Hawaii wanted fewer, better visitors. It’s getting fewer loyal ones instead, as longtime travelers quietly rethink their options.
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61 thoughts on “Hawaii Wanted Better Visitors. It’s Losing Its Best Ones.”
I have spent years thinking about the trip I always wanted to do to show my wife where I grew up (Oahu), but after reading all the comments, it really concerns me to spend a lot of money, travel from the east coast only to no longer feel the aloha I felt when living there. My excitement for her to see the places in my stories has waned. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the earnest comments and know things change, how some visitors can be terrible, and locals feeling disrespected, but this current trend of feeling unwelcomed makes me want to go elsewhere (or visit soon before it’s all gone). I sadly get the feeling the Hawai’i culture I knew & loved is no more and now not worth the cost to visit.
Please go back. The culture is still in the hearts of many people, even visitors like my wife and me that continue to go back each winter to embrace the spirit of the past. But make no mistake, it will be different just like it is different nearly everywhere we go these days. In 1989 we moved to Colorado, a state that had a Western and ranching heritage. There was room to move around and ample opportunities to experience the agrarian culture. Not so any more. Now you have to look hard to find the Colorado of old just like you have to look hard to find the old Hawaii. But the aloha spirit is there, seek it out and you won’t be disappointed.
Hawaii has been my favourite vacation destination since my first visit in 1986.
Sadly with all the price increases along with the low value of our New Zealand dollar my dream destination is no longer viable.
However I will be circling the Islands one day each on a cruise ship in September.
We have been an annual visitor to the Islands( Maui, Oahu) over the past 10 years, even through covid when we could. But the with the taxation that we received over the last couple years we have now already booked elsewhere. Also Now, the Hawaiian visitor board wants to impose a Green Tax of 11% on its visitors. As much as we have loved our time that we spent there. We are done. Dan J
Our 2026 trip will be to Ireland, where my appreciation for its’ culture and people will be valued and welcomed by its’ residents. Farewell Hawaii-I dove deep into the culture and even language (taking it back to my students to learn), I loved you and appreciated you-Aloha
I have taken my kids to Maui every other year for 30 years the last trip was with 6 grand kids we started looking at the cost and the grand kids said it was not worth it . Take us to Rome
I’m afraid we’ve made our last trip to Hawaii earlier this year. The price for everything was staggering. I lived in Hawaii (Oahu) for nine years, and my wife was born there. When we returned home from our last trip, I was surprised by the amount we spent during the three weeks we were away. We could have gone on a very long cruise for a lot less. The government of the state needs to be replaced. Every time Governor Greene opens his mouth, he sounds totally clueless. How he became governor is beyond me. On another subject, we have never been a victim of anti-tourist sentiment by the locals. Years ago, I realized that if you treat people with respect and friendliness, they’ll reciprocate. Give it a try.
I couldn’t agree more Mike! I too used to live on TBI and just returned from a week long stay, The costs have doubled from a few years ago. Not only that the Mana is not what it used to be, so many waiter and locals did not make us feel welcome what happened to the Aloha spirit? We have many other locations to pick from for a lot less money. I wish the local merchants well as so many said they are struggling! The state government seems totally oblivious to whats happening by adding more fees and taxes and parking fees. I love Hawaii but it will be while for our return!
I typically take three trips to Maui each year in the spring, fall and December. We typically stay several weeks in the spring and fall and one week in December. I fit the description of a person who, to my surprise, is considering other options. We financially contributed substantially to helping those devastated by the Lahaina wildfire. While we still feel the love from the two Kaanapali resorts we frequent, we are not feeling very welcomed otherwise and are really disappointed and disheartened with the stagnation surrounding the beach front and beach walk deterioration in Kaanapali. Prices for everything has gone through the roof. Put it all together and I have decided to explore other home away from home options. The attitude and approach toward tourists generally (we are in Maui every year for 8 weeks or more so I don’t really consider myself a tourist) has me re-thinking what I thought would be cooked in trips every year. Once we make a change, don’t expect us back.