Longtime Hawaii Visitors Bid Farewell: The Why Behind Their Leaving

Something truly surprised us when we wrote about Hawaii’s downturn this holiday season, even having authored Beat of Hawaii for nearly two decades. That is the unprecedented number of regular and long-time commenters (some who have been leaving comments for more than a decade), and others, reported that they either have pulled the plug on Hawaii for good or are thinking of doing so.

They’ll explain in their own words exactly what’s going on. We found ourselves fascinated and saddened at the same time as to where we arrived. How do you feel after reading these?

Ian: After 14 years of going to Kauai (spent 2.5 months on my last visit), I am now going to Costa Rica for $125/night.

Martha: I’ve tried to reserve in Ko Olina in Honolulu but prices are ridiculous.

Doug: We have flights booked for February to Maui. Rates for hotels and resorts are insane. The Courtyard by Marriott Kahului Airport hotel was over $800 a night after taxes/fees. I’m waiting for deals on short term rentals In Waikiki… Worst case scenario is we cancel the entire thing as the flights are fully refundable.

Jenn: As a Floridian who loves Hawaii and would visit again, all I see everywhere are comments from the governor and residents about not wanting tourism and complaining that tourists are ruining Hawaii. Couple this with the extremely high prices on travel and it makes for an unpleasant prospect. We are choosing to travel within the continental US and next year, to Japan. I hope Hawaii is more hospitable to tourists in the future.

Andrew: The Aloha spirit got nasty and we voted with our feet. You told us to go away and we did. We discovered much cheaper and better places and we will never return to Hawaii to be extorted again with astronomical hotel and food prices. So suck it up and stop complaining. You shot yourselves in the foot and now you are whining. Stop it, you brought it upon yourselves.

Jack: Arizona has amazing winter weather, especially the basin. Full sun every day with temps in the 70s, good restaurants, and, importantly — affordable weekly and monthly rentals everywhere… Hawaii has excellent winter weather too, but, the commenters here have identified the problems.

Jeffrey: Canadians are not going to travel to Hawaii when they are told they are not welcome. We are going to California and Mexico instead, where the locals are happy to have our business.

Sandi:  Agree with you on rates, as even with the lower tourism, the rates do not adjust and just get higher. I am so losing my Aloha that was inborn from age 14… (Governor) Green’s comments are hurting all once again… Some West Maui hotels have canceled holiday reservations to continue to be able to house fire victims… People are increasingly afraid of booking Maui, worried that the government will take their rental away from them… I don’t want to go to a resort on Kaanapali and see sign-waving, and marches. It just costs too much to spend a so-called Aloha trip and be unsure. And finally, negative social media posts.

Casey: Had a big family trip planned prior to Covid, once Hawaii made it clear we weren’t welcome, we’ve been vacationing happily elsewhere. We fly from the NW down to Florida now instead and have had several great trips.

RMoeller: After visiting 2-3 times a year for 15+ years, it’s been made very clear we’re not welcome. Last visit to Kauai 2019 and BI 2021. Been to the Caribbean 3 times in the past year. Found our new place.

Melissa: I have been traveling to HI annually since 1998. Covid & the fire made me understand how dramatically under prepared the state of Hawaii is for any type of emergency. Honestly, I don’t feel safe going there… I have stayed away for 2 years… I can’t be the only long-term Hawaii traveler that feels that way.

Curtis: We canceled our March vacation in Maui and are going to Spring Training in Scottsdale, AZ. We can watch baseball… and soak up some sun at a reasonably priced resort. They also have some beautiful hiking trails. Hawaii doesn’t seem to realize that there are a lot of other options out there.

Randy: I canceled nights on Maui for more time on Oahu and, given the continuing drama on Maui, am glad I did. One week on Kauai and then another on the BI before heading home, all at short-term rentals, as hotel pricing is absurd. If prices don’t decline significantly in the future, this will likely be my last visit to Hawaii. It’s a big world.

DJ: Opting for Tahiti instead. (Hawaii) Hotel prices are more than double what they were not that long ago. We love the islands, but not enough to spend $12,000 for a week. The anti-tourist sentiment combined with the hotelier’s strategy of less reservations at higher prices are essentially the last nails in the coffin for us. The Caribbean, Mexico, and French Polynesia are better options.

Deborah: Just got back from a beautiful cruise to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Curacao, and Aruba. Not going to spend my money on Maui ever again. Tourists know when they are not welcome. We went there for many years, and now we will be giving our money to other countries and places that appreciate us.

Jay: Hawaii has priced itself out of the tourist market. With expensive flights, hotels, resort fees, food, beverages, parking, and other garbage fees. Much cheaper to go elsewhere with all-inclusive food and drinks.

John: $650 per night plus tax at the Sheraton Waikiki, no thanks!

Clint: I used to go twice a year, but after our trip in May (where it was over $1,000 a night), we are choosing other destinations like Costa Rica, Belize, and even the Bahamas.

Are these people on point, or are they missing something? We’d love to hear comments and also from those of you still making Hawaii their top choice, like the following reader:

Yes, the messaging has been awful. All of Maui is aflame, the Big Island is one giant volcanic eruption, we love you, we hate you, everybody come, everybody stay away, list goes on. Forget the tourist agency, hire someone to get out a consistent message.In spite of all this, I’ll be there in May.

Johannes, BOH commenter.