Hawaii’s tourism culture is under pressure. Is this the new normal in Hawaii?
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102 thoughts on “New Normal in Hawaii: Free One-Way Return Flights, Arrests, More”
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Hawaii’s tourism culture is under pressure. Is this the new normal in Hawaii?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
seems like attorneys would step in and represent the homeless. Hawaii could give the homeless a condo and food for a week if they cleaned up beaches and repaired county property during there stay. there’s alot of room for growth in Hawaii. the anti growth mentality has created misery.
Why send them here and put our people in danger. If they have mental health issue they should be dealt with in there own state. I dont believe that they should be sent here.
It is hard to have sympathy for homeless anymore. Here in Ohio people hold signs saying they need help because they are homeless. Most of them are scammers who have decent homes but use the homeless situation to make money dishonestly. Some make up to a thousand dollars or more tax free per week. It’s repulsive.
Thank you for this article. Our resources are strained enough here, we don’t need outsiders coming and adding to the burden whether it’s homeless from other states/countries or tourists who can’t wait until this is over. It’s nice to know this is being enforced.
Hi Joelle.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I am so glad that your implementing these stringent rules. I wish they would implement those rules on the mainland. My husband as I write this is in ICU and we’re hoping he recovers from the pneumonia. He is a local boy. People need to take this seriously. I personally believe they should ban flying for the next month or so. To give us a chance to recover from this. We are spreading it by allowing people to fly. Thank you for your coverage of this. I appreciate very much. Mahalo
HI RZ.
Thank you. Our best to you and your husband!
Aloha.
I love Hawaii. We lived on Oahu when my husband was stationed at Schofield Barracks and returned for a visit last November. There’s just something about the islands that is so special and unlike other tropical destinations. I was happy to hear of the efforts taken to keep Hawaii healthy. My only worry is that when the locals get a taste of life without all of the tourists, they will want to keep it that way – I can’t wait to return. Stay healthy, Hawaii. Aloha.
Hi Monica.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Morning can you update us when it is safe to visit Hawaii or when it will be safe to travel there Thank you. God bless Mahalo
Hi Jennifer.
We will be updating with everything we learn, so please stay tuned for more information.
Aloha.
My brother has been stuck on that God forsaken island and we are trying to get him out of there and back home. Due to the lack of any human compassion for anyone who doesn’t have money to throw around I’ve rete Hawaii and its islands absolute garbage and it’s locals and Islanders.
They are still humans and US citizens. It’s not right for states to fly them to Hawaii but you should not be arresting people for not having a place to live.
Most people dont choose that life style. Many have mental illnesses.
Point is, they are humans, same as you and me. They deserve better. Shame on you!
You are doing the right thing! Thx
I feel the world is people polluted. The states on the mainland feel the same way
Especially the ones where weed became legal in the beginning
I’m from Colorado we have been priced out as well.
Aloha
So let me get this straight. When someone who has no home and no place to stay crosses over our southern border we are supposed to welcome them with open arms provide shelter healthcare and other benefits, but if you go to Hawaii seeking the same you get sent back to where you came from. Interesting.
yes ,no money, no honey
I’m homeless in Kona how do I get a flight home to Maryland?
Could you please tell me if ogg will have incoming Delta flights from Seattle on May 25th?
Hi Jean.
As of today we show DL1397 operating the route on that day.
Aloha.
Why can’t it be verified on the outbound flight where a person is staying or has arranged accommodations.. that way it would save Hawaii the hassle.
We can put a man on the moon, this isn’t that hard to do.
Having said this I had the intrusion of ‘ big brother’ dictating my every move.
Hawaii basically hates visitors but loves their money. Just the facts and pretty much the truth.. they sell their land to hallies for a nice profit, then complain when their children can’t afford to live there and hence have to move off island.. blame lies on them.
Who would be doing the verification and under what authority would they be doing it in another State? Also who would be paying the cost of doing it at every airport on the mainland. Do you check from where they initially depart or when they are connecting through another city? Too many issues. We still live in a free Country.
Some years ago, on Waikiki Beach, a beach maintenance worker told me that mainland homeless have been transplanted to rid cities, for the coming Presidential Conventions, that yr.
When Salt Lake City UT was preparing to host the Olympics they gave hundreds of their homeless bus tickets to places further south in Arizona etc.
I live west of Vail CO and the police there used to put homeless on a bus to Grand Junction because ” there are more services available there”. Grand Junction couldn’t keep up with the additional influx and city officials put a stop to it. Thx
It’s great that you’re taking this seriously & protecting your citizens.
I visited in 2004 & noticed there were not of homeless people in a park. You don’t need more.
Please we need stop the spread! Kauai ..Right-on!
Wish they would stop all visitors on all islands from visiting too!!!
Aloha
Don’t come here of your homeless…our islands aren’t your homeless shelters…you just come and squat and trash our beaches and parks, steal! No effort is made to better your selves when here ! Stay on the mainland
I’m glad Hawaii is doing something about the homeless. My last trip I was astonished at how many there are on Maui. I will not go back to that Island for this reason and I hear Waikiki is worse.
Ditto. Honolulu reminded me of a Banana Republic last summer there were so many homeless and people living out of their cars and in derelict boats in rundown marinas in addition to the poor state of housing in many neighborhoods. It felt borderline unsafe to leave the tourist areas and was an anger-inducing reminder of the massive inequality and crumbling general condition of the U.S.
We have been noticing people that haven’t lived or seen here before on the island of Molokai. When asked where do they live their response is at different beaches. STOP sending the homeless people here but help from hence they come from.
I agree. If I were a Hawaiian it would bother me as well to have people within my islands trashing the beaches and such. We visited there in March and it was beautiful but we saw many homeless people as well. Kind of ruins the whole thing. I can’t say I blame them.
Good on Hawaii, this is one the most beautiful spots in the world and as a recently I was a visitor to both Honolulu and then Maui. In both cities I was disgusted with the many street people present that were clearly not Hawaiian nor had any desire to cease living on the streets of paradise. It reminded me of the picture we regularly see of the horrible situation that has been permitted to flourish in a lot of the west coast cities of North America particularly San Francisco. Poor, miss guided, uneducated leadership and resulting non enforcement of existing laws created a utopia for people that feel slighted by the system. With the impending financial crash coming the time of refusing to try to contribute to society and instead expecting endless free support is now over. It is clearly time for you to go home now where you came from, the party is over, you are no longer welcome and you should off never come anyway.
The encouraging and catering to people to come to this West Coast utopia for the homeless has done nothing to help these people and cruelly has just made even more suffering for these unfortunate people. Most homeless are not locals but people that traveled here for many different reasons seeking a better life but in reality leaving their homes towns has only made life more difficult for them. Encouraging people to leave their original homes towns deprives them of basic connection for support, no friends, no relatives no networks, no health care, no home, no way to communicate all contribute to an endless world of despair and hardship for these people. Rather than enabling these people with more tent cities, porta-potties and free drugs why not do something that will really help these unfortunate people and provide the resources to assist them in getting back home where they can get the support they desperately need.
As long as you get your handout
Well said! Being “nice” to the homeless and giving them a few dollars is rewarding they’re behavior. If you’re hungry, you should work and offer something to society and get paid for that. No one should get paid for simply breathing.
Amen!
Last time I checked this was a “United States of America”. United.. a Citizen is a Citizen .
So, what does that entitle them too? Contribute or leave. Takers or maker? I’ll want a society that rewards makers vs takers.
Yup and these homeless hippies are encroaching on our life style…so what’s up US help your homless, don’t just send them here! We’ll throw them back on the ocean for you
Maui no ka oi
I’m so glad to see Hawaii finally doing something about the homeless coming from the mainland. It’s about time. I’m from Hawaii all mylife and recently moved here to America cuz it got to expensive to live at home. The mainland needs to stop sending their problems to the island and deal with it themselves!!! Stop it. They take advantage of their situation in Hawaii and don’t do anything to better their lives and become productive. They use And take assistance that belong to the people of Hawaii. Now with this plague happening please stop this madness. I want to be able to come home one day.
SISTER. You took the words right out of my mouth. Mahalo.
I live in Del Mar ca and of all places I Want To go Hawaii is last on my lest. What is all the fuss about.
Good. Stay home, we don’t need you here…our lives will go on with out you coming, trust me! Again good, don’t come please
If you haven’t been then it’s best you don’t come.
II’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii. It is on my bucket list. But some of you sound so negative. Sounds like don’t like visitors. Please tell me why. Should I. Not come
Hi Droberts.
It is just a tough time. Hawaii and its visitors are permanently intertwined and always will be.
Once we get through this you should definitely plan to come. We can’t imagine that you won’t have a great experience. Most of our website’s visitors are long-term fans of Hawaii and millions of them can’t all be wrong in their perception. We’d suggest you not let a few people dissuade you.
Aloha.
We are living in a new gilded age where the 1% is robbing from the poor and middle class in order to consolidate power over us. States don’t have the financial resources to be able to adequately respond to all the social crisis in their populations and including homelessness. That is why they buy one way tickets to Warmer states like California and Hawaii. But Hawaii is unique because it lacks the economic diversity necessary to support the majority of residents. They depend on and therefore are essentially held hostage to the tourism industry and the military industrial complex. They’ve also relied on the rich and others seduced by her natural beauty who want to live there as well. The result,land and home prices out of reach to average Hawaiians. Most tourists are now put off by all the homeless in paradise and can’t envision coming back which further exacerbates the problem.The state needs to put permanent measures in place because they are becoming a parking lot in paradise for the homeless further reducing tourism.
Sounds like an “advertisement” to me. And I do read your content, no complaints or criticism there. Thank you for the up to date info, that is much appreciated. Mahalo nui
I also would like to thank you for confirming what I’ve been hearing for years, that homeless are given one way tickets here. Not cool! We have a large homeless population that could use assistance and with shelters asking for help to accommodate those that already live here, there is no room for others. Resources should go first and foremost to residents of our islands.
Hi Naomi.
Thank you. It has been in the news on and off for years apparently.
Aloha.
“Please” discontinue your advertisement, as stated above, for cheap flights to Hawaii. Now is no time for vacation, and non-essential travel. To protect the health of residents particularly kupuna and those at high risk for contracting covid-19, it is safer for all to follow government mandates to stay home and self quarantine. Furthermore, Hawaii is currently experiencing economic stress and for the state to have to cover “free” flights for homeless to return from whence they came causes further undue stress. Those are funds which could be used elsewhere. The quicker we can overcome this the quicker everyone can enjoy our beautiful home. We as residents are doing our part and visitors coming in are counterproductive to the goal of stopping the continued spread of coronavirus. We want to come out and play too. You could use your platform to instead encourage potential visitors to save a life, theirs and others, by STAYING HOME!!Not encouraging people to travel and take advantage of cheap airfare. Thank you!
Hi Naomi.
The name of Beat of Hawaii’s website is Cheap Flights to Hawaii. We are not “advertising” nor recommending people visit here at this time. That should be quite clear if you take the time to read what we have been writing.
Aloha.
Sounds like an “advertisement” to me. And I do read your content, no complaints or criticism there. Thank you for the up to date info, that is much appreciated. Mahalo nui
Hi Naomi.
Thanks for the nice words and being a regular reader.
Aloha.
Aloha !
Maybe you can answer my question please.
On this topic on when a person who is going to da islands for vacation, I heard they are required to stay at their hotel room, for a quar antine of 14 days is this right ?
Also, what if one gets a plane ticket to hawaii for a 2 week vacation, the 2 weeks in quar antine, does this mean after that do they have to fly back home or fly back to where ever they came from, that’s not much of a vacation right hmmmm!
Anyways Mahalo nui loa for listening to ppl with questions like me, lol !
Have a good aloha day !!!!
~ Larry A. ~
Hi Larry.
Good questions. Yes you must stay in your accommodation for 14 days. It is monitored. No exceptions. You can’t go to the store or anything. After that period you are free to be here, although seriously this wouldn’t be a good idea at all. Everything is closed, and that means you can’t even go sit on the beach.
Aloha.
What is dis “Special One-Time Assistance Program”?
I’ve never heard of this program, how does one get on a program like this ? Not saying I do !
What other States do this Program & how long has this program been around ?
How does this program work?
Do these people need to be in a certain situation to get on this program?
How long has this so called service been around?
Are they planning on changing this?
Means by eliminating this program, or do the people who run this program think this will help people get a new start in their lives???
Help me understand this program more !
Mahalo for listening to my thoughts on this situation!
I’ve heard that my whole life that other states send homeless and mentally disabled people here as part of a program.. not just last year and not just NY. There are A LOT of people that moved here from The mainland who aren’t doing right at all. They live here and take food stamps and work all cash off the books a jobs so they never pay taxes etc. They came here to escape things like paying child support and other legalities on the mainland and do the exact same illegal stuff here … they are here dealing drugs, taking up resources, using people, using the government and just being worthless/ never contributing to our island. I always said if they’re not going to do right~ then they should go home where we they came from.
So totally agree with you Caremita !
It’s about time we do this!
Thank you
Hi Carmelita.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Good for you our people don’t need anyone bringing in more homeless and more disease.
I believe Hawaii is doing what it needs to to protect it’s citizens. If you keep the vi rus off the islands by keeping infected people from entering, the vi rus cannot spread there. I was supposed to fly to Kauai April 19 to surprise my 9 year old granddaughter for her birthday. Now we don’t know when I will be able to see her and the rest of my daughter’s family, who have lived on Kauai 8 years. While I am disappointed, I am fully in support of Kauai being strict. Too many people on the mainland are still behaving as if this is no big deal, and as a result, people are dying and this is spreading. I do wish to caution your residents, though, to not become vigilantes about identifying “tourists.” My daughter had a negative experience recently at a beach in Poipu. She had gone to take a quick dip, as is still allowed. She went to drop her towel and another older woman who was over 10 feet away made a horrible face and motioned with her hand to shoo her away. My daughter, apparently because she is blonde, was being mistaken for a tourist. My daughter told this woman she was a local, to calm down, and to just take care of herself. Good advice, I think for all of us to remember in these unnavigated times. I will be back to visit your beautiful island when it is safe to do so. In the mean time, stay home, stay a safe distance, and Mahalo for your informative reporting.
Hi Thresa.
Thank you.
Aloha.
It really isn’t a big deal, the vi rus is less contagious as previous ones and people didn’t mind then. Use common sense people and stop panicking
According to a study released by the JAMA on February 28,, the “regular flu” has a contagion rate of 1.3 and COVID. contagion rate is 2-3. So, it’s MORE contagious not less contagious.
The White House estimated that the total number of deaths is 100,000 to 250000.
Seems like a /big deal to me.
Tell me it ain’t true. Up pops an ad to come to Hawaii and cheap flights here on your website.
Mahalo. For keeping all informed. Before the vi rus I have talked to several homeless from New York Minnesota California etc. all have said they received a one way ticket here. So why is this news
Aloha…have so many questions maybe someone can answer them here. I was able to get thru to Hawaiin airlines about my scheduled flight to Hilo on May 11. I was told the flight was not yet cancelled and to wait til closer to flight date. I do not want a refund just a credit for the first flight out after the ban. Im really confused as to when that will be because of what the government is saying May 20 – no arrivals – I thought all flights were cancelled, but apparently not–a friend is flying to Hawaii this Monday, April 6. Question#1 are there still flights to Hawaii from Hawaiin Air or other airlines? Also, regarding the quar antine….my flight and most flights usually fly thru Honolulu….Question#2 – so would you be quar antined in Honolulu or be allowed to fly to the other islands where your final destination is? Also, regarding quar antined as well Question #3 – If I am allowed to fly onto Hilo and I have a home away from home there with my friend – he owns the property would I be able to go there and if there is a quar antined could I be quar antined there and what would I need to show to proof this to the authorities? If anyone knows any of these I’d appreciate your feedback I need get to Hilo as soon as I can. Thank you, Joyce
Hi Joyce.
There are still flights and those are deemed “essential service” and not for vacation travel. The rules about stay at home will impact you at your final destination, so in your case Hilo. We don’t have information on how your stay there with your friend will be monitored. If you can avoid coming at this time, that would be the best thing.
Aloha.
Will my fiance be able to travel from Afghanistan straight to Hawaii and come straight to my house.
Oh he is Army.
If you want an answer you have to say “THANK YOU.” I don’t think that’s too much to ask. A little courtesy goes a long way. Mahalo.
Hi Michael.
You’re the best! Thank you.
Aloha, J/R
So Michael B calls out Victoria for not saying please OR thank you when she asked about a loved one traveling home, but 2 comments later a man comments with no ‘please OR ‘thank you’and not one word badmouthing him. Bit of a double standard here. Oh, thank you
Yes
It’s not just the homeless, nobody should be coming to Hawaii right now. We have to have minimal essential service and that is all.
Hawaiian took an early and aggressive approach to cutting back service, possibly saving us 1000’s of lives. As recently as last week
I looked on a live radar map that shows all the flights in the air. Coming to Hawaii there was one Hawaiian flight, one United flight
and FOUR Southwest flights. That’s wrong, we don’t need their little “Southwest Effect” mantra right now.
Hi John.
SWA was not the only airline to continue flying. Also we noted seen in our skies recently was Alaska, American and United.
Unless we’re mistaken, you are the retired Hawaiian Airlines pilot we read about who served that company for over 30 years. Congratulations on that! As such, it might be hard to be objective about other carriers.
Aloha.
Aloha!
Do you have an update on SW flights? We were scheduled to come to Maui May 10th and working to reschedule. Just as I went in to SW to reschedule our Hawaii flight disappeared. I checked SW flights and it looks like all have been cancelled for April and May through the 25th. Do you know anything about this?
Mahalo!
Hi Nancy.
We will be doing an update in the next few hours on Southwest Hawaii flights.
Aloha.
Dear Guys,
Thanks for all you do in normal times, and thanks now for this kind of information.
I have had a question that I don’t know how to get answered, and perhaps you do, as it is in line with the issues in today’s “newsletter” from you.
Although we have roadblocks and warnings to arriving visitors that they must self-quarantine, we seem possibly to have a big loophole that concerns me:
The other day as I was out walking for some exercise, a couple approached me (too closely; and had to be warned to step back), asking for directions to a specific beach. They were on foot, but clearly were not familiar with the area, and seemed to be visitors to the island. I did not ask where they were staying or when they arrived, but later I started wondering about whether there was any way that visitors coming in to rented private houses or condos are having their quarantine enforced. Such people should not be out walking according to the rules, but how would anyone know if they did violate this rule? I understand that hotels are supposed to help enforce the quarantine, but home or condo owners are not forbidden to continue to rent to new arrivals, and they are essentially turned loose into the community, at least if they are on foot. If you have, or know how to get, additional information on this, or how to bring this issue/question to the authorities and also disseminate answers about this to the rest of us I would be grateful.
Mahalo!
Hi Phyllis.
Thank you. And great question. We’re try to find an answer and post it.
Thank you.
Vacation rentals are not allowed bookings in CA. Our rental company canceled everyone who was scheduled through the end of April. HI should do the same thing.
Huh? I own a vacation rental in CA and that’s news to me. Please post a link.
For Lake Tahoe, easy to do just close the Snow gates on the highways
That put the K Bosh on Vacation rentals in Tahoe.
I heard similar in the “Wine Country”.
We’re now in Albuquerque where our Daughter is a Physician/Asst Prof of Medicine at the University. Due to some medical issues she put me on “house arrest” 6 weeks ago anyway.
We were blessed with a trip to the Islands in 2000 when I learned so much history about HI.
My last hospital I worked at there were a number of medical staff from HI and they all became my BFF’s. Great people I miss them.
2-3 weeks ago we had the panic buying, few supplies. REALLY all the ICE CREAM and paper goods?????
The reason nobody (sadly it’s the first I have) hears about the homeless dumping in HI is nobody brings it out to the mainstream media and forces them to report on it! The squeaky wheel gets the grease so make that wheel squeak loudly!!!!
We have the same issues here in ABQ, NM, so does Tahoe when the weather is nicer!
You all stay safe.
Homeless people in a lot of places on the mainland are given one way tickets to go someplace else.
I think Hawaii is doing a good job to make sure people who arrive have a place to live before allowing them to arrive.
It’s sad that another state would do that to another state. The homeless people are victims, and I don’t blame them for wanting to live in a beautiful place like Hawaii, but it shouldn’t be a dumping ground for others states. Hawaii has enough to help already.
Too bad they can’t stop the homeless and tourists with no accommodations from coming before they get on the plane.
Like provide proof BEFORE they board a flight to Hawaii? That would put the burden on an airline. I’m speculating the powers that be employ staff at a Hawaiian airport to check accommodations. Interesting concept.. I’m sure plenty can provide flaws but seems pretty wise to me. When you’re an island your “borders” are pretty well protected and easier to manage.
Because of budget cuts, California, sometime around 2013 released a large number of mental health patients into the homeless population and shelter system. The consistently failing economy everywhere pushed many thousands of homeless to the western shores of the mainland. They are so overtaxed they will do anything to minimize their population.
Mahalo for bringing attention to this sad but true story. On a side note, plant sweet potatoes y’all. Some of us remember when the boats didnt come.
Hi Starr.
Thank you.
Aloha.
It is about time homeless were blocked from moving here! Hawaii cannot look like a 3rd world country when paying tourist come to visit!
Hi Jeff Hi Rob missing you, wanting you safe & healthy. So lucky we live Kaua’i. Thank you for your updated, so important for all of us. Hugs💖
Hi Carole.
So good to hear from you! Thank you. Best to all of you as well.
Love from R/J.