. Bring your aloha. Maui residents have been awesome but they are not used to all these people. Have a fun but safe trip. The whales all say hi!!!
I have a week in a 1 bedroom condo, locked in in August at Lawai Beach Resort on Kauai. It’s a shame it will go to waste and be empty.
Why will it go empty??
Do you need to rent it???
We are at Lawai Beach Resort enjoying our last of 3 weeks here. This is our annual trip and it has been a pleasure, as always. There are less people but we are enjoying that! Covid 19 precautions are evident and the entire island seems safe. We were on Maui for 2 weeks prior to our trip to LBR. We had to have a 2nd Covid test before flying inter-island to here and it was worth every cent! 5 weeks of Aloha before heading back to snow is priceless! Come on down!
Aloha Patricia,
Who did you use for testing on Maui? We need to test on Maui on 4/7 so we can fly over to Kona. I would sure appreciate hearing who you used for testing on Maui and how long it took to get your results? Mahalo!
Hi Kim, you can go to the Hawaii state site where they list all the inter-island travel testing companies. We used S&G on the big island to travel to Kauai. <24 for results with no issue and now safely on Kauai!
Thanks so much for this update and ALL of your updates throughout this past year of the pandemic. My April 2020 Kauai trip was canceled, and I’ve decided to wait a little longer to rebook the trip. Now that demand is suddenly soaring, I’m curious to find out if you think the airfare deals are long gone and that fares will quickly be returning to pre-pandemic rates. I’ve been tracking fares, and they’ve started going up considerably in just the past few days alone. I’m now wondering if the airlines are going to start jacking up their prices in order to make up for their losses. What are your thoughts? Mahalo!
Hi Brian.
Yes, we do expect airfare prices to go up. There could still be gaps in demand filled with some sales, but that is anything but clear at this moment.
Aloha.