Kauai residents recently shared unfiltered views on the state of tourism. Their voices reveal a sharp contrast with the picture painted by official numbers.
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Kauai residents recently shared unfiltered views on the state of tourism. Their voices reveal a sharp contrast with the picture painted by official numbers.
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I appreciate, as a visitor, that the lifeguards strongly enforce the rules. It is so frustrating when folks bother wildlife, I always speak up, but it’s not the same as having someone with a bullhorn telling you to knock it off.
Everytime I read an article about Hawaii tourism it has the same tone – “We’re special”. You’re not. You’re just another tourist destination and tourists act the same everywhere. I lived and worked in hospitality in Yosemite National Park, The Monterey Peninsula and now live in Florida. Also, I’ve visited Hawaii several times. Some tourists do inconsiderate, stupid things at times. They always will. Locals always get fatigued. Still, when your economy depends on tourism you just have to deal with it. From what I saw tourists in Hawaii behave better than most places.
In the first part of this article it sounds like they really only want wealthy people to visit so they can keep their economy boosted but have less visitors. Interesting…..so how will they determine who makes enough money to visit?!!
I was looking for the part where people stood up and said, “If tourist counts could get back down to an acceptable level I will gladly lose my job and pay more taxes to make up for the lost sales and hotel tax.” , but I couldn’t find it.
It would be helpful if locals had reduced-rate airfare for interisland trips. Many of us have to fly to Honolulu to see medical specialists and doing this once or twice, or more, a month gets prohibitive. Some are even sent to the mainland for the life-saving treatments they need. A reduced rate would be helpful there too.
Hello,
We just got back from Kauai on Wednesday and I was telling my mom each time we go we see how the island has deteriorated which was heart breaking. Couldn’t go to our favorite beach in Hanalei bay because we didn’t have a reservation and the mud slide changed everything. Everywhere we went roads are being worked on and cars being dumped on the side of the road and ashes from fires and cigarette butts everywhere on the beaches. Lots of traffic and prices are sky high! Tourist have no respect for the island things need to change. We love it there but it’s not the same.
Susan I hope you can realize that the tourists are not the only ones wrecking the islands exclusively. There are a lot of locals and homeless people also that contribute to trashing the beauty of the islands. Drugs and alcohol only exacerbate the recklessness of these actions. This is happening all over the world. It’s an out of control situation. People need to be taught early on to take care of Mother Earth.
My family loves Kauai. This has been our home for a few years.
I’m interested in preserving the best of it for all the generations to come…. while finding ways for locals to flourish.
I’ll stay home!!
Aloha Rob+Jeff. I’ve been waiting for this report from you. I am in total agreement with the locals suggestions and I hope that they will be seriously taken to heart with the council who held this forum. As always, the people there are such a validation of the true Aloha spirit. Recognizing that they need tourism, but that definite steps need to be taken on their “post it” issues. I so miss Kauai everyday while I live on the mainland, and yet with all the news you post, am reluctant to return. With the airline buyout, and the negative postings, I am fighting against the negativity with great memories of being there. I am curious to see when this meeting produces new changes and how long it will take to implement. Miss my Kauai Island and my Ohana there. Wishing you both the best and Mahalo for your posts.
Could not agree more!
I am not an island native, I am a guest on the island and I plus the others who should observe the rules-Must! Respect the island way!!!
I’ve been coming to Kauai for over 40 years and of course I have visited all the other islands at various times. I actually agree with the residence. It’s their island their home and it should be respected. It upsets me terribly when I am there and I see somebody disrespecting and climbing on things they shouldn’t And doing things that are disrespectful. I certainly let them know that that is not acceptable. I certainly understand the residence that want to keep their island true to their traditions and respect that beautiful land. It is a gift. I own time share that I cherish on the North Shore. And I will continue to go as long as I am physically able considering I just celebrated my 80th birthday.
I certainly understand that the residence should have certain things available to them on the weekends when they are not working, and the tourist should schedule any outings that they have in mind such as kayaking, zip lining during the week and let the residence have their space.
I suggest stopping all tourism to all the islands for 6 months to a year until all the islands can fix their roads, trails, sidewalks, over used beaches, and any other areas that need attention. That should give the locals plenty of time to fix their problems without any interference from the tourists.
Tourist don6 listen and thry dont care!!! They dont care about hawaii… They just want yo swim under the waterfalls and dont care if it is unsafe or illegal!!!!!
You don’t think tourist or residents on the mainland play in waterfalls? People do it all the time. Unsafe or not, its their risk not yours. and if public safety has to step in. It gives them a job and something to do; while bringing in money. if it doesn’t personally affect you, why do you care? Second point; is Hawiian culture overcharging people to do a dinner show? is it culture to break into cars? is it culture to put sanctions on tourists? is it culture to tell us no parking without reservations the lot is full, and you pull up and there is 30 spaces available? We’re spending thousands to visit for a week or two. We can easily go to other islands, that are cheaper, without the inconveniences being imposed.
That is not universally true. Some of us care very much and wish that all visitors respected the islands so that we may be able to visit in the future. Aloha.
I get it. Tourism creates inconveniences. I think, we mainlanders should stop going immediately. All of us. Let them run their island (mostly) as they wish.
That said, things like working are inconvenient to us mainlanders. However, unwilling, we should starve. Same goes for Hawaii. Your tourism money should never be replaced with federal aid.
Make your bed the way you wish. Then, lie in it.
Couldn’t agree more with this comment. No federal bailouts either.
Maui can give back the $1,600,000,000 federal Lahaina grant since hawaiians don’t want to pay for mainlanders to be rescued by first responders.
One point BOH made is that locals say there is a lack of infrastructure to support both locals and visitors. Visitors are being made to pay more in fees and taxes and wonder where the money is going. It seems that on this one issue, at least, the two sides have some common cause.
Reality,as the Hotels plumbing goes under wailua bridge,a 18inch pipe feeds the sewer plant and out to sea released 2 mile,sespool
Leak of the homes above Wailua river into it.I know the boats coming in Rade the ocean to feed the Tourist and visitors could careless how they drive,
Napali out port allen a Giant cash crop for the State,but wait i dont see my friends anymore,where is he of he moved,Locals gone
Not the same,beaches
Thrashed bathrooms reak,trash in bushes,Thats why we blocked the Ferry.I got to say,what on earth gives some America to rip the Hawaiian off,cause this
And make lifeguard fire
Hospital police and polute,This tragedy has
Crossed the line,barely a Fish pond try wait no fish
No poi!
Can you translate that into English?
Whoa Timothy. Tourist not totally to blame for your complaints. I seen local trash heaps on properties and local negligence of your own island for the past 45 years. Worse now than before, but once started, just keeps happening, because no one cares enough to keep their neighborhood and property clean and tidy. Too little discipline in youth resulting in a lazy, non caring attitude about their island. Their home.
While I support some type of limitations on tourism in Hawaii, you need to be really careful with how strict you make the new rules. I would suggest starting slow with limitations and regulations. Starting too strict will have a financial impact on the local economy and government services. Plesse don’t over react.
I understand the needs of the islands and lived there for almost a decade, always returning to visit. Attracting only the rich to empty their wallets is an ugly profile, and how sad it’s come to this as a possible solution. I call it a slow death of the aloha spirit. Where were the island leaders decades ago? Who was watching? Anyone could see by the roads, the homeless, the traffic, the cost of living that there’s been a problem growing for years and now it’s at a critical point. I don’t pretend to have a solution or that it can be an easy one, but my heart breaks for the people and the land. I may have just completed my final visit to the islands in August after almost 6 decades.
Curb tourism because of parking and cultural respect….
This is a joke right?
Sounds like a good dialogue for all on a beautiful isle noted as more than 40% tourism dependent. Our last trip to Kauai (July 2024) was wonderful and people were friendly. We enjoyed mostly the North Shore/Hanalei area -bustling, but with several beaches not crowded at all and infrastructure was fine. But, we also took day trips to busy Kapaa and South Shore/Poipu areas. Some of our family group of ten left from the West side on a (comparatively very expensive) snorkel trip while all visited Waimea Canyon. Prices were high. My question to Kauai residents: Is the tax money that my family and many others paid going to where it should be, or put differently, where you want it spent as a local resident? It’s your choice to make, though why not insist on those infrastructure improvements if feasible? Visitors? We can choose Kauai as it is now or as its residents choose to improve it, or leave it behind. We have similar quality/demand/supply decisions to make with any tourist destination.
I certainly understand the residents’ frustrations & anger about too many mainlanders & their effect on the environment. Most of us visitors respect the Hawaiian culture & try our best to follow your rules. Your state lawmakers need to include you in making positive changes or we’ll all lose. Your infrastructure needs alot of help. Hope all goes well.
There could not possibly be anything Kauai could do to feed, house and give healthcare to its people other than force them to have multiple minimum wage jobs and share their infrastructure with a million often low tipping tourists every year. It’s the only solution and it’s crazy anyone would suggest otherwise how dare they.
This is ridiculous considering tourism is Hawaii’s number one industry (and no I have never heard a plan for an alternative).
In California we have to share all our attractions with tourists as well, from Yosemite, to wine country, to Tahoe to the beaches and there is never this level of anger and dissatisfaction, and our state invests in services & infrastructure. Your fire in Maui is a good example of lack of prevention, services & infrastructure even though I understand there was trip to CA made by your government prior to the fire. The purpose was to learn how to deal w/big fires, yet it appeared nothing got learned. Boondoggle?
What in the world does your governor do with your tax dollars and all the money they rake in from tourists? If it not going towards your infrastructure and services, where is it going?
Time to stop blaming and taxing your number one industry and start turning your ire at your state government!
While I agree with most of the thoughts. California is the worst example of forest management in the country. Pretty much anywhere else in the country is better. Be that as it may, the breaking into cars and overcharging for “Hawaiian culture” is a major problem. While Hawaii as a whole has wonderful landscapes and unique attractions. I can go to a beach on Lake Michigan and be just as happy; and No tourist sanctions! If I want exotic feel I can go to Iceland, Maderia, etc..Most of the complaints are the fact they actually have to do work for tourists and their own infrastructure mishandling. Housing issues can be resolved by limiting Airbnbs and build a couple more hotels. There is only 2 small hotels on the west side by the Canyon. and that area is a bit sketchy. They’re concentrating people to the East and North.
Sorry, I live in California and there is a Constant push pull in heavily touristed areas between the quality of life of local residents, the economic benefits that tourism brings, and the downside impacts of over-tourism and irresponsible visitors when that happens. Many, Many California towns and cities have placed guardrails to safeguard their communities (and the safety of tourists and to mitigate the impacts.) The same is true in touristed areas throughout the country.
Perhaps this commenter may live in a less-visited part of our state but I don’t really see any difference between the very legitimate concerns and mostly very reasonable ideas of the Kauai residents described here and the concerns of any other Americans in touristed areas.
You have a generation of children pretending to be adults, that have no respect for anything. They have extra cash, have never wanted for anything and think they are “special”. Rules don’t really apply to them, just to the less fortunate. Then you have the middle class that know what a dollar is worth. They plan a trip, and with computers learn some of the things about where they are going. They also know because they have been there, that good service at an establishment is to be rewarded and appreciated. They for the most part have manners and compassion. Whom do you want?
I’m glad to hear that Kauai’s residents generally have realistic views on tourism. Maui can’t say the same thing and Maui may lose 10,000 residents as a result. It would be great if we could better diversify our economy in Hawaii, but as long as we eat or starve depending on how many tourists visit, we’d be wise to be hospitable to them. If they leave, so do we.
There are both state and federal laws against harassing the turtles, why aren’t the islands enforcing them???
I found parking an issue this year on Kauai.
IMHO this report should offer some encouragement to all. The full-time residents of Kauai seem to present a balanced and thoughtful approach to these issues and problems. This certainly can form a framework from which to build ongoing discussion for specific plans and governance. Hopefully Kauai’s politicians will be listening and taking action accordingly. If the past is any indication, the residents should take the lead and have the politicians follow. Unfortunately, it never seems to work out that way. Residents, taxpayers, and even visitors, always seem to put up the money, and then there’s no accountability on the part of the politicians as to where and how the money has been spent. Decaying infrastructure, broken bathrooms, and poorly planned traffic flow are glaring examples of poor management on the part of the government. Aloha to all.
There needs to a groundswell of locals that put together an itemized list of things that need to be addressed for both residents and visitors. Publish is the paper quarterly and not on the back pages in the classifieds. Then the next quarter with the list needs to be shown what was done, how much money was collected and where and how it was spent. Politicians need to be held accountable and publically. Otherwise, you get lip service and the money goes “somewhere.”
Kauai Residents need to tread carefully. Maui has not. Also need to vote for leader that actually do their job. For far to long Hawaii leadership have done nothing. Residents should be asking their officials where all the taxes goes. Considering tourist pay a third of their rooms to taxes, all the parking fee they collect, and taxes on money tourist spend the infrastructure should be much better than it is. Need to elect new officials.
I’m sorry I missed the meeting but the one thing I wish Kaua’i county and the state would do is clear and keep clear the views to our only 2 waterfalls people can drive up to. At Wailua falls I constantly see people standing on the wall to take pictures. This is extremely dangerous and they’re doing it because the weeds and bushes obstruct the view. Same thing at Opeaka’a Falls. People have to stand in the street get a decent photo. Seems like we’re trying so hard to attract tourists and then we’re presenting obstructed views of some of our most photographed locations. I know work crews, locals and officials can see for themselves. The only lookout at Lumahai beach is completely obstructed, ridiculous imo. Unobstructed views are for locals and tourists alike and I would like to see these scenic lookouts scenic, not just looking at guinea grass and trees!
Agree. I lived in Hawaii for eight years moved back to the mainland because of the issues presented.
I live and work in Poipu. When they say spending us up, I think this refers to very high fees for accommodation, restaurants and car rentals. Retail sales are definitely down, as I work in retail. Not much left after paying for the above mentioned expenses! Infrastructure is poor, as witnessed at Hanalei this summer when the door to men’s restroom was missing and restrooms are poorly maintained.
If you find a way to keep stupid people from doing stupid things, please share that with the world. Hawaii is not unique in possessing that issue.
As far as the infrastructure issues go, I think the people of Hawaii need to ask their government why they haven’t been addressed given the billions of dollars that tourism brings in annually.
Hey Bob. Studies seem to always be first before anything gets solved and boy do they eat up all the millions of dollars that we tourists pay in fees and taxes just to vacation there for a week.
I’m tired of hearing how Hawaii wants people who Spend More.
Tourists Are spending more. Lodging rates, rental car rates, everything, is Way Up. If they’re not spending more at local businesses it’s because they blew their budget just getting there and getting a rental car! They don’t have as much money left over to spend at restaurants and gift shops. It’s true…. Tourists are budgeting less for dining out, shopping and tours. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t increase the basic expenses so much then still expect them to spend money on unnecessary things. Time for a reality check!
That is a good point. However, for the areas you mention that consume the traveler budget, that money almost all goes to out of state (and/or out of country) corporations and none of that other than the room taxes and concession fees goes into local coffers
This is not an easy call. One can see why locals who were born in Hawaii and have lived their lives here are rightly aggrieved by the crowding that visutors and malahinis buying properties here cause. Visitors come to Hawaii as a dream vacation and do nit want to feel cash cows being milked while being disliked. Hawaii’s economy need the tourist dollar as well as the military one. As a long term frequent visitor with a gang if Hawaiian friends I see the endless development and the increase of entitled people who behave as though Hawaii is a third world state to be patronized.
So one needs to restrict demand as well as improve courtesy on all sides. You can throttle demand economically by raising costs, such as rental car levies ir you can have official restrictions. Now official restrictions and obeying them does not align with Hawaiian culture.
Kauai residents vetoed the runway extension perhaps a reduction in flights would help?
Kauai residents could not veto the runway work. The FAA deemed it necessary and work will start soon. Residents did not want more flights, terminal enhancements etc. The State will decide on that aspect.
2007 – 1,372,682 Visitors
2024 – 1,369,012 Visitors
Same numbers over a 20 year period! Why the panic now?
Fascinating. As usual, statistics can be a problem if not consistently reported, i.e., compared on an “apples to apples” basis. If your figures (which differ from the impressions gained from the story) are correct, Bobby, then there are two big questions: the one you asked and another: Where has all that tourist tax money gone for the past 20 years? If it’s gone to greedy developers, real estate people, hotel owners, and car rental companies (not the workers there, to be fair and forthright) shame on all of you. I know you probably don’t have any shame, but, hey, now you can simply raise prices sky-high, limit growth artificially that way, and you’ll all stay rich. Not so sure about local jobs, family wages, but what do you care, right? Sorry, but this is playing out all wrong, and there are so many good people in Hawaii getting the shaft. So disappointing our society has clearly accepted greed as a standard, but never admits it’s the real cause of most ills we face.
Aloha-
A theme of your article seems to center around infrastructure needs. Does local government claim that, despite the already extremely high taxes imposed on visitors, they need “more” to meet these needs? If they are like governments elsewhere, I am sure there is significant bloat. I would be open to paying more in taxes and fees if I was sown evidence of Kauai cutting unnecessary staff.
Do these “record spending” numbers take the severe inflation into consideration?? As a small business owner, with many small business owner friends, we are not seeing these increased spending numbers at all.
10% increase in tourism in 10 years is a very very small number. That is not a large enough increase to cause panic. At the end of the day the residents just straight up hate tourists.
Aloha Bobby. It sounds like you had a bad experience with a local resident or residents during your last trp to Kauai. That is an outlier. 95% of the local residents on Kauai either welcome or tolerate tourists. You, and fellow readers should give Kauai a fair chance. Just stay respectful and appreciative…
Infrastructure is a common theme across the entire state. It also seems to be a blind spot to anyone and everyone in government. Facilities need to be maintained, and a realistic budget is imperative. This is not rocket science, yet every single island fails to allocate sufficient funds and human resources to maintain existing facilities.
Some of the traffic problems could be lessened if the Kauai Bus would include pick-up and drop-off at Lihue Airport. I suggested this to the bus company last time the Kauai Bus ran a survey on how the service might be improved. Right now, if you want to take the bus to Kapa’a or Wailua, you have to get to or from the Walmart parking lot – too far to walk if you have luggage.
The Kauai bus Does have a stop at LIH airport, on the #200 Lihue to Kekaha line and #100 Kekaha to i Lihue line (change buses to your destination town) and you can ride as long as you do not have large check-on luggage. A couple of carry-ons, no problem…Runs daily all day long except not on Sunday.
I have walked from the Walmart bus stop to the airport (and vice versa) multiple times in my life. There is a bus route that is local to Lihue area that runs evert hour or so, But the Kaui buses do not want people to put a bunch of suitcases on board, so this works better if you just have a small backpack or equivalent
Ask these same residents if they are prepared to see ttaxes go through the roof when they stop coming.
Residents cannot blame tourists for things like lack of sidewalks, public restroom conditions etc. Instead, they need to question where the ever-increasing tourism dollars have gone! Because it sure hasn’t gone into the infrastructure of the island. As a tourist to Kauai for over 40 years it’s been my observation too that the money isn’t going into infrastructure of all types, not just sidewalks.
Aloha Scott. If you read the article carefully, you would see that Kauai residents, like myself, welcome tourists if 1) they are respectful and appreciative 2) the government does a better job of maintaining infrastructure and explaining where tax dollars are being used, and 3) spend money at local businesses so your dollars support the communities you visit. Mahalo, Bruce