Hawaii’s governor said his environmental impact fee will raise up to $600M per year and simultaneously reduce the quantity of Hawaii’s “low-end” visitors.
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199 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitor $50 “Green” Fees: How, When, Where?”
I would like to know how the Green Fee is spent and most imprtant how it is charged. We sometimes stay at more than one resort on the same island. Will we be charged more than once? We already pay a daily fee ( in taxes ?) when we stay at a timeshare. Now they are charging for beach use and beach parking. We are being hit pretty hard. Does this state only want to cater to the rich?
I see that in realestate and that seams be the thing.
No doubt this “Green” Fee (AKA Tax), Will Not be used to improve water supplies, quality and water infrastructure nor to improve sewage treatment which then would improve the environment. Rather, it will be sucked into the state’s general fund and wasted on some sort of vote-buying scheme. This is the same in every one of the 50 states with the exception of several that have fiscally conservative governors and legislatures.
Just wondering when all flights will be first class only seating.
Green should just call the unwanted poors “Deplorables”.
Oh wait …
Pretty interesting how the diversity thing doesn’t seem to apply in Hawaii. I am not a coupon clipper and have spent quite a bit of money Staying at the Kahala, Hilton, Turtle Bay, and Halekulani as well as the Four Seasons, Hyatt and Grand Wailea on Maui. I lived in Lahaina for almost 8 years in a home off Front Street and lived at the Waipuna in Waikiki and 909 Kapiolani. I’ve bought well over 100k of artwork around the islands.
I have to say this attitude is not exactly Aloha. What it says to me as a visitor is we will sell you fake aloha for a price but otherwise pound sand. I’m not naive enough to believe this hasn’t gone on before but the openness about it is pretty disturbing. Doubt I’ll ever be back.
Liam G, were you part of the discussion when a Restaurant Server actually said, “if you can’t afford to tip 20%, then don’t come or eat in a restaurant”!
No but not suprising. I know there are certain groups that waiters don’t like to wait on as they have a stereotype of bad tippers and cheap.
Assuming a (very cheap) airfare from the US west coast of $450 per person, car rental for six days at $500, lodging for six nights at $ $750: that’s a subtotal of $3,050 for a family of four. An additional $200 Green Fee ($50 each x 4) represents a 6.6% surcharge. Although in reality likely less because actual lodging cost would be much higher than my estimate above.
Is that really excessive? I don’t think that it is. Check your cell phone bill next time and see how many surcharges the telecommunications companies have added. And cell phones can be considered essential items, not optional luxuries like Maui beaches and Kauai hikes.
It’s always interesting to see how other people think an increase in others’ vacation budgets really isn’t that much.
In the middle of June, when kids can come on vacation the lowest nonstop fare from LAX is $568, plus 60 for the first bag, per Google. So, now we’re at 628 per person -where’s the 200 green liars fee supposed to come from.
And, add another 140 to 210 to park the car for a week. Eating out every day will certainly add another 80 per day for the family over eating at home.
A day at the Polynesian Cultural Ctr figure 300 for the family with no extras. Add a luau and we’re at 972. I forgot the Gov want no more “low budget” visitors.
Please spend your own money, don’t count mine.
One way, and maybe the ‘only’ way to get the $50.00 per visitor is to make it a Status Symbol and have the Hawaii government issue a Plastic Green Card to each person who Donates to the cause. It would be like saying “I care; I voted, I Give to good causes, I’m investing in Hawaii, I’m proud to be a donator, etc. Perhaps it could a Green Card face and symbol on a Visa that the banks offer too, so it would be seen a lot and become popular.
Einstein once said:
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
Obviously, the $50 ‘Green’ fee falls into the latter category… sadly, it’s just the latest sign of lame leadership who can’t come up with a better idea to thwart the onslaught of the poor, “low end” visitors who just want to enjoy their time in ‘paradise’, maybe even enjoy a beautiful sunset while sipping on their Bud Light.
If you really want to stop the “low end” visitor from enjoying ‘paradise’, let’s make the “Green” fee $500 or so… heck, why not charge them $500 to enter and $500 to leave? The idea is about as sound as thinking the $50 “Green” fee will actually keep people from coming to Hawaii.
Don’t worry, I believe that the Fee will keep increasing until it does thwart tourists from coming to Hawaii. Having the Exit Fee is a tougher call unless it is collected when the tickets are purchased. Surely they have considered everything to keep the undesirables away.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_movement_under_United_States_law
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
hmmmmmm … In Paul v. Virginia, 75 U.S. 168 (1869), the court defined freedom of movement as “right of FREE ingress into other States, and egress from them.”[1] However, the Supreme Court did not invest the federal government with the authority to protect freedom of movement. Under the “privileges and immunities” clause, this authority was given to the states, a position the court held consistently through the years in cases such as Ward v. Maryland, 79 U.S. 418 (1871), the Slaughter-House Cases, 83 U.S. 36 (1873) and United States v. Harris, 106 U.S. 629 (1883).[2][3]
So, despite Hawaii being wrong in charging the Fee, Hawaii is responsible for enforcing. A real screw up there! Maybe the Supreme Court will take a 2nd look.
The Green Fee is Designed to Increase with the target fee determined by the amount of average wealth tourists excluded from Hawaii. Everyone knows of the extensive construction projects slated through 2032, additional time share units need Many owners. The Industry seeks over qualified “Fresh Blood” to sell to, Governor Green should be Employee of the month for years to come as this policy/fee benefits the Resort/Timeshare/Hotel Industry almost Exclusively. Hawaii Voters have an amazing intellect when electing politicians that will continue past policies and forward even worse ones, that They are exceptionally good at. Spoiled, Boisterous, Hawaii people need to be coddled, pull up a volcano and hug it!
Whether Gov. Green has the airlines, hotels or vacation rental owners collect his $50 fee, the elites he wants to visit will be the ones who don’t pay. Drive by the airport and see all the private jets the ultra rich arrive in with friends and family members accompanying them, and many if not all those people head to their privately owned homes. No airline or hotels involved. I see multiple lawsuits ahead for the state if they try to impose this fee, and I feel that the terminology (discrimination) used in the governor’s proposal will hurt his chances of getting this fee imposed even more than the unconstitutionality of the fee itself.
Sheryl B, one can only Pray that will be the case.
What ever happened to diversity and equity?
The Diverse Equity has been gathered up and discharged due to gross inadequacy.
Just like the homeless money, this will evaporate into certain politicians pockets. Hawaii is corrupt enough without this proposal. So how are they planning to charge private airplanes and yachts.
Toll Booths!
I loved visiting Hawaii for 20 plus years. Now I’m so glad my wife and I got out of our timeshare and moved on to other places to vacation.
A head tax of 50$ for a family of 4 really?
With all the beautiful places to visit this additional fee would be sad to see as it will surely impact peoples decisions to visit..
We live in Florida steps from the freeness
Theresa I understand what you are saying, however, the simple facts of flying to and from cause Environmental Impact to the Islands and wherever else you’ve flown to. Under that realization everyone should be paying the fee each time and let’s not forget the Cruise Ship Tourists as well as the Private Flights. At least, so far, the Fee isn’t being charged each way. That is undoubtedly being eyed up by Green and his Flunkies for a later surprise!
Don’t be shocked when they start taxing your income for being there. They’ll be saying og you spent 5% of the year in Hawaii so if you made 500k then 25k is taxed as income earned in state. Sound ridiculous but this is where we are at.
Technically, states can already do that, and some do with high end public figures (professional sports, concerts, etc.;). Say someone who lives works in MA takes a three day business trip to his company’s offices in NJ. That person would owe three days worth of income tax to the state of New Jersey. Assuming they have a reciprocation agreement, the person could get a credit against their MA tax owed for the amount paid to NJ.
Fortunately, this is not enforced for routine work travel.
If a green fee is to be considered, I think it should be promoted as a one time “donation” fee to subside housing for service workers and only charge it once to a person. Sort of like the card you give to Seniors to visit national parks.
They would but then the money wouldn’t keep low end consumers from coming to Hawaii! How can they keep their friends happy without continuous charges and fees?
No defined set of program goals
No plan to administer collection
No plan to spend on tourism impact
No plan to track financial accountability
No plan to pass it legally into practice
Yup – sounds like Hawaii alright!
The previous governor did a great deal to destroy the state of Hawaii’s economy and the new governor Green is doing the same with more fees…..Remember Hawaii appears to be a welfare state with no help in site more money will not resolve the problem.
True, but people will get rich with this scheme.
I imagine having the $2 Billion Dollars plus back in the State Budget that Lt. Governor Green wasted would do a lot of good around the State, if there are any honest Contractors that is.
My wife and I no longer travel to Hawaii and many of our friends there are moving away for more hospitable places. This is a shame because we made many great friends there and truly enjoyed the islands for many years.
Mahalo and Alooohaaaa.
Same here. Other beautiful places are welcoming previous Hawaii visitors. They really seem happy to have us. We haven’t felt that way in Hawaii for some time.
Brenda, can you share some of those places. Especially for somewhat handicapped seniors.
Mahalo
I recently had the opportunity to visit Waimea Canyon, something I had not done in 10 years. I was surprised to see the parking & entrance fees were as high as they were for tourists, as on my last visit, it was free. Then, I had to use the handicapped restroom. The restrooms were filthy. I don’t think they have been cleaned since my last visit. Where does the money go? This new $50 entry fee begs the same question: Where will the money go?
Pockets and Wall Safes.
Here’s an idea that I hope isn’t very good and they won’t use…
How about making everyone buy a “green fee” card that’s good for one year from the date of purchase. Just like during Covid you had to show proof of getting your shot, this would serve to show you’ve paid your fee. It would be a one time purchase so you could visit as many times as you wanted and go from hotel to hotel. So even though locals would have to buy one (discounted?) it would go for environmental impact that travel causes. Local or not.
See… I told you it was a dumb idea. 🙂
Wow… so they want to only the elite to visit now? Good thing is the $$ spends well elsewhere and there are many other tourist locations globally that have much better value. Reduced tourism will likely hurt the local economy with less customers and force them to either increase price or perhaps fold. Not sure if this is sound economic policy.
If the Doctor orders it, it must be good for someone!
Rich, Good Economic Policy in Hawaii? Really? If that were to occur again it would mean that the other party took over for a short period of time.
Soon, Hawaii will be only for the rich and famous. I’ll be heading to Mexico in the future like I have been for the last two years. In addition, the culture in Mexico is authentic unlike the faux Polynesian culture promoted in HI.
Agreed amazingly Cancun was awsome
Aloha – I need to clarify a few things since you keep bringing up the “Green” fee. 1) HVCB is not semi-defunct. HVCB and the Island Chapters are still in force as we were during the pandemic, and 2) HVCB did not say the “Green” fee was “dead on arrival”. A reporter whose last interview before leaving The Garden Island said I said this when I did not. In fact, I had another person on the Zoom with me who confirmed I never said the words “dead on arrival”. However, the reporter left TGI immediately after this Green fee article was published and we had no one to correct the wrong quote. I say this now because it seems to keep coming up in your articles. Mahalo, Sue K
I actually wouldn’t have corrected it, it sounded like someone had guts, leadership qualities and common sense. I should have known better and stand corrected.
I think it’s disgusting how Green referred to the $50 fee as a way to reduce low end visitors! I am embarrassed to be a Hawaii resident. Those same “low end” visitors are the ones with incomes on par with alot of the Hawaii workforce. Sounds like Green is trying to gouge travelers just like every other industry – like Disney, and others.
However the bigger issue is how much money he says it will raise – 600M!! I bet he failed to mention that Hawaii is sitting on a 2BN surplus and that the G.E.T generates about 4 billion dollars – a whopping 37% of the states revenues compared with other states that have sales taxes which generate about 23% of their revenues. So why does the state need so much more money?? More government waste
Just a short while ago, Kauai’s mayor said he didn’t want “coupon clippers” on his island.
Horrible … who doesn’t want to save $$. I’m sure all the Vendors and Businesses that use those Coupon books wouldn’t agree. Nor the Coupon books themselves. Not everyone can be wealthy. BOH I guess you have your answers …
I’m concerned with the quote “low end” visitors. In my experience, it is visitors who have a less to spend who tend to care more for their surroundings, the culture, etc. hose who spend more money sometimes have the attitude that all things are “owed” to them. Visitors who camp, spend time in smaller accommodations, or try to experience local culture may be spending less, but I think they want to keep their experience as green as possible anyway. Thoughts?
They shall Reap what they sow. Greed and Avarice isn’t a new mouthwash but it will get a person washed out. In Hawaiian Politics I often wonder if Every Day is Payday?
As “low end” visitors to Hawaii Island our last visit to Hawaii last December was our last visit. We were feed and taxed to the extreme with hotel fees, beach fees, etc. it cost us $15 per visit to the beach where we used not one local paid for asset except breathing the air. I did manage to play one and only one round of golf on the Mauna Lani golf course. I shot a reasonable score of 72:which cost me $3.91 per stroke. No golf course in the world is worth that. Not even a Hawaiian “high end” golf course. I also when scuba diving for $$1.75 a minute to look at tired reefs. We were counting the days until we could go home. An extra $100 doesn’t seem like much but it is the straw that will break our backs. Costco will miss us “low Enders.”
I’d prefer localized fees, so monies collected can better go to that facility. In turn, the fee could be discounted with a Hawaii ID. I’ve watched as places meant free for residents’ well-being & education (while underfunded by our taxes) are swamped & overrun by visitors, and promoted on social media feeds. Botanical gardens can’t serve up classes and tours when their small staff is chasing tourists. Those, or quiet beaches are no longer pleasant when parking & toilets are overrun by visitors looking for next free “hidden gem” to brag & post about. (Even watched vans of tourists, led by tour guide, take over restrooms for an hour and leave with the “free” TP.) Enforcement would help too, but that’s not likely forthcoming for remote parks.
Enforcement would mean Money which Hawaii doesn’t have, just ask them. Sometimes the Priorities of others don’t match the expectations of the wronged.
My mom and i travel to Hawaii once a year. Sometimes two. We absolutely love the islands. We follow the rules. We stay off the coral, leave the wildlife alone, pick up trash, feed the homeless and respect the culture whole heartedly. But it is getting more and more difficult to justify going. Not all tourists are the same. Sure, there’s a buttmunch here and there but there’s also people like us. We’re not rich but we make it work.
Now, we’re going to be slapped with a $50 green fee. We’re there for 10 days while there are locals that live there that I’m sure do way more damage. We were just there in December and I watched a local throw a lit cigarette butt out of his car onto the road. Give me a break!! No words for this gov!!
Governor Green I hope you plan on investing some of that money in the huge homeless population that Hawaii has.
I’m Certain that after the 2 Billion Dollars that he wasted a year ago without any results can surely gobble up more money to yield the same, no results. Anyway, Hawaii began rotating the Houseless back to the mainland, Justice is being served! Hopefully Green isn’t sending them back in First Class.
Aloha Rob+Jeff. This article really generated a lot of posts. Mostly against the fee I would say. Seems that the airfare would be the one to collect the fee. Part of the “taxes” for flying to Hawaii. If Hawaii is a layover to Tahiti, wonder if the fee would also be added. Basically I think this is going to shift down travel not only for visitors, but also locals who live there from travelling. So then the airlines will take a hit on their profits. Will be interesting to watch how this plays out. $25.00 is more fair.
You must be joking – airlines take a hit on profits due to an airport usage fee? No, airline will simply add that fee to the airfare, and the passenger pays. Done and done, no muss, no fuss. Its what they do!
If the free fee were to be collected by the airlines, wouldn’t that mean residents that fly back and forth would be caught up in paying it too? In the end for residents that travel a lot, we’d be paying a disproportionate amount compared to once a year visitors?
No, locals would probably be exempt, same as they don’t pay beach fees, etc.
What I resent most is there is all this money is made off visitors, but absolutely no accountability where it is being used. I think Green needs to explain what exactly is a “low end visitor”. I think someone, journalist perhaps or Hawaii News, should really explore where this money is going, what’s it being used for, and who’s pockets are getting bigger.
Fees, fees, and more fees. At least they can’t charge you for breathing the Trade Winds! So, we have a HI ‘entry fee’, then there is the beach ‘user fee’, the rental car companies will charge you a ‘highway use fee’, based on the number of miles driven on HI roads, and the hotels can charge a ‘utilities fee’ for water and electricity, payable to the city, and so on . . . . . Man, there is money to be made here, and no ‘accountability’ by the legislature on how it is spent. Wonder if this could qualify for investigation under the RICO act??? As an annual visitor of over 25 years, I’m really beginning to feel like ‘the goose . . . ‘, and the legislature has the hatchet.
I cannot cheer this enough. Im tired of entitled, complaining tourists who use our resources with no thought to the impact upon residents trying to survive within an infrastructure where we pay for them, and is built thousands of miles from the rest of the US. We face a water shortage that worsens annually. Tourism is the largest consumer of water. Enough. Put the money towards addressing that.
Dianna the simple and plain lie exists that Residents Money Supports the Tourists and Tourism Industry and that is far from the truth. Without the Unbelievable Transfer of Wealth from the Tourists and Industry, much of what You are referring to would Never Occur. Residents Property Taxes, subsidized to the extreme, are the Lowest in the Country and doesn’t pay for much. Try doing Everything Necessary Without Any Tourism Money and within a short period of time you’ll begin to experience what the Islands were like prior to Statehood and it will Regress from there.
Remember that the Offensive Offenders are mostly the Rich, guess you’ll realize that soon enough! The 2 groups that Hawaiians want to keep, the Rich and the near do well 30 and under are also the same people you’ve been complaining about, hoping that you will have plenty to be talking about Soon!
Then California could do a quid pro quo…
Low-end visitors? Excuse M, but that smacks of elitism. Guess that rules out teachers, those who work for non-profit charities, and others who do good in this world. As a retired teacher who lives in Silicon Valley it’s been noted that so-called “high-end” people don’t always behave well & act as though they are entitled. Good luck with the “high-enders”. p.s. Visited for 2 weeks each year for over 40 years & always enjoyed & respected the culture/aloha.
Don’t forget the cruise ships Governor Green
Wow Dave, $5000.00 to Benefit what? You do realize that at that price point You’ll be spending a lot right along with the Tourists? I do like this “Unity” being Fostered by Gov. Green, I wonder how soon before the Fee gets raised. Aloha really has died without much of a whimper or whine.
Thanks for the article, BOH, lots of opinions on this one! I say “no!” Visitors to Maui (and maybe other counties) have to pay 3% more Transient Accommodation Tax, started in 2021. I think it’s because the state decided to keep 3% of the tax, so counties raised the tax.
As a vacation rental owner, responsible for collecting and submitting the tax) I really wonder where all the tax money goes. Schools are terrible, roads are bad, sewer treatment is horrible, mo recycling, I could go on and on.
The cost of administering the tax will cost quite a bit, then the lawsuits, just forget it.
This, from a pro-environment, liberal person.
Mahalo for letting me voice my opinion.
Lanell, I say “No” also. They’ve All, County/Municipal/State/Fed, have Seen/Felt/Tasted/ Smelled and probably have rolled around in the piles of loose money. They all want more but for the Most Part refuse to be Transparent with the Intended Uses for it. I can remember 6 to 10 years ago Boasting about how wonderful the Roads and Highways were, today they Officially Rank as “Some of the Worse” compared to the other 49. Where has All of the Considerable Monies Collected Gone? Demand Absolute Transparency and get to the Answers before they mysteriously Disappear!
The price of tourism here (i.e. what it costs a tourist to vacation in Hawaii) has always been undervalued. It’s been a B-A-R-G-A-I-N, considering the remoteness of the place and the extreme challenges to local infrastructure resulting from this remoteness. Visitors to Hawaii really do need to face up to the fact that they should be paying more, to reflect the True Cost of their experience. If they disagree, they are free to drive to their local beaches or ski resorts, or fly to countries that pay workers subsistence wages that would be unethical and illegal in the US.
Want to frolic in the sun on the most isolated islands in the world and still enjoy first-world amenities? Come on over – but expect to pay extra.
Fair enough Well we are lacking water here in the deserts so expect to pay a $100 impact fee when you come. Getting that water ain’t easy. Look for our pay showers and toilets. Pools an extra $25.
With “Currency Rates” taken into consideration, free Education, free Housing, free Medical, free Medical for the Entire Family including Parents, Siblings and sometimes Grandparents, Money paid to the Parents, Advancement, Clothing Provided, Food, the list keeps going and they get Paid decently, Your Point is absolutely wrong, Eldo. You read 1 article and still don’t know the Truth and Impact of the Employers, Amazing. Hawaii is nice, many other places are as good if not much Better…head/sand, get it out!
The same could be said of the residents of Hawaii. Extending Eldo’s logic: the islands should only be the home and playground of the ultra-wealthy. This is, of course, crazy, but it sounds like the typical bias from someone who is blessed enough not to be one of us evil, poor tourists. The appropriate action is to get control of vacation rentals and perhaps limit development of new resorts through land use regulations. But it is easier to vilify poor (are we kidding? It’s never been “cheap” to come to Hawaii) tourists for the lack of vision and discipline from the voters’ representatives. What is the total revenue and disposition of that 18% accommodation tax? There is a dearth of accountability in HI government, not a lack of revenue.
There is a fundamental difference between a tourist (in HI or anywhere else) and a local resident. The tourist spends money on a luxury, on an accessory: the trip and the costs associated with it. The local is just living life, working to put food on the table, clothe the kids, pay for the car loan, etc. So who is the economically advantaged party in this dichotomy?
There should be no pity for people who have the disposable income and time to travel thousands of miles across open ocean, stay at a resort or hotel or B&B, eat at restaurants, take surfing lessons, play golf, etc., etc. Nobody owes anybody a vacation anywhere, and certainly no one owes anyone a cheap vacation on an isolated island with limited resources.
Wow! I was “just living life, working to put food on the table, clothe the kids, pay for the car loan, etc.” Then I remarried, then fell into a job @ $16.00 an hour that I stayed with until I retired. We live a very miserly life, but that’s so we could enjoy things such as traveling, mostly to Hawai’i, when we could. I plan way ahead to find the cheapest flights/cars. We buy groceries and cook in the place we stay. We live on vacation just as we do at home, relaxing, but on a “isolated island”. “There should be no pity” for those who can travel but should be no shame because we save throughout the year, or years, to have a one week visit the beautiful islands.
When Hawaii Vacationers, typically, are paying more than they would for the same vacation in England something is totally wrong. England is the Most Costly Vacation Destination in the World if Hawaii wouldn’t be part of the list, at least there’s Much More to do and see in England and the residents don’t try to harass and tell you that you’re not wanting, go home! Enjoying a Vacation is what people want, in Hawaii there’s constant reminders why you Can’t.
No so fast, amigo. You are comparing a huge, ancient European metropolis with a remote chain of islands. If it’s museums and shopping you want, then London’s your best bet (although the Bishop Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art are both nice, and Waikiki’s got lots of high-end shops) . If it’s good food, iconic beaches, clean air, perfect weather, swimming with dolphins, surfing, et. al. that you crave….well, won’t find any of that in London. Oh, I almost forgot: I just checked Expedia for the lowest roundtrip fares form Dallas: Flying to London costs twice as much. Weird, Huh?
You make me laugh, Eldo…you almost sound like an advertisement from the Chamber of Commerce trying to drum up some travel business. This, after trying to convince tourists they should be emptying their bank accounts happily to support the local economy. It’s one thing to be welcoming, hospitable and grateful for the folks that support the islands economy….it’s quite another thing to encourage fleecing of travelers. Share the islands as though they are your home and appreciate the folks paying the bills.
Thanks Steve, now I recall where I have heard similar words and sentiments before, the Chamber’s of Commerce.
Thankfully Eldo I wouldn’t be flying from Dallas, JFK is definitely more reasonable. As for all of the descriptives my mind was taken to the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana. I get all of that experience there at a reasonable price, including airfare. They actually like tourists.
When 90% of the population in the Dominican Republic is living below the poverty level, of course they like tourists. It’s either that or they starve. Think about what you do when you crow about the fact that you save money going to a Third World poverty stricken nation. Just ruminate on that for a little while. Thank you.
Are you suggesting it’s better to not go to a poor country. Suggesting tourists do nothing to help those folks escape poverty?
Tourism is the largest source of private capital in Hawaii. Perhaps Hawaiians would end poverty if tourists didn’t come.
I’m suggesting that tourism is an exploitative industry in most (not all) situation that takes advantage of the disenfranchised and the impoverished to meet the leisure needs of the wealthy. It’s a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. But if nobody makes the effort, it’ll never end. and people who beat their chest about how great a deal they get by traveling to an impoverished country vis-à-vis paying more elsewhere… I find, to be honest, ….. I don’t know you personally, I’m just reacting to your comments. Thank you.
Rod, ending poverty in Hawaii without Tourism, even David Copperfield couldn’t pull that off. Despite the Heavy Red Ink that continues to pile up daily from unrealistic vision of lollipops dancing with elves, I am confident that the correct people can bring solvency but Tourism must continue. The pains of discontinued programs, including subsidized property taxes, etc. would be essential, can you imagine the push back? Hawaiian Solvency is achievable, some Suffering will occur, the Jobs will be filled. Take Care Buddy, God Bless!
Hi Ernie,
Hope you know I support tourisn and each city, state, country should maximize investments on that they do best.
In Hawaii,it’s tourism. So figure how to maximize it while building and supporting the underlying infrastructure. Hawaii may have to figure out how to encourage visitors to come in the low/shoulderseasons. And, to other islands and other less visited areas of Oahu. This is where the state has to play a stronger partnership role with infrastructure builders.
Gotta go.
Take care,
Rod
Eldo! Unbeknownst to you the Dominican Republic has been investing in itself. The amount of jobs not dependent upon the Tourism Industry have increased exponentially putting them to work that has brought financial stability to life. The “DR” has changed considerably, the amount of businesses and industry, actual foreign investment by bringing their businesses to the “DR” has been a Boon for the Country. Housing Starts are amazing. Your views are based on almost 20 years ago. Sorry to point that out, buddy.
Ernie, unbeknownst to you, the poverty level in the Dominican republic, which is defined as daily income of five dollars or less per person, has increased to about 20%. I won’t feed you the source because we can’t post links here, but use a computer and can find it for yourself. Despite your verbal gymnastics, the fact remains that the DR is a profoundly poor country. Sorry to point that out to you buddy!
Harvey H, I am able to “sometimes” take a step back away from the comments and evaluate everything with a clear and reasoning mind. I can understand “some” of Eldo’s comments, not all. I think that he is fearful for the Islands if things continue as is, in that position he is mostly misinformed thus correct. Eldo doesn’t realize that many of us “non-wealthy” Deplorable Undesirables are the ones Not doing the Damages, leave that to the Gen Z ultra rich wannabes. You’re targeting the Wrong People, Mostly. There’s 2 sides, only 1 is being pushed.
There is no particular socioeconomic group of tourist “doing the damage” (your words, not mine) nor have I implied that there is. Damage to the environment is a numbers game: more people = more damage. Although one could make a case that the rich, with their overwatered and over-fertilized lawns, gardens and golf-courses, yachts and private jets and huge swimming pools cause a disproportionate amount of pollution and waste. What I cannot agree with is that Hawaii owes everyone a vacation. And that entitlement is something that is common on this board. Hawaii no more owes everyone a vacation than the M. Benz dealership owes everyone an affordable car. Free market capitalism at work, like to or not.
Eldo I have reread your comment and we have more in agreement than first thought. Just remember that 1 or 2 comments don’t make a close and cozy relationship. No one should expect a “Free” vacation anywhere, or the Benz. There’s enough “Houseless” already enjoying that pleasure. The “younger” and upcoming generations persists in the notion of a Socialist Society where they should be Given everything for free. That is a primary cause of Entitlement and Disrespect of everything everywhere, the End Result is what has been described. Combating ignorance isn’t easy, they’ve been educated this way. Eldo, be well and Pray things will be better!
We’ve been paying ‘extra’ all along. Flight costs, hotel costs, rental cars, food and dining costs. These new fees are just ‘extra-extra’. There are prices for ‘locals’ (or free!) but the tourists get fanged. HI doesn’t have to be as expensive as it is, but people, as in ‘tourists’, have been programmed to believe it must be expensive, so they accept it. The ‘cost of living’ is determined, to a certain extent, by ‘demand’, and those who have what is in ‘demand’ determine the cost, not the consumer. Look at all the money hotels and restaurants charge. Reminds me of London, one of the most expensive cities in Europe, where tourists are advised to dine at ‘pubs’ because the ‘restaurants’ are too expensive.
I hear you, but I have to respectfully disagree. Have you priced a round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland New Zealand? Or to Sydney Australia? Or to Tokyo Japan? Do that then compare to a round-trip flight to Maui and you’ll be amazed at how cheap it is to fly out here. Yeah, it’s not as far, it’s only about a third of the distance. But still. Exotic beautiful places cost money. Unless you’re visiting a Third World country . That’s why I don’t travel to Mexico or Central America, because it feels like exploitation. It is exploitation.
Exploitation, the Key to Hawaii! While “Accusing” every tourist of this the Real Exploiting is being done to Tourists by Taxing and Increasing Fee’s of every possible kind. Now, the attempt to make STR’S unaffordable and unattainable as an alternative to Ridiculously priced accommodations at hotels and resorts will, if successful, add even more costs. I thought Pick Pocketing was Illegal. Hawaii is a vacation destination, there are Many around the world that measure up and even surpass with much less cost While being hospitable, unlike Hawaii. Aloha is DOA, I can find Similar alive and well elsewhere. Tired of being exploited by Hawaii and I never Exploit!
Awwwww, everyone Suffers together ❤️ What’s wrong with that, now you’re going to have some “skin” in the game. Hope that You don’t travel too often, that could really add up quickly. Before this is over even Hawaiians can feel Proud with all of the Money that they will have paid to Benefit the environment or wherever the money really disappears to. Can’t You feel the Aloha!