The most ever long-time readers just left comments about why they aren’t returning to Hawaii. Let officials take note, as this is unprecedented.
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371 thoughts on “Longtime Hawaii Visitors Bid Farewell: The Why Behind Their Leaving”
I have lived and vacationed in Hawaii since 1976
The state and local governments are the problem. Regulations Corrupt politicians Crime crime crime is Rampant. And you hate mainland people. South Florida is cheaper and the appreciate us spending $35000 on a vacation for a 3 month stay. Same weather sand. And. Sun. Sorry you all need to elect better people to run your unions, cities and state.
Was just in Maui for a week.
Noticed a victim mentality has spread throughout Maui.
Happy to have our money on the island…”leave the green was a slogan we heard” It appears many service industry workers are unhappy and don’t really care if tourists are visiting or not. Up country a bit friendlier…
The attitude of the governor, police chief along with FEMA have destroyed my desire to return to Maui.
The native Hawaiians deserve respect and received none.
The Dew used in Lahaina to being scorched earth for a 15 minute city performed it’s evil in front of the whole world. Left me such sadness I’ll never return. God Bless The Indigenous Hawaiians and their Aloha Spirit. They are the kindest, sweetest people on earth. Their most sacred space was destroyed. Their a’ina desecrated.
My family and I happened to get a rental abnb right before the Maui incident and were able to get better rates than what we see now. But I’d agree with most Commenters that prices now are outrageous. When we visited Maui, we had a little combination of both, some that didn’t care for us visiting but surprisingly most were welcoming and wanted more visitors to shop their mom & pop shops. So we did. Either way, I can say we enjoyed our trip. We felt welcomed. Then again, it was our 1st time visiting. We’d go again if they’d drop their hotel prices.
The locals and native population don’t like us main landers.love our money but not friendships.Us Howloe’s have been judged many years ago So I will never go back and spend my time and money with joyous and appreciative people,not judged.My two cents
The islands of Hawaii are my home, my mom was born in Puna(BI), raised in Kalihi, Oahu. She graduated from Farrington, joined the Air Force, met my dad in TX, also AF.
They married 6 wks later. Dad was no fool,Mom was the epitome of a strikingly beautiful Hawaiian woman, turning heads everywhere we went. 5 kids later we lived in a small, block home in Kailua, while Dad served in Vietnam.When I visit HI I am home. I don’t stay with extended family,I stay in a hotel or Airbnb, never near Waikiki. I know where to eat, My visits are reasonable$$. Dad’s last station was Luke AFB, AZ. I still live in AZ & the rich have arrived.Raising our once reasonable real estate market. Hawaiians were priced out of their own Paradise.Leave AZ alone plz
We have been visiting for the last 8 years ( except during covid ). The place we stay advertised prices like 2016 and to my surprise they were the same prices we paid in 2023 per night. We have decided to visit somewhere else in 2024 as it’s just not worth the money. Last trip we didn’t really enjoy.
Hawaii also needs our dollars! Yes, hotel prices are high, but I am usually able to find deals on a popular rental app. I won’t stop visiting, as my grandchildren live on Big Island, but thats not the only reason. I have traveled there multiple times beforehand, and will continue to do so. Aside from visiting the 4 main islands, I also travel to other places in the world, but my heart remains in Hawaii. Be there in 2 weeks!!
Lived in hawaii for over 30 years and finally retired – left hawaii and my kids to move to mainland, I paid over 2000.00 for apt – tourism isn’t the only thing suffering, because of the cost of living and bad over the top governor- people who helped to grow and live aloha are leaving for other lower cost of living areas.
I’m a repeat traveler to Oahu. I love it so much. We know so many Hawaiin locals and could never stay away from their true Aloha. We do some touring, but generally visit them. We go looking for them, eat with them sit with them, tell stories, listen to their stories. This is true Aloha. I’ll pay the hotel price to visit them. They’re the one’s who are truly impacted by all of you selfish tourists. Yes, go somewhere else and take advantage of the locals wherever you go. I’ll always return and visit other destinations to visit Indigenous locals. They’re the ones to see no matter where you go in the world. You get to see the real beauty. They know all of the beauty of their land. Much Aloha.
Lenora
I have made over 30 visits to Hawai’i in the past 25 years, most recently to Hawai’i Island in October 2023. I didn’t encounter any more negativity this year than I have on past trips. Folks that deal with tourists are tired and overworked and they’ve dealt with a lot during the pandemic and the destruction on Maui. The increased hotel prices are ridiculous (I didn’t face that). On the other hand, for those of us who love Hawai’i I feel that it’s our responsibility to bring a little Aloha to a place that we’ve absorbed it from for so many years. But those for whom it’s all about receiving I suppose they’ll enjoy being treated like royalty in the poor countries they mention.
Comments are on point. We lived in Hawaii for 13 years between 1989-2017, the place has regressed exponentially. Overbuilding the housing market, cost of everything, and complete loss of any Aloha spirit. Too many better options.
I moved to Hawaii in 1974 and again in 1988
I have lived here in California since 1994 and I miss Hawaii every day. I miss the wonderful people and the great. Chicken Katsu. I want to return with my new 3 dogs and find a place to live in Hawaii
The People are Lovely. Hawaii is Magic and the historic Tourism Authority is a Blessing to Hawai
With ALOHA to you All with every
Beat of my HEART
The message is clear. We’re overwhelmed with tourist. Especially sense American tourist act like they’re vacation is more important than the lives of people that live here. Just read the comments above. Hawaii is nothing like it was 20 years ago. Tourist should go somewhere else for their sake and ours.
I want to add, in a respectful way, that Hawaiians are not the cause of rising costs associated with tourism. In fact, many locals are being pushed out of their beautiful homeland by outrageous cost of living expenses. While tourism supports the islands, many tourists are irresponsible and destructive. The islands, and the locals, deserve to be protected. I’d like to see postings from individuals who love the islands enough to demand change to support Hawaii, Hawaiians, and tourists who take actions that demonstrate their dedication to sustaining the beauty of the Hawaiian islands.
Rising costs are happening everywhere, and people realize Hawaiians are not causing this on the islands.
And don’t blame just tourists… there is plenty of blame to go around on both sides. I have been at Poipu beach and heard lifeguards have to warn locals about approaching turtles, backpacked and camped out at Kalalau beach more than once and saw locals that had a summer camp setup to bring visitors in by boat and the local Hawaiian campers area was full of trash, try walking by Whalers general store at Poipu shopping village in the woods and you will see an unbelievable amount of trash (not visitors). I also know that visitors don’t abandon couches, destroyed cars/parts, other trash by the road or in fields (Maui 2019).
I would also like to mention that I have met some very welcoming locals that truly appreciate visitors and have expressed this to me as recently as this past August (these were not people that worked in the resort or tourism industry, I believe they realized the negative sentiment from some and were making an effort to show that not all locals shared the same negative viewpoint.), I believe some locals do truly appreciate/respect tourists and realize the challenges that face both visitors and locals. I am also not going to defend myself as a respectful or mindful visitor, judge people for who they are and how they treat you.
Additionally, I think the amount of money people donated and volunteers that helped in Maui demonstrates how much people care about the islands. People that have helped don’t expect to be recognized for this, however when the Maui Mayor Bissen, Gov Green, the Chief of Police and vocal locals complain about visitors on TV and in the news, and on forums, it is a slap in the face to the people that care enough to help on vacation and/or donate money to help. Remember, these are the people that Green considers to be “low value” visitors, and that some locals are insulting and tearing down.
Other places in the US experience disasters and do not receive the outpouring of help in many forms that Hawaii has received, this is aloha.
David: This is so true. What a slap in the face to have the Green say they want a higher income visitor from San Francisco and parts of Los Angeles. Where is that even coming from? Hopefully those higher income people donated to Red Cross, Jose Andreas’ World Kitchen and gave $$ directly to the workers at the Time Share where we stayed in October. If he is going to dictate where people come from, I suppose he should start with the airlines, and ask them to not have direct flights from San Diego, Los Angeles, etc.
I’ve been coming to islands for 50 years, most of the time I go to Kona. However, high hotel prices, parking 12.00 an hr and rental cars going for 215 a day has made me realize it’s to expensive. It seems HI is doing everything it can to drive away the common man. I’m sad and will be looking at alternate destinations now.
Hawaii doubled its tourist carrying copasity years back. That’s how many tourist can be in a location without significantly undermining local residence. They definitely messed up because life here has been different ever since. On top of just to many people, tourist don’t seem to realize that locals aren’t on vacation and have places to be like work. Isn’t it just common courtesy to pull over when you’re sight seeing and have 30 cars lined up behind you because your doing half the speed limit? To the people saying there’s other places to visit and acting like we’ve shot ourselves in the foot, we know. We’ve been hoping you’d realize that. Hopefully more people do.
35+ trips to the Hawaiian Islands and I have Never seen a backup of 30 vehicles behind somebody that is “sightseeing”!
Bought the discounted airfare, then stunned by hotel prices. Buyer beware!
Sorry for the way you all feel.
I love seeing tourist enjoy our islands. Shame on our people who don’t share the Aloha anymore.
What saddens me is all of the reasons you all mention for not coming here is what is chasing our native children away.
Our Hawaiian people are moving to big America.
Maybe the government of Hawaii should look at how they are selling the land and forcing prices up.
It is hard for even us Kanaka to live here.
There are many good, beautiful, Hawaiian people who welcome you here.
Aloha from someone who still shares her love for all people.
My wife and I used to visit Maui at least once per year, sometimes more. Since covid and the fires, the message is clear to stay away. The prices are insane now. We have the financial means to visit Hawaii. However, we have decided to never travel to Hawaii again. Instead we will vacation where we feel welcome. Its sad to see the residents and government so short sited.
Just returned from Maui. Driving by Lahaina is a sobering visual, stark in fact. Didn’t have to be as bad as it was.
Many of the clerks in the stores and restaurants in the Lahaina area were left homeless but at no time did we feel unwanted – the folks there were as friendly as ever.
Prices in Hawaii were always high and are now way higher. It’s not a place for the budget conscious – never has been. Where else can one go and watch whales from the lanai – 80 degrees all year? “Disneylandesque” in a way. The cost of a family day at Disney = trip to Hawaii.
Suck it up and send the Salvation Army some $ to help the “little people” on Maui. They work hard and didn’t deserve the outcome they got for trusting the wrong officials.
Actually, lunch was $172 for 2 people on kauai. I just got my credit card bill. That’s crazy.
What I love about the Big Island is that it feels like going back to the 70s or 80s. This, at times, frustrates some of my modern expectations. As I pondered this, I realized that what I love about the steady pulse of life on the Island of Hawaii, would be ruined if it were changed to satisfy too many contemporary appetites. So respectfully I let Hawaii be Hawaii and I enjoy, marvel at its wonder!
In the aftermath of the Maui fires, the attitudes towards tourists was foolish, so extremely shortsighted and arrogant. Be careful what you wish for!
Tourists do not understand how expensive and complicated the issues are. Housing is scare for locals due in part to short term rentals. Groceries and gas are at a premium for residents. Locals are being priced out of their homeland in favor of wealthy entrepreneurs. The jobs are primarily tourism. So you expect the aloha spirit from people who are one paycheck away from living on the beach? Get over your privileged selves. Hawaii’s real challenge is the lack of job diversity. Hawaii is also one of many places globally that suffer from over tourism. Simply put the eggs are all in one basket and the younger generation does not live to serve your vacation plans.
Job diversity is a problem, how do you propose to fix it?
Visitors don’t think Hawaiians are there to serve them. However, if someone works in the tourism industry, that can be part of the job whether they are serving tourists or locals. You would expect the same on a Vegas vacation when eating out.
Hi, I live on kauai 52 years now. I think our prices are absolutely ridiculous! I went to lunch with my mom, had a couple drinks, lunch was $150. I won’t vacation on other islands because they want over $2000 for a weekend. I fly to mainland or Ireland. Portugal is cheaper than getting a room on kauai. It’s crazy, the hotels charge $10k a week. I agree with the tourists. Curacoa and Costa Rica are beautiful.
After reading the comments I see my own reservations are not alone..
Have traveled to HI every year with my wife for 2-3 weeks since 2008. Was stationed at Kaneohe in the late 80’s, and love the place.
But watching the anti tourist sentiment grow has led me to conclude that our 2024 trip will be our last for awhile since we will explore other destinations closer to home(carib). Hi is just too expensive to travel, only to be faced with resentment of too many..and I say this from the perspective of someone who’s always been a respectful and responsible traveler to HI. The Aloha spirit toward travelers is in a long decline. E Como Mai is little more than just words now IMO.
So sad that Hawaiians are not welcoming tourism… we went to Kauai in 08 and the locals were awesome as we were too… we’re booked for Maui in May and now I’m worried….
I have a timeshare in Maui that has maintenance fees that hzve gone up around $100 a year, last year it was $2,650, which was fine. I just my invoice for 2024 andbit isbover $3,700! I paid $32,000 to buybit and even though i love Hawaii, i am looking into.options. i agree with sll statements above!!!!
What ugly, vindictive speakers. Their words were intended to hurt Hawaii. Instead? They exposed their low character. They want to see gratitude for their money spent on Hawaii, eh? What does that look like: big smiles, heads bowed, scurrying and scraping to serve the paying visitors? Again: the speakers read like a miserable, petty, unattractive lot. As a long-term visitor myself? Good riddance.
You just made our point. Aloha! 🌈🌊
I see the same suddenly-high lodging prices in other places too.
But agree that Hawaii seems to be the only expensive place hating on tourists so much. Get the messaging together.
Visiting high priced resorts yes expensive.
I will not go to one.
However on flip side residential prices are affordable across Hawaii if looking. I found 20 homes on big island between $200,000 & $500,000 and 61 options between $500,001 & $1,000,000 multiple options if buying. No resort needed.
I retire 2027 buying my second home in Hawaii. Plus a land parcel for other projects. Hawaii will have my help.
Those homes are likely inunsurable, in a lava zone, in the middle of nowhere. How do you think buying a “second home” in Hawai’i is in any way helping us? Arguably it’s precisely the problem.
Just visited Kauai and Oahu. The Hawaiians we interacted with were very welcoming. Perhaps because we treated them and their land with utmost respect.
We have reservations for March for our grandson and his wife on Maui. We have a timeshare there. There are so many mixed messages, coming from Maui….it used to be a fun and relaxing but now I am rethinking future trips.
One Party Bad Governance (see NY, Pa., Ill., Mich., Minn., Wa., Ore., Ca., NM), Ige, Green and Mayor’s, giving Room Tax to General Fund, giving Tourism to Academia @UH, Pandemic Lockdowns exacerbated by Democrat Federal Handouts, a growing anti-Tourist militantcy, a separation from Reality that Tourism and Military are 98% of Hawaii’s Revenue Base. Lahaina, mysteriously nobody’s home, Governor, Fire Director out of State, Kaleo Manuel, no Water, HE, no Electric, Excuses and finger pointing by Green & Co, just like Ige and the Nuclear Attack Warning in 2018 in Waikiki!
After 30 years of vacationing on the big island with my kids and later my just my wife we are not coming back. The anti Caucasian racism, gets worse every year. We are budget travelers, have traveled the island by bicycle and often camped at the lovely parks. When we were with out kids it was easy. On our last visit, on a bicycle camping trip, my wife was shoved and called a racial epithet. This got me pushing back. Not a good look for a 70 year old. We are done. We are done with Hawaii. We will take our bicycles and money somewhere else. It is a big world. Tom G
We’ve owned homes in Kaanapali on Maui and Princeville on Kauai. Sold the Maui one already and getting ready to sell our Kauai home now. Hawaii is not what it used to be and the reality is there are a Lot of amazing places on the planet. We have found many amazing alternatives and are now spending our time accordingly.
J,
I am interested in other places too. What have you found that you would recommend?
Jack
was on the BI 2019 just before covid struck, it was nice but I was really turned off by the States ridiculous over reaction to the covid, the reaction to a telescope being put on a “sacred” mountain top and last but not least is the reality that some of the Locals are just plain racists and spend a lot of time hating. Additionally…12 hours on a flight from the east coast is just too much when coupled with a high priced unwelcoming environment.
I lived in the North Shore 71-72. I honeymooned in Waikiki in 83 and with my second wife on Maui in 2005. I am glad I did all that as I cannot afford to go there again. For the price of one hotel night I can take a 7 day cruise from Miami, New Orleans, Mobile, or Galveston and be fed every day. I can be in Galveston in 8 hours by car. For the most part the Caribbean is happy to have you and Hawaii is chasing people away.
You tourist gotta understand you dealing with people that had their Land and country stolen from them. The theives that took their lovely home is where you are coming from. To be clear, I’m talking about the u.s..
this, is good. If the state of Hawaii goes bankrupt cause no tourist, maybe the u.s. will give everything back to the rightful owners, The Hawaiian Kingdom. Nobody wants to tend to people from a criminal country. How would you like it if russia took your land and then visited the u.s. and expecting you to show them some hospitality. Hawaiian Kingdom might not have weapons of mass destruction but they do have a heart which was broken when you stole or took their home for your safety.
In case you don’t know, Hawaii is part of the USA. Every state in the union has suffer disasters and most do not tell others who to help to stay away. We on the mainland have suffered all kinds of disasters and do not respond the way you have.
So which island are you fancying your private economy over? Without US military and US tourist, Hawaii would either be impoverished or truly conquered. Careful what you wish for.
Unfortunately locals don’t understand that Hawaii was too strategic to not be taken over by a larger nation. The choice was Russia, Japan, China, USA and or European powers. There was no way to defend Hawaii without US military power.
USA was the best of those choices at the time. Hawaii would be a very poor island nation if still ruled by the kingdom.
I grew up in Maui and very aware of the situation. Sure, the US could’ve done better at the time to help the Hawaiian people transition to a modern economy. Hawaii has more than benefitted from being a state.
Hi boys, thanks for the honest reporting. My heart goes out to all those affected by the fire, which is virtually every resident in Maui. Tourism pays for almost everything, sadly there’s no more sugar, pineapples or fishing.
For years we’ve stayed at least 3 weeks a year in Maui or Kauai, but the condos, rental cars, the cost of living has almost doubled. It costs the same to spend 3 weeks on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. I owned a business for 45 years and when it was slow, I lowered prices, not raised them. Business and the local government need to reevaluate the message they’re sending.
Sadly we must say Aloha to Hawaii for now.
To all tourists;
Be kind,
Be respectful,
Live Aloha
We do have pineapples and other agricultural markets in the state of Hawaii. This is incredibly misinformation you are spreading. Tourism is a huge proponent to the market, it’s not the Only industry in Hawaii.