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224 thoughts on “New Fees, Fines And Systems Coming To Maui and All Hawaii Visitors”
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What if I travel back and forth from Maui to Las Vegas for work. My government issued ID is a Nevada ID. Would I have to get a Hawaii ID to avoid the extra charge? I stay at a friends property when I’m working in Maui.
I am not onHawaiian, but I’ve been coming to Hawai’i since 1978; I got married on Oahu 2003. My husband has been “loaned” by the Bremerton Shipyard in WA State to Pearl Harbor many times to help out . It feels as though Hawai’i is our “second home” and our dream/hope has always been to move to Maui. But I must tell you, I’ve been extremely saddened by all the words written about how “terrible”, “disrespectful”, “unappreciative” tourists are of Hawai’i and it’s people. Not ALL tourists are like that! Not ALL tourists disrespect the laws of the road and park wherever they choose! Not ALL tourists seem disinterested in the culture of Hawai’ian people. Not ALL tourists are bad drivers potentially being required to purchase a Hawai’i driver’s license before being able to rent a car (a new proposal I read about!). I am so disappointed by all the complaining and lumping ALL tourists together as being the “same”. Tourists who come to the Islands during Christmas time, are called “whales” because we are willing (or, perhaps too stupid!) to pay very high rates for hotels, “resort fees”, car rentals, tourist attractions, higher costs at restaurants and for food in general. The “Aloha Spirit”, we learned a long time ago, is to be kind, helpful, respectful and welcoming; it doesn’t feel that way when looking at all the posts online about how much tourists are blamed for ruining the oceans, for the bad traffic, for the over-crowding, for being disrespectful of the culture, etc. I just respectfully request that before pointing fingers at everything being the tourists’ fault that you also examine how the tourists feel they’ve been treated recently by the Hawai’ians. Please consider that people are flocking to the Islands in record numbers because they miss a beautiful land that is also very special to them, special enough to pay more! I can’t say that attitude will continue if we feel less welcome. Thank you.
Hi Kathleen.
Thanks for your first-time comment and input on this important subject.
Aloha.
Vanessa K: I have no reason to doubt you. But as someone who spent 15 nights at 3 different Hotels in May, we had to show our Safe Travels QR code before the hotel would check us in or before the rental car company would give us a car. You also couldn’t get out of the airport. So this is very destressing to me.
It’s sad you had that experience. We flew Alaska & pre-cleared to get to Maui. We were given a wristband when we boarded & when we landed we walked straight out of the airport. We did have to show a statement on our “Safe Travels” to the car rental but that was the only time during our one week. We also had a year old one week stay reservation, so no problems there either. Aloha!
I think a impact fee might be a good idea. However taxes on resort areas are already extremely high. But if the county does collect fees from visitors please use it to clean up the trash along the highways and byways you have such a beautiful island here but allowing people to dump cars and other trash along the highway is making your island look like a Third World country.
I sure wish those darn tourists would stop doing abandoning their cars and trucks along the side of the road. So disrespectful.
Bobby: So true – we had to test @ $300 from Maui to Kauai, yet a local doesn’t. I have the same CDC card and the same vaccine. How does that work?
VanessaK
How could a tourist bring the Variant if they had to be tested before arrival. It is the people who are vaccinated in Hawaii that are allowed to travel within the islands without being tested?
Some tourists are arriving without final results of a Covid test or alternatively not showing symptoms. The health dept advised us the variant came from a visitor. I don’t think the tests are foolproof.
Where did you read that tourists are allowed to enter without their covid results uploaded onto the safe travels website? They have been VERY strict about that for at least 6 months now.
You are absolutely right. We just returned and had to show QR codes before we could register, even though we had copies of our test results. My family was pre-screened at PDX, but my paperwork wouldn’t upload properly, so I had to go through screening at Honolulu airport before I was allowed to join my family.
Absolutely agree. We had to show COVID results at airport and hotel. No QR code, no registration
I totally support all these changes! Please make sure they happen!
I live in Texas & just got back from Maui yesterday. Our 3rd visit in 35 years. Our first trip to Hana – it is very beautiful & I understand your wanting to protect it. I don’t think small fines & $100 fees will bother most tourists coming to Maui as it costs so much to get there to begin with & I know that wouldn’t bother us. I think if you could do a “park entrance” to the road to Hana whereby tourists have to make reservations in advance to travel for 1 day it would be a better way. Also, it could be open only to local tour vans but you would need to add a lot more, right now they are sold out yet we only saw 4 on the road Sunday June 20. This would require less parking. You could add fees to the tour cost to cover maintenance, etc. I bought 2 tickets in advance to go to Waianapanapa state park for an hour as we weren’t sure what time we’d get there. It was beautiful! We have now been to Hana & probably won’t ever go again because it takes so long. We also drove both from Kaanapoli to Kahului via hwy 340 & it was beautiful. However had we known in advance how narrow the road was we would not have done that drive. You might be able to do something similar there as well. I think you should definitely limit the number of high rise hotels. If there isn’t a place to stay people won’t come. We love Maui & we love an occasional visit to see the beauty & enjoy the beaches. We appreciate your wanting to limit tourism somewhat. Good luck.
The number of tourists coming into the islands is out of control. The numbers are higher than pre-pandemic and the tourists coming are seemingly feeling ‘more entitled’than before. I disagree with the comment below: Hawaii is NOT like other states. It is remote islands with a culture and wildlife different to any other states. To have tourists coming in droves who disregard the laws, regulations and recommendations to respect the islands and keep them safe and healthy is unacceptable. If the sign says: do not touch the monk seals/keep a distance, why are tourists ignoring this? They are trying to take ‘rides’ on the sea turtles that have returned, trying to take home pieces of the reef, don’t care about mask rules and we now have the Delta variant on island in Kauai which has come via tourist visitors. I agree, its not about raising or charging fees to combat this-its about education of the visitors coming. This is not a small number choosing not to respect the islands but appears, from those of us living here, to be the majority.
Don’t come if you don’t respect the islands. Really sad the reaction on this feed.
amen to that
We love Maui. We’ve been visiting since the ninety’s (honeymoon) and haven’t stopped when ever we could save up enough. We aren’t poor but also not affluent so we support local markets and high country cafes and love the soul refreshing winds of the island. Over the years it has become more and more expensive to visit from rental fees and taxes on everything for being a tourist. The 100 per person fee will be the straw for our family. Many on Maui will not weep for our inability to visit but nor will they notice a drop in tourist numbers. Simply more affluent people. I hope it doesn’t come to pass but I know much like other places to visit on this planet my options will be less and less.
Over the years I have been quietly surprised that there hasn’t been an explosion of tourism on Maui as there is on Oahu. Its been a nice secret to skip The Gathering Place and enjoy ‘laid back’ Maui. Looks like critical mass is being reached and what makes Maui special could be overrun by more visitors. Alas, tourism is a double edged sword in Hawaii and especially so on Maui.
As you can see in the comments, WE are getting tired this! Where did the aloha go? Fees, taxes, permits, and more fees. $60 for my family to visit Haena while locals drive right in without a permit. $80 for my family to visit Kokee, while locals drive right in without a permit. $10 Kauai Juice Co drink for me, $8 for the locals. Camping free for locals, not for my family. We are feeling shafted! I love Hawaii, but we are already looking for new destinations.
I’m planning three trips to the islands next year, two to Kauai and one to Maui and I’m at $33K in my budget so far before eating out.
The head of HDOT has already said limiting access to a public road through a reservation system or other means is probably illegal. If that were not the case, the road to Ke’e probably would have never re-opened to the public after the 2018 floods.
Steve H. My point exactly!
This is ridiculous
This is ridiculous I am pretty sure there isn’t anymore people than before the pandemic
Thanks for the information. My husband, daughter and I visited Oahu last November. I was considering Maui for this November, but now that I have learned about the influx of tourists causing problems for locals, we will go to Oahu again and try Maui once the excess dies down. We would hate to impose and cause more problems for locals. That wouldn’t be fair to y’all and I respect that. Thanks you. Aloha. Sincerely, Brandell
Aloha Guys
One of the big reasons for the big increase in Hawaii travel is because so many other places/events are still closed however, that is rapidly changing. I suspect there will be a cooldown in Hawaii tourism in a month or so. I surely don’t understand the fascination with Hana given that you are sitting in a car all day, we surely can find better things do with our time while in Hawaii.
For an area that has struggled so much during the pandemic this seems to be an absurd idea. Hawaii is not the Galapagos. It doesn’t have the unique forms of wildlife and is much bigger. Right now the emphasis should be on mandating cleaner forms of energy, recycling and removing plastics.
Wow. As travelers to Hawaii 30+ times, We may have reached the tipping point in our travel decision to visit Maui annually. All these potential fees may finally push us to abandon Maui and seek friendlier islands such as Kauai.
This idea is not just on Maui, Kauai Council & Mayor are planning the same tactics.
Hi Lee Ann,
I have a house rented 250′ from Tunnels Beach in Haena for nine nights in 2022. There were many rentals to choose from.
I lived on Maui for 14 years. Some kind of accountability to help preserve Hawaiiana is necessary and financial seems the best way. There needs to be a way that shares these additional finances with the local people who so often spend there time and effort trying to maintain the beautiful islands. Perhaps it’s through additional jobs for people to plant,clean,tender, and promote aloha.
Hawaii is a beautiful place but you already pay so many taxes and fees. Why would they do this tourism is what runs there economy and I think it’s a bad idea. People will stop visiting. There are plenty of other beautiful beaches. I already feel like I pay a ton to go there if they increase taxes and fees I will find a new favorite place!
I used to live in Maui and work at the Maui Surf I lived in Napali tourism is the bread and butter of all the island adding another few to the flights is not a good Iidea young people are finding other places with white sand surf sun don’t be greedy be thankful people still want to visit I go every April will not if you start and more fees.
I’m in favor of alllll of this. I know it’s already expensive to come here, but these precious islands are only capable of supporting so much human life. If we don’t cut down or cut back somehow, the very thing that makes Hawai’i special will be gone. Covid showed us how quickly we naturr can heal itself, and just how much damage we’ve done already.
I myself born and raised on Maui in a little town called Hana I agree with fees why not let the visitors help foot the bill Aloha
Nature “HEALING” itself. FYI this was done when the island was closed to tourism!
staradvertiser.com/2020/07/28/breaking-news/large-gatherings-trucks-driving-over-hawaiian-burial-sites-widespread-defecation-forces-closure-of-polihale-state-park-on-kauai/
Hawaii just had a year without tourists. How did that work out?
I loved it when all the tourists were gone … and so did the beaches and waters around the islands ! And so did the employees who got to spend time with their families…. it was an eye opening experience about changing priorities for the islands… its not
a disneyland but if they want to make it a disneyland CHARGE for it !!!! Options for you- Mexico and Jamaica – go for it, Hawaii will easily survive without you !
It was pretty fantastic. Best year in a couple centuries.
I’m torn about charging higher admission fees, or levying higher fines, or even adding a tax to airline tickets. These seem to be very restrictive to those who can’t afford it, including locals. It’s a regressive tax. For those who are wealthy, none of these higher fees/costs will deter them from doing whatever they please.
The requirement for reservations at select parks make sense, and is a more equitable solution. Equal access for all. As for travel along the road to Hana, perhaps there can be a permit requirement via a reservation system. Locals could be exempted and not be negatively affected.
I am all for a permit system if places are reaching capacity. The problem is that they charge big fees to tourists and make it free to locals. How is that equitable? I am starting to feel second class when traveling to Hawaii.
While in Oahu a couple of years ago I was amazed at the condition of some of the residential neighborhoods. Piles of trash, used tires, mattresses, and abandoned electronic equipment littered the landscape. Was this caused by the “rude tourists”? I really doubt it.
We love and respect the Hawaiian Islands just as we do every other state in the United States.The idea that I would be charged an extra fee as a tax paying citizen is absurd. Hawaii gets a great deal of federal money.I pay taxes to the Federal government,so in essence I am paying a fee.
I live in California. Thousands of people come and visit every year.Yet you don’t hear us asking for visitor fees.
The more you charge people to enter the Islands the less they will spend in restaurants,stores,and other services.
Screw Hawaii.
that sentiment you could have kept to yourself. with covid’s impact on the islands and the isolation they endured and the major impact to their economy they need a helping hand.
Hawaii is already more expensive than competing destinations by a ridiculous degree. A $100 impact fee will not change the tourist volume, it seems destined to just line someone’s pockets.
If Hawaii is serious about limiting tourism’s impact, the number of visitor accommodation units (hotels or vacation rentals) needs to be hard-frozen at current numbers and those numbers can never be allowed to increase. Then build up the road and parking infrastructure to peacefully co-exist with that tourist volume. Most of the “impact of tourism” is really just insufficient transportation infrastructure.
Before Maui or any of the Islands, start to charge fees for visiting better check federal regulations about charging US citizens to travel freely from state to state. Don’t think it’s legal and will open up many lawsuits.
We have been taking extended vacations in Hawaii for many years. We buy at the local shops and farm markets and eat in your restaurants. We have a trip booked for January. If Hawaii starts adding impact fees to all the other high fees that are already in place, we won’t be able to afford to visit. You will have slaughtered the “piggy” bank. We were planning in four years to celebrate a landmark anniversary and bring the kids and grandkids, but I don’t believe that’s going to happen now.
Honestly, no one believes the impact fees will be used to safeguard the reefs, Hana Highway, etc. Where will that immense amount of money go? How would the State divvy up the money? Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Big Island – who is most worthy? Not the tourist!
Please quit blaming the tourists! Each islands county council has allowed, and will be responsible for, present and future negative tourism impacts. Tourism is not controlled by limiting car rentals, flights or assorted impact fees. In the past and moving forward, each county approves vacation rental zones, new condominiums and hotel space before the supporting infrastructure is in place. Remember the movie quote “if they build it they will come.” We should be working harder at developing affordable housing for Hawaiian workers and their families, not pricing them out of the market.
The people on the county board , have their heads in the sand. The age old saying don’t bite the hand who is paying you. It also goes to them who say we only want the rich here, but they only stay on there homes. As the average tourist goes to the local places, which provides jobs and and provides jobs to the local people.
Get off you high horse and look at what grows the local economy, not the rich, but the visitors who want to see what the island had to offer.
There money puts food on the table and help’s the county pay for other pay for other programs, helping others to better themself,
How about an “impact fee” for the Hana Hwy?
To be clear…i dont have a problem with the impact fees….i have a problem with how overcrowded it is and how so many people are pricing the locals out of their homes…what makes HI special is the people…but they resent us all now for ruining their home.
Re: Kauai – I’m wondering what the protocol is for Haena house rentals. We’ve rented two houses there in the past. Perhaps house rentals in that area aren’t even available these days and I’m not yet aware. In any case, we always went to Princeville for our groceries at least twice a week. Would that now require reservations?
The article is a bit misleading, the reservation system specifically controls access to the park that Ke’e beach is in. You can still stay at a vacation rental near Tunnels Beach and access that normally, or drive the road almost to the end without entering the final park.
The whole system is a bit broken, though, given that the parking lot is half empty most days even though slots sell out 30 days in advance. The capacity is dramatically higher than they are allowing in. So staying down there may not be as worthwhile as it used to be.
Hi Chris,
Actually, I think staying in Haena is now more worthwhile than it ever has been specifically because of the reservation system in place for Ke’e Beach.
The 900 daily entry passes for Ke’e Beach, even though they do sell out also, are much easier to obtain than one of the roughly 100 parking passes. Though the road is narrow, its a mile from Haena to Ke’e, and you can walk or bike in.
I shouldn’t say this, but for that reason I think the vacation rental owners in Haena can charge even more than they are currently. Not so much for properties in Wainiha, that’s getting pretty far away, but definitely for Haena.
And if you stay in Haena and get skunked out of Ke’e passes, Tunnels Beach ain’t too shabby either (understatement of the day).
Just my two cents.
Our place in Wainiha is exactly 2.0 miles from the Kalalau trailhead, near the Y-Camp. It is a legal vacation rental when we are not on island. Right now is the highest demand we’ve ever had going back to 2009. I was lucky to get a few weeks reserved here and there in my own house. Booked solid into summer of 2022 before we shut off any further reservations.
IMO, hiking to Hanakapiai Falls is the high point of visiting Kauai if you are an outdoors-type in decent hiking shape. Only 8 mi RT and no tourist helicopters, which get really annoying as you hike farther down to Kalalau Valley. With the Hanalei Hill road closure, a stroll to Ke’e followed by the RT hike is a great way to spend a weekday. No parking permit needed. Just the $1 entry pass. (psssst, you can get around the whole thing by walking the beach from Haena beach park to Ke’e during a low tide, but it can be tricky).
All of this happened as fall out from the April ’18 flood. Keep in mind we had 4 feet of rain in 24 hours. It took 14 months and $90M (mostly from FEMA) to rebuild the road – and they went ahead and replaced/upgraded three three bridges that ring around Hanalei Bay while they were at it.
It is impossible for me to explain the tension and bad blood that developed towards tourists, and really against anyone not a resident in the neighborhood following that flood. We were “convoy” people with our access stickers. Two vehicles max per property. Have an illegal rental? too bad. No extra stickers.
To even suggest that someday the road would be re-opened and tourists would be back would just get you shouted down at neighborhood meetings. I quit going to them.
Probably because your last name isn’t Zuckerberg or Brosnan or Robert’s or Ellison. Hawaii only wants a certain type of tourist and we aren’t what they are looking for.
The road is closed and limited at the Hanalei bridge to very short opening times a few times a day due to the Hanalei mudslide earlier in the year. There are very long line ups to get through at the few opening times.No reservations required to get through, just alot of spare time, patience and half your day…..
I have been visiting Maui for 25+ years. I no longer visit because it is not the same place I used to go too. Its beyond heartbreaking to see lands where I once went star gazing filled with Air BnBs and reefs once filled with so much colorful coral now dead. I can no longer find an empty beach to go where I don’t smell cigarettes and hear loud rap music coming out of someone’s boom box.
Yes, tourists are rude and disrespectful.However, ultimately, this is the fault of the local government. The local government approved these massive resort projects to be built. They allowed Honua Kai, Marriot. Westin, whatever to build large (and fairly ugly) buildings. They allowed for airlines to fly twin aisle aircrafts into an airport from across the country. Maui really reaped what it sowed and its time to stop passing the blame buck on but look internally. With the pandemic, it seels like the “I want to have my cake and eat it too attitude” has become more severe. With the approval of new Southwest flights and Ubited’s 777s and 767s coming in from the East Coast, the damage has already been done.
I take exception to your remark “Yes, tourists are rude and disrespectful.” I visit Maui regularly and I am neither. I do see, no doubt, such behavior from visitors but for the most part I see it from local residents towards visitors.
I believe that Maui must charge tourists fees visiting to Hana just like Haleakala Iao Valley, the Road that goes around Napili to Wailuku and the Wailuku Plantation All tourists attraction