243 thoughts on “Nickle-And-Dimed To Death | Hawaii Visitors Reeling”
Sue B.
We went to the Big Island this year. We stayed at a lovely condo, it was just perfect for my spouse and myself. Was it expensive? A little more than we have paid previously, but having looked around I realized all the condo’s have gone up substantially. We had a wonderful time, but it was very expensive compared to previous years. Will we be back? No. It was just too expensive. The good folks of Hawaii need to be careful. They seem to forget that Tourism is their bread and butter, and if they keep it up, they may lose.
Hawaii would be better off instituting a Statewide r Osland by island visitor pass. Apply it to non residence on airline tix, hotels, car or BnB rentals
Whole heartedly agree. When you “enjoy” Disneyland you have to pay for the privilege. Hawaii is it’s own little Disneyland for adults. Visitors should expect to pay for the privilege of enjoying a scarce resource (as long as it is a reasonable fee and not anywhere near the cost of a Disneyland pass….).
We have been visiting Hawaii, especially Kauai, for 40 years. I’m sad to see how much it has changed to accommodate tourists. Hawaii has been overrun by tourists for years. You have to remember that this is someone’s home and many tourists are not always the nicest people. Keeping people away because they don’t want to be “nickeled and dimed” is probably a good strategy. What do you pay for parking in any other large city? How much do you pay for a hotel room in New York or Los Angeles? Have you been to a National Park lately? They all charge a pretty good price to get in, so that they can keep the parks beautiful for you. Prices are going up everywhere and should in Hawaii as well. Aloha should go both ways.
True National Parks charge a fee. A fee that’s paid by everyone including residents of the state the parks are located in. When you are only charging out of state residents something is amiss.
I hate to call all these fees “nickel and dime”.
They’re more like five-and-ten-dollaring!
When you’re listing all the visitor fees, don’t forget some of the highest fees and taxes for rental cars in the nation. The taxes/fees just about double the daily rate!
I’d like to know how to save money while on vaca. I go to Oahu most often, so I am wondering if we could hear from recent stories of people who have actually saved money whether by using coupons, visiting at a certain time of year, how to get hotel upgrades without paying thru the nose. What meals to skip, whether dining at restaurant or ordering to go. Does it matter? The tips will decline I imagine if places/restaurants, etc keep upping the prices, and that isnt going to benefit anyone. Been flying to Oahu for over 22 years so any advise on these recent taxes and fees would be appreciated. Please reply and thank you, Shell
If you could post in an area about this I’d appreciate it!
Comments are on point. California has a wonderful network of state parks and beaches where daily fees are charged regardless of whether you are a California resident. Many beaches are free to all & can get quite crowded. While as an American citizen visiting another state I cringe at paying a fee that state residents don’t pay, we’ve done so without complaint on recent visits to Kauai & Maui. My preference would be to purchase an annual pass where all the money goes to maintaining Hawaii’s natural resources. I’d consider it a donation.
Tried upgrading a seat on Hawaiian it was $160 per seat extra add in you bag fees your around $500 extra one way for 2 !!! Then you arrive and pull up to your hotel $55 parking, $50 resort fee, $15 WiFi (some have taken that out). Another $15 in taxes per night. Starts adding up. What you get long lines, blah overpriced food, poor service, lack of staff.
I’m going to Oahu in mid August to visit in-laws. I haven’t been back since 2000. I think I’m in for a big surprise. I’m staying with relatives so I’ll save alot of money.
Recently traveled to the Big Island. Found beach fees to be excessive to pay daily. As a result we didn’t go to the beach every day like we used to. Plus beaches charged differently from one another. Before going I was looking to purchase a one time beach pass, they don’t have such a thing. Always when we did go to the beach every day we would purchase food from local food trucks – so the locals who make a living selling food are getting hurt as well.
We went to the Big Island this year. We stayed at a lovely condo, it was just perfect for my spouse and myself. Was it expensive? A little more than we have paid previously, but having looked around I realized all the condo’s have gone up substantially. We had a wonderful time, but it was very expensive compared to previous years. Will we be back? No. It was just too expensive. The good folks of Hawaii need to be careful. They seem to forget that Tourism is their bread and butter, and if they keep it up, they may lose.
Hawaii would be better off instituting a Statewide r Osland by island visitor pass. Apply it to non residence on airline tix, hotels, car or BnB rentals
Whole heartedly agree. When you “enjoy” Disneyland you have to pay for the privilege. Hawaii is it’s own little Disneyland for adults. Visitors should expect to pay for the privilege of enjoying a scarce resource (as long as it is a reasonable fee and not anywhere near the cost of a Disneyland pass….).
We have been visiting Hawaii, especially Kauai, for 40 years. I’m sad to see how much it has changed to accommodate tourists. Hawaii has been overrun by tourists for years. You have to remember that this is someone’s home and many tourists are not always the nicest people. Keeping people away because they don’t want to be “nickeled and dimed” is probably a good strategy. What do you pay for parking in any other large city? How much do you pay for a hotel room in New York or Los Angeles? Have you been to a National Park lately? They all charge a pretty good price to get in, so that they can keep the parks beautiful for you. Prices are going up everywhere and should in Hawaii as well. Aloha should go both ways.
True National Parks charge a fee. A fee that’s paid by everyone including residents of the state the parks are located in. When you are only charging out of state residents something is amiss.
I hate to call all these fees “nickel and dime”.
They’re more like five-and-ten-dollaring!
When you’re listing all the visitor fees, don’t forget some of the highest fees and taxes for rental cars in the nation. The taxes/fees just about double the daily rate!
Aloha now means. No money. It will keep going up till visitors are tapped out sadly
I’d like to know how to save money while on vaca. I go to Oahu most often, so I am wondering if we could hear from recent stories of people who have actually saved money whether by using coupons, visiting at a certain time of year, how to get hotel upgrades without paying thru the nose. What meals to skip, whether dining at restaurant or ordering to go. Does it matter? The tips will decline I imagine if places/restaurants, etc keep upping the prices, and that isnt going to benefit anyone. Been flying to Oahu for over 22 years so any advise on these recent taxes and fees would be appreciated. Please reply and thank you, Shell
If you could post in an area about this I’d appreciate it!
Hi Shell.
This was done with you in mind.
https://beatofhawaii.com/secrets-to-frugal-hawaii-2023-no-tent-needed/
Aloha.
Comments are on point. California has a wonderful network of state parks and beaches where daily fees are charged regardless of whether you are a California resident. Many beaches are free to all & can get quite crowded. While as an American citizen visiting another state I cringe at paying a fee that state residents don’t pay, we’ve done so without complaint on recent visits to Kauai & Maui. My preference would be to purchase an annual pass where all the money goes to maintaining Hawaii’s natural resources. I’d consider it a donation.
Tried upgrading a seat on Hawaiian it was $160 per seat extra add in you bag fees your around $500 extra one way for 2 !!! Then you arrive and pull up to your hotel $55 parking, $50 resort fee, $15 WiFi (some have taken that out). Another $15 in taxes per night. Starts adding up. What you get long lines, blah overpriced food, poor service, lack of staff.
I’m going to Oahu in mid August to visit in-laws. I haven’t been back since 2000. I think I’m in for a big surprise. I’m staying with relatives so I’ll save alot of money.
Recently traveled to the Big Island. Found beach fees to be excessive to pay daily. As a result we didn’t go to the beach every day like we used to. Plus beaches charged differently from one another. Before going I was looking to purchase a one time beach pass, they don’t have such a thing. Always when we did go to the beach every day we would purchase food from local food trucks – so the locals who make a living selling food are getting hurt as well.