243 thoughts on “Nickle-And-Dimed To Death | Hawaii Visitors Reeling”
Diane
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.
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.
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
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…
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.
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.