The message to upcoming Maui visitors is out, and it might just backfire.
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229 thoughts on “Maui Arrival Requirements Revealed for Visitors In 2024”
The message to upcoming Maui visitors is out, and it might just backfire.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
The HTA should spend some of their lucre on making a deal with Aretha Franklin’s estate to use R-E-S-P-E-C-T as part of their marketing ads. Maybe also make a deal with Rodney Dangerfield’s estate to use his image in the adds. No Respect I tell ya!
Just the mention of HTA’s request for compassionate and respectful aloha, especially when visiting Maui, generated a flood of “i will never visit Hawaii again” comments, suggesting other places to vacation.
For those deciding that Hawaii is no longer on their vacation radar, that’s exactly what HTA had in mind. Will it reduce visitor counts? Probably. Yet those who understand the request and choose to visit are the visitors with much aloha and their aloha will be returned.
FYI. Though tourism accounts for a good chunk of tax revenue, it still accounts for only 25% of total GDP.
When gross generalizations are being lobbed from both sides.
“Locals are rude”
“Tourists are disrepectful”
It’s very difficult to cut through to the real issues.
Yes. Maui was buckling under the strain of unsustainable growth in tourism, both before the pandemic and in the post-pandemic surge.
Following the aftermath of the fire, there has been understandable fear and genuine concern for the livelihoods from those who lost homes, their livelihoods, or both. Sadly, both local and state government has been wildly inconsistent in their responses, and media has only amplified the loudest voices, which may not be representative of the majority.
Maui needs a long-term sustainable tourism plan. This is not it.
Unfortunately the Tourism board is listening to use a few loudly complaining idiots who don’t understand that Maui is very dependent on tourism. These people have no clue they will have no jobs even if they don’t directly work in the tourism industry. As a long term resident I’ve found that ignorant person are the loudest in complaining about tourists.
High prices by hotels and restaurants will drive the tourists away since they can go to plenty of other tropical destinations.
“Requirements?!?”
Really?!?
And Green say, if not enough STR owners “step up to the plate,” he’s gonna Make them do XYZ.
Seems like the Governor and the HTA aren’t clear on how this whole USA thing works. Yes Lahaina was and is an absolute Tragedy that continues to devastating… but any solutions Can include strong suggestions… but Not requirements.
As soon as you see yourself swerving toward authoritarianism, you have to Stop, and come up with something else!!
Authoritarianism isn’t how we do things in the USA. Sorry to disappoint you.
This is an island. More than 3,000 dwellings no longer exist. Generational families living in the same household is common in Hawaii, exacerbating the fire-created homeless problem . People have been living in hotel rooms for months, and some have been relocated to a dusty tiny home community in Olowalu still under construction. There Is no other available housing.
Is it authoritarian to plead with mostly absent landlords to open their homes to long term rental when they will receive state compensation, relief on property taxes in addition to $5-10 thousand (depending on size) from the renter?
I would ask you if it were your son or daughter in that situation, would you support the Governor’s strategy?
Is it authoritarian to plead with owners? Absolutely not. Is it authoritarian to Take a condo that rents for $1000/night and compensate the owner $5000/month? Absolutely.
No. As a father I would give my child advice and resources (if I had them), and pray. Would I tell them to wait and hope the government (any government) will solve the problem? Sorry, not going to happen.
I do remember immediately after the fire that locals were screaming all over social media asking burned out Lahaina property owners to not short sell their properties to outside interests, yet you’re asking STR owners to do just that short their rental income.
As I’ve said many times it isn’t STR owners responsibility to house burned out Lahaina citizens.
I find it interesting that only one poster actually read and responded to my question. That poster mentioned advice and resources (if he had any) would be the answer to his children’s homelessness.
The rest relied on Libertarian ideals about a market disrupted by the elimination overnight of more than 3,000 homes. Re-read what thousands of homeless are experiencing each day through no fault of their own, look a bit deeper inside one’s heart, and then brush off those facts once again with philosophical ideals that do nothing to help heal.
I would re-state: What would you say if it was your child that was homeless?
JamesB:
How old is this “child”? You mean an actual child (as in under 18) or an adult son/daughter? I would not advise my adult kids (I have some of those) that they have some right to confiscate someone else’s home so that they can live where they want to live and not have to move to someplace else. And I would help them financially (because I can). And I would advise them to get as fat of a settlement as possible out of the consortium that is lining up to pay Maui fire victims.
Since there was no “reply” icon below the respondent’s (DavidB) post, I am responding to his rather insensitive rejoinder. Does it matter to you whether the child is 18 or above, a grandchild, or an adopted one? Of the 10,000 or so displaced by the fire, there were a considerable number of children now without a home.
The Governor is proposing tax breaks, a stipend in addition to proposing a $5,000/month level for a one bedroom and $10,000 for a three bedroom. Does that sound like “confiscating”?
Finally, your idea of litigation will lead Maui to three results — lawyers taking a third of payouts, Hawaiian Electric into bankruptcy, and the takeover agent raising kw hour rates that are already the highest in the nation.
I’m the one who read your post and responded. Yet you read my response and obviously missed my point. You’re making the emotional argument that, if it’s my child that experienced the loss, there is no other solution other than relying on the government to fix this problem. My point is that, as a property owner in Hawaii for 11 years, I can honestly say I wouldn’t tell my child to do that.
I can’t imagine how anyone could more directly answer your question than I did. Given that answer, I did not think it was necessary to continue to the hypothetical about if it was my child because the authoritarian nature does not change based on who the taking is for.
But, you do sort of back your way into the crux of the problem. I think it is wrong for the government to take short-term rentals for a pittance, but if my child was there and the government was doing so, I would tell that child to be first in line to try to get an oceanfront unit in the Alii condos and stay as long as the government will pay the rent.
You are failing miserably to see the distinction between “pleading” and *requiring*!
Your inability to see that distinction is a little scary to those of us who Can see the difference clearly.
No one has a problem with the government pleading, or even very strongly suggesting. It’s when the government starts *requiring* AKA using force, That’s when authoritarianism needs to be halted Before it’s even attempted.
Gov green and this Maui lecture tourist will get upon arrival .will be a big plus for tourism For the state of Florida and the Dominican Republic Hawaiian airlines was driven to near bankruptcy by qr codes quarantine s rules now lectures Hawaiian s are all in with Josh
Yes. Only people who practice reverence for the land should be allowed here. I’m so tired of the tourists dumping their garbage, old appliances, and burned out cars by the side of the road.
Yes, we tourists bring appliances and burned out cars to dump on Maui. Give me a break. Maybe Keith should look into this a bit further and start helping to clean up that mess left by tourists.
LOL… exactly, I know that I try to have at least a yearly trip from the mainland to dump old car parts and appliances.
I find it is much more economical than disposing of them locally, and surprisingly the airlines have been ok with me checking an old refrigerator and engine block for this purpose.
All joking aside… I am glad you pointed this out, I noticed the exact same thing in 2019 when I visited Maui. I really don’t understand locals criticizing visitors for not respecting the land, when you see what you described, it is clearly not visitors doing this.
My wife and I always bring our old appliances and burned out cars with us when we visit the islands so we can dump them.
Do a lot of tourists have appliances and cars to dump along the road?
Sarcasm anyone?
Who does the final review of HTA messages or press releases before going public? If Maui were a public corporation that brought in billions of dollars annually, press releases as I would call this, would be reveiewed thoroughly at multiple levels of the company, and in some cases existing customers would have been given the message ahead of time by the sales team. Were tourist “customers” involved in writing this? By customers I mean the major travel platforms like VRBO or Airbnb.
They should make a list of annoying things tourists do and publish it. I have no idea what they are asking.
If you find yourself offended by being asked to be respectful, you’re likely Not the type of visitors Maui needs right now. My family and I spent to 2 weeks there in Oct and were treated with nothing but aloha. Respect shouldn’t have to be requested, it’s common decency.
Who made you god of proper respect?
Janal… the government is not Asking … they’re Telling . THAT’S the difference. One is understandable. The other is insane.
I will never set foot in Hawaii again. It is expensive and the locals are rude. It is them who should change their behavior. They are demanding more and more taxpayer money and feel entitled to it as they push away their only industry, tourism. People who go to Hawaii are foolish. There are thousands of places to go to that are just as beautiful, requires a passport, and the people are so much nicer. I am not sure why they feel they are somehow any different than any other part of the nation that experiences terrible natural disasters.
The damage could have been better minimized of the water was released to the areas that were burning without putting equity first.
Give the locals what they demand. Stay away.
I am not sure what you are talking about the locals being rude and entitled. I was on Oahu and Kauai in late August and early September. Everyone my wife and I dealt with were very kind and welcoming. The sad part though was all the homeless that I had not seen in the past.
This is really a good summary of what it’s like for a tourist. Some locals are using the Lahaina tragedy to push their futile agenda to try to have mainlanders not welcome. I have news for them.. Hawaii is one of the states of the USA. We can travel and live in and state and buy property wherever we want. Also if tourists stop coming.. they will be begging for them to come back after it’s too late. Visit Thailand once and you will never come to Hawaii again. I say this as a resident of Maui. I’m disgusted with these people.
In view of the “new” aloha attitude in Maui I think we will no longer visit there. I hope that the Hawaiians thrive on poi and fish with some pineapples for variety
Bob W
Your comment proves this policy’s effectiveness. We have given you aloha for years yet you can’t give us respect? And you’re mad and resentful because we asked?
I think part of the problem is that no one really understands what specifically Hawaiians are experiencing that would constitute locals not being treated with respect.
There are always going to be isolated incidents on both sides where people aren’t treated with respect, is this the norm though? Are you able to define what the majority of visitors are doing that is not respectful?
Just another reason to go to Mexico and the Caribbean. Every time these state-sponsored groups make a new edict, they are running off more of their target base. When you continue to make veiled accusations at your target group, don’t be surprised when they finally just leave.
We go to Maui every year. Maui is considered our 2nd home. Since the Lahaina fire, we decided not to visit due to the respect of the people, but at the same time we wanted to help. So, we bought from the island from where we live on the mainland. We will find another place to visit as we feel we are no longer welcome.
Maui is way overrated and overpriced as a destination. If you “just want to visit a nice beach” – which is what people tell me when they say they plan to go to Maui – Mexico or the Caribbean for the bill at half the price.
I love visiting the islands and used to come once a year but we stopped going to Maui a decade ago.
Risk going to Mexico and get killed by a drug cartell.
No thanks!
We are looking forward to celebrate our 30th anniversary on Maui in March. Are concerned that our condo rental will be cancelled. It’s really hard to not know after making plane reservations and such. We just want to enjoy the peace and beauty of our favorite place on earth….
After many years (15) of travelling to Maui for vacation, I’m giving the island a pass this year – I cancelled plans Before the devastating fires. The increasingly aggressive mixed messaging and inflationary costs have me looking for a different choice for warm winter breezes. The infighting between factions is disheartening and I think the people of Maui need time to determine for themselves what they want for their island in terms of economic growth.
Perhaps in 3-5 years the warring will have subsided and the messaging to Canadians can be less abusive. I have always respected the island and its people, but it feels now that the respect doesn’t go both ways.
So if they want to start telling their visitors how to feel and act, I hope the island receives no more visitors and their hard earned money. Good luck to them once that dries up.
We leave for our annual 65 day stay in Maui on January 3rd and are definitely concerned about being welcomed back. There seems to be a lot a negativity being projected on the articles we have read about tourists not being welcomed back. I guess we will see what happens. This may be our last trip to Maui as there seems to be more welcoming places available.
Unfortunately, only the loudest voices are being amplified, and that’s not a particularly helpful thing. Most visitors will be welcomed with the same smiles you’ve always enjoyed.
Common-sense, respectful behavior means that your aloha will be met with aloha.
Let’s not slant journalism and let’s help Maui residents and those who hold jobs in tourism. Your comments about HTA and HVCB are incorrect. HTA CEO was due to retire from his position, and he did so on his own terms. The State Legislation has come to terms with tourism as our State of Hawai`i has lost billions due to the wildfire in Maui. It is a recovery program to create tourism and generate goodwill. Let the professionals do their job; they want to create work for the residents of Maui. Over 1,000 residents have had to leave due to the skyrocketing rental market. Reach out and help Maui return to some normalcy. Tourism is good for families, too. Tourism is part of your legacy, so practice good Aloha, and we can work together.
Just ridiculous messaging and more needless confusion from the state and local officials in Hawaii. No matter whether you want to admit it or not, Hawaii depends on tourism for its economic survival. Without it, let’s be honest, it will become the “Mississippi” of the Pacific. Caribbean and Latin American destinations are much more affordable for mainland travelers than Hawaii. Things have changed over the past several decades. Wake up Hawaii, especially politicians, you can over-price your paradise and people Will Definitely Go Elsewhere!!!
I’m curious, why are you so worried about what happens to Hawaii if we ditch tourism? You don’t live here, so why do you care? If we become the “Mississippi of the Pacific”, as you put it, that has nothing to do with you. Go to the Caribbean and Latin America. We’re too crowded anyway out here. Have a great trip!
RP,
I am worried about Hawaii because I am 75 years old and have been visiting Hawaii every year since 1965, and have had a timeshare in Princeville since hurricane Iniki!
I want Hawaii to continue to prosper for everyone, especially the residents who live there year round. The current circumstances are discouraging for that to happen. Just returned from Kauai and the people there are concerned that these negative attitudes will cause economic hardship for their families. I share their concerns.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts & concerns, Daryl H. I share them too. Sadly, though, going all in with tourism as a one-trick pony simply doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked for years. Everyone knew that a wreck was coming ahead, including the local government, but did nothing substantial to steer Hawaii down a different path & diversify. The tourism money was & still is low-hanging fruit. It’s just too easy & tempting to pass up. This is short-lived. The evidence is in. If a change doesn’t occur soon, the bad tourism sentiment you mentioned will only get worse. To my point, if an animal’s leg is caught in a trap, it would rather chew it off, than die there. Many of the local people of Hawaii feel that way about tourism.
Mahalo RP,
I Agree with you completely on the need for diversification of Hawaii’s economy!
When I made my first trip to Hawaii, 58 years ago, sugar cane, pineapple, and the military ranked 1, 2, 3, in the state’s economy. Tourism was 4th! Those were the good old days, but they are long gone. I also agree with you about the local and state government, and would say that you’re much more diplomatic in your description of that part of the problem than I would be. One party rule and nepotism is a Big problem that needs to be addressed by the voters. I must say that my experience on Kauai seems to indicate a more resilient and creative response to disasters, but it’s also a smaller size and population.
Aloha!
Thank you Daryl. I live and work here. These people are killing the economy here. None of this is practical or helpful.
I know it’s a bitter pill, Mitch. But the way things have been going in Hawaii for so long is unsustainable. There needs to be a balance and a reset. It seems like the only way that can happen is to keep raising prices for tourists, so that fewer and fewer people can flood our tiny, restricted home. Hawaii is and always has been More than a vacation destination and a money-grab.
There needs to be a balance, or tourism needs to be sacrificed if there can be no balance. The life and longevity of these islands is more important than your tourism job. You can always find another job, and somewhere else if needed. We can’t and won’t always have a Hawaii.
I have come to Maui at least ten times over the last 20 years. Though I have never lived there, I have always felt like I was home when I stepped off the airplane. This year we were looking forward to our longest stay yet – 3 weeks. However the mixed messaging we have received after the fires has left me stressed.
Frankly, we probably would have cancelled this year since we didn’t want to displace any locals from housing but our rental agent assured us this was not happening and practically begged us to come, saying they needed to get back to some sense of normalcy. But if the message we get while there is that we’re not wanted, we will respect that and will sadly, we’ll plan our future vacations elsewhere.
I love Maui. I have been there many times. I am devastated with the fire. I spent much time on Front Street. I’m going there again in Spring. But I am getting a bad taste in my mouth. I have always been respectful. The media portrays a “people hater” county. Don’t hate us all. I leave a lot of money when I am there. In the real world you can rarely “have the cake and eat it too”. They hate tourists but can’t live without us. So please don’t lump us all together. The high cost and the staggering tips is no small amount of money I give you.
WHY?!!WHY? This is a most incredible place on the planet. Tourists from Mainland, need I remind you, USA, and countries from all over the world have been coming here to partake of and Celebrate Maui Island Culture for Decades. And, respectfully so. And honoring Maui’s history, heritage, past, and present. And sharing the true meaning of Aloha!
This attitude, since the horrific fire, adopted by opportunists, sickens me.
I visited Maui in 1965.
We stayed in Kahalui but visited Hana and Lahaina.
There were few tourists and the economy was all ag.
It was not idyllic.
Wages were low, work was hard, society was very insular with few opportunities.
Tourism has its problems but it’s better than the past I saw.
To be honest, based upon the utter failure of the local government to prepare for and execute mitigation actions regarding the fire, I find the HTA as incompetent as the Maui fire officials. The HTA should be eliminated. The DPEBT should handle these duties since they appear to be a redundant agency. If they fail, they should also be disbanded. This is nothing more than ineptitude without oversight. If we learned anything from Maui during the pandemic and then the terrible fire, it’s that this government is not prepared nor capable of doing what they were created, staffed and funded to do.
So if 1 billion is almost 10%, wouldn’t 16 billion be just under 160%?
I took it as Canadians equal 10% of the visitors but spent less money only equating to around 6% of the revenue generated.
Typically Canadians spend less. They are 10% of visitors but account for much less revenue.
Yes, in 2022 I spent for the two of us (in US$) over $15,000 on Maui in 2 weeks. Add $4000 cost of getting there from Toronto and $6000 for the maintance fees of the timeshares. That is $25,000 spent to come to Maui from Canada. I wonder what the average American spends on their vacation.
What they are asking is not any different than what normal people who have been raised correctly would expect any place in the world. Maui is such a beautiful to be defaced and disrespected by idiot tourists. I have been there 4 times and have acted like I was in my own home without any problems.
This article makes no sense. HTA wants to attract respectful tourists and encourage Pono. Exactly how is HTA going to do this? I read of plans but no information of the details of any economic recovery plan by any HTA. If this is Still an issue, disrespectful tourists then obviously HTA has failed to do thier job! Hire locals to patrol beaches, public tourist spots instead, after all they do need income! I lived on Maui 14 yrs and miss it so much! I never had a problem and just educated these tourists on the damage they are causing and then there is iphone video!! Maui is my home that personally means so much. No one hired me after getting a degree there because of my age. SO…. hire locals!!!!
I also find the messaging strange and potentially offensive. It’s never been so much work to go on a 2 week vacation in my wole life and if I was not on the evening of life, would just chuck it, but Maui has been my favorite place in the world for years. 60 years, matter of fact! The locals and social media posters dont want us back! The Governor is going about the housing issue in such a bad way, that it will ruin the West side permanently and tell that to the resorts on Kaanapali row and other Short Term Rentals. I am stubborn and will not cancel my trip so say as you will!
I have been to Maui 20 + times.
Never disrespected or offended anyone. Telling my how to behave is disrespecting and offending me. I will not go back.
Will go to Cook Islands where I am welcomed with love and appreciation.
Respectfully Phil, if you have been behaving respectfully, that message isn’t for you. There is no need for you to take it personally, nor be offended. Being bothered by people asking you to be respectful is pretty void of aloha, though.
As far as the HTA is concerned, it should be dismantled, as I’ve read, Mufi the president has taken the side of the hotel owners to dismantle and get rid of all STVRentals ,so much for the man of the people, more like the man with his hand out to the hotel owners! He should be ashamed of himself, vacation rentals make it possible for blue collar workers to be able to enjoy hawaii, with that gone, only the rich and famous will afford to come here, Discusted with the new HTA agenda.
Just returned a couple weeks ago from 8 wonderful days in West Maui (Kahana area) with a group of 12 family members (3 first-timers) celebrating the matriarch of the family’s 80th birthday with her children and spouses. Everyone in our group loved our time there! We were so happy to be among so many kind, grateful and thoughtful people – both visitors and residents alike! We really enjoyed making memories on the boats, beaches, hikes, at the many variety of restaurants and shops and spending time with each other in such a beautiful place!
Clearly these words are not for tourists. They are intended for locals on Maui to see, read, and repeat — all in the effort to make it Look like someone is doing something. Unless this is handed out to all inbound travelers requiring signature no one will truly read it. HTA sees a need for their existence — we shall see if the locals bite. This isn’t about tourists. Great article BOH!
Hi Maleko.
Thank you. We appreciate your many comments. The state legislative session looks like it will be very interesting.
Aloha.
Aloha.
Everyone seems to be complaining about ‘crowds’ and traffic and visitors and ohana and aloha, etc.. As I’ve said in the past, Quit Building more Hotels ! This can be controlled by the local gov’t. No permits, no construction. But no one pays attention. The Maui gov’t dithers and wrings its hands, and does nothing to help solve the problem. Maybe the HTA should be renamed the CVB, as in Caribbean Visitors Bureau! Encourage people to go there; it’s easier to access, and cheaper, and they have great beaches.
If I buy land zoned for a hotel and I’m told I can’t, that’s a taking of property with compensation owed.
Hawaii doesn’t get to have their own constitution and still be part of the US.
Yes! There will be 3 couples arriving February 19th for 3 weeks. We will be staying in Paia for the whole time.
As much as we love Lahaina, we have no plans on visiting the area. Instead, we’ll be focusing on the north shore.
Thinking of everyone in the Lahaina area.💞
5 words… :”Completely, Hopelessly, Out of Touch”….
Best Regards
I have been coming to Maui since 1982 at least twice a year for 2 to 3 weeks each time. I now co-own a condo for the last 10 years. I understand the challenges facing the island and its people. But requiring visitors who are invested in the betterment and health of the island and its people to have to undergo some sort of entrance requirement every time I go, I would be offended. I do not consider myself a visitor, I consider it my other home. I love Maui.
What the fire didn’t destroy the elected officials will do the rest. Sadly I’ve taken my last trip to the islands. So many other tropical destinations that appreciate us being there. Will always have fond memories of Hawaii but my money is best spent where it’s appreciated. Aloha!
My vacation plans regarding Maui can be described simply as ABM. anywhere but Maui. To many other great places to see and things to do in Hawaii that we have always done with a high sensitivity to historic Hawaiian culture. No desire to be hectored on vacation
The HTA once again shoots itself in the foot with their condescending comments towards visitors. I feel sorry for the people of Maui, as well as the rest of the residents of Hawaii, due to the incompetent leaders that they have put in place.
I lived in Hawaii for 14 years, (6 on Oahu and 8 on Kauai), and I just came back from a 12 day visit to Hawaii island, Oahu, and Kauai but it will be a very long time before I visit again because of the high cost of accommodations, food, poor service, and stupidity of Hawaii’s elected and appointed leaders.
Bad messaging now, beach parking fees and restrictions, and La Perouse closed for snorkeling. Been going to Maui for decades, but why fight it, if they don’t want us to come, we will won’t come.