273 thoughts on “The End Of Hawaii Tourism As We Know It”

  1. As an islander from Puerto Rico I understand…But sensible tourism while keeping the islands natural beauty and culture is doable.
    I’ve visited Hawaii (I’m here for 10 days as I write this) and the government (it’s the same in Puerto Rico) can be tyrannical to appease the radicals while wanting to indulge in the money that sensible tourism brings.

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  2. Good thoughts. One question I have is about drinking water. We have always bought bottled water at Costco, but bringing our own refillable water bottles makes sense, if the tap water quality is OK. I remember a previous article where BOH said that the tap water in Hawaii was of better quality than bottled. Really? Comments?

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      1. I should have stated we always go to Kauai, stay in Poipu. Thanks BOH for the website. It says that 15 contanimants were found in Lihue-Kapaa water, some many times greater than guidelines, many possibly cancer causing. So, we will continue to get bottled water and not take chances. Mahalo Rob and Jeff.

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  3. Hopefully Hawaii can retain most of the return “guests” that frequent the State, the true backbone of the economy that’s responsible and respectful of being there. The New Tourists shall come, some may never return, but always replaced by other’s answering the allure. Governments need to be searching for lasting Industries, Businesses to Drive the Economy into the future. Where are the Innovators, Business Incubators, Chamber’s of Commerce to help Create this New Climate? Without Leadership Hawaii stays just another Vacation Destination reliant on Tourism Dollars!

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  4. Aloha, you sited only 68% of people will return for another trip? I wonder what the non returning tourists rate was say 10 or 20 years ago? There must be a certain attrition rate so Im just questioning how bad this not Hawaii for our next trip really is. Visitors ran incredible obstacles, almost gauntlets, to get here as soon as they could. They came despite illness, restrictions, knowing Hawaii had its own problems and yet they came. For me, as a 16 year local, I believe the key is as you mentioned that if the locals are happy, housing, traffic, cost of living then the visitor will be happy. So maybe Hawaii “just” needs to get it’s own house in order and the world needs Kaua’i. Build it and they will come.

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  5. Centralized, ivory tower, bureacrats are ruining Hawaii’s tourism. Visitors are voting with their dollars & feet by declaring they will not be returning to Hawaii. The State of Hawaii should invest in much improved facilities at all beaches and improved infrastructure instead of wasting the tax dollars on limiting tourists and increasing their costs.

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    1. Hi Rob L, it’s clear that certain portions of the infrastructure are in need of improvement but much of it is currently part of Homeless Encampments making it difficult to achieve and zero hope of it lasting very long. The “Ivory Tower” Assailants control over Every Portion of Hawaiian life, Residents and Tourists, has been Absolute and Counter Productive towards establishing viable Industries to better support Hawaii. Tourism is Their Bread and Butter and They Will Protect It Completely as we all have seen. Until this can be successfully changed and in the past Hawaii hasn’t any real chances to Improve their reliance on extreme Tourism. Will that day ever come?

  6. Visitors love the Hawaiian islands and will always return no matter what.I agree with being a more considerate tourist in regards to the locals.Recycle always and never litter these beautiful islands.Be kind and helpful to All.

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  7. You are spot on stating the value of repeat visitors, which my wife and I plus many of our family members are part of. You are spot on with comments about pricing which covers all aspects of an enjoying stay. Prices increased beyond the inflation rate. We typically support local businesses that are much removed from high tourist areas. We get the ‘Aloha’ spirit…we have been practicing continuously since 1976. Last but not least we got the gut punch from Hawaiian Airlines via e mail in the early hours of July 9 that our November and December non stop flights between Orlando and Honolulu have been canceled and ‘regrettably’ they have no further options for us to reschedule. ‘Regrettably’, we pulled the pin on the entire trip.

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    1. With Airlines pulling some of their routes, seemingly effecting the same area destinations, it is becoming a bit more challenging to get to where you are determined to go. They cite similar reasoning for the changes and it seems “coincidental” that it’s occurring at the same time as Hawaii is making changes. I Don’t Believe In Coincidence. Good Luck wherever you decide to vacation, hopefully it will be fun for your family and absolutely enjoyable. Hawaii, a destination of dreams, fortunately others do exist.

  8. We have been traveling to the islands for over 15 years. Just recently stayed two weeks on the Big Island. This trip was our most expensive due to rental car price gouging and lack of. Spent 2 hours setting outside in the heat trying to get a vehicle we didn’t reserve. No cars, not enough staff. We always recycle, but there was no available recycling, we drove 26 miles to a recycling center. When we got there, they said we don’t take those items anymore. Big opportunity. Beach fees were frustrating-$25 & $35 each time you went to the nicer beaches.

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  9. We have been returning to Maui and Kauai for 20 years – out favorite is Kauai. We have time shares and do not trade them, we value our time on each island and treat the stay as a 2nd home….we call it that. Yes, we do a couple of tourist things each visit, but have or favorites we return to year after year – spending our retirement dollars. We grocery shop as a local, eat out locally, try no not leave a “foot print” from our stay. But we are tourists. I would not be happy to be treated different because of that, charged exorbitant fees/taxes and be limited in what we can do on the islands. We spend considerable $$$$$ getting there, staying there, and spending there.

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  10. Hi, I was a former resident and have been coming back to Hawaii for decades. It’s so beautiful and we’ve had very fond memories with our family. However it’s just been getting so expensive and crowded and now some people are calling for tourists to do community work? It should start with residents first. I’ve noticed an increase of abandoning cars left to rot on the side of the road and overall lack of cleanliness in the parks. To ask a tourist on vacation spending there hard earned money to work while on vacation seems a bit odd. As wonderful as Hawaii is there’s a whole world out there to visit that offer beauty at half the price. Unfortunately you will have to be Uber rich to enjoy a vacation in Hawaii
    Thank you

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    1. It’s easier to blame all their woes on tourists than to look within. It’s not tourist that are tearing down old Hawaii and replacing it with condos. Really not a great place to visit anymore, it’s lost it’s charm

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      1. Hi Lulu! When people begin that inward search they often find truths that are counter-productive to what they want. Truth is what They determine it to be and probably doesn’t align with what we believe. Thus is the inward reflection of the Elite and Many Elected leaders. It’s a tough act to change. They control, or have their hands in, everything and every facet of daily life. Change does not always come easily if at all.

  11. BOE,
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    In the article, the $29 fare was mentioned (try to get one of those) and a desire for Hawaii to be a year-round destination. Well, one way you turn a Summer destination into a year-round destination is to make the off-season significantly more affordable.

    Another thing we used to enjoy in September (Waikiki) was the Block Party on Kalakaua along with the parade (the day before I think). The Block Party hasn’t been a draw for us in recent years (pandemic). But, things like that can help. But, nothing says “comes here on vacation in the off-season” more than deals.

    So, if you want the season to be year-round, the visitors need a reason. Can’t have all the good stuff in Summer and expect people to pay the same in slow season.

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    1. Hi Rod.

      We ourselves got the $29 fares when they came out, so they were widely available, and they will be back. Honolulu is to us at least a year-round place, with great things to do in any season.

      Aloha

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    2. Year round enjoyment and activities take planning and thought provoking interest. In the DR one resort has an awesome feast and entertainment display, actual Music Artists, Fireworks and all for Every Person staying at the Resort and the Timeshares, yes they sell them. Imagine between 350 to 500 people every Friday Night! What does the Hilton Hawaiian Village do? A pay to go Luau if there’s enough people signed up! Not good enough for Oahu or Hawaii, You/They can do Much Better for the Tourists and People. Every Week, Arrange it and make it happen! Awesome is Needed.

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      1. Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Waikiki have yet to even re-open their Concierge Lounges, the Meilani, Beach Club Lounge and The Sheraton Club Lounge, instead offering Coffee and a Muffin at one of their Counters. Across the street, the Hyatt Regency Lounge/Patio 3,000 Sq. Ft. Re-opened with the Property, need a Beach Chair, gratis!

  12. Aloha.
    Hawaii has sold Aloha for 60 years.
    Aloha is free. Aloha doesnt ruin trails, beaches or housing.
    Aloha is gone. Tourists who pay a hefty price for a breakfast lunch or dinner in Waikiki are not being given Aloha with that extraordinary bill. It isnt at the front desk, it isnt there with no housekeeping and it isnt there with workers across the board. Tourists are open season to be the enmy here. Face the fact that Hawaii made itself a one trick piny. Like Vegas. You beed tourism. Repeat visitors Do spend more. They choose a better resort they discovered or a store they return to. Aloha brings them back. Sell Aloha. Feel Aloha. Make Aloha genuine. That is, or should be. Hawaii

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    1. As they say, the devil is in the details and a number of these suggestions have the potential to go very wrong very fast if not well planned and thought out.

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  13. BOE,
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    Hawaii isn’t France: “What we’re trying to do, especially for the national markets like Paris and the French people, is to get people to come year-round rather than during the summer or peak period.”

    There are 7 countries within a 1-day drive to Paris. That’s a couple of hundred million who can drive there. Virtually all visitors to Hawaii must fly – usually an expensive proposition.

    The Europeans can drive to Paris for a nice weekend – a weekend to Hawaii, not so easy. When you can drive for a weekend, the kids’ school schedules are not so important.

  14. I just can’t feel sorry for Hawaii. Maybe it has just gotten too big for itself and it’s ego, or perhaps it just can’t control it’s different appetites’ like feeling sorry for itself or hating the tourists.

    Hawaii has always had the ability to plan it’s own destiny and control it growth. But the citizens have just sat back and watched. Now everyone if freaking out because they have lost a fight they never got involved in.

    So now the Hawaiian officials who have greased their palms and filled their pockets with developer’s dirty money have a problem. Uncontrolled tourism, a never ending supply of Hotels and Airbnb’s, cheap air fares anyone can afford and loss of so much natural beauty and environment.

    Everyone keeps talking. Thank you.

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  15. Such a wonderful idea. Perhaps tourists will look at this and think what a wonderful way to truly learn the culture. Giving back, this would be a wonderful and humbling experience for both families and singles. My grandson did this with my cousin and he loved it. Ever since then he has become deeply interested in his ancestry (my grandmother was full blooded and Grandpa was 50% Hawaiian).
    It could be advertised under things to do. Costs should be zero and they can shuttle in Honolulu or Waikiki for a small fee or drive directly.

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  16. Hi BOH! Please allow me to clear up some things about myself and my comments. I hold 3 Bachelors and 2 Associate Degrees in varying areas. I comment on a multitude of area’s with confidence and where I can I learn the Facts. My comments are not meant to be Racist or Derogatory, simply Informative and Helpful. Where Historical Inaccuracies occur I correct the “Misconceptions” surrounding the subject. No Offense Meant. My hope is for a Viable Hawaii and it’s Health Overall throughout. Thanks BOH!

  17. Hi BOH! Another Informative and Interesting Article from you, it does put everything on the table. As a Repeat Visitor of many Amazing Vacations I have never been a deciding factor in persuading Tourism, if anything I have Always pointed to our positive experiences. I leave it to the Tourist to decide. Much of what has been said may help others to decide to come or go elsewhere, there’s other markets both ways. Hawaii, the 50th State, will decide for itself the future. It’s done so for a Century+. Tourism will Evolve, Tourist shall also. How this effects the economy will be a part of the Equation. Cudo’s BOH!

  18. Raising Visitor taxing at perfectly the worst time to do it. My guests have to pay a 17% rate, up from 14% over the last several years, which had been 10%. Taxes on car rentals has also dramatically increased. Hawaiian politicians have always just reached into tourist costs in order to fund their ever increasing social programs, and to keep residents taxes lower. My property taxes once increased 110% over two years for a short term rental property, whereas those Hawaiians who are “locals” property tax rates are capped at a 3% rise per year. This high property tax, plus rapidly increasing monthly maintenance fees will reduce property values
    Hawaiian politicians in this very blue state are killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

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  19. I have been coming to the islands since 1960; mostly Kauai. I recently took my family on a trip to Maui. I had never before stayed n a resort area, but decided to for the kids. I will never go to Maui again. It has become Orange County; down to malls actually blocking the beach. But the main reason I won’t be back is the cultural obliteration. The greed and racism that stole Hawaii to begin with, has succeeded in the process of destroying it.

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  20. We have visited Hawaii at least once a year since the 1970’s. In 2000 we purchesed a home on the Big Island with plans of moving full time after retirement. We do not rent our unit, we buy local and love and respect the Island and its people. Over the last 5 years we have felt unwelcome for the first time ever. We are not destroying the Islands. It has and will continue to be a difficult transition for tourists and locals.

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