304 thoughts on “New Hawaii Tourist Fees: Creative Hikes Set to Curb Tourism”
Joe A
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Dave C
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.