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”
My wife have visited HI every year (at least once), only missing the Covid year between 1999 and 2023.
Contrary to the comments regards why folks are leaving, or not returning, we emphatically disagree. Our last visit was in December of 2023 and found the Aloha spirit alive and well, with the native Hawaiians profoundly grateful to have us back.
Yes the prices were higher – but where are they not? We have already made our reservations for October of this year for our return to Kauai (our favorite).
Aloha and Mahalo
Michael and Barbara
Oahu needed to get control of short-term rentals — limit the number, do regular inspections, respond to complaints. Instead, they banned them, which only creates more problems for everyone. I don’t want a hotel. I want a few weeks of local Hawaii. A little creativity, a little leadership, would be welcome here.
We have visited Hawaii annually since 2006. The room rates have doubled. The younger hotel staff are extremely rude and obviously anti tourist. My wife wishes to visit other places or Europe again. I can not disagree with her opinion. Hawaii needs to understand there are other places to vacation.
I don’t believe you are being truthful. I have Never found any rudeness on any island. Period. No employees are anti-tourist. Their jobs are tourism.
We feel like we’re reaping the benefits of having purchased timeshare in Maui 20+ years ago. Yes, our maintenance fees have increased, but nowhere near the increase in hotel/resort rates. From what others are saying, it seems like we will see much higher prices at restaurants, and car rental rates are crazy. But when commenters say they’ll be going to New Zealand or Australia instead – that’s huge travel time and cost from anywhere in the U.S. And the Caribbean? There’s just no comparison to Hawaii. We’ve been to all these places — there’s nothing like Hawaii, and particularly Maui and Kauai. Maybe we will go less often due to higher costs? But we will definitely keep going to Hawaii!
We just visited north Kaanapali and Napili for 2 weeks. I have been visiting since the seventies. Yes, its expensive on all levels: hotel(we stay in condos), car, food and activities. We split the cost between our family members and that helps. But we are taking a break for a year to save up to go. I am not going to replace our family vacations with Mexico or the Caribbean. It’s just Not the same. I’ve been to those places and it just made me long for Hawaii! I want to be in the middle of the Pacific and hear the crackling of shrimp and the low sounds of Humpback song. The scent of flowers on the trade winds and a slack key in the distance is a perfect vacation evening. Yes, expensive. But worth it to us.
Aloha All,
Please understand that homelessness is actually a symptom of a larger problem. There are a great many examples that I might provide but I defer to Noam Chomsky as a far more eloquent voice to provide background on what you are observing. I would only add that homeless people only become a problem when they are seen by their more privileged fellow citizens. For reference, when homeless veterans became a problem that was too embarrassing we directed enough funds to solve it. The fastest growing population of homeless people now is single women who are between the ages of 25 and 35 and heads of households. Generally they are the victims of domestic abuse. When Regan closed the psychiatric institutions where did they go?
These comments pretty much say it all. My only other issue is the request to be “mindful”. I always do my best to respect any location we visit, however we travel to get away and relax not to immerse in local culture. If that is a requirement for travel to Hawaii, I’m out.
I have gone to Hawaii, mostly Maui for more than 20 years. We bought Marriott & Westin timeshares, which people rent for various prices on Redweek. In a timeshare one can cook meals. However, I have always found the Hawaiian people warm & welcoming.
Don’t believe the hype.
Hi Rob+Jeff. I am commenting on your post today (Feb 20). You both are putting Maui on hold for now due to the high prices. And how less people are searching online for Hawaii travel. I still check on Kauai rentals and my spot went from $275 a day to $420. And the reviews for it are that it needs an update and better cleaning. The view is the best thing about the condo. Nice for you both that you both already live there. Any updates on the closed Foodland in Kapaa? I usually stay at my girlfriends home while there, but the increase in visitors has affected her. I noticed this on my last visit. Now I am not planning a trip there like I usually do which is twice a year. Cannot afford the high prices of places that are of mediocre ratings.
Hi Debra.
We’ve heard nothing about the vacant space that was Foodland Kapaa. Thank you for more than 150 comments!
Aloha.
The price to visit Hawaii has increased since our first trip in 2017. The only reason we are able to go so many times is because of our eligibility to stay at Hale Koa. The prices for lodging there have increased over the years. This trip we are paying $185/ night with no taxes or resort fees. Car rental prices have increased. We have found one for $760 (16 days).
We spent a week in Oahu and a week in Poipu last fall. We have always enjoyed shopping at Ala Moana Mall and the stores on Kalakaua. But for the first time in 30 years, we encountered clerks in 2 of our favorite little name brand stores that didn’t practice what we practice at our own small store, creating an atmosphere that makes your customer want to return. And while staying at the Hyatt on Kauai, it just worth spending over $1000.00 a night for a room, and $100 pp for buffet breakfast when we’d been paying a fraction of that per day for the last 30 years that we’d vacationed there. We were hoping Hawaii would be like it use to be, but it’s not, and sadly, not worth going back to.
Was this a surprise that the rate was over a $1000 a night? $100 per person for a buffet? I would have gone to McDonald’s before paying that.
For me, if I found out the rate was that much, I would have taken my business elsewhere and let the Hyatt know why.
As long as people pay the high rates, the rates will never go down.
We echo the comments. Let me add the spectacle of the homeless in their tents all over Oahu…2 years ago we saw less of this but now it’s far more disturbing. We’re done with the hyper inflated costs and seeing the misery which we can do little to help alleviate except send donations to local churches who seem to be the only ones doing anything to help.
Aloha Hawaii…it’s time to let Hawaii become an independent nation as the outsiders are bent on destroying it.
It’s been that way for 40 years, the homeless originally were just under the bridges on the Nimitz before getting to Sand Island, they’d work there way to Ala Moana, the Cab’s always used the H-1 so no one would see this. Since the millennia, Kuhio will always have homeless walking ‘open sores’, near the Foodland behind the Princess Kaiulani. I would wager, there is less foot traffic because of crime after 9PM.
We’ve been going to Hawaii nearly every year for the past 20 years. Since we have a timeshare the cost of accommodations hasn’t hit us as hard as it has those staying at the hotels, so perhaps our view of the cost of a Hawaii vacation is a bit different. I will say this. That over the last 20 years the cost has gone up, and so have the shear number of tourists. Frankly, a lot of the folks who complained the loudest about “lack of Aloha” are the ones I see that don’t have that Aloha spirit themselves.
We have been going to Hawaii every three years for the last 18 years. We visited last February. We got on the plane to come home and it was the first time we weren’t already planning our trip to come back. Some of the restaurants were three times the cost as they were before the pandemic. I love Hawaii but the Caribbean is a lot closer to South Carolina and cheaper. It makes me sad.
We’ve been to Hawaii 37 times since 1978, and love the islands. We’ve watched as prices have crept up and up. Our last trip in December was perhaps our last trip over there. Prices stopped creeping and have jumped up to a ridiculous level. We used to own a condo there at the Bill Fisher (Big Island). In the ten years we owned it the fees tripled. Much of that was for taxes. We were lucky enough to sell the condo for the same price which we bought it for. Our last trip was one of high prices for a condo, rental car & $20/hr parking. Upscale prices for very average restaurants. There are other nice places to vacation, like Cook Islands, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia etc. where prices are still reasonable. Sorry Hawaii.
As a California resident Hawaii was always our go to vacation destination for the past 25 years. We have been to all the islands, but finally settled on going to the BI most of the time. We averaged 2-3 times a year with our 3 kids, family members, friends, and now our grandkids. My granddaughter who is 16 always brags she has been to Hawaii 13 times. Our last visit to the BI was in May 2023 with friends. And unfortunately, it was our Last visit. We recently fell in love with Costa Rica, beautiful beaches, reasonable priced hotels (even the 4 and 5 star resorts) warm water, and most of all…….very welcoming people. Since we are beach people, we are going to explore some of the less crowded Caribbean islands sad.
Will be going to Hawaii this summer because my 60+ year old sister has been saving to go there since she was very young so we are going this one time. Future trips we will go to the French Polynesians, New Zealand instead where the beaches are more beautiful and people are friendly. With the same cost of Hawaii we could visit Italy, Greece and Austria in the same vacation.
Living Aloha continues. Try to bring something to every home to which you are invited, we are all guests. Embrace the world with respect and civility. Honor the kupuna. Nurture the keikis. Care for the land. Find joy in small acts of kindness. Be grateful for the gift of being alive on these islands. We are here for such a brief instant. Blessings on us all, every one. Love is the heart of Aloha, and Aloha is love manifest.
We’ve been going to Hawaii for years. Typically, we spend 7 days on Oahu and 10 on Maui but our last trip was in 2022. Have no intention of returning other than a R/T cruise to Hawaii. Won’t have to spend any money on hotels as the ship is the hotel and food costs on the islands will be minimal. The voices heard from Hawaii residents have been heard loud and clear and they’re saying “stay away.”
Agreed – my wife and I have been spending 4-8 weeks in Maui, BI and Kauai yearly for the last 20 years. It’s gotten so bad politically that the culture, excess fees and expenses simply ruin the experience. We are people of means, culturally sensitive and conservationists. Our trip last year is our last. We decided that Italy now has more “Aloha”, cultural and environmental beauty (and great food) so we are taking the $30,000 monthly expenses we pay in Hawaii and enjoy Italy for less than 1/2 the costs.
That is a smart move, Dana D. There is no sense in throwing good money after bad. Enjoy Italy!
I feel I should observe as a frequent visitor (2 to 4 trips every year since 19940) from United Kingdom, I enjoyed another great Holidays on Kaua’i and have no intention of not returning. However I do think that Governor Green is not helping Hawai’i attract visitors. As an ER MD he shone out as a voice of sanity during Covid but his suggestions on helping the Hawaiian economy and attract the visitors who enjoy Hawai’i he has been far less convincing.
Venice, Italy is also conceding that while there will be tourism, the priority must be on those who call the city home: aol.com/venice-limit-tourist-groups-ban-132253415.html
There’s no such thing as the “Aloha Spirit”. We’ve been going to Hawaii since 1964, when you could plop down on Waikiki Beach and not be in the middle of a crowd. Locals weren’t friendly, only in restaurants and hotels or Matson Line greeters. It was all a facade. Locals used to mean those with Hawaiian blood. What’s a “local” now? Some kid from Wisconsin who arrived 4 years ago to surf and didn’t leave. They think they own the place. It used to be inexpensive to stay in Hawaii or for the locals to live there. That was before the rich and famous started buying up properties and driving up prices. Not unusual for desirable locals.
I love Italy but never got to go to Venice, a must do it at least once and dont mind paying the extra few bucks. I do understand the problem with overcrowded rude tourists though and cannot blame them. also Venice won’t be recognizable nor a wanted tourist spot with all the graffiti that is now covering the once great city so heavy tourist traffic wont be there much longer.
My hope for Aloha Hawaii is to utilize my reserve funds to buy several parcels of raw land adjacent of each other then split into 1 acre parcels each after putting in access roads with devoted space for outdoor activities, parks, restaurants with incredible views where property will not be developed further. Using only my reserve funds so no other investments are required by others. Then upon splitting into 1 acre parcels place 1 home individually designed upon each parcel of unique concept devoted to the location for optimal views.
Placing each home counter toward typical expectations. I want the experience to enable all after me to enjoy my concept years after. Devoted to Aloha.
Aloha,
With respect.
Please consider that many prices are established by corporations and individuals who are not local. Furthermore, local people are being taken advantage of by the same entities every day, all year. Being a Hawai’i resident often means two parents each working multiple jobs and living with relatives in modest circumstances.
The critical comments are legitimate, but are describing symptoms rather than the disease. If you are coming here to vacation then you have disposable income that far exceeds many residents. Has the value of your house appreciated over the last decade? Is your portfolio reasonably robust? What kind of education did you or your children have?
Thank you for the thoughtful and well written post.
I think most would agree with what you stated and understand the issues with corporations and local government creating this dynamic and high prices.
What is frustrating for me and many visitors who are outside observers, is that we see this dynamic playing out in Hawaii and other vacation destinations. It seems as though many Hawaiian locals don’t share the balanced perspective that you presented and instead place blame on the visitors.
The majority of visitors love the islands and the locals, I hope Hawaiians can find a way to hold the corporations and local government accountable and shift frustrations to them instead of directing blame and anger to visitors.
So true, there is no easy answer. I was born and raised in Hawaii but left like so many others to make a better living outside of Hawaii. High prices make visiting distasteful even for me when I go home to visit family. However, lowering all costs would only exasperate the already over crowding as then more visitors will come. There is only so much the island can handle. I am saddened by what has happened to my beautiful homeland, but the tipping point has happened and there is no going back. If everyone made the choice that I did, only the ultra elite would inhabit Hawaii. Many families share housing. Visitors need to show aloha to kama’aina, aloha goes both ways.
Sorry for you but we live in Oregon. Housing prices here are less but not much. My wife has a 4 yr degree and I have a 2 yr. We got married, stayed married, had 5 kids, bought land and eventually built a house, but right during 9-11. My job fell apart so we moved and downsized and I went back to college for another 2 yr degree at age 45. At 50 we went to Hawaii for the 1st time. We helped all 5 kids through college. They have married and bought houses though the house price to wage as doubled but they will get by.
Move, go to college, pay less and earn more. Aloha
All of life’s necessities, education, housing, food and gas, have all gone up dramatically, leaving those of us who have enjoyed a few vacations on Hawaii now less able to do so as these other items take priority. We have been limiting ourselves to vacationing closer to home and have seen many others doing the same.
I understand what you are saying. Here is my sister’s and my situation. Both seniors, don’t have the higher education/job but that doesn’t stop us. Sister who is trying to work is living on disability at $700 a month all because of an impaired driver. Sister has saved up all her life to go to Hawaii, literally. I make just a little more than minimum wage=18 an hour, no portfolio, pensions etc. And since we are Native Americans we understand the treatment of the Natives better than most and that’s why we spend our monies at the local native businesses as much as we can.
Pahoa area new homes start around $385,000 for a 3 bedroom home on .25 acre not seen one with HOA fees yet.
Consider a three person purchase. Vacation home or permanent home purchase would allow visits to home or live full time. Some rent out homes during summer months which pays mortgage rest of year.
Japanese families looking to vacation in Hawaii found resorts to be cost prohibiting. At $6,000 a week on average instead buy a house and mortgage lot less. Must serve selves and make own food but live in Hawaii. Down size. Smaller place less expensive than resorts. Resorts raise prices. Go where you can afford and buy. Florida has homes for $200,000 or buy in Hawaii less than $400,000 options exist.
Yes I agree with the previous posts. Hotel rates have skyrocketed in the past few years. Not to mention no beach chairs and umbrellas on the beach. And if you want a cabana $50.00 U.S. a day! Now they have raised the tourist tax as well.
The Hawaiians as far as I’m concerned can have the islands all to themselves as they wished for. Aloha!
$50/day for cabana, I was paying $600/day in Kauai. I need to find out where you are staying.
I agree though, everything is overpriced and you are having to deal with other fees, being charged for beach access, etc. I think locals think all visitors are wealthy and can afford additional fees for whatever they deem necessary. Even if that was the case, people view this as an insult, this has crossed a line where it goes beyond the monetary considerations and is more about the principle and ethics of what is happening.
I have followed these comments since the main article was posted. I have not experienced any rudeness or lack of Aloha from any of the residents of Maui, Kauai or Hawaii. Rather the rudeness is from entitled tourists in Waikiki but i expect that from the overcrowding in what is “The Manhattan of the Pacific”. Many of the comments seem to blame the rich just for being rich and I don’t think that is justified. What i grieve is that Maui to me has always been a place of much spiritual and emotional rejuevenation for me. All my friends see it when I returm. I am lower middle class but I have always been able to go once a year. This is now foreclosed to me by the sheer gouging greed that takes place at all levels in Maui.
I am 100% on board with the reasons so many are leaving and stating they are not coming back. Economy and prices are through the roof… The native Hawaiians are leaving because they can no longer afford to live there (we’ve interviewed several in person over dinner) OR the native Hawaiians are feeling used and abused and no longer desire to share the “Aloha” spirit. We feel the resentment in a number of ways and frankly we sort of understand it. We’ve been coming for 4-8 weeks each year and now we’ve decided the islands have been ruined. We’re switching to Italy for 4- 8 weeks each year now. I do not see us coming back.
There’s definitely other islands to explore in the Pacific at a more reasonable price and better service compared to the Hawaiian Islands. As a Pacific Ocean bum (from the Islands of Palau, Fiji, Micronesia, French Polynesia, up to the Catalina Islands in California), recommend going to the Cook Islands and discover what Hawaii might have been like 50 years ago in terms of hospitality and value. Safe travels and a Happy New Year to all!!
Aloha boh,
Yes, I agree with and do relate to most if not all the published comments. It’s a very sad situation.
My wife and I have been going to Hawaii bi~annually since 2007. We just looked at prices for our wedding anniversary trip and boy has it gotten expensive. We have decided to look elsewhere as we don’t feel as welcome as we have in the past. We cannot justify the expense when the bang for the buck has left Hawaii.
I should add to my post on Dec 26, that I have been going to Hawaii since 1973 and my wife since 1980, just not together until we met in 2006. My mother and father first went in the 1940’s before Pearl Harbor’s attack. Our family loves the islands and we have all embraced the Hawaiian culture and respect for the islands as it was taught to us by locals on my very first visit. It is a shame that things have changed so much, and visitors don’t share the respect for the islands. Due to the costs, I may not return to the islands before I die, but I still have the spirit of the islands in my heart.
It’s cruel what our government has done to us here. Most of our friends work three jobs and feel blessed to have them. We own a vacation rental in Kihei. When tourists don’t come, the cleaners don’t get paid, the restaurants can’t stay open, the whale watching boats can’t stay
afloat(sorry couldn’t help that one)There is a domino effect. Many places raised their prices to try and recoup what they lost in the last 4 months since the fire. We need your help. Don’t abandon Maui. If you have always loved her then don’t stop coming now in her time of
need!
My sister and I may not be able to afford going to Maui or any other island, wont stop this fellow Native American from helping Natives there and elsewhere as best I can-every little bit helps. We all share turtle island so you are not forgotten.
My wife and I have been to all of the islands. We like Maui the best. We recently looked to book a stay on maui. The hotel prices were staggering. The car rental situation there was even worst. The cheapest room there were in excess of $400.00 a night. Food, and beverage prices there are through the roof. We’ve essentially been priced out of the market to go there. This coupled with being unwelcome, I’ll spend my vacation dollars else where.
Sadly, we have little control over what (primarily mainland) companies charge for hotels and rental cars.
“Mainland Companies” are the face of mostly Foreign Ownership in Hawaii, where Japan oversee’s 40% of the Commercial Property, in Honolulu alone from the Halekalani, to it’s sister The Parc, The Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Princess Kaiulani, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton Waikiki, to the Kaimana Beach, Lotus Hotel, Aqua and Park Shore, before getting to Blackstone’s recent purchase of Hilton. The Kahala, was Japanese owned, not sure any longer. Of course, ABC Stores and 7-Eleven as well as Waikiki Steakhouse Hy’s. On the Hotel side, the reduced amenities formally offered, is the result of Ownership, not Management.
Our Ka’anapali timeshare fees went up 15% for 2024 over 2022, thanks to the Maui County government greed and incompetence. We have loved it until now. We’re seriously considering selling next year if there are any buyers by then.
Options are up to each.
I plan on Pee Pekoe region for initial land acquisition for my primary residence.
Investment into farmers markets. Farms in lava zones cheapest. 1 acre typically costs $12,000 in lava zones do not plan on building anything. Grow food if has water supply.
Goodness! How to unpack this very complicated issue in a comment paragraph?! I’ll try my best. First, I’m a haole from the continental US who lived in Hawai’i(BI and O’ahu) and graduated from UH. I have family in the islands. What I think is happening is coming from 2 main causes. 1. It is true that airlines, resort owners, and tour operators have always tried to make a “killing” in Hawai’i and it has now almost reached the level of extortion. 2. There is a dynamic tension between visitors and locals due to colonialism and continued socio-economic oppression of local people, especially Native Hawaiians, that many visitors are not aware of or misinformed about. This can cause a lot of misunderstanding and unintentional offense.
Aloha!
I’m saddened to read the above comments, tho all have merit. Before I moved here 22 yrs ago, my husband and I did at least two trips/yr from SoCal. I have watched all the hotel and restaurant prices go sky high. I couldn’t afford to stay at the Kaua’i Sheraton Grand anymore. The locals have many of the same problems re rents, the restaurants and grocery stores. The messaging has also been very confusing and unhelpful. That said, the hotel rates in San Diego, NY and DC are also astronomically high as are airfares as a result of inflation. I hope that will change as most locals I know still have aloha and do want the visitors. Thanks to Rob and Jeff for all their info. Mele Kalikimaka!!
Some residents of Hawaii will greet you and treat you with Aloha, others won’t. Some tourists will behave with Aloha while guests of Hawaii, some won’t. I can see all sides of the issue as I was a transplant from the mainland and spent 5 amazing years living the Aloha on Oahu. Unfortunately as is so often the case in life, it only takes a few people to ruin it for everybody. I hope a balance can someday be found that creates a sustainable positive solution that is a win/win for both the residents of Hawaii and visiting guests of Hawaii.
Rude people are everywhere. Hawaii doesn’t have a corner on the market. Rude people expect everyone to speak English and have all the luxury of home. Rude people get treated rudely, nice people usually get treated with kindness.
The fact many of the quotes here are mainlanders who own multiple vacation rentals on our islands, is precisely the problem. People are tired of others, who do not live here, exploiting the island for financial gain, contributing to an absolutely dire housing crisis. And no, it’s not like Texas.
My brother and I have been traveling every year to Honolulu since 2005. But as years past we noticed hotel taxes being added, resort fees (cash grab) being added to your nightly stays and in general costing more to eat and get around. We use to joke about local politicians not being aware that there were other places in this world just as beautiful as Hawaii people can travel to, I guess they’ll now find out the hard way.
Tom
Locals don’t own the hotels or short term rentals. Rich mainlanders and corporations do. Locals don’t control food or gas prices. Rich mainlanders and corporations do. Tens of thousands of locals were displaced due to the horrific fire and there is a housing crisis because of it. They also don’t control this. Acting angry towards the locals shows how entitled we Americans are. Show a shred of compassion and a little bit of patience as people try to piece their lives back together. Do a little research about the history of corporate exploitation in Hawaii especially in the tourism industry. And direct a little bit of your petty anger towards those that are actually causing these deep rooted problems.
This is completely incorrect, though. Almost half of short-term rentals in Hawaii are owned by full-time residents of Hawaii.
There are people who will greet you with Aloha and people who are rude wherever you go. Take it with a grain of salt. Merry Christmas to all.
I Love Maui but we to will be taking 1 more trip to Maui, and then taking along break from there. Until the new Lahania is done. 😢😢