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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These taxes and fees are becoming way way too much for a normal person to afford.
Obviously Hawaii wants to have only the rich staying in their hotels, etc.
My husband and I have been going to Maui for 2 weeks each year the last 4 yrs. I think this will be our last trip. We will find somewhere else to go for our hard earned money.
You are correct. The government even has a mantra they use every day these days: “In our visitors, we want quality not quantity”, meaning they want fewer tourists, and only the “quality” rich ones. A sad commentary from a place that traditionally cherishes aloha and respect for all people.
We’ve chosen Croatia this season. After many years of island visits the flights haven’t been as attractive as before and we are able to rent a car 11days for $275, stay in a well appointed apartment near one of the most beautiful state parks. Apartment less than $90 nightly. Will keep you posted. Hvala vam
My wife and I have visited most of the Islands for many years, in fact we met in Waikiki in 1975. Hawaii holds a special place in our hearts. We missed our annual visit for 2 years due to Covid. This fall and winter we spent a month on Oahu and 2 months on Kauai. As our stay on Kauai winds down we are reassessing our future visits to Hawaii. The costs have become almost intolerable and the ever expanding fees just make it feel like we’re being targeted. We typically rent a middle of the road condo and with airfare, condo, car rental etc., the daily rate is approaching $500. Now with the looming $30/day parking fee on Maui I wonder where this will stop. Lots of resentment towards the wealthy but only they can afford to come here now.
It will stop when tourists stop coming, I’m afraid. It’s already starting to have an affect, and the increases will continue until the visits cease. Kind of like the Feds and inflation.
PatG, after reading many comments about this problem and contemplating everything that is occurring, I can really understand why so many are doubtful of returning to Hawaii after their latest trip. To raise the awareness of what is occurring in Hawaii I am considering creating a line of active wear, hats, even tee shirts. The common theme of this line might be named Hawaiian Ca$h Cow. A 🐄 with a bundle of cash, small of course, and a variety of imprints like a “Bullseye” with half toned $100 dollar bills with the word “Hawaii” or “Welcome to Hawaii!” at the top. What do you think, PatG? I have other ideas for sayings and targeted things.
Aloha, Because of COVID People and Businesses all over the World Lost alot of Money in many different forms, now that the World is slowly coming back to normal is seems no matter where you go these same People and Businesses are making the Consumer Pay for the Losses that encurred and that is the biggest Mistake. The Consumer Lost out also and to make Him and or Her Pay more fore the same Service is like Biting the Hand that Feeds you.
I Agree with you totally, additionally when you consider that many, if not all, of these businesses received Federal and State Money to get them through Covid it goes from a slap in the face to several punches. I look at it as this: We paid Them to survive through Covid, in some instances even Thrive, and Then They want Us to make up for “Losses” that we have already paid to make them Whole. Isn’t that sort of like Insult on top of Injury? It was Taxpayer’s Money that they received. I won’t even get into the “probability” of Our Taxpayer’s Money and the Development and Gain of Function debacle over the origin of Covid being a real groin kick. The Hotels should be grateful to us, every State too, even Hawaii! Stop the Money Grab!
Good informative article. I’m from Hawaii and my wife is a born and raised local. We moved to the mainland when we retired and have come home every year, but didn’t in 2022. Honolulu shut down the BnBs, and our friend that we stay with every year. Now you have to lease a minimum of 6 months. And I used to get killer deals off airport for monthly car rentals, looks like that’s over with. We always tip 20% on food. It’s hard to make it in Hawaii.
Those here managed for centuries without tourism; they can do it again.
I can’t believe you believe that. I really enjoy the various points of view here and often change my thinking from well-put thoughts shared. But the idea that Hawaii can “get along without tourism” is unrealistic. The Covid recession in tourism proved that. We don’t manufacture enough or even farm enough for economic sustainability anymore. And don’t forget that the fat cats and politicians who reap the profits of tourism and its taxes are never going to entertain the idea of “getting along fine without tourism.”
Are we talking about tearing down the Waikiki hotels and limiting flights?
I understand what you’re saying, but I live here and hear the agony, uprising and activism every day. There are many who emphasize the fact that Hawaii was stolen, and that the islands should be given back so that life can go back to the way it was before statehood and tourism.
I know that tourism has been the major driver for many years, but I’m willing to entertain the notion that things do not have to remain the same, and that there might be a better way to live. Million dollar houses on minimum wage salaries is unattainable. There are a lot of people in the hospitality industry suffering right now.
I witnessed this in action on my news feed yesterday as two ‘natives’ assaulted a new white neighbor who dared to purchase a home on ‘their land’.
I’ve got news for you turn back the clock folks, there is no way you can support your lifestyle and infrastructure once you drive the haoles off the islands. If you think you’re in agony now, just wait….
You’re Right, I can’t even imagine how we would Survive living there. The rentals are too pricey and purchasing is even worse, our entire income stream would be strained beyond the max. That’s why we choose to only vacation in Hawaii, not live, and have ceased to consider anything more.
No. Every mainlander, I am as well, not supporting the Hawaiian people & their land is wrong. Nickel and Dime??? How about this…get rid of all the high end stores that employ 2 people and are 99% empty. Getting my wife a coffee I had to jump down and clean up 2 handfuls of McDonald’s trash left on the beach. Unacceptable! I’m for the people, for preservation, and most of Waikiki is starting to look like a dump. And that’s on the tourists. Give Respect in Hawaii doors wide open, show no respect doors shut. I need to move here and clean up the gov’t and start handing out fines to tourists. Also find deals stop staying at corporate resorts where they pay the Ceo 20 mil a yr, workers 10 an hr
I can guarantee you that it isn’t just tourists who leave trash on the beach and all over the islands. Always feels better to blame others, though.
We liked the Big Island of Hawai’i because it’s safe, the food and water are clean and the people are wonderfully welcoming.
We get hit because we’re used to thinking in Canadian dollars. In Canada taxes are added onto the price and are visible. In much of Europe and the Antipodes taxes and tips are included so there’s no after purchase shock at the total. Visible taxes upset visitors.
Are you tired of the outrages taxes and nicle and dime tactics in Hawaii. Try Tahitti with friendly locals, spectacular scenery and warm tropical water.The flight to Papeete from SFO is only 3 hour longer than SFO to HNL. There is much to do in French Polynesia You might like to try a visit paradise.
People don’t get drunk in Tahiti because a six pack of beer costs $12.hahahaha
We just returned from Tahiti and absolutely loved it. We went to Tahiti instead of going to Hawaii for the first time in 12 consecutive years. You can count us as a family of tourists defect in Hawaii, probably for good. (We normally budget $1,000 a day for 21 day visit.)
Everything costs more in Hawaii. Most expensive place to live. And the wages are very low. Especially for servers and hotel staff. Most locals have 2 jobs.
Up until 5 years ago I used to go to Maui every year at least once. But with the increased fees for parking, state parks and accommodation fees going up and up, I can no longer afford to do so Hawaii is becoming a no-go Zone. Sad in all respects
Aloha (goodbye), Hawaii.
Sadly…same for me. The car rental highway robbery is #1 followed by accomodations. Aloha nui, Hawaii….
Kauai is especially ridiculous!! Trying to find a beach other than Hanelei Bay is absurd! No parking, need a permit or simply closed. I’m from the PNW. I get it. Visitors are literally loving our beautiful state to death. But you’re no exception. Sorry. Ppl with continue to vacation on your island no matter your feelings on the subject. The Big Island was way more welcoming and easier to get to the beaches.
Big island has more beaches? Lol That is a laugh!
Ok stay away from BI as they have no nice beaches …😏
Please check out Anini beach on the north shore of Kauai for a beautiful beach experience
Why would you tip those guys? If they had let you stay a few minutes to help your Aunt, then a tip would have been appropriate.
Oh! The fees! Most Waikiki hotels charge $35-$50 for the privilege of parking there. I took my elderly aunt back to her hotel, the Moana Surfrider. After a long day out, she had difficulty making it up the front stairs on her own. The valet guys were screaming at me to move and they could see I was helping my aunt up the stairs. It’s not my fault the hotel schedules multiple weddings a day and all the brides want the iconic photo at the top of the staircase. They insisted on parking my vehicle instead of giving me a few minutes to help a frail old lady. They didn’t even offer to help. It took almost thirty minutes to retrieve my car and because my aunt was staying there I got the discounted rate of $40 instead of $50. Plus tip!
Why would you tip those guys? If they had let you stay a few minutes to help your Aunt, then a tip would have been appropriate.
I agree with Skip. This tipping thing is way out of control and I refuse to feel it is my duty to supplement the wages of someone’s job. People are hired to do a job at a wage. When they serve me my food, or take my order, or get my car they are doing a job that they are getting paid for. Hawaii has raised all their prices like crazy so it is now supposed to cost me more to tip a percentage that is on a higher bill. I live on the coast in California. Fresh fish comes out of the water and we are charged $25 – 30 in a restaurant for a fish meal. Even if Hawaiian Ahi is served fresh it is around $30 and it is flown here. Please tell me why when the fish comes out of the ocean in Hawaii, we are charged $40 for that fish?
My 600 sqft 2 bedroom on Maui is the worst you can get here, hands down. I pay $2,300/month plus $200 electric and I turn my breakers off unless Im using it. My 4 yr olds school, thats $1100/month. We get paid wage plus tips, our employeers count on us to get tipped. Wages dont cover half what we need to survive. Missing out on a tip from a guest we served could mean we dont make rent. Your Hawaii budget needs to include 15% tip bare minimum whatever the charge, for everything. If you cant do that, please dont come. Regarding fish, the fishermen get $4/pound average, and customers take priority over selling. We all live off of our tips. The f
Please don’t come? Do you hear what you are saying? If your restaurant closes down because you advise people “don’t come” then you will have no wage at all. Tips are for outstanding service, not to supplement your emloyers’ wages. Tell your employer to pay you more if you don’t like your wage, but for goodness sake don’t tell customers, “Don’t come!”
I’m glad someone finally said it. This tipping thing is so out of hand – First I have to pay $40 for fish that costs less than $4 – I can appreciate all the other costs involved, but paying someone’s wages shouldn’t be part of it. I go to a restaurant, pay for the food it needs to be served to me and I don’t need to pay 20% on top of all of that.
If you can’t afford to go out and tip, then you should stay home. People in hospitality don’t make an hourly wage to live on!
What does that have to do with people on vacation? Why would I be expected to pay someone’s wages? I’ve overpaid for my meal and I’ve left a tip. Why is 20% expected? How did that get to be the normal. Ridiculous. It is my decision as to how much I leave.
People in hospitality who live in a $2,300 month apartments, with $200 month electric and $1,100 month school bills should look for a higher paying job and not expect other people to subsidies your poor choice of employment. Your anger should be directed at your employer not at your customers who are paying a 300% markup on their food and a 600% markup on their liquor. Take a walk to a better paying job and see how long your employer stays in business without serving and household staff. Restaurants are serving at 50% occupancy because they cant get people to work at their low wages. Telling customers to stay home will close down your place of employment and force you to look for a better job.
Totally agree with Lisa. Our daughter waitressed through college and these people need to know that most service jobs are minimum wage exempt because they depend on tips for good service. Be sure that I don’t mean entitlement. If you are a lousy, inattentive server you will not get an automatic big tip from me. If you are surly (bad attitude) you might even get a penny so you realize I didn’t forget about you but am sending you a message.
But a good to great server gets 20% or more from us all the time.
In Hawaii, the minimum wage for tipped positions such as restaurant servers is $12 per hour, the same as for other jobs starting at minimum wage. There are many other states that have eliminated the practice of allowing employers to pay less than minimum on the expectation of the wages being funded by tips.
Hawaii is now for The Rich And Famous!
Actually most hotel rates are pretty crazy right now. They certainly are where I live and where I like to travel.
Good point. Sometimes, on these remote islands, we think of our problems as being unique. Our problems are the same problems others are experiencing in dozens of other high cost-of-living areas. The difference, though, is we can blame the visitors!
Hawaii doesn’t want more fulltime residents either..
I used Truila for property on Big Island the rep was full of questions.
Are you here now? Have you ever been here? Why do want to move here?
Blahnik, blah no one contacted the listing broker to get back to me. I’m multiracial and I felt discrimination.
Goodbye.
We just returned from Kauai, where we saw a pickup truck on the north shore with the racist sign “Be A Good Haole”. I can only imagine the outcry if I had driven around the island with a sign “Be A Good Hawaiian”.
Right On! Hawaii Is Now For The Rich and Famous Only! In the 80’s and 90’s The Hotel Rates are now out of sight…
I never really felt welcome when visiting Hawaii. There is no charge to park at beaches in Mexico. Aloha!
Their plan to reduce tourism is in play. If they continue to raise fees to the visitors they can chase some away but make up lost revenue from these fees. Its no longer the wonderful place to go. I suggest spending your vacation money where you are appreciated like Hawaii used to be. But is no longer! Shame.
Fees at Waimea are way to high. Should only charge for vehicle admission not both vehicle and per person fee. Also, if I am paying a fee, should I also not expect better roads. Sections of the road are terrible especially past Koke State Park. Tired of being ripped off with nothing in return.
Hawaii Is Now For The Rich and Famous Only! In the 80’s and 90’s Rates were affordable now The Hotel Rates etc. are out of sight…
Aloha for the Rich and Famous only!
I totally get what everyone is saying about the nickel and dime. hawaii in my opinion has always been. expensive and getting more expensive every time I go back home to visit. I noticed places that started charging for parking and entry to parks and beaches. I understand inflation but, this is getting ridiculous. places like Hanauma Bay for instance never charged entry fee to go to beach. I can understand paying for parking but, to go to the beach????
Don’t forget the rental cars. They’re just as bad. I flew to Honolulu for 18 days on December 1 of last year. That was the 1st day the new rental car facility on airport opened. They tried to charge me the $5 a day passenger facility usage charge. I refused to pay it. That was not listed in my original reservation. What really irked me was I’m only using the facility to pick up and drop off the car. That’s 2 days total of using the facility yet they wanted me to pay an extra $90 for all 18 days. A complete and total ripoff. It’s not just Hawaii on that one. Every airport does the same thing. I’m flying over again on December 3rd and I honestly think it’ll be my last trip. Just way too expensive anymore. This will be my 102nd trip to Hawaii.
Hawaii is not what use to be for Vacations.
They have taken the Joy out of it! Please tell me why a piece of fish that comes out of the ocean off the coast of the island you are staying on should cost $40.00, and here in San Diego, Hawaiian Ahi costs a little more than 1/2 the price?
Hawaii residents want less tourists. So if visitors don’t like the fees and taxes then the complainers should go elsewhere. When the visitor numbers are back down to the levels from a decade or two ago then the state should worry about ‘nickel and diming’. Until that happens, keep raising fees for everything, it’s clearly not slowing down the passenger arrivals enough.
Just came back from a trip to Hawaii (Oahu and Kauai). Take the city bus, camp at private campings with your tent and eat poke bowl from the grocery store (Foodland, big save, etc.). It was cheap for us to travel to Hawaii. We went to multiple beaches, did a couple of hikes (Kalalau 11 miles and few others), and surfed in a few spots. We had a great time and it was not expensive at all.
Everywhere I go on the mainland I have to pay resort fees, parking fees and other taxes and fees. People in California have no right to complain. Almost every beach charges for parking. If you don’t like the fees, don’t come to Hawaii.
So time to consider a new destination. A simple solution. Consider Fiji, Samoa or Tonga. A bit further, but beautiful and way less money. Better choices until Hawaii sorts out this problem. I think the Cook Islands are spectacular…Hawaii the way it used to be forty years ago.
Maui doesn’t want visitors. Send your money and stay home. They blame everything on the visitors. It has gotten worse because of covid. They don’t nickel and dime you. It’s $$$$. They say all the trash is from visitors but cars fridges washers and dryers along the roads are not from people who want to visit Maui. As a white resident I have been told to go home. That the beach was only for natives.
This “nickel and dime” is given to visitors so that Hawaii Residents are not taxed more. As a resident we have a saying about how expensive it is to live here, “That’s the price to stay in paradise.” The same holds tru for visitors.
I have been to Hawaii over 25 times in the last 25 years. We have loved Hawaii and always can’t wait to go back. One reason was the Hawaiian people were always so friendly and although it was a little more expensive than traveling at home we loved the vibe. That has changed. We were there in May and it is as if Now they do not want the visitors! I do somewhat understand that but I also know that is their biggest income to the islands. And now everything is so high that honestly the visitors should be treated grand not gouged. I’m just saying probably not my #1 anymore. Mahalo. Just voicing my opinion.
A $30 beach parking fee?
No thanks, I’ll just stay away from those, or find a place to park that I can walk from.
Aloha,I think it all starts with the airlines, and the prices they charge. Now, the cost to fly has gone up so folks that once could fly here when tickets were cheaper, still weren’t prepared to deal with our high costs of food, activities, rental cars, etc. There are many sites here on Facebook that tourists or folks planning on coming over ask questions about the costs. We,locals tell then what to expect and plan for. Some listen, but others are in denial and say it’s not as bad as we are saying. It’s not our fault if they get here and go into sticker shock! Anyway, it’s difficult to have everyone happy.
If tourist overuse and abuse is the problem, limit the number of flights coming in. I love visiting Hawaii, and I understand it is a small island nation that has limited resources. It’s not fake and it’s not Disneyland, if I have to pay a bit more to enjoy beautiful Hawaii I will. It’s expensive to manage the amount of people and waste in a remote island location. Hawaii needs to be focused on find a sustainable future not making it cheaper, cheaper just ruins it.
Just spent 7 nights/days in Waikiki Beach. Stayed in Alohilani Resorts & shocked over the $48/day for Resort Fee & $49/day for self parking. Every time I turned around someone had their hand out for a minimal of $5.00. We saw many native residents.
However, what sunk my heart was on every side walk or street was a very sad truly sick physically & mentally homeless person of all ages. I felt terrible, yes, gave out countless $5.00’s and saw them buy a piece of food. The urine smell/smell of rotten flesh was enough to make me throw up.Tired of the constant hand out.
The taxi driver first showed $7.21 owed for a 1.2 mile trip, yet clicked & went up to $21.63. I was shocked.
Spent $9,450.00 for 1 wk. $3,845.00 more than I expected.
We are planning to travel there in Mar Although it is my first time & bucket list, I cannot help to already feel disappointed by all the comments Ive been reading.
So glad I saw this! I’m canceling plans for family visit in October. $25 per person at Haunama? Shocking! Mexico beckons instead.
This year our Hawaii vacation was awesome in fact it was one of the most relaxing time I ever had in Hawaii because we stayed 95% of our stay at the condo property. Since we were paying outrageous taxes and fees for the condo we decided not to go out like we usually did before! Sorry local business!!!
Seems like the hest solution for both Hawaii and visitors would be a one-time fee based on length of stay. For example, $20 for each day of unlimited access, with discounts for 7/10/14/30 days
Visit get one pass which they present for free parking and admission at any attraction. Perhaps a lower cost for admission only.
Fees are structured to:
1) Reducing over-tourism
2) Encourage longer stays, which would reduce crowds at airports
3) Channel a larger percentage of tourist directly to the state, a smaller percentage to the hotel/resort corporations.
4) Encourage use of public transit
Nah, it would only encourage millions of tourists to complain that they are being charged for things they’re not using. “Why am I being charged for parking when I’m renting a car?” Why am I being charged for state park and beach use when I’m not to the parks or the beaches? That’s socialism!!”
You can’t please em all..
We have been visitors to Hawaii for 15 years. Have stayed on every island multiple times. 15 years ago the aloha spirit along with the incredible beauty,were best things about the islands and kept us coming back year after year. Over the last few years we have felt increasingly more like very unwelcome guests. We are not wealthy by any means so between the many (certainly not all)hostile
locals, and the nickle and dimeing we will be be spending our last vacation dollars in Hawaii this year. I know that is the goal of many locals and they will cheer this but how sad to lose such an important part of our life.
Since the 1980’s our family and extended family have been frequent visitors to the islands. Often 3 to 4 times a year however we won’t be back. The never ending tourist only taxes, fees and outright hostilities toward us we’ve experienced over the past 10 years, well it’s obvious that although our money sought after our presence is not. What’s frustrating to us is that all these fees, taxes and surcharges don’t improve anything. The roads, beaches and public places are right out of a something like a third-world place, The Dominican Republic comes to mind. Lastly, we (as tourists) are targeted by the criminal element as our rental car was broken into twice during our last 7 day visit.
It just more and more seems like the residents of hawaii want the tourist dollars but somehow want the tourists to remain invisible to them. its totally gotten out of hand and when you drive them away and they discover other great places, you will lose them and their dollars forever.. when you are begging them to come back it will be too late they will have new favorite places to go.
I don’t mind the fees as long as they go towards renewing Hawaii my ‘home’.
Mahalo
I was thinking about taking my family to Hawaii. I lived in Hawaii for 8 years back in the 80s while stationed at Kaneohe and loved it. Now after reading this Article I no longer want to go. No one wants to be ripped off.