More taxes and fees
disproportionately impacting Hawaii visitors planned.
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304 thoughts on “New Hawaii Tourist Fees: Creative Hikes Set to Curb Tourism”
More taxes and fees
disproportionately impacting Hawaii visitors planned.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Adding $50 or even $100 will have zero impact on tourism. On average tourists spend $10000 for family of 4 for 10 days here. You are delusional if you think 1% will turn them away…to where…Mexico? My vote for the proposed fees would be to lower airport parking fees for residents. They are scheduled to soar in February to $24 a day! That will have a huge impact on folks working 2 jobs just to pay rent here who want to visit family or obtain medical treatment on the other islands. State government needs to get out of the pocket of the resorts and start thinking about residents. Additionally short term vacation rentals should be taxed out of existence. Where our keiki gonna live?
On our last trip to Maui, we observed on the beach..1 orange peel. At the beach park dumpster?-a discarded table, exercise machine, cabinet, etc. I don’t believe that tourists are the culprits here. Mismanaged fire protection is not the fault of tourism. It belongs to the agencies who ignored the signs. And the victims need to be helped by those agencies but not at the expense of well behaved vacationers.
I do agree with you, Laura. The fire is not the fault of the tourists and locals kept a lot of trash, even on their properties in Lahaina which is why I am for getting a fire marshal. Let’s hope people learn from this disaster (some clearly won’t). The “tourist” problem has been lingering for a while now, even before the fires and it’s clear that people who lost their homes have a hard time “serving” tourists cocktails at resorts. I hope that this catastrophe will eventually bring positive changes, but for now, many are still in mourning, especially if they lost someone in the fire.
That is no different then those working in any other third world country working in a tourist resort serving tourists. Most are very happy to have a job son they can feed their families.
Spoken out of a large amount of ignorance. The average hourly for a hotel worker in Hawaii is ~$26/hour or ~$46K/year. The average rent for a 2/2 home was $3K/month Before the fire, leaving ~10K/year for food, utilities, etc. That’s why lower income workers need two-three jobs to support that family you so easily dismiss as being “very happy”. Noblese oblige?
I think I’ll continue to vacation and spend money in Mexico or the Caribbean where they actually welcome tourism and treat visitors with respect instead of an annoyance.
please do, if you feel that Mexicans treat US visitors with respect while the US certainly doesn’t treat them with respect. How ironic!
How do you know? When we travel to Cancun we know many of the workers known us by name and we look forward to seeing them. I have never seen anyone treat the locals badly in Cancun. You are mis informed.
I understand the feeling of your state having “over tourism” my great state of Montana has a similar problem. The question is, is it the tourists fault or the state government? The addition of all these fees and taxes may also have an adverse effect as well. We are planning a trip, and fully plan a day to volunteer and give back to the Islands and the people who have made us fall in love with this place. I worry how ever, of the people who may have considered volunteering a day, may just say “not going to do it after all the fees for simply being a tourist. Let the state use the loads of money get from us fix it, why should we lose a day of a Very expensive vacation trying to help?” That is my worry.
“Where do you stand on more Hawaii visitor tax increases?”
I’ll be standing on a beach in the Caribbean.
done that, then moved to Maui!
For comparison, I looked at what other countries are doing with their tax rates.
Italy: they charge per person, per night based upon the level of accommodation, ie a 5 star hotel charges more than a 3 star. They also have a maximum of days they charge the tax ranging up to 14 days. They do not charge for small children, most often the disabled are not charged, and sometimes the elderly are not charged.
An example is heavily touristed Venice with hotel tax imposed on a maximum of 5 days and 5*= 5e/4*= 4.5e/3*=3.5e. (Italyvacations.com)
France: as of 2024 they have increased their hotel taxes significantly and their policy is similar to Italy, based upon stars of the hotel. Paris, 5*=11 e/ 4*=8 e/3*=5 e.
French Polynesia: 11% (Fodors)
My wife and I have been to Maui 10 times over the last 15 years. We absolutely love it.
That said, I don’t think we will be coming back anytime soon. It seems like Maui has some issues to sort out with respect to how it feels about tourism and tourists. I understand that the state has the absolute right to legislate issues around tourism, and I take no issue with that.
I have always found Maui very welcoming, but my wife and I, watching this debate on tourism, are wondering if that is changing. We’ve decided to take a pass on Maui until things are sorted out. California, here we come.
Good luck and take care.
Love Hawaii, traveled every year for 2 to 3 weeks, party’s over. State can put on as many fees as it wants, it will never be enough. Hawaii has never managed its money and probably never will. The dislike of tourists by the locals is the other problem, I’ll spend my money elsewhere!
Nothing better than favoring large hotel operators over the middle class owners of a vacation rental room. Yay for the corporate interests that run our state!
Did you read the entire article that over 50% of those owners are not residents of Hawaii and that 27% own “multiple” vacation rentals?
And? Property ownership in America is Not based upon where you live. There are apartment complexes across America that have owners that live in different states and as long as they manage the properties correctly nobody cares. That just is the way it is.
Why did the huge conglomerate hotel industry get special consideration and lower taxation? Are we Hawaii residents supposed to get punished because 50% are not residents? What about those of us who worked hard and saved to provide for our retirement, then find HI taking that away? How hard did you work for what you have saved? I’m sure if the state wanted to single you out and take your hard earned assets from you, then you would be singing a very very different song!
If you indeed live here, I am a bit confused about your analysis of Hawaii taxation. Yes, marginal income tax rates are high compared to other states, but the marginal rates focus mostly on higher earning individuals. Hawaii is a net positive in contribution to the Treasury.
GET or sales tax rates are among the lowest in the country, providing support to lower income individuals.
Property tax rates rank us 50th, dead lowest in the country.
I am happy to live on a real island instead of the mythical Libertarian island fancied by those who only consider their personal assets. What the Governor is proposing makes sense if you live by Kuleana, Pono, and Aloha, reaching out to help those who have no home through no fault of their own.
So? The United States is a capitalist and free country. People are allowed to purchase and own as many properties, or cars or TVs as they want no matter where they live whether Hawaii, or Texas or Montana…
Non-resident owners buying up multiple units deprives locals of an affordable place to live. That’s just one of the persistent and pervasive negative impacts of over-tourism.
Where I live we have too many Air BnB rentals which has created a serious shortage of affordable housing which allows the landlords to keep raising rents.
Moratorium on building hotels and motels. Enforce rules on illegal rentals. Lottery on would be tourists. The people in charge are inept at their jobs. Those people only know how to raise taxes. Taxing tourist is away to circumvent the real problem. Terrible people in charge.
We love and respect Hawaii but the never-ending taxes and fees will price us out of visiting Hawaii. We’ve been fortunate enough to visit yearly for over 25 years. It is heart breaking to think we will be priced out. Hawaiians depend on tourism to survive. You’re hurting your own by slowing down tourism. Tourism is Hawaii’s bread and butter.
A lottery on would be tourists!? This is America with unrestricted travel between states and that suggestion will never happen.
I was just about to make reservations for 4 people. Flight and hotel for 10 days.
After reading about all the increased taxes, etc., looks like we will go some where else….. plenty of places to choose from.
Idk if anyone notices but tourism ain’t really helping, neither is real estate. A boost in economy supposed to help the community, it’s actually getting worse. Tourism is failing that’s why the state is slapping all kinds of “extras” to make up for the lack of funds for their house and golf membership as well as luxurious life style. Tourism will fall and we will have no choice but to work for 3$ an hour. Wake up oahu. You guys really need to get back to your roots. Shoots.
We visited Hawaii almost every year since 2013. Last year was our last trip. Due to the rising costs, we’ve looked elsewhere and found so many other beautiful places for a lesser price. We’ve heard the message loud & clear. Tourists aren’t wanted there, so we’re take our tourist dollars to a different location.
Please tell us your alternatives. We are looking too.
I just canceled my 3 week trip home for vacation. I was born and grew up in Honolulu. I went to the mainland for college and stayed. I use to return 2-3 times per year until covid. The restrictions were too difficult thus have not returned. These taxes are ridiculous therefore will go elsewhere.
Don’t Hotels have to charge the same taxes and fees as the individual vacation rentals? If so, its only anti tourism. Also, is every penny being accounted for and and available for the public to see that it is spent only on housing for local residents? Where are the hundreds of millions of dollars donated for Lahaina going? Why are they building anything less than 5 story affordable housing that is stackable modules that can placed on just a few acres to house many more people.
You go live in what you are suggesting. SMH
Money is never accounted for. Sadly, no matter how much tax is collected, it’s never enough. These nit wits don’t realize all of these taxes hurt local people, too. We live in Volcano on Hawaii Island. We fly to Oahu 2x/year for medical reasons. We have to pay the same high taxes as tourists for car rental & places to stay. Gov. Green promised to improve medical on neighbor islands. Yeah, right. I’m 72. Pretty soon, flying to Oahu will not be feasible. So, I’ll save on stupidly high taxes, but have poor medical care.
Think carefully before imposing these taxes. What will Hawaii look like when only the super elites will visit. Do you think these taxes are felt by the likes of Oprah, Zuckerbucks, Gates, Bezos? Think of how this can affect the kama’aina, who a large population has left Hawaii, sadly myself included.
My question is..if you are a native Hawaiian..will you accept paying the same fees applyed to you..when you are on the mainland?
Why only native Hawaiians, which is a race. Are you racist? Hawai’i is our mainland.
Hawaii is and always has been special: a sovereign nation that was overthrown by wealthy haole businessmen and annexed into the union. As a native Hawaiian, I don’t want Hawaii to become White Orchid only visitors, so yes, it is important to make it affordable for the middle class and especially the 50% of Hawaiians who have dispersed to other states, often because it’s become unaffordable to remain. Hawaii, as with the nation, needs to put a tax on high wealth and on high income. It is an abomination that billionaire Ellison was allowed to “purchase” 98% of Lanai.
Maui is bumping up against the ceiling of what people will pay for a vacation before they move elsewhere, but $50 a day isn’t going to have much effect. If I’m paying $10,000 to bring my family to Hawaii, $500 more won’t stop me.
And, if it does cause a drop in demand, prices will adjust to the point where the same number of travelers will go. In other words, my condo will drop a bit so my vacation still costs $10,000. The consumer doesn’t care who gets the money — in this scenario, the tax would ultimately be eaten by the property owners.
There is some point where this won’t hold true, but we are far from it.
How much of Hawaii’s taxes are paid by locals? It seems that close to 80% of the state income is from tourists, but locals benefit 100% from those taxes collected. Would the roads and emergency services be adequate without tourism? If locals want to pony up the money, then have fun driving out the tourists. Otherwise, realize the massive advantage of having a tourist destination as home. Please back off on the hate for tourists.
Really!? Do you pay 80% of taxes where you live? It isn’t any different here and we see 0% of where those taxes are going like everywhere else. Why are you blaming the locals, we don’t make the rules. Most don’t mind tourists, but over tourism is destroying the islands. There is no hate for tourists, just the self entitled attitude.
Yes, of course tourists benefit from the infrastructure, park maintenance, beach maintenance, etc.
You forget that one of the major concerns is that Hawaii cannot sustain the amount of tourism and the ecological degradation that comes from it. Sustainability is key for future generations, visitors and kama’aina.
Let’s not forget that in Hawaii – People come first and many lead modest lives, but leaders do not lead lives of luxury hidden from the masses by government media organizations.
I have visited all the Hawaiian Islands countless times over the past 50 years. I am sad to say I can no longer afford them. You are going to be flooded by the entitled millionaires and billionaires of this world.
Thats the idea.
Hawaii is going to tax visitors to the point where only the wealthy will come to a limited number of fancy hotels where they stay on site and have limited contact with the community. I would guess that probably 70% of small businesses which have a tourist base will not survive. Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.
I think most of the comments you will see here will be identical to or similar to the ones given over the $50 proposed visitor fee BOH posted last week. Additional fees will cause many people to explore alternatives to Hawaii, where the climate is similar, costs are significantly lower, and visitors are more welcome. With a decreased number of visitors, Hawaii will continue raising fees and taxes upon those who are able to afford to visit to make up for the revenue lost from those who can’t.
Stayed in Maui 7 weeks yearly for 40 years. Looks like I’m going to have to find an alternative destination for Dec & Jan. Boo Hoo
Hawaii tries to curb tourism by raising fees and taxes. Curmudgeons complain that they’ll no longer spend their tax dollars here and vow never to return. Two birds. One stone.
The state always finds new ways to stick it to the little guy and shoot itself in the foot. We hate tourism, yet it still remains the only game going. This will drive down tourism, for sure, and also important tax revenue as well as reducing business for local families who depend on tourism for their very survival. We can’t have it both ways. We saw what happened to Maui businesses after the fires. Tourists got the message loud and clear – you’re not wanted here. So they stayed away. Then the governor tried to backpedal, but it was too late. The damage was done. Now he’s doubling down. The state and local governments won’t stop with adding taxes until every resident is on welfare. That’s where we’re headed.
I moved 30something years ago because I couldn’t afford to live there any longer! Now retired it is becoming too expensive to visit! Sad to be a tourist on the island I grew up on!
We’re retirees on a fixed income. We look forward to going to the islands once a year. Adding on these additional fees will mean that we won’t be able to afford the islands any more, which saddens us. We always try to support by buying locally made products and respect the people, the land and ocean.
In essence, people on fixed incomes will no longer be able to afford going to the islands And we’re the responsible ones trying to support the environment and its people.
Imagine being able to afford to vacation in Hawaii every year and still thinking of yourself as unfortunate because you have to curb that to every other year.
Not sure why the hate towards someone who worked hard enough to save some $$ for retirement. Their circumstances have nothing to do with others with financial or housing issues. The housing is a self made prophecy caused by Hawaii. I say this with no hate.
If housing is an issue address it. It wasn’t visitors that allowed Wailea to grow with no affordable housing or allow uncontrolled growth of vacation rentals.
Vacation rental growth is near zero. No licenses issued for 3 years and limited resort area growth.
No need to imagine. It’s happening. Many save up all year for their annual vacations after working hard – even overtime. But your comment recognizes the hyper-inflated costs being added to the Hawaiian getaway. It is unfortunate to have to go to Mexico after experiencing Hawaii.
I just can’t believe that there are too many people for whom an additional $200-$300 is truly the breaking point that prevents them from making the trip. But, that just proves the point that Maui is not in danger of losing tourists — if hotel prices drop $100/night, all of these people saying they cannot afford Maui anymore would presumably be lining up for another visit. (On the other hand, I would pay more to have fewer people there.)
After reading all the posts from the disgruntled let’s summarize:
1. I don’t have the money to visit Hawaii anymore, so I’ll take the time to complain about that fact by making up reasons to never visit Hawaii again.
2. The corrupt government that runs Hawaii is running the state into the ground. BTW, ever visited Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida…? Most of the states that contribute less to the federal budget than they take back in federal dollars can’t even provide basic needs to their citizens, and Florida, especially, has become unlivable due to its own insurance crisis.
3. There are plenty of other places I can spend my dollars. Then do just that. Why complain on a site that focuses on Hawaii travel?
I agree with you, James B.
They’re asking for feedback. Every ‘complainer’ previously had the money – would love to return but obviously have concerns with the tax on tourism.
I can afford it but don’t I don’t care to be taken advantage of.
I guess I could post comments on a Montana site but it just wouldn’t be the same.
1) People have a right to comment on things that affect them. Maybe they are sad because they can’t visit. It doesn’t help to criticize them for it unless your true intent is to not have them visit in the first place.
2) So other states are badly run, and that excuses Hawaii? This kind of argument (“but someone else does it”) was quickly and justifiably crushed by adults when I was 5 years old.
3) See (1) above.
This move by the governor of Hi. is added cost to visit family and friends that live there.
So it’s apparent that the other 49 governors of the US may need to charge so-called impact fees (taxes) for visitors from Hawaii, maybe they can afford it easier.
Is the tourism industry Not Hawaii’s golden goose? It not only funds state and county governments with tax revenues, but more impotantly helps establish and maintain private business ownership, which creates jobs locals needed to pay for the high cost of living, including housing. It also seems that if our elected officials truly want to help locals access affordable housing, then they would focus on policies that increase worker pay; AND develop a master plan using intelligent city planning and remove the mountains of red tape that make Hawaii housing unaffordable to most residents. I guess it’s politically easier to simply blame tourism for the problem.
Unfortunately, mass tourism hasn’t created any “private business ownership” on Maui for many, many years. Most of the profits in Kaanapali went to the Westins, Marriott and now Hilton Vacation Clubs.
That’s a good point Eva. Keeping the profits local would be better for Hawaii. But don’t local people earn a living working at those big resorts? And don’t their wages support local businesses?
Hawaiians working at those resorts are a very small minority which was not the case when I first visited the islands 30 years ago.
That’s interesting, Eva. Do you mean ethnic Hawaiians or Hawaiian citizens? Or both. Who are filling those positions if not locals?
Maui is unlike other places. This report shows ten percent of tourism businesses are owned by Native Hawaiians.
Eva, I see. That is different. So Maui does not have Native Hawaiian business owners while 10 percent of the state’s tourism businesses are owned by Native Hawaiians? Do you have any ideas about the reasons for this disparity?
I don’t understand your question. Even if 10% of the tourist business in Hawaii would be owned by native Hawaiians, that would leave 90% of the tourist business in the hands of outsiders. However, I could not find an updated report that this is still the case …may be Beat of Hawaii could look into this? I do know small business owners that are owned by Hawaiians and of course they employ other Hawaiians and are not looking to California to find employees.
Three simple words: I love Maui!
All these tax increases will cause me to seriously consider a return. They reduce tourism, which will adversely affect Maui’s rebuilding after the wildfires. Hawaii has no other industry or export that can bring in revenue to the extent tourism does. Respectful tourism means life for all the islands, but especially for Maui. To the state anf county government: be careful you don’t bite the hand that feeds you!
Aloha loa!
Wow are you really under the impression that, the locals are here only to serve you? Are the locals in your opinion, not contractors, doctors, nurse, teachers, etc. We can and will survive, without as much tourism. It has gotten ridicules when you can’t even be in your own yard without someone coming by thinking you are their personal conceige.
Get real we all know this never happened to you in your yard.
I agree with you. My friends are nurses, teaches etc. The only person who works in the tourist industry is a valet at the Ritz and he has 2 other jobs to support his family.
Perhaps other states should impose ridiculous taxes and fees for Hawaiian residents. Having need born in Hawaii.. Their residents are seen subjects by the elites. With the extreme wealthy buying up all the land there and displacing the native Hawaiian people it’s only a matter of time till Hawaii’s culture is gone and the government there is welcoming it. So sad!
The State better start planning revised policies to enact once these prove disastrous to tourism and revenues by killing the golden goose. Once again Hawaii stumbles from one lousy policy to another.
Hawaii’s residents can no longer enjoy the beauty of our own state! Taxes imposed on our hotels and car rentals have become so outrageous we can no longer afford to vacation here.
Forget a quick flight for a weekend getaway. Our children are the losers. They’ll never be able to see the beauty of Waimea Canyon on Kauai or the The Big Island’s volcano erupting in person. I have stood on the soil of every island in Hawaii, including Niihau and Kahoolawe, and am so sad our Keiki may never see our state’s beauty except in photographs.
Thank you for sharing that perspective, it can be easy to overlook the fact that this impacts residents wanting to visit other islands in addition to visitors from the mainland.
My wife and I used to frequent Hawaii a few times a year to vacation and visit friends. When we compare hotel stays and value, we’ve decided to spend our hard earned greenbacks in Tahiti.
The rich score again! So long Hawaii.
I’m sorry, but have you ever visited French Polynesia? If you think Hawaii prices and fees are high, you probably haven’t.
We have spent 2 weeks on Kauai for many years, 1 on north shore & 1 in Poipu area. While we have visited other islands, we loved the quieter, less touristy feel compared, especially compared to Maui. Alas, even Kauai has become more crowded. Many are not not looking for a “Disneyland” vacation. I know this won’t be a popular comment, but I miss the less touristy Kauai! I think overall, Hawaii is right to want to slow visitors to their beautiful state. Like the rest of the planet, preservation of resources, natural beauty and the climate should be a top priority everywhere.
I love Hawaii. My family loves not just beautiful beaches and climate but the complex history and beautiful culture of native Hawaiian language and practice. We teach our kids to learn in a real touch and feel way the ugly face of colonialism in the history of America.
As a tourist, it’s becoming harder each year to justify a return. We try to use YouTube and news sites (including Beat of Hawaii) to plan ahead, be aware of local challenges, and do our best to travel respectfully and spend locally.
We are reaching close to the point of not returning. Since 2017 when we first visited each trip has been thousands of dollars more expensive than the last with no net increase in travel class. Tourists can only be milked so far.
Visited Maui in 2022 for the first time since 1995. The additional accomodations that had been built on Kaanapali since 1995 was significant and definitely changed the ‘vibe’ of the area. At some point the government approved all of that additional development not only in Kaanapali but south Maui as well. If you build it they will come, and come they did. What did they think would happen? There really is no place like Hawaii but it’s hard to spend so much money to travel to a place where many do not want you to visit. The additional taxes and fees on top of the $ you’re contributing just by spending your tourism dollars will turn more away, but I guess that’s the goal.
I agree that the islands are over touristed, damaging the aina and the people who live here. I also don’t want only wealthy people as tourists and landowners. How about less of these numerous tourist taxes and instead a wealth tax and higher tax rates on properties above, say 5M?
This winter we won’t be back. The Islands can’t figure out what they want, or don’t want. The taxes for tourism are making me change plans to another warm place. 26 trips to Hawaii, since 1993 all the neat things and locations are gone. Plus high taxes and fees for looking or driving around the island.
RS