The antithesis of Aloha is nickle-and-diming. How did Hawaii go so wrong?
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243 thoughts on “Nickle-And-Dimed To Death | Hawaii Visitors Reeling”
The antithesis of Aloha is nickle-and-diming. How did Hawaii go so wrong?
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we have lived in hawaii and visited many, many times over the years. after our visit in 2021, we will not be back ever again. hawaii has made it made it very clear we were not welcome. we always spent well over $10000. we will take our cash and go elsewhere. so sad. Hawaii, be careful what you wish for, you just might nust get it.
It’s two sides of the same coin. The principle is alluring and makes sense. However, where and how the funds are actually allocated and spent can be a whole different story. For example, I was visiting Maui again in May, using an AirB&B this time. There are new fees including a COVID19 cleaning fee…. How is that really any different than typical “Housekeeping cleaning fees” in reality (not principle)? Don’t get me wrong- I appreciate housekeeping workers but are they actually paid “more” to spend more time sanitizing door knobs, glassware, silverware, toilets, etc.? I’m pretty sure the laborers are expected to “clean” even more rooms, in the same work day. Or are these new fees simply going to the owner’s profit margin? Still luv HA!
I’m here right now, getting ready to go back home. This place is heartbreaking now. Really, why so many high end stores. Prada, Gucci, Hermes, LV. The relaxation of a Hawaiian vacation is gone. It’s all about buy buy buy,eat eat eat. I’ll try another island.
Maybe try somewhere that isn’t Waikiki? One wouldn’t judge Los Angeles after only visiting Disneyland, right? Same principle.
As a long time resident, BI, I mostly agree with the resentments. Many of the beaches with the overflowing garbage, dirty restroom & shower facilities. The employees just go through the motions. No heart. Wonder is anyone interested & invested in improving the land? DLNR is conspicuous in their absence. One heavy rain event event on the west side BI and it will all wash into the ocean. No dry dams are present or even conceived. . Lack of enthusiasm. Can’t wait to go Vegas.
There are many beautiful beaches and parks to go where you do not pay anything. There are also less expensive hotels to stay at….its a choice
The cost of living in Hawaii is high for residents as well. Many
Residents work two-three jobs just to pay rent, mortgage,and other basics. The Covid pandemic
Shook the economy and caused an inbalance in everything….visitors pay for it too when they visit
Residents pay for it all the time
Have you been to Florida? They charge to park at every beach. They charge for out of state tourist at hotels. Hey, they even charge locals!
I lived on Oahu 7 yrs and am moving back to Maui soon. The complaints by here smack of entitlement and willful ignorance of the geographic and financial realities inherent in HI being the most isolated populated island chain in the world. HI is expensive because everything must be shipped or flown in. Everything. Resort and service fees are not the exclusive to Hawaii. Go book an AirBnb or nice hotel on the US mainland and you’ll see what I mean. I just drove through Pennsylvania last week and guess what- I was forced to pay $ to use the turnpike. There ain’t no highway fees in Hawaii, not even on the H1 or H3, arguably two of the most scenic highways in the USA. Ever park for free in NYC or S Francisco? Didn’t think so, LOL…
Haha trying being a resident if this greedy state
We have 4 weeks of timeshares on Kauai and have had them for more than 20 years and the info that we have picked up is that the locals loved the COVID-19 hiatus from tourists and in many ways don’t want us back. And I can understand that. What they forget is the the Federal government was sending them money like they did the rest of the US. And so many of them make there living from tourism. The locals felt that they needed to, or, could survive without us tourists. We just got back from 2 weeks there and rely that there was a slight animosity—the Hawaiian independence issue is getting louder. And yes, the uncle and diming was there.
Previous articles say Kauai hopes to attract less one-time tourists and more “resident tourists”, which return to the island repeatedly. I am an annual resident tourist, as are all of my family members for 30+ yrs. We come and live, spending time with the island and friends, not tourist attractions. We use the beaches multiple times daily, stopping to watch surfers on the way home from the store, take hammocks out to read, take picnic dinners out, maybe a quick jog along the beach path. Fees to park would be ridiculous for us to pay each and every time we stop at a beach for only a few minutes. This would take away a lot of the resident tourists ability to utilize the outdoor spaces in a practical way. It will drive away favorable tourism.
Perhaps a monthly parking access pass would work, but not each visit. However, this also feels like a needless nickel & dime issue that should be covered in tourism taxes.
I am originally from Hawaii. I flew back in May. It has been 15 years since I been home. I was shocked about all the fees and taxes I was charged on a hotel room and vehicle rental. The fees and taxes was more than I paid to rent the room and vehicle. My opinion, without tourists, Hawaii residents and businesses will have a hard time surviving. I have family considering moving to the mainland because they can’t afford to live in Hawaii. Gone are the days from my small kid times. Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for the content you put out. It helps me keep up with home.
No X nor Y. Proper English please.
🙂
I think travelers would accept the fees if they were clearly connected to improvements that benefited both residents and travelers and addressed the stated concerns about traffic, etc. For example, imagine a public bus system on Maui that connected the airport, the hotels, the towns and major beaches, so often that going carless was reasonable as one would visiting Manhattan. Passes could be “free”/required and issued at the airport, funded by a tax.
What about the residents of Hawaii. We are nickeled and dime to death to keep this place going, so visitors can enjoy.
Without the locals working to keep the state moving,there would be nothing to visit. What’s in it for the locals?
without the tourist dollars you would have no jobs…no restaurants because locals couldn’t go because no money. residents need to understand that. they have forgotten that because of all the free money handed out. when that dries up you will come back to reality
FRANK said go to Fiji … with all due respect Frank it was one of the worst places I have ever been. If I want to be surrounded by poverty and feel guilty about my vacation, I’ll go to Mexico where it is more convenient and doesn’t cost as much.
I am nickel and dimed to death to live in Hawaii, why should visitors get a discount? Truly, it’s so overcrowded we cannot even go to the places we once loved. Seems prices could go up for visitors who are using more of our resources than we do on most days.
Thank you! No one is forcing these poor mistreated tourists to come here. In fact….don’t! 🙄
and when they dont you will be crying poverty..just wait, with your attitude, that is not far off in the future for you
One solution for mainland tourists to the nickel-dime-ripoffs is to spend a little more on airfare and head to Fiji. The Fijian equivalent of Aloha is very much alive there, without the pay-to-play problems of Hawaii in 2022.
Once loved Hawaii. Now will not return. Such a change in attitude and such extra charges for many things now. We rediscovered San Diego this spring and loved it. With no long flight and the money saved that is where we will go for palm trees and great weather and beaches.
Rod, I have lived in San Diego my entire life and I always thought – who needs Hawaii, we have Palm Trees and Beaches here … until I went to Hawaii for the first time. There is no place like it. Once I’m there – I dont’ want to leave, once I leave, I can’t wait to get back. All of this just makes me sad.
Awesome! Mahalo!
Now all you visitors get to see what it’s like to actually live in Hawaii! Residents get nickeled and dimed, but our resources still go to visitors first! Now try being second to visitors in your town, walking down your street, peering into your houses and finally awkwardly taking up space at your favorite nature zone. Now have some aloha
FYI, where ever tourists go they get treated differently because the tourist dollar helps the economy. Hawaii is a state not a country. Get some industry to sustain yourselves, once the tourist leave the locals will really pay, how’s that for Aloha
GLORIA, how are those Mexican vacations working out? The insatiable demand for drugs in the US has turned Mexican drug cartels into Murder Incorporated. Cancun, Tulumn and other Mexican resorts no longer safe.
Save your money for a slightly higher air fare, and head to Fiji, Tahiti, or elsewhere in the South Pacific. Life is full of choices!
Frank, all the things you say about Mexico are true. I’ve been to Tahiti – very expensive. I’ve been to Fiji – very disappointing. Shacks and Poverty everywhere. I live on the West Coast very easy to get there, but would never go back. Never felt Aloha. It felt very remote to me. But I think the saying is: Variety is the Spice of Life? …
So glad people are speaking up. This “poor me, I expected to be loved and pampered and have everything free” mentality is exactly why we are so frustrated. No parking. People disobeying posted signs to keep out or not park, lining the road to Hana with so many rental Jeeps that residents cannot get through. The most recent influx of tourists have been entitled, snobby, and frankly, cheap. So whining about it later is just further proving all of this.
Don’t come here, that’s absolutely fine! And if you do, understand that it is the most expensive state in the US and our wages are not adjusted to accommodate.
Have a little awareness, and lose the entitlement!
Right on! Wish I could upvote a thousand times!
Been hearing these comments for a few years now. Visited Maui for 15 days beginning end of June and decided to fight back a little. In the past I tipped well, never took change or if I did, tossed in the jar. Paid wuth a credit card at restaurants and always paid a high gratuity. This year, decided to approaxh it a lot different. I paid for the family meals with cash and never left a tip. Nope, not even change. Figure we saved around $500 over 15 days. Got back home and my wife asked why I paid cash for all the restaurants, told her no tipping this year. I was making up for the crazy tourist fees. Still don’t think she’s over it. Ha! I forgot all about it until I read this article. Mahalo that!
Was thinking Honolulu, but all the reviews & word of mouth, we said no way.
Staying on the mainland, Florida Gulf coast, definitely, not Hawaii.
Aloha Beat Of Hawaii. Our very greedy government and county has put Hawaii out of reach for locals and visitors alike. Unfortunately, my family is being forced out of kauai due to sky high inflation after living here all of our lives
Hawaii is becoming a “Disneyland.” Corporate and personal greed, in the name of “infrastructure and environmental preservation fees” are only going to increase over time. From charging for parking, to resort fees, to Habitat revitalization and Native Hawaiian Educational Resource Betterment Fund (I just made up those names… for Hawaii’s Tourism Department to use…) and any other spin-phrase$, they will only get more creative (& greedy) over time. America!!
Hawaii still has the best, good-hearted, chill citizens in our US and A!
Just to give some prospective we’re booked for first week of October 8 day 7 night stay on Oahu.
First 5 days 4 nights at Disney’s Aulani Second half 4 days 3 nights at Outrigger Waikiki beach with rental car through Costco Travel $3,163.00.
I have a basic room booked at Aulani Club Ocean view room at Outrigger which includes all our meals including lunch and evening cocktails.
Plane tickets booked with points.
They’re are still good deals for Hawaii if you know where to look.
Hotels in Hawaii are not owned by Locals, especially the ones charging >$1200 per night. That money goes to Corporations and people outside of Hawaii. Hotels do not even pay a living wage. Yes, Corporate greed is a problem for everyone.
On your way to economic ruin. Se you all on the mainland soon.
I don’t believe that the politicians and bureaucrats are intentionally doing this to drive visitors away, rather they are tone deaf. They honestly believe that it’s just a small incremental increase here and there that no one will notice. And if these tax and fee increases are coming from different places they don’t realize the cumulative effect. They should be better coordinated, but that isn’t going to happen.
Two words: money grab….
Visitors forget that those fees they spend for airlines, hotels, and rental cars are not from Hawaii. They are mostly mainland or international companies who pay sub-standard wages to locals. While your fees are the highest, wages to hospitality employees in Hawaii are the lowest in the country.
The fees in parks and for beach parking mitigate only a portion of the cost of rescues, infrastructure upkeep, maintenance. They also serve to keep some open space for locals who are increasingly shut out because tourists have crowded everything to unprecedented levels.
The part about aloha….it’s rich telling locals that mainland corporations raising fees is not showing aloha. we get it…they also do not show aloha to locals either.
I am nickel and dimed to death to live in Hawaii, why should visitors get a discount? Truly, it’s so overcrowded we cannot even go to the places we once loved. Seems prices could go up for visitors who are using more of our resources than we do on most days.
It’s unfortunate. Planners on every island did not plan well with regards to infrastructure snd a truly balanced economy. And now everyone is paying the price. Kauai is a microcosm of Maui a microcosm of Oahu. It’s unfortunate that the beauty abd spirit of our land ocean and true culture has been compromised.
Tourism, Hawaiis number one industry is under attack.Draconian covid measures were not enough, now its the destruction of Hawaii’s number one industry.Soon with the increasing price for food, housing, electricity and high priced fuel.
I have been vacationing in Hawaii twice a year for the past decade. I am in Maui now and I believe this will be my last time. The cost are way up and the benefits way down. Between the rampant homelessness and abandoned vehicle’s and trash to rude sales associates and locals. I have always been respectful and treat this magical place with care and love but now I know the ultimate goal is to stop tourism period. I know when I am not welcome. I will take my hard earned money somewhere it is appreciated.
I believe that some people forget that the state of Hawaii receives federal money. I pay my federal taxes and some goes to Hawaii.Please refrain from this elitist attitude .
When we go we spend hundreds and sometimes more at local businesses. I am sure others do too!
I live in a tourist area on the coast of CA. We welcome visitors.
Aloha Y’all 😉! Hawaii has been our go-to R&R spot for years but Forbes said it best:
“Politicians often find it easier to slap on special travel taxes than to raise broad-based levies on their constituents. The idea is to shift the burden to outsiders, who don’t vote.”
Hi Gary.
Long time no see over here! Good to hear from you.
Aloha.
Thanks for all of your updates on such a wide variety of topics!
We come to the BI to visit family, but venture out on our own. As of yet we have not found a yearly state park pass. Why not offer a daily, weekly, or yearly option for some of these places like most other states? Hawaii would still get our $ but give us the freedom to hop in for a short time with out feeling like we needed to stay and get “our moneys worth “.
Hi Joan.
Thanks! The idea of a pass has certainly been mentioned, but beyond that, we haven’t heard anything about the state heading in that direction.
Aloha.
Maui resident here – we are so overwhelmed with tourists that residents can’t enjoy the beauty of our home. These fees help residents to at least have a chance at getting a parking spot at the beach, having a spot for our family picnic at the State or National Park, etc. It has become so crowded here that most residents can’t even get up to Haleakala because all reservations are snatched up by tourists months in advance. We live here and work here and sometimes want to relax at the beach on our one day off a week but no parking. We see our places being completely taken over by tourists. We can’t eat out at restaurants because they are booked out 4-6 months with tourist reservations. This is our home first, your vacation spot second.
So much for living the the dream.
It is not my dream vacation any more.
Reading the comments, it seems that a lot of people think that tourism dollars are what make Hawaii operate at a viable level for locals. Remember: the locals of Hawaii lived, endured, thrived, and flourished before tourism. They thrived before whaling, before sandalwood, before sugarcane, before pineapple. These are passing industries. If you think that tourism is the only thing Hawaii has got going for itself, then think again.
I agree with the fees imposed at state parks (including beaches). These help improve the parks. Maybe the fees can be used to improve our infrastructure as well. Other west coast states do this. Hawaii is behind the times on this. It is not nickel-and-diming. It makes sense. The 18% hotel tax, on the other hand.
Michael B:
I agree about the improvements, but if that is the case All Should Pay, not just visitors. Locals use the beaches and parks as well. What is fair for one, should be fair for all.
Hi guys , I still go to hawaii often ( Waikiki ) and do have access to reasonable condo/hotel rates but the housing rental law may affect me ( it’s on hold now til April ) so I am doing my traditional November monthly stay but for the first time in 20 years I am not going for my traditional short 10 day stay in March2023 and my 3 week stay in may2023 , instead i have found cruises for those tines .the cruises are cheaper and on ship the food is free . I would estimate waikiki will be losing about $5000 total I would have paid for condo or hotel, food and beverages . Also the airlines will have one less paying customer.
We decided to do the same River cruises include air and room, food plus you can see the world for much cheaper than Hawaii.
I love your blog as it keep me connected to issues on the ground and it’s good to hear the deliberations taking place within your tourism circles.
Having said all that, this nickel & diming issue is kind of Old News, and was further exacerbated by covid plus these other things:
1) no meaningful way to address this key issue
2) absentee owners looking to have tourists pay for their future retirement pad = $$$$
3) taxation that’s excessive (like some other places) w/o anything in return
4) the greed factor that often takes over when demand is up
If I have a tenant and I dont like them, jacking up the rent to get rid of them ultimately will make everyone including me unhappy. That’s where Hawaiian tourism is heading.
Hi Brad.
Thanks for saying that. We appreciate your many comments.
Aloha.
Those of you stating you won’t be coming back are doing exactly what our government officials and tourism administration are hoping for. It’s no secret the goal is to cater to the tourist that brings maximum spending.
Less numbers with equal revenue means economy stays healthy with less footprint on the islands.
Not my plan, just our administrators…please don’t shoot the messenger
But they will not be getting my money.
Staying on the mainland, Florida Gulf coast.
Yes, but wait till the yen stops visiting. The Japanese also has a strong fascination with Hawaii but they can only stand so much too.
It truly boggles my mind as to why anyone who isn’t a “one percenter” would tolerate $700, $800, or $1000+ per night in a money pit resort hotel. As both an owner and user of vacation rentals, the value isn’t even remotely comparable, even with the highest transient taxes in the country. Let the 5-star hotels price themselves into oblivion, there’s always a fantastic condo waiting for a “ninety-nine percenter” somewhere you want to be.
We were just in Wailea/Marriott we parked our rental car in the self parking garage.
When we checked out we were charged for parking our own car…. really… self parking!!