It isn’t just about the money. Hawaii visitor fees reexamined and input needed.
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189 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitor Fees: Perception, Value And An Egregious Example”
It isn’t just about the money. Hawaii visitor fees reexamined and input needed.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
There’s no other place quite like Detroit, either. That’s a silly thing to say, that other people are on their high horses.
I lived there too expensive. Charging extra fees makes me no longer want to go back to visitp
I understand a need to generate income for natural resources in Hawaii, but I am a Native Hawaiian,living in the mainland.
When we come home to visit my mom, she’s 90, I now have to pay to visit a place that brings back so many precious memories as a kid. We had to move because it just cost to much to live at home.
The government has wasted so much money, and miss manage the islands so much over the years because of greed.
With the cost of visiting home continuously rising, won’t be able to visit much longer.
I can not think of a state I have traveled to where it isn’t more if you from out of town. Maybe it’s not so blatant. Maybe it is. Florida, NY, MD, Cali, 39 states so far and it’s everywhere.
International is a whole other ball game.
Charge tourists, what are they gonna do, not come. Just stop telling them locals don’t pay.
Or ask them what discounts out-of-towner’s get when they visit where ever they came from.
California isn’t on the list for charging visitors. I live there and I’ve never seen beaches, mountains, desert place higher rates for visitors!
I live in California too. Everything here is expensive. When I visit Hawaii I do not feel the pain of the high prices like other states. To me, the prices seem pretty much the same as at home. When I visited March 2022, gas prices were lower in Honolulu and Haleiwa than the prices in California. Produce, beer, wine were higher in Hawaii but not a lot higher. I was visiting a friend who was born and raised in Hawaii. She received kama aina discount at Valley of the Temples and Diamond Head. Once, a Maui jeweler gave me a nice discount just because my friend is a local.
Just got back , visit family there every year. All the fees just make me feel like “ ok your gonna come and make our home crowded , we’re gonna make you pay “ don’t mind the fees but the Pali fee was kind of outrageous
Craig
My family had been visiting the Hawaiian islands at least every other year since I was stationed there 95 to 98. I’ve gotten pretty fed up with the overcharging of tourists when the areas we’re paying to visit have obviously been trashed by locals. The money is not being used for upkeep, just a revenue stream for the state coffers.
I don’t believe in the charge to some of these places. I can understand Diamond Head, or other parks where you stay for awhile but, you are normally in and out at the Pali.
DOE,
Any idea what percentage (in a pre-COVID year) of visitors to Hawaii come from California, other states as well as Japan, and other countries?
Mahalo,
Rod
Hi Rod.
“DOE” – did you mean us? Have a look here and you should be able to find any data points desired. https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/visitor/daily-passenger-counts/
Aloha.
Sorry about that, BOH.
Thank you, I’ll check that out!
Aloha, How about when you own a second home there? I pay Hawaii taxes.
Sell it.
If you don’t live here you are taking someone’s home.
Lucky your taxes aren’t higher.
What if I rent it out making just enough to cover damages?
I wish I could use the profanity your post deserves. Instead, I’ll just say you are about the most…. poster on BOH.
Love Hawaii. Visited many times.
I have noticed and been appalled by the lack of respect for the island by the local residence. Each and every visit I’m turned off by the trash spread thru yards. Cars dumped all over the island homeless incampments(local residence) that are allowed to trash and distroy the area and beaches.
U can blame the destruction of the island on tourists but any visitor can clearly see the locals are a large large part of the problem.
I watch it every visit. angry locals simple appear to have a lack of respect for their own paradise.
I could give examples but we can all see it.
One man’s Paradise is a local man’s trash.
I think Hawaii need a take accountability as much as action
Hey Tony,
We used to have a saying here,
Hookahi no la o ka malihini
“A stranger for only a day…”
Been cleaning up after tourists for a few centuries now.
Point fingers all you want, plenty came before you. Ever think about helping.
Agreed!
If u only want the mega rich to visit. Be careful. Those are the folks that took your island to begin with. U have priced out the common honeymooners so u will be left with the dole family, the Zuckerbergs, Oracle and meth to steal the rest of your islands.
They do it all over the world especially Southeast Asia so why not here just support the aina
The $7.50 fee is a cost that is not very affordable for many. This means that those who could readily afford this parking fee would be wealthy enough to not have it be a struggle. This means that the people parking there are wealthy, which means they have a greater likelihood of having items in their parked cars worth stealing. I can see this parking area being a mecca for vehicle break ins. And a lack of security will ensure a lawsuits.
Ed,
With hesitation, I take exception to your post.
As a longtime tourist and timeshare owner, I don’t think there’s a single tourist to Hawaii who can’t afford a $7.50 parking fee. That’s not the issue. All of us, no matter which state or country we live in, can’t continue to roll over whenever a govt raises taxes, and simply tell us they need the money for xy and z. And, once they get the $$$$, xy and z are nowhere to be found. Hold the bastards accountable.
Yes several other states have enacted entrance fee’s to Some of the State Parks, not for the reasons you give. Enacted to increase Revenues for the State and a lesser extent for upkeep of the park these Fees are levied upon out of State Visitors only, the Amounts are Unreasonable in Most States but in one State is extremely low compared to the others. Parking is Generally Free, unlike Hawaii. Drawing Examples should be of the same or similar, not totally different items. What State, other than Hawaii, is set to Implement an Entrance Fee per person just to visit? None! NYC, LA, San Fran, other Major Cities have High Prices but still have reasonable alternatives. Hawaii, not really! Your State, do as you please. I have reasonable alternatives
Since 99.9% of the 10.4 million annual tourists arrive by plane, have the airlines charge a $1 fee per ticket.
No, if the govt really needs the money and can justify it to the people, don’t let them hide behind the airlines.
You need a tax, vote it in.
I live in San Diego where visitor’s pay high fees in use taxes (car and hotel). But everything else is equal. Furthermore, we love our tourists even though they clog our freeways, take over our beaches and hike our trails. Yes there is damage, which we fix. Many Hawaiian readers also enjoy traveling to San Diego. My trip to Kauai (here now) feels unwelcome. There is a lack of Aloha, which we deeply miss. Parks are closed to visitors, keep out signs are everywhere and there are two price structures. Your governor tells visitors to stay out. Stories of damage are everywhere. Welcome to being a tourist economy, but Hawaii would not exist as you know it without tourism. Please bring back Aloha and you’re always welcome to San Diego.
I enjoy the beach and park at Waimanalo where the canoe clubs often compete. I do not enjoy the restrooms. The restrooms are always filthy and rundown. The parking lot needs to be repaved. The homeless encampments by the roadside would make any family with children fear letting their children run around the park freely. I have compassion for the homeless but as we have seen in the news some need mental health help. I would gladly pay a small fee to help the state clean up the Waimanalo park. Maybe the State of Hawaii can have a website where visitors can donate money to parks they use the most that they would like cleaned up. The website should have a bar graph showing parks that visitors contribute to keep state accountable
There’s the issue of ownership. A resident of Hawaii doesn’t own the sites here any more than a resident of Iowa does. Hawaii is just another state in the US.
If state taxes are used to maintain the parks, then out-of-state fees can be used to balance that responsibility. Other states’ parks are supported by their resident taxes.
If residents pay nothing and visitors maintain everything (and then some) then expect resentment from mainlanders.
Residents pay state and county taxes to maintain parks. Non-resident fees supplement those taxes.
When it is put that way, it seems more fair.
Of course, the value has to be there, too. Folks will decide that for themselves.
The parks in Hawaii should take online donations
I make monthly donations to Yosemite and to saving the dolphins. Hawaii should have online donations. If everyone chipped in $5 per month it greatly help. Even just a couple of dollars every month would be a big help
I love Hawaii. Visited yearly since going to UH many years ago. No where else like it. It’s beaches are wonderful but they aren’t the best. What made Hawaii the best tropical destination in the world was the spirit of Aloha. However what covid restrictions have proven is that many Hawaiians don’t care for tourists. They enjoyed the islands without tourists. Some continue to push for more tourist taxes and fees, increased tourism costs to only attract high value tourists, etc. If they don’t want our business there are countless other tropical destinations. Just don’t ask for a handout because you tanked your tourism industry.
That’s the push-pull of tourist areas.
Venice loved having few people, the canals rebounded. But the restaurants closed and there is no work to be had.
Interesting that nearly all the states listed that charge out of states are controlled by high tax loving governors or legislators. Hawaii should fit right in with the crowd. We are deeded time share owners on the big island and have been visiting for more than 20 years. I guess it’s time to think about selling so we can enjoy other equally beautiful places at a much lower cost.
Before you decry “high tax loving governors and legislators”, consider the mostly poor, rural states that charge zero income tax to their residents. Those are the same states that cannot afford basic services to its poorer residents and depend on the same high tax states to supplement their coffers. Those same states contribute far less in federal taxes than they receive in federal support payments. Say what you will, but those same states are ironically little different than socialist republics, dependent on wealthier states.
What is Hawaii’s excuse for having poor residents and 3rd world housing?
Lack of industry. Poor geographic location for trade and commerce. Lack of natural resources.
Since Hawaii it best suited for tourism (it has the ingredients for that), it would be in it’s best interests to pour it efforts into becoming the best, easiest place to visit. Strive for a 5-star experience every day.
Can Hawaii really say it’s doing the work to be the best?
Don’t know. Why not ask Zuckerberg, Ellison and a host of new transplants paying gazillions for a place to live? Skyrocketing housing costs have left locals with few options, since mainlanders come in and scoop up the housing stock to make a buck.
As for third world, take a drive through GA, MS, ALA, LA, or any of the poorer fly over states. There’s a reason for the phrase, “other side of the tracks”. And that reason is redlining and racism.
What will the governing bodies do after the golden goose is dead or left for other locations
The governing bodies will just watch other people show up.
People so high on their horses thinking there is another place like Hawaii.
Silliness.
Pay the price or don’t visit.
Be careful what you wish for…because who/what are you going to turn to for income when tourists stop visitng in such large numbers?
It would help to do your research before posting Donnie Downer opinion.
dbedt.hawaii.gov/visitor/tourism-forecast/
These fees mostly are a concern for budget travelers and locals, I’m here to tell you most visitors to Hawaii aren’t budget travelers. These increased fees are not going to slow travel to the islands.
A 7.50 parking fee for a first timer is a bargain when compared to parking in San Francisco or any other big city.
Pandora’s box was opened when locals thought it was a good idea to tax and raise fees on visitors to the islands, yet like any other good idea government and big corp have turned it to a cash grab.
By the way I do know that in places locals don’t have to pay or have a reduced fee, but how long do think that’s going to last.
Pretty common for states and cities to charge fees to the folks who don’t vote in the state or city, that is, the out of staters and out of towners.
More fees? Along with higher air, car rental and hotel costs…looks like Hawaii won’t be on our trip plans.
We traveled to Hawaii 8 times. Never felt impacted by fees except hotel parking. The airfare and hotels are expensive. Due to the fees now being assessed, it appears we’ll never be able to afford another Hawaii vacation. So very dad. The grandkids really wanted to see Hawaii after all our stories.
It should be noted that visitors to Hawaii are already assessed the Transient occupancy tax – which has yet to figure in this discussion (unless I may have missed a reference).
Tourists are already being gouged for simply being visitors…no additional taxation or fees should be expected.
Hellomy family and I are going to Oahu and Maui on June 8th and hopefully everything will go great if not then I will not go back again. We’ll see and I’ll update you guys about it.
I can’t recall ever visiting a place that did not have some form of TOT, worldwide.
Peg M,
The first time we encountered the TOT was in Oregon but I should add that most of our travels to that point had been.to destinations east of there. In all of our travels in the east, north and south we have never been charged a TOT – it seems to be a phenomena of travel in the west and Hawaii. This existing tax certainly places the introduction of more taxes and fees in an even worse light for travelers to areas with a TOT already in place.
I don’t know why they call them TOT. I pay hotel room taxes in my home state and when I’m on the road. Resident/non-resident, it doesn’t seem to make a difference.
As I said, worldwide. Perhaps Americans should broaden their horizons.
Yes, there are states that rely on other states for funds but their money comes from somewhere.
Blue states are paying for that infrastructure and education. Sadly, that education is not getting through.
My family and I have been vacationing in Hawaii for over 25 years. we have enjoyed all the islands, We love the culture, the history the food the beauty of all the islands. We haven’t been to the islands sense Jan 2020. But after reading all about the changes and the new fees and charges for hotels rental cars I’am not sure I want to. It makes me feel like the Hawaiian gov is trying to detour island travel. We have found other vacation options that are appealing and affordable. I hope things will get back to normal and we can afford to vacation again in Hawaii.
Lonnie,
If I may ask, what are some of the other destinations you are considering?
Thanks,
Warren
I am a Hawaii resident, but travel extensively…we spent a month in Portugal recently and it was phenomenal.
Get a life. Hawaii depends on tourism for 99.9% of its income, but the state doesn’t welcome “tourists” anymore. I felt it on a recent trip. C’mon, get real. Hawaii is just another state. Maybe it’s not worth my attention any longer. There are other places to visit.
Les W
I know you want to make a point, but tourism accounts for about 25% of Hawaii’s’ annual GDP.
25%, that’s huge!!!
75% is huge. 25% is significant.
James,
Most of the time that would be true. But, when your economy depends on one industry for 25% of its revenue, that’s huge.
The largest industry in the USA as a whole is a little less than 2% of GDP. So, 2% vs 25% – I still say that’s huge.
Sources:
ibisworld.com/united-states/industry-trends/biggest-industries-by-revenue/
ceoworld.biz/2022/03/31/economy-rankings-largest-countries-by-gdp-2022/#:~:text=The%20nominal%20GDP%20for%20the%20United%20States%20is%20%2424.79%20trillion%20in%202022.
Whatever it is, they’ve mismanaged it because of greed and laziness. Hawaii no longer has the “mana,” as far as I’m concerned.
L. W
Just another reason not to visit or spend any money in Hawaii, They are trying to make up all the lost revenue caused by their ludicrous decisions.
Last trip to Hawaii. Maybe we charge more for you to come to mainland.
Hawaii has been on my bucket list for 5 years. COVID directly impacted 2 planned trips. I’ve been a faithful reader of Hawaiian history and BOH having researched my trips and wanting to take part in eco-tourism and travel as “non-tourist” as possible. But now, I’m just over it! The fees, the rental car prices, the feeling of “Us vs Them” even in articles has soured my taste and desire to ever come. At 55 I’m hoping by the time I’m 60 maybe things will improve! For now I’m just done! Ireland is calling now!
Haha, the last time we went to Ireland (pre-pandemic) we called it “Ireland on a $1000 a day”. That was our third trip, my husband has aunts, uncles and cousins there.
So, good luck with saving money!
Happy to spend my 1000 a day where it’s appreciated.
Not a problem. The 7.50 is not a problem. Being treated like u are the problem is the problem.
Thanks for the money. jerk go home.
Ireland is a very good choice. You will love it! Such a beautiful country and welcoming!
I will never set foot in Hawaii ever again. I’ll take my $6000 I spend on a Maui vacation and go to Costa Rica all inclusive for $2500!!!
We have been coming to Kauai for over 20 yrs. 12 yrs ago bought a condo and spend about 4 months a year there. Even though we are part time residents, we are treated as visitors in terms of fees despite we pay twice the property tax as a resident and our vacation rentals contribute thousands of dollars to the state and local budgets as well as providing income to cleaning services, plumbers, handymen, etc. Also, our guests pay some of the highest visitor taxes in the country and spend way more money than a local and pay taxes on that too. So how much money do you want to suck out of part time residents and visitors? I contend we are already more than paying our way to support the infrastructure of Hawaii. This attitude is killing the aloha.
You spend twice as much (maybe) in taxes because your condo is a second home unit. Residents do the same as you regarding employing and supporting the local economy. Every day residents pay into the tax system. You only pay local GET when you are present on island. Visitors have a choice, and obviously our unique archipelago is the draw that keeps up the visitor count. Consider yourself one of the fortunate few who can own more than one home and enjoy your condo while, I assume, making money while renting it out when you are not on island. Why not view visitor fees — and you are a visitor since you reside in another state — as a donation from a blessed individual rather than viewing them as “killing aloha”?
“Aloha” is merely a campaign slogan to entice visitors.
Hawaiian politicians wanting to keep their cushy jobs by making the voters happy are raising costs to tourists so the locals can enjoy the same items for free. What they are missing is you are destroying your livelyhood. You will only chase away vacationers which will reduce the taxes you collect, destroy tourist related jobs which way too many locals depend on. So this mindset is going to splatter in your face!
Its already begun! When Hawaii decided to sell their state to tourism they couldn’t see the waves through the ocean. You want tourists money but it comes with actual tourists!
Wow!
Being a part time resident does not make you a local. The reason why locals aren’t happy is because you come here, buy a condo, rent it out to pay for that condo (and yes, all the taxes you pay are crazy, but we pay it also). Locals cannot even afford to live in their own homeland. Don’t expect to be treated as a local because you purchased a rental property and now can vacation here 4 months out of the year. We live here. We love that tourist can come to visit but go home afterwards. There’s not any affordable rentals or homes for us cause people like you come here and speculate and expect to be vetted in here like you are a kamaaina. You’re not. Come here, enjoy, go home.
Why is ProPark collecting the fee, and how much is the state actually paying ProPark to do it. As someone eho has used a ProPark facility in CT near my workplace, I can’t believe they are doing this without making a profit! On a Cross country Drive in 2017, I’ve visited many places where there were fees for out-of-state visitors. They were generally collected by state park rangers, which seems to be a much cheaper way for Hawaii to enforce these fees, therefore limiting the actual increase!
I feel $7.50 is definitely price gouging! I have been there in the past, but I won’t stop again.
It may be more digestible to charge one set fee, and then list a “locals’ discount.” Would emphasize the
Fee for Use concept for all, it give a substantial discount to residents. This is done in many Nevada casinos and is considered a thank you to locals who dine, use the spas or stay in hotels for people going to either Reno or Vegas. For example I know I get at least a 20% discount for services. This could work for parks, beaches, etc.50% less for beach use, parks, etc. Do think the viewpoints charge off putting.
I lived on Maui and support visitor fees.
Just imagine what living and is visiting Hawaii world be like if the Hawaiian Heritage Movement takes hold. They’ll destroy encrypting.
What?
“everything” ? Spell checker?
I am a regular visitor to Hawaii. I love it and respect the indigenous people and culture. I do think having a visitors’ fee where locals are free, will promote an us vs. them mentality. It also erodes the great Hawaiian feeling of Ohana. I always feel welcome and although a guest of the beautiful Islands, I feel like Ohana.
But..
You aren’t.
Talk about an us vs them attitude. Suggest a little introspection.
Many of our “ohana” in Hawaii pay taxes, which (hopefully) in part goes towards paying for maintaining the various areas tourists love so much to visit.
I live in Japan and see nothing wrong with knowing that I contributed to the upkeep of these beautiful islands by means of a fee.
Let’s help keep Hawaii beautiful… Budget accordingly!
Hawaii has lost its Aloha and it is all about the beloved dollar soon Hawaii will be only for the very wealthy not even the Hawaiians will be able to afford their state. James V