99 thoughts on “Kauai Tourism Plan Will Include New Fees And Enforcement”
Jon M
I ran out of space on previous message. So, we are native Hawaiians that return every year for 4 to 6 weeks.. We don’t do the tourist thing but do enjoy taking our day trips to our favorite places that have memories for us. We take a drive up to the Waimea Canyon and stop for papayas at the farm on the way home. We like to drive out to Polihale once or twice. We make these trips as time and weather allow. There is no way to buy a permit months in advance. It’s a spontaneous trip for us and these restrictions are hurtful.
I don’t know where to begin! There are more than on kind of visitor to Hawaii. There are the “typical tourists”. They come to Hawaii for an average of 7 to 10 days, and sometimes visit two Islands in that time. There are the returning residents coming to visit friends and relatives. Personally, I was born and raised in Hawaii. My mother boarded at Kam School for Girls in 1941 for High School. Both my parents worked for Dole.
My wife and I return to Kauai for 4 to 6 weeks every year. We have enjoyed all of the sites you mention. We make it a point to do a day trip to the North Shore when weather looks good. We have fond memories of Anini Beach and visit at least once. I was much nicer before you put a sign on the Highway so every on could
Wait… You realty need to think about how you classify people, and then address your concerns. For example…
Locals – Full Time residents living year round
Locals – Part Time residents living 6 months or less
Visitors – Friends, Relatives, Vacationers who own properties or rent. They are almost always repeat visitors and they come to relax and are not tourists.
Tourist – This group stays at hotels, arrives on cruise ships, it’s most often their first visit and they want to do tourist things.
That being defined, you must address each group differently. Charging a local to go to a park or beach? seriously?
We reside in Florida and to visit the beaches and Parks, everyone pays. Locals can purchase an annual pass, while tourists can purchase passes for the days they want to go to them.
But we all pay. Locals in Hawaii should not be treated any different.
Please do an article on why on the big island do they still have Captain Cook town instead of Kaawaloa. And why has Kaawaloa Village not been rebuilt when it has way my significance to building cultural pride in the native Hawaiian people yet Spencer park in the middle of the desert around no local residents gets an amazing makeover.
Here we go again!
Yes, limiting people flow to Kauai’s beautiful natural attractions. Instead of the current more-or-less free-for-all access situation, monitored access such as the practice at most California State Parks. However that takes park rangers to monitor park entrances which-in turn would in most case require re-design of park entries to control vehicle traffic and route vehicles thru a control point. All of which involves significant up-front capital expenses. In addition to fee based entry, a good marketing tool should include an flat rate annual pass. Good Luck! Jim E
I would happily pay a fee when visiting, knowing that it would be going toward maintaining and preserving these beautiful islands. I think it would be less confusing/frustrating/impactful for visitors. Hoping that they’re able to find a solid solution.
Hi Satomi I, the “Sense” that I have gotten is quite simply “But Will It” when it comes to using the Fee Monies Collected. With the amount of tax money and parking fees generated by Tourism the questions arise about where all of that goes. We have visited 1 park and the Natural Beauty and the maintaining of the land was noteworthy. Hawaii’s Natural Beauty is Awesome, keeping it that way is Imperative. Still, where does all of the money go? Demand an Investigation, maybe nothing is wrong.
To your point, Governor Ige took all the County Revenue and rolled it into the States General Fund, forcing the Counties to come up with an add-collect %, this the same guy who had his hand out for Federal $, as the States Unemployment Compensation went $500,000,000 upside down, when he killed the Service and Retail jobs. I wonder how the Locals would feel about Las Vegas, and only Hawaiians originating in Hawaii pay $100/Head as they get off the plane at McCarran?
I have said in the past that the taxes charged in Hawaii are quite high an where does that money go? Locals complain the their infrastructure is sorely lacking. Why? A good question to ask their Reps and Governor.
I do find it interesting that in other articles, locals describe not wanting to treat the island like a theme park, but the marketing folks want to charge for the privilege of the beaches, just like going on rides! Maybe they should issue ticket books, like Disneyland used to do (just kidding). I am a long time visitor of the islands, and I am willing to pay an entrance fee to parks and such, but the beaches should be open and fre to both the public and locals. Remember, increased tourism brings additional revenue in taxes. Use that money to maintain the beaches, hire additional resources to police the problem areas, and let the public enjoy their vacation without having to pay additional for every destination.
Exactly… it seems like some locals love to say that visitors treat Hawaii like Disney, when in reality it is the exact opposite, the local government is turning Hawaii into Disney with fees for everything (not to mention trying to implement a visitor fee just to visit).
Their plans to charge for access to everything they can, and from what it sounds like, they are trying to find a way to restrict access to Hanalei and the north shore at Hanalei bridge, what a joke. I would be interested in knowing how many generational Hawaiians live from the Hanalei bridge to the north shore, I bet it is mostly transplants.
We are middle class Midwesterners. We were gifted “trip money” in 1999. First visit ever to travel agent, who said “Kauai”. My grown kids still reminisce.
We agree to fees, “malama aina”, kindness.
Let’s preserve Kauai!
I ran out of space on previous message. So, we are native Hawaiians that return every year for 4 to 6 weeks.. We don’t do the tourist thing but do enjoy taking our day trips to our favorite places that have memories for us. We take a drive up to the Waimea Canyon and stop for papayas at the farm on the way home. We like to drive out to Polihale once or twice. We make these trips as time and weather allow. There is no way to buy a permit months in advance. It’s a spontaneous trip for us and these restrictions are hurtful.
Aloha
I don’t know where to begin! There are more than on kind of visitor to Hawaii. There are the “typical tourists”. They come to Hawaii for an average of 7 to 10 days, and sometimes visit two Islands in that time. There are the returning residents coming to visit friends and relatives. Personally, I was born and raised in Hawaii. My mother boarded at Kam School for Girls in 1941 for High School. Both my parents worked for Dole.
My wife and I return to Kauai for 4 to 6 weeks every year. We have enjoyed all of the sites you mention. We make it a point to do a day trip to the North Shore when weather looks good. We have fond memories of Anini Beach and visit at least once. I was much nicer before you put a sign on the Highway so every on could
Wow, are you sure’we’re welcome? Doesn’t sound like it
Wait… You realty need to think about how you classify people, and then address your concerns. For example…
Locals – Full Time residents living year round
Locals – Part Time residents living 6 months or less
Visitors – Friends, Relatives, Vacationers who own properties or rent. They are almost always repeat visitors and they come to relax and are not tourists.
Tourist – This group stays at hotels, arrives on cruise ships, it’s most often their first visit and they want to do tourist things.
That being defined, you must address each group differently. Charging a local to go to a park or beach? seriously?
We reside in Florida and to visit the beaches and Parks, everyone pays. Locals can purchase an annual pass, while tourists can purchase passes for the days they want to go to them.
But we all pay. Locals in Hawaii should not be treated any different.
Please do an article on why on the big island do they still have Captain Cook town instead of Kaawaloa. And why has Kaawaloa Village not been rebuilt when it has way my significance to building cultural pride in the native Hawaiian people yet Spencer park in the middle of the desert around no local residents gets an amazing makeover.
Here we go again!
Yes, limiting people flow to Kauai’s beautiful natural attractions. Instead of the current more-or-less free-for-all access situation, monitored access such as the practice at most California State Parks. However that takes park rangers to monitor park entrances which-in turn would in most case require re-design of park entries to control vehicle traffic and route vehicles thru a control point. All of which involves significant up-front capital expenses. In addition to fee based entry, a good marketing tool should include an flat rate annual pass. Good Luck! Jim E
I would happily pay a fee when visiting, knowing that it would be going toward maintaining and preserving these beautiful islands. I think it would be less confusing/frustrating/impactful for visitors. Hoping that they’re able to find a solid solution.
Hi Satomi I, the “Sense” that I have gotten is quite simply “But Will It” when it comes to using the Fee Monies Collected. With the amount of tax money and parking fees generated by Tourism the questions arise about where all of that goes. We have visited 1 park and the Natural Beauty and the maintaining of the land was noteworthy. Hawaii’s Natural Beauty is Awesome, keeping it that way is Imperative. Still, where does all of the money go? Demand an Investigation, maybe nothing is wrong.
To your point, Governor Ige took all the County Revenue and rolled it into the States General Fund, forcing the Counties to come up with an add-collect %, this the same guy who had his hand out for Federal $, as the States Unemployment Compensation went $500,000,000 upside down, when he killed the Service and Retail jobs. I wonder how the Locals would feel about Las Vegas, and only Hawaiians originating in Hawaii pay $100/Head as they get off the plane at McCarran?
I have said in the past that the taxes charged in Hawaii are quite high an where does that money go? Locals complain the their infrastructure is sorely lacking. Why? A good question to ask their Reps and Governor.
I do find it interesting that in other articles, locals describe not wanting to treat the island like a theme park, but the marketing folks want to charge for the privilege of the beaches, just like going on rides! Maybe they should issue ticket books, like Disneyland used to do (just kidding). I am a long time visitor of the islands, and I am willing to pay an entrance fee to parks and such, but the beaches should be open and fre to both the public and locals. Remember, increased tourism brings additional revenue in taxes. Use that money to maintain the beaches, hire additional resources to police the problem areas, and let the public enjoy their vacation without having to pay additional for every destination.
Exactly… it seems like some locals love to say that visitors treat Hawaii like Disney, when in reality it is the exact opposite, the local government is turning Hawaii into Disney with fees for everything (not to mention trying to implement a visitor fee just to visit).
Their plans to charge for access to everything they can, and from what it sounds like, they are trying to find a way to restrict access to Hanalei and the north shore at Hanalei bridge, what a joke. I would be interested in knowing how many generational Hawaiians live from the Hanalei bridge to the north shore, I bet it is mostly transplants.
Wailua falls needs a bigger parking lot and an exit or start half hour parking. Something needs to be done 20 yrs ago.
We are middle class Midwesterners. We were gifted “trip money” in 1999. First visit ever to travel agent, who said “Kauai”. My grown kids still reminisce.
We agree to fees, “malama aina”, kindness.
Let’s preserve Kauai!