The state’s lame-duck marketing partner, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is, so far, still in charge of each of the island’s destination management plans. That could change as all of Hawaii’s $100m dirty laundry gets aired. Included in the dispute are marketing partners Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), the state’s Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), and HVCB. This is going to be anything but pretty and will almost certainly end in circuit court. We’ll be reporting on each island’s plans, beginning today with Kauai.
HVCB’s Kauai Visitors Bureau provided input this week about just how things are proceeding with the Garden Island’s tourism management plan. In an interview, they said that the idea of a universal visitor fee is “dead on arrival,” per the state legislature. The universal fee had been the #1 goal of the HTA. Had that come to fruition, it might have provided a means for visitors to pay for both beaches and parks statewide in one transaction. But that was complicated, confusing, and seemed destined to not happen.
Not giving up, however, the HTA sees some other version of a statewide fee plan coming, the nature of which is still being considered.
Kauai visitor fees: those in place and the ones being proposed.
Currently, the only state visitor fees are for Haena State Park, Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park.
Kauai, however, is evaluating the feasibility of implementing county visitor fees of some type, too, for Lydgate Beach, Hanalei Bay (Black Pot Beach), and Poipu Beach. Word is that the county is inclined to pick just one of those locations initially. We’re guessing that might be Hanalei, where it’ll create and test a pilot program.
On a less controversial note, there’s a new visitor bureau program in place which is implementing signage all around Kauai, designed to promote the island’s culture and history.
Funding for law enforcement at Kauai state parks.
Another current focus which has been funded by the legislature, relates to better enforcement at state parks on Kauai.
At drive-to Wailua Falls, of Fantasy Island fame, which is one of the most spectacular spots on Kauai, you can expect to see changes implemented. Visitor and resident trespassing, and commercial trespassing (think photographers), has been an issue for years but has never been properly enforced due to a lack of funding. There have been recent workshops with both photographers and wedding planners to try to use influence and threats to curtail illegal activities.
You’ll recall that recently, a trespassing California visitor fell 25-feet off the Wailua Falls trail. They were rescued in a harrowing two-hour ordeal and suffered multiple head injuries which required hospitalization. That trail, by the way, is steep and involves holding on to ropes on the way down.
See Hawaii Visitor Trespassing Rescues Continue As State Seeks New Rules.
What’s in the Kauai Destination Management Plan (DMAP) through 2023?
According to the brochure, which you can read below, “The goal of the Kaua‘i DMAP is to rebuild, redefine and reset the direction of tourism over a three-year period.” Including what it calls “managing the number of visitors,” the plan also seeks to implement systems to address concerns at the following places on Kauai.
- Polihale State Park (accessibility)
- Kokee and Waimea Canyon
- Napali and Kalalau Trail (access and safety)
- Salt Pond Beach Park and surrounding area
- North Shore from Hanalei Bridge to the end of the road
at Kee Beach (capacity) - Hanalei Bay (access)
- Kee Beach (access and capacity)
- Haena (access and capacity)
- Hanakapiai
- Anini Beach
- Poipu Beach (safety)
- Queen’s Bath (access and safety)
- Kapaa (traffic)
- Old Koloa town (parking)
- Wailua River State Park
(Note on reading the Kauai DMAP – you can use the arrows to move forward and back in the document).
BOH: Our take is that there is much to be gained by creatively engaging visitors to take greater ownership in preserving Hawaii. It seems that sadly, the adage “you get more flies with honey than with vinegar” (which means it is a good idea to be nice to others), is totally lost on Hawaii’s marketing partners and how they relate to visitors. And that’s been the case for years. HTA and HVCB seem to have the idea that it is better to screw things down as tightly as possible instead. Since “travel management” is completely new to Hawaii, which has always promoted the concept more visitors are better, we hope to see them act wisely, and put their very best foot forward in this new direction.
Your thoughts are always apprecitated. Which of the beaches, communities and parks are you supportive of change including new visitor fees such as at Hanalei Beach?
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Hi Sean, it’s a shame that a “Vocal Minority” of Hawaii Residents continues to cause trouble. Soon they will be telling us when we are “Allowed” to go the Beach, travel on the road and flush the toilet. They don’t want us there but The Majority Does! If some of the Income from Taxes and Fees had been, and were, applied to Housing for lower income by now many people could be safe and secure in their residence. So many things could be better by now and getting better for others. Where is the Money? Ige hasn’t taken it all!
Hi Sean, excellent observations and comparisons that are definitely spot on. Many bathrooms are unaccessable due to the indigent population residing just outside. If you were to go in what you would find is typically Disgusting, No toilet paper, toilets backed up, anything metal is rusted and clothes hanging to dry, sticky floors also. It’s Time for the Need to outweigh the Greed and Use the money properly to Help the Residents of Hawaii.
The Island of Kauai is the most peaceful and laid back place I have ever visited. Oh, also the most beautiful. I feel it uneccessary to charge fees and enforce restrictions. Please do not shoot yourselfs in the foot by creating a carnival atmosphere. In the real world it’s first come first served. Planners win, procrastinators lose.
Hi Barbara, probably 99++ percent of Vacationers to Hawaii are everything that you, and Residents, want and expect from them, this is how they are even at home. That leaves an Extremely few people that are causing the problems associated with Tourists, but even that small number is too much! The Policing Authority of the location should have a Seen Presence that would calm all but the worst offenders,those being dealt with as necessary, they know where the “Hot Spots” typically are. The $50 fee should be paid at the time of Booking, but Not included in the ticket price. Hawaii needs to show to the World how Residents are charged the Fee, they too bare Responsibility for the situation. The Funds should be controlled by a Trustee! Not Govt.
A $50 fee is subtle, affordable, doable. Like most fees that are begun, to avoid too much criticism and anger it starts out “reasonable.” Given a little time, and thought, it increases and never stops. To guarantee payment it may be included in the airline ticket. Maybe just the hidden increases will. It Never Ends and often leads to other Fee’s that benefit something until it doesn’t. It’s not only Hawaii, many places do this. It’s very difficult to turn down money. As you know by now I am against fees for Good Reasons.
Putting Restrictions on Tourist Entrance Numbers, excluding who you feel isn’t worthy, sounds wonderful to the ears of some. How should potential Tourists send their Bank Statements, is PDF okay? Will Health Records be Required? I’m guessing that background checks will be needed, Credit History too! It’s a Slippery Slope that some are proposing, watch for the Avalanches of back lesh coming your way, the loss of Tourism just as You wish.
Hi Ed D, Residents of Hawaii should be holding Everyone in State and Local Government Accountable. With the amount of money going into the Coffers there should be enough to attack the concerns and needs of many, especially when looking at the Accumulative Amounts over the decades. Where has it All gone?
Ernie S., that is what the locals should be asking their Representatives. If you don’t ask, they won’t tell!
As if we don’t spend enough of our hard earned money already on flights,vehicle & condo rental, we get somehow screwed again. We already drop big bucks for vacation by frequenting your stores, restaurants and business’. Now your going to try and jab the visitor again? Remember for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. That is human nature! Discarded garbage,damage to restrooms and signage. It’ll happen.Get rid of the drug addicts and park Mayors on the beaches 1st.
Quit trying to blame all the tourists for your problems. There’s an old clich’,, don’t kill the goose that laid the Golden egg!
Thanks,
Hi Rich R, Hawaii is such a Beautiful State. Tourism is an Evil that a “few” want regulated into oblivion. Don’t allow it to happen. We are always going to be the “fatted” calf wherever we go to vacation, it’s just many destinations know how to manage money, keep people happy and keep everything clean. They want and appreciate what Hawaiians don’t. Maybe things will change before the true suffering begins, I Pray 🙏
That is Your choice Rich R,when of want of a vacation. This is my home and I am witnessing it getting trampled and disregarded. Good to put a price on it IMHO.
I completely agree that to preserve the culture & Beauty of the Hawaiian Islands we need to have strict visitor policies, Hawaii is not an amusement park.. please be respectful of our precious Islands , culture & most of all Hawaiian People. I have been visiting the Islands more than 35 years and would like to continue to do so.
Be respectful, polite and clean. No smoking or littering . Enjoy its natural beauty and awesome people..
If it’s a state park with amenities like bathrooms & grills & picnic tables, by all means charge a day use fee for all people – tourists & locals. Make passes available. Set a day limit such as 100 cars per day. When the limit is reached don’t let any one else in. This requires personnel, life guards, maintenance crew. Is that what Kauai wants? I doubt it.
Completely agree… charge locals and tourists, like anywhere else. The problem is that many locals act entitled and would never agree to paying a fee, so it falls on the “rich tourists” that supposedly trash their beaches, disrespect the locals, and treat the islands like Disney 🙄.
They want all the benefits of tourism, without the tourists. How does the saying go… you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
The local people people pay real property taxes that are only going up and up so yeah, we are entitled to utilize the parks, State and County.
Just another program to make our government bigger. Big Pharma, big tech, big government. They wanna control it all.
Hi Sylvia S! You’re absolutely correct about the State Park Picnic potential. If there’s grills, tables and bathrooms it’s worth a small rental fee for the day. When maximum capacity is achieved they stop others. Taking up to half as “Reservable” is a good idea. It is a Steady source of Income to use for improvements and expenses if managed properly. There’s a Circulating Myth that Hawaii doesn’t need Tourism. If it were to be reduced or disappear so would most businesses in Hospitality, Fast Food, and many others. That is a Simple Fact that would Bankrupt many people. Fee’s and Other Costs are already making people decide to go to other destinations, hopefully being replaced by others. Hawaii is Beautiful, let’s keep it that way!
This is getting ridiculous, first charging a daily resort fee on accommodation and now more fees. One can select different venues in other countries instead without being taking to the cleaners. We have come for more then 30years to Kauai, but now considering selling our fractional ownership, the freedom to enjoy nature at its fullest is gone and it is becoming a tourist trap, or only for the wealthy. Sorry, Kauai we are done……, good bye forever, but until recently no regrets.
Most states have annual and day use fees for state parks. Hawaii could do that. But it’s another tax in addition to the 18% occupancy tax and the gas tax and the resort fees and the rental car tax and will just send tourists somewhere else. If airlines were charged an additional tax that was rolled into the flight tax then that would work. People hike off the trails because of the hundreds of YouTube videos of showing them doing it. People swim in Queens Bath for the same reason. Pay someone to comment on those videos that the activity is illegal and violaters will be prosecuted and then randomly enforce. It seems like Kauai wants to raise the money but doesn’t trust anyone to collect or enforce.
We typically pay roughly $5 to park at many beaches and parks here in FL..atleast on the Gulf Coast where I am at.
The major difference being that in FL that money actually goes to keeping the beaches and parks clean.. the facilities ( restrooms) are very clean, the garbage receptacles are tidy and organized.
Compare that to most beaches and parks in Hawaii… downright disgusting public restrooms, overflowing, rusty trash receptacles, and over all really run down facilities.
Both States have amazing beaches. But in all honesty Hawaii is in need of serious updating and renovating of its facilities. Does anyone truly believe fees are going to go towards those? I certainly don’t. Unfortunatley the Hawaii giv’t is incredibly corrupt.
No more signs please. Most people ignore them and consider them for other people. Street signs that point to historic Koloa and historic this and that are all over the world and meaningless. Every place has a history!Let the place make the image. We don’t need signs to describe Kauai…eyeballs work! This is not a discount destination…pay or go to Oahu or Miami. We no longer need a bureau to market Kauai. No flyers at the airport or the resorts…no “so called concierges who just moved here from everywhere and haven’t a clue. Make it expensive to get here…stay here…play here… and eat here! The buy one get one free pretenders will move on and Kauai will sell itself at a proper profit margin and a visitor we might like to host…Mahalo
Hi Mark, I enjoyed your comparisons to Amusement Parks and the Ticket Books! One thing that the State of Hawaii, and its Counties, may have Conveniently Forgotten about is that there’s Free Access and Usage of all of the Beaches, it’s even The Law! There are plenty of ways to Raise Money, We constantly experience that, and it should be apparent that the Money is going Somewhere, But Where? The States AG and the Auditor General should be looking into, not away from, this problem. Where Are They? The People Deserve Answers!
Ernie,
You are absolutely spot on. Investigate where all the money is going that is generated from existing taxes.
After decades of trips to Hawaii, our family ended that with a last visit to Kauai in 2002. Our reason was that I was arrested and thrown into jail in Lihue for ‘reckless driving’. I had passed a car stopped along the right side of Lawai Road at Keiki Cove Beach. The occupants had stopped in the right lane to talk with locals walking a child.
They took umbrage, and started to follow me on my rear bumper. I then stopped to let them pass, after which they jumped out of their car and began trying to get into my car. Locals. I then did a U-turn, and fled towards Poipu. My wife called 911 for assistance. The police said to meet them at the Poipu fire station. We did. After holding us, they arrested me. The police are criminals.
We pay a lot of fees for the rental car, the hotel, not to mention the taxes. Now we have to pay for a shuttle and permit to hike the kalalua trail.