243 thoughts on “Nickle-And-Dimed To Death | Hawaii Visitors Reeling”
Shannon F
This article is an insult to the people of Hawaii. Clueless and disrespectful visitors (not all visitors) do significant damage to the beaches and natural areas on all of our islands. It is expensive to clean up after them. Hawaii has also allowed corporate interests to overdevelop tourism. Any reduction in the number of tourists visiting annually is welcome by both Hawaiians and kama’aina. Granted that some of these charges may feel like being nickel and dimed as they are a patchwork of bandaids put in place to try to preserve our precious land. If visitors don’t wish to contribute to the upkeep of our islands and more specifically damage they are collectively causing, they are welcome to visit Florida instead.
So just trying to understand…do you think you shouldn’t contribute fees to the upkeep of your island? Do you think that you are not causing collective damage? People are people, all causing damage equally. Are you saying “I’m allowed to cause damage, but I curse outsiders causing damage?”
Pat G
Assuming your “you” is referring to Hawaii residents, I believe they/we do pay for the maintenance of our land.
We pay property tax, general excise tax, income tax, sales tax – on food and prescriptions as well as on clothing, cars, gas.
I believe the “maintenance” of the land is paid for, in part, by some of these tax dollars. Hawaii’s population is approximately 1.4 million; last year we were visited by approximately 2.8 million people. We fix what they break, we restore what they damage, we clean up their trash, we even risk our lives to rescue “stranded” hikers as well as those who ignore no trespassing/private property/ falling rocks signs. Aloha is not a one-way street. And not everything can be fixed.
Wow, do you seriously think that visitors, non-resident owners, etc. don’t pay taxes and fees? Non-resident owners actually pay 5 times the property tax that residents do. That money makes almost the entirety of the Affordable Housing Fund. And now visitors will be paying more in fees than residents do. So I’m still trying to understand your distinction.
I live here, and I guess I can see now why I see so much destruction being perpetrated by locals. They must believe they have the right to do it, because they pay “taxes and fees”!
2
Chris R
Sorry, but I am not hauling my old washer or car to the islands to dump along the roadway
We own a timeshare on the Big Island. It’s fee has gone up, but that is for improvements to the property. We will see that accommodations tax this February. Over $400 of our rental car cost is taxes and assorted fees…so yes, really nickled and dimed there…not to mention they have not lowered the rates at all….still seeing rates up to $3,000 for a month. Double+ what they were before COVID. I’m just waiting for beach fees…and yes, pretty soon, Hawaii can charge all they want…but when there are fewer people to pay it, and the small business owners can’t make it, perhaps then, Hawaii (the government) will be happy.
Yes, I believe that’s what’s going to happen, and that after the mass exodus of our graduating children, hospitality workers and their families, and closure of all of the industries that support them, those left will indeed be happy. There will always be government handouts for those left.
I agree with the nickel and diming on airlines, but that isn’t exclusive to Hawaii. It appears airlines are trying to makeup for lost revenue from covid lockdowns, in addition to simple greed.
Hotels everywhere are changing extra tax fees, again… it’s not just Hawaii. I live here and traveled to Australia and was shocked at how outrageous the extra fees were for everything.
The beach fees for visitors are because travelers haven’t respected our beaches and leave behind their trash. We have to clean up after them and we do.
Take a walk in a neighborhood here on the islands and you probably won’t see dog poop anywhere. We respect our neighbors and the land.
Yes, I laugh every time I read a local complaining about trash that visitors leave behind. Some of the neighborhoods, mostly filled with long-term renters, are full of trash, engines up on blocks with oil spilling into the gutters, etc. I live here, and all of us locals need a dose of reality about who is causing what.
After visiting the Islands every year (except Covid year) for the past 20 plus years – the islands have lost their luster, vitality and sprit with the absorbent pricing. Add to that a rental car for a week cost more than airfare for 2 people. Plus flying and all the hidden lies, fees and charges, the lines at TSA standing in the sun for hours to check in. Really sad to see and witness. The beauty will always be there but I can find peace in a stream, river or lake in my own state without the hassles of traveling and needing an armored car to carry the $’s to pay for all the nickel and dimes. The spirit of Hawaii should be put on the endangered list.
Well, Aloha was always just a made up marketing myth… and soaking the tourists for every nickel and dime possible has always been the Hawaiian tourism / tax system philosophy… so sounds like there are just a bunch of newby visitors that weren’t expecting to be treated the same way all Hawaiian tourists have always been treated by the state and county governments: As ATM machines. Tourism / tourist tax dollars pay for virutally Everything in the state–and like a crack fiend kicking in your back door and destroying your $7000 air conditioning system to steel $50 in copper to pay for his next fix–at this point the state and counties can’t help themselves–can’t stop themselves from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs….
Dunkin Donuts is a blight on the landscape and culture. When I lived on Oahu in the late 1990s, there were No Dunkin Donuts stores. Now I see there three on the South Shore! Hawaii, have some pride, geesh.
I agree with everyone’s comments (including my own!). If only the rest rooms were better maintained, etc., I’d agree with visitors paying a fee. Think about it – I said “A Fee” not a fee every time you parked your car somewhere! We are so lucky to have been to Kauai so many times – we can pick and choose where we don’t want to frequent yet another time (Waimea Canyon has not change in the 27 years we’ve been coming and spending $20 to see it again – probably not). But that concept of being “nickeled and dimed” is Just Plain Annoying and Off-Putting!
Back in the 1960’s, Hawaii did actually charge 10 cents to use public restrooms. I was young then, so it may have only been at the airport. But I do remember everyone either holding the door open for you, or, inserting an empty toilet paper roll to prop the door open.
I do not understand the rationale behind charging the Tourist to Park at a Beach, but not Residents. If the $$ are for “Maintaining” the Parking Lot, Bathrooms, Beach Cleanup, etc, do the locals not use the Bathrooms or park in the lots? This is Madness.
I agree Gloria. I have seen first hand on our many trips to Maui how the “locals” treat the parks and beaches. Broken down, stripped cars are left on the beach. Trash all over and these are in areas that tourists aren’t frequenting because of the “unhoused” residents that are hostile and aggressively chase them out. Tourists are the scapegoats. Plenty of residents don’t live with much respect for the land and water. I am not opposed to fees for use but the locals should pay as well. A reduced resident fee but still a fee to help offset the cost of water, trash, toilet paper, etc.
Wow! Just Wow! This is sounding more and more like not the place for a vacation! Very sad. .tourism is your main source of income…now what will you do? It’s a big world with lots of pretty places!
I’m all in for being nickeled and dimed. If you don’t like it go somewhere else. If you are comparing Hawaii to other vacation locations, you just don’t understand Hawaii.
I think I get it…they need tourism to keep the economy going but hate them… a little extreme. So should Las Vegas hate all the islanders that come to live and make more money. Las Vegas is not the place it was 20 years ago. Its very sad as most of my family lives there. California is not what it was either but we have to decide what is worth it. I Love Hawaii for its peaceful places but the theft and dislike seems to be spreading. I would hate to never go back but there are other places that have beauty
Based on the comments here from people supporting your island lifestyle, I believe they definitely understand what Hawaii has devolved into…..it’s sad for everyone who loves the islands.
The exorbitant hotel and car rates will remain as long as people are willing to pay them. Just like here in California. So how long they stay remains to be seen.
Hotels and airlines have been nickel and diming people for years, it’s always been infuriating and has nothing to do with covid. Those industries will cry poverty but look at where they spent the money that was thrown at them in 2020.
I’m used to paying visitor-only entrance fees because I’ve been fortunate to have traveled often. They are a different thing for most Americans probably, just like tipping is seen by foreign visitors to the US, they do not like it.
This article is an insult to the people of Hawaii. Clueless and disrespectful visitors (not all visitors) do significant damage to the beaches and natural areas on all of our islands. It is expensive to clean up after them. Hawaii has also allowed corporate interests to overdevelop tourism. Any reduction in the number of tourists visiting annually is welcome by both Hawaiians and kama’aina. Granted that some of these charges may feel like being nickel and dimed as they are a patchwork of bandaids put in place to try to preserve our precious land. If visitors don’t wish to contribute to the upkeep of our islands and more specifically damage they are collectively causing, they are welcome to visit Florida instead.
Don’t complain, just don’t come to Hawaii.
So just trying to understand…do you think you shouldn’t contribute fees to the upkeep of your island? Do you think that you are not causing collective damage? People are people, all causing damage equally. Are you saying “I’m allowed to cause damage, but I curse outsiders causing damage?”
Pat G
Assuming your “you” is referring to Hawaii residents, I believe they/we do pay for the maintenance of our land.
We pay property tax, general excise tax, income tax, sales tax – on food and prescriptions as well as on clothing, cars, gas.
I believe the “maintenance” of the land is paid for, in part, by some of these tax dollars. Hawaii’s population is approximately 1.4 million; last year we were visited by approximately 2.8 million people. We fix what they break, we restore what they damage, we clean up their trash, we even risk our lives to rescue “stranded” hikers as well as those who ignore no trespassing/private property/ falling rocks signs. Aloha is not a one-way street. And not everything can be fixed.
Wow, do you seriously think that visitors, non-resident owners, etc. don’t pay taxes and fees? Non-resident owners actually pay 5 times the property tax that residents do. That money makes almost the entirety of the Affordable Housing Fund. And now visitors will be paying more in fees than residents do. So I’m still trying to understand your distinction.
I live here, and I guess I can see now why I see so much destruction being perpetrated by locals. They must believe they have the right to do it, because they pay “taxes and fees”!
Sorry, but I am not hauling my old washer or car to the islands to dump along the roadway
We own a timeshare on the Big Island. It’s fee has gone up, but that is for improvements to the property. We will see that accommodations tax this February. Over $400 of our rental car cost is taxes and assorted fees…so yes, really nickled and dimed there…not to mention they have not lowered the rates at all….still seeing rates up to $3,000 for a month. Double+ what they were before COVID. I’m just waiting for beach fees…and yes, pretty soon, Hawaii can charge all they want…but when there are fewer people to pay it, and the small business owners can’t make it, perhaps then, Hawaii (the government) will be happy.
Yes, I believe that’s what’s going to happen, and that after the mass exodus of our graduating children, hospitality workers and their families, and closure of all of the industries that support them, those left will indeed be happy. There will always be government handouts for those left.
I agree with the nickel and diming on airlines, but that isn’t exclusive to Hawaii. It appears airlines are trying to makeup for lost revenue from covid lockdowns, in addition to simple greed.
Hotels everywhere are changing extra tax fees, again… it’s not just Hawaii. I live here and traveled to Australia and was shocked at how outrageous the extra fees were for everything.
The beach fees for visitors are because travelers haven’t respected our beaches and leave behind their trash. We have to clean up after them and we do.
Take a walk in a neighborhood here on the islands and you probably won’t see dog poop anywhere. We respect our neighbors and the land.
Visitors are the scapegoat for Hawaiian trash. I see charcoal grills, fishing poles, and other items on beaches that are certainly not from visitors.
Yes, I laugh every time I read a local complaining about trash that visitors leave behind. Some of the neighborhoods, mostly filled with long-term renters, are full of trash, engines up on blocks with oil spilling into the gutters, etc. I live here, and all of us locals need a dose of reality about who is causing what.
Really? Those tourists leaving burned out cars everywhere on Maui too?
Hopefully these new parking fees will be reinvested in the beach parks and not disappear into unrelated funds.
Used to be my favorite place to visit will never go back to any of the islands tired of it.
Mahalo!
After visiting the Islands every year (except Covid year) for the past 20 plus years – the islands have lost their luster, vitality and sprit with the absorbent pricing. Add to that a rental car for a week cost more than airfare for 2 people. Plus flying and all the hidden lies, fees and charges, the lines at TSA standing in the sun for hours to check in. Really sad to see and witness. The beauty will always be there but I can find peace in a stream, river or lake in my own state without the hassles of traveling and needing an armored car to carry the $’s to pay for all the nickel and dimes. The spirit of Hawaii should be put on the endangered list.
Well, Aloha was always just a made up marketing myth… and soaking the tourists for every nickel and dime possible has always been the Hawaiian tourism / tax system philosophy… so sounds like there are just a bunch of newby visitors that weren’t expecting to be treated the same way all Hawaiian tourists have always been treated by the state and county governments: As ATM machines. Tourism / tourist tax dollars pay for virutally Everything in the state–and like a crack fiend kicking in your back door and destroying your $7000 air conditioning system to steel $50 in copper to pay for his next fix–at this point the state and counties can’t help themselves–can’t stop themselves from killing the goose that lays the golden eggs….
Dunkin Donuts is a blight on the landscape and culture. When I lived on Oahu in the late 1990s, there were No Dunkin Donuts stores. Now I see there three on the South Shore! Hawaii, have some pride, geesh.
I agree with everyone’s comments (including my own!). If only the rest rooms were better maintained, etc., I’d agree with visitors paying a fee. Think about it – I said “A Fee” not a fee every time you parked your car somewhere! We are so lucky to have been to Kauai so many times – we can pick and choose where we don’t want to frequent yet another time (Waimea Canyon has not change in the 27 years we’ve been coming and spending $20 to see it again – probably not). But that concept of being “nickeled and dimed” is Just Plain Annoying and Off-Putting!
Back in the 1960’s, Hawaii did actually charge 10 cents to use public restrooms. I was young then, so it may have only been at the airport. But I do remember everyone either holding the door open for you, or, inserting an empty toilet paper roll to prop the door open.
I do not understand the rationale behind charging the Tourist to Park at a Beach, but not Residents. If the $$ are for “Maintaining” the Parking Lot, Bathrooms, Beach Cleanup, etc, do the locals not use the Bathrooms or park in the lots? This is Madness.
I agree Gloria. I have seen first hand on our many trips to Maui how the “locals” treat the parks and beaches. Broken down, stripped cars are left on the beach. Trash all over and these are in areas that tourists aren’t frequenting because of the “unhoused” residents that are hostile and aggressively chase them out. Tourists are the scapegoats. Plenty of residents don’t live with much respect for the land and water. I am not opposed to fees for use but the locals should pay as well. A reduced resident fee but still a fee to help offset the cost of water, trash, toilet paper, etc.
Wow! Just Wow! This is sounding more and more like not the place for a vacation! Very sad. .tourism is your main source of income…now what will you do? It’s a big world with lots of pretty places!
I’m all in for being nickeled and dimed. If you don’t like it go somewhere else. If you are comparing Hawaii to other vacation locations, you just don’t understand Hawaii.
I think I get it…they need tourism to keep the economy going but hate them… a little extreme. So should Las Vegas hate all the islanders that come to live and make more money. Las Vegas is not the place it was 20 years ago. Its very sad as most of my family lives there. California is not what it was either but we have to decide what is worth it. I Love Hawaii for its peaceful places but the theft and dislike seems to be spreading. I would hate to never go back but there are other places that have beauty
Based on the comments here from people supporting your island lifestyle, I believe they definitely understand what Hawaii has devolved into…..it’s sad for everyone who loves the islands.
Marriot is not even taking points.
The exorbitant hotel and car rates will remain as long as people are willing to pay them. Just like here in California. So how long they stay remains to be seen.
Hotels and airlines have been nickel and diming people for years, it’s always been infuriating and has nothing to do with covid. Those industries will cry poverty but look at where they spent the money that was thrown at them in 2020.
I’m used to paying visitor-only entrance fees because I’ve been fortunate to have traveled often. They are a different thing for most Americans probably, just like tipping is seen by foreign visitors to the US, they do not like it.