Fodor’s came out swinging against 2023 Maui vacations today. This comes as the island was deluged with post-pandemic revenge travel starting last year. At one point, the mayor asked airlines to cut back on Maui flights, which he has no authority to enforce and the airlines have no intention of doing.
The seemingly well-meaning No-List Article sets out to make visitors more aware of some locations suffering the most from excessive tourism. In addition, it broke the issues into three areas, including “Natural attractions that could use a break in order to heal and rejuvenate; cultural hotspots that are plagued with overcrowding and resource depletion; and locations around the world immediately and dramatically impacted by water crises.”
Maui suffers from beach erosion, drought, water rights, and more.
Maui was mentioned as an area impacted by water crises for these problems. Some Maui residents have had conservation orders to avoid non-essential water usage. However, these weren’t implemented uniformly, and some of the most affluent areas of South Maui, for example, had no such limitations.
Accessing freshwater can often be challenging for island residents. In Hawaii, it says, “Tourism… accounts for the biggest usage of water. One particularly striking case is Maui… The disparity in water distribution is leading to conflicts between the hospitality industry and household users. — Fodor’s
Also mentioned was that Native Hawaiians are impacted by the rapidly increasing cost of living, especially housing. Short-term rentals are mentioned as being in part to blame for Maui’s homeless problems.
The article says that visitors should do as they want; “This year’s No List does not serve as a boycott, ban, or cancelation of any sort; but a call to travelers to consider wisely the choices we make.”
Critical Maui beach erosion.
Not mentioned as part of Fodor’s take but worthy of mention is Maui’s critical beach erosion. Last fall, for example, following high tide, trees fell, and a sidewalk collapsed and fell into the ocean at Kaanapali Beach. This area is suffering following 40 years of continuous beach erosion. The State recently found that the erosion’s severity has increased with sea level rise and record high water levels, which will get worse from here.
The impact of climate change has pushed the shoreline to the location of hotels and condos.
Right now is literally the time when it’s most affordable and easiest for us to get engaged in managed retreat. Figuring that out is a problem, but we’re not the only community in the world that has this issue. Literally, every coastal community does.” — Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The state is developing plans to provide more time before yet bigger changes ahead. Recently, the state brought about 75k cubic yards of sand to that area, which is like a band-aid. The state said it will “restore coastal sandy habitat that extends across the terrestrial/marine boundary for immediate short-term remediation.”
Unfortunately, the long-term effects of similar shoreline projects are transitory. Research from California and Australia on beach “nourishment” indicates a negative impact on the invertebrates populations of such areas.
We said previously, “Throughout the State, many beachfront properties have employed seawalls to both hold back the waves and expand the footprint of useable land right up to the waterline. Such stop-gap measures are expensive, detrimental to shorelines, and ultimately ineffective. Natural beaches move and shift with the seasons and weather, with the sand being naturally replenished through wave action bringing sand onto the shore and by natural erosion from the shore itself.”
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Genevieve G says
I really appreciate this first step in encouraging responsible tourism. I’d love to know more ways to heal and reduce harm to sensitive Hawaiian ecosystems,human and otherwise. Volunteerism is my love language: how can I speak it on my much anticipated first trip to Kauai? Mahalo.
Cathy says
Thank you Good information. We don’t stop to consider the damage we do to other communities when we are on vacation
Stephen H says
Then I guess you should blame any Hawaiian resident that is even the slightest over weight for your homeless population…
Val F says
So sad to hear about tourist problems. Maybe restrict access like Hanauma Bay? Kinda hard to do with a fully accessable beach.
Russ V says
Old. Very old BS I’ve been wintering for over 50 years on keavakapoo Beach (so maui)
Have witnessed 2 big storms and tree damage.
Ilene T. says
The Hawaiian government was in collusion with big business, allowing Marriott to build two more big timeshare buildings in place of tennis courts,allowing Hyatt to build a big timeshare building, and Westin to build two more timeshare buildings. All of these are part of Kaanapali Beach. Maui was for sale.
Aaron K says
Exactly! Supporting big out of town development, while banning short term rentals which local mom and pops could use to build wealth. Shame.
Alexandria b says
Spoken by an entitled tourist!
Steve says
Spoken by someone living there that apparently has money. Homelessness is the biggest problem plaguing Maui, not tourism. Way to look out for your fellow Hawaiians.
Lisa D says
We just came back from Kehei, Maui and the tourist have more then doubled since my last visit.
Would Love to live there instead of visiting.
Steve says
The best thing you can do is do what You want to do. Be respectful of the land and reefs, but who cares if you are doing tourist things? What these Maui residents complaining don’t realize, is that Many other people in the US live in ‘tourist’ destinations, as well. They need to get over it, there are respectful and disrespectful people visiting everywhere, not just Maui.
As I said in another comment I made here, just don’t be shocked by the staggering amount of homeless you will see. It is very sad, and should be the focus of residents, not tourism.
Steve says
So, for all you miserable (isn’t Island life supposed to mellow you out? Haha) Maui residents; someone do a study of the amount of revenue to Maui and jobs to the residents would be lost without tourism.
I visited Maui for the first time this past summer with my family as I am from Pennsylvania. Personally, I feel it was nothing ‘special’ so I will not back. The one thing I will never forget is the amount of homeless setup along the beach. You’d think residents would be more concerned about taking care of their own than worrying about tourism. Lets get rid of tourists and increase the already horrific amount of homeless in Maui, great plan!
Lue says
it appears many do not realize the increase in rental properties is precisely because of tourists who buy up everything and then only end up staying here for 2 months.
You’d think Pennsylvania residents would be more concerned about that, but here we are. Hugs.
David says
Ok, Google suggested this article because I’ve been researching Hawaii for a vacation in 3 weeks. I’m aware that over tourism is a problem, but obviously I’ll want to do tourist things while there. Seems like mostly locals commenting, so how do I be a non AH tourist?
Marc says
If you know there is a problem, vacation somewhere else.
David says
Well airlines don’t give refunds for a finding out a ethical problem with your destination.
Also, I have to say, I asked this in good faith because I want to respect the situation and the best I got was don’t come here, go to Mexico? No suggestion on how to spot genuine local businesses or local custom I should be sure not to break.
How is just telling me not to come when I’ve already got the ticket on any way helpful.
Lue says
Mexico. Great place. Lower prices — you will have fun and you’ll be able to afford a week or two of hotel prices and a full buffet of eggs. Go to Mexico. Hugs.
Mike B says
Be respectful, care for the resources, and leave it as good or better as when you arrived. All will be good.
Debbie W says
Tourists are ruining the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and there’s nothing the residents can do to save them.
Steve says
By your logic tourists are ruining ever tourist destination and there’s nothing any locals in those areas can do about it. Have you ever left the islands? It’s like that everywhere, except Hawaiians think they should be exempt from tourismb(80% of your entire economy). At least many other tourist destinations in our country are not almost solely reliant on tourism.
John W. says
I lived on Maui for 12 years: 1999-2011. It’s not the same place. It’s way over-hyped, over-built, over-congested, over-priced, & the TSA lines are horrendous. I’m very happily back home in a fairly rural area of the Big Island, with peace, quiet, more nature, & less congestion.
Aaron K says
Is it truly fair to blame short term rentals for Maui’s housing crisis, given that they have been all but banned outside of specific resort condos?
Duke M says
banned? 🥲🤭
that’s not reality. banned on “paper,” maybe.
Hokuao says
yes it is truly fair to blame the non residents who own short term vacation rentals.
Joan F says
Thanks for opening some eyes on the issue of excess tourism.
Tom m says
This is total propaganda the beaches are not eroding except a bit of a problem on Kihei beaches decades of all the downpours over the past six months. Why this was even published is amazing to me. My credentials are I live in Kihei
Sandy T says
You are incorrect. There are multiple spots on Maui facing erosion. The coast in Paia from the community center to Mama’s Fish house is severely eroded. Kaanapali beach, Olowalu, parts of Makena are all facing huge impacts. They even rerouted Hoopiilani highway-I advise you do your homework.
John D. says
Just came back from Kauai last week. I noticed that there was at least double the number of visitors this year. Very crowded in Lihue, Kapaa, and Hanalei. We were wondering why this was. Now we know! Vacation backlog!
Marc says
Noone currently in power is looking out for the Fodors, just concerned about the almighty dollar, so goes California, so goes Maui ( total disaster) tourism will be the demise of Maui. So sad.
Richard S. says
For those cuious enough to know we have a hospital that does not make a Profit guess where the dollars come from? oh tourism… and our school system guess what keeps them afloat? oh tourism… most everything on this island is supported by tourism so until you find something better quit complaining and be grateful
Lue says
“be grateful.” Tell me you’re from Wailea without telling me you’re from Wailea.
Rimo says
Sounds like a politician double speak to elongate time in office. Hawaii needs to consider a new revenue stream other than tourism. Aging baby boomers with money and retirement villages comes to mind. Create state wide water conservation similar to California, Arizona. Slot control airports like Regan DC and limit tourism. Create better paying jobs through new industry (retirement creation) and tough regulations, limiting tourism and attract better behaving like minded citizens with wealth to drive economy!
Curtis C. says
Not sure I understand that last sentence. Are you correlating “better behaving citizens” with those that have wealth?
Siobhan O says
I agree. That last sentence was obnoxious and offensive. Since when does wealth equate to better behavior? Actually I’ve seen many examples contrary to that. The truth is that bad behavior is not limited to the poor or middle class and it’s ridiculous to infer that.
Duke T. says
you said [attract better behaving like minded citizens with wealth to drive economy!]
I must be misinterpreting the way this sentence was phrased. The Hawaiian people do not need foreigners with monetary wealth – please do not come. please stay in Texas and California or wherever you are. What our Hawaiian people need is wealth of spirit and respect for the flora and fauna of our lands. We don’t need more resorts, we don’t need more spiritually bankrupt individuals contorting themselves into pretzels to take instagram photos with our Honu 🐢. Aloha nui loa.