273 thoughts on “The End Of Hawaii Tourism As We Know It”
Tracey W
I lived on Kauai many years ago and I’m so saddened by the over tourism now. I think tourism and growth needs to be drastically reduced and managed so that people visiting are respectful of the land and culture!
3
Joe M
Preserving the Hawaiian culture for the tourists is a prime concern. Just because pineapples and sugar cane are gone is no reason to make over Hawaii into another tinsel town and lose the plantation town memories
Thanks
5
Bryan
My first trip to Maui was May 2019 for my honeymoon. We fell in love with every bit of it. We went to Oahu in 2021 and stayed in an Airbnb near Waikiki. Loved everything there but the horrible traffic but I knew that going in. We spent most days going to every end of the island and enjoyed the less crowded beaches like Waimanalo. May 2022 we took my parents with us to Maui because I wanted to fulfill my mom’s dream of visiting before her health wouldn’t allow it. That visit was sad. The amount of stripped and trashed cars that lined the roads, the teenagers that threw a beer bottle at our car going around a blind corner, and the absorbent costs of just parking at all of our favorite spots that had been free in 2019
6
Randy R
The confused Mayor Victorino brought us to this place……..
2
Michael m
I’m a disinfranchised local boy seeking to return to my ohana. I was born on Oahu and moved out at age 28 because my home town of kailua became to expensive to live in. That was in 1980. I’ve been home a couple of times and it’s just gotten worse. I plan on relocating to kauai towards the end of 2022, please accept me kauai, im a keki o kaina and would like to rest my bones in the Aina. If tourism and rich land buyers isn’t curtailed I won’t be the only kamaina who’s forced to leave their home land. We can have visitors and local born residents if we think about this responsibly. I love you hawaii but i wont partisapate in burying the aina in money orienred greed. Thank you for hearing my tears.
8
Glen K
Reduce prices for rental cars and parking in waikiki. Stop pricing hawaii oüt of the market. We need tourisum to help sustain our high price economy.
6
Randall B
Aloha. I moved here from OKC as a retired Army Ranger. I am 31 percent Hawaiian according to Ancestry.com. I knew that I would move here at 60 years young, and so happy I did. I love everything about Oahu. And my family reunion is next month in Hilo. Tourism has changed from the days I remember in 1990-94. But, I believe Waikiki is still the best destination on Earth.
4
Rod W
“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.”
Well then, say goodbye to tourists with kids in school. Of course, that will be a lot easier for France where millions of people in France and beyond are close enough to drive over, with the kids, for the weekend. Not so for Hawaii.
2
Frank
The uber-wealthy who have bought king-sized estates in Hawaii are unaffected by all this. They certainly weren’t affected by the pandemic or air travel concerns while flying in and out of Hawaii in their private jets. Hawaiian tourism will likely continue to contract, given economic realities, attitudes, and decreased ability to support the tourist industry.
3
Susan T
I have been traveling to Hawaii for 40 years,every year and sometimes twice a year.My youngest daughter now attends HPU.We definitely think of it as a second home.But honestly, it’s getting so expensive that we find ourselves sending our daughter airfare to come home, instead of us going to her.We used to stay 2 to 3 weeks at a time but can no longer afford to do that.We’re now looking to buy something but that’s also expensive. We’re hoping for a little change and this article is a little encouraging.
3
Diane T
I lived in Hawaii in the late 60s and have returned many, many times since then. I can only afford a 10 day to 3 week stay depending on the economy and my budget.
All of the islands have changed dramatically in the past 50 years.
In some ways, tourism has ruined the islands but I still find them wonderful, lovely and my favorite vacation spot!
Good luck with protecting them,the culture and the people.
Archie B
Love Hawaii so much I won’t even visit there.
Some of my family live on Kauai and I won’t be going to visit them.
3
James K.
I have read 2 articles articles explaining the proposed changes but neither of them make mention of how “timeshare” holders will be affected.
Should I simply stop using my timeshare in Oahu and use the “trade feature” of my timeshare? Another option would be to “simply” stop paying my annual maintenance fee and simply forget about ever traveling to Hawaii again!
6
Ty W.
With my family being from Hawaii, still in Hawaii and growing up back and forth in Hawaii, I’ve seen the impact of tourism. However, the main issue that fails to be addressed and a huge impact on the environment is the homeless crises that many choose to ignore. This is global yes, but even more devastating in the mainland and even now Hawaii. Anyone across the islands can see this with the garbage, sewage and destruction of the costal regions from these homeless encampments. But sure, blame it on the tourism that provides the financial means for these islands. Until the homeless issue is resolved, the islands will continue to erode, fall apart and turn into another lawless encampment like that of Seattle and Portland.
14
Ernie S.
The “Houseless Issue,” see how the Politicians changed the dynamics of it to sound more sympathetic, was for a time more contained to the West Side of Oahu down by the containers from ships. Once they were moved to the East Side the population began to Increase. It seemed as if Oahu had opened its arms to the newcomers, Oahu is “The Gathering Place.” The Problem is out of control, closing down “Their Areas” will drive them all downtown. No Politician or Business wants that. Sending them back isn’t an option. My “suggestion” would be relocating them all to Moloka’i. I doubt that Anyone would do it! Keep Blaming Tourists for what Politicians have caused, works for Some!
8
Eric W.
Our vacation in April for 10 days was 25k, that is 10k more than in 2019. Ridiculously expensive, we felt abused by the pricing. It’s ok we are going to Grand Cayman for 3 weeks this year at almost half the price.
13
ken
Hawaiis economy has gotten to expensive for locals and a costly reconsideration for tourists who plan on visiting and locals have moved abroad who wish to return home. Respect the old ways what Hawaii was meant to be like, keep the culture, development to a minimum and the lands sacred and enforced. Too much land has been desecrated by tourism and make the living affordable for residents to return back home, putting living priority on locals, local born compared to non natives because we understand how to preserve our culture
3
Cath C
Tourists to Hawaii do need to be conscious we are on a small, fragile place that needs our care. My husband and I visit Big Island every yr, and love the laid back atmosphere. We pick up trash, add $$$ to the local economy, give to the food bank, and treat local hosts and ocean wildlife with respect. The least we can do for being made welcome in this beautiful place.
16
Rob G
I have been to Hawaii 3 times in two years and fell in love. We have only stayed in Maui. But look forward to seeing more. I would love to see more attractions which focus on the culture and promote local food and beverages along with the history. While I have heard of the anti tourist feeling I never felt it directly. One thing I noticed was many of the workers were Philippine. Perhaps promoting more natives employees and brining in less foreign works could help foster better ties. Also resorts should spotlight local customs in their programing.
4
Jenny S .
I’m Filipina, My family came here over 100 years ago, so I’m 4th generation, not a foreigner. By the way it’s Filipino/a, not Philippine.
2
Ernie S.
Hi Emily G! Naming those in positions of authority that are responsible needs to occur frequently. Getting All of their names, repeatedly, in the face of voters is hopefully the start of Positive change in Hawaii. Keep up the Awesome work and hopefully get it to keep spreading to everyone. With the Appropriate Attention The RICO Statute could be applied.
1
Cindy
Hi! Your article has many valid points about loving Hawaii to death. Our family has been cherishing Kauai since the late 70’s and have noticed a marked change in the “tourists”, (which we don’t consider ourselves to be). It seems to stem from a covid-induced, crazy self righteousness. Which seemingly thinks “me first – &%$*< everyone else". Gone are the days of love your neighbor as yourself, instead being replaced with bad behavior, especially while on vacation. One thing that could help is removing big SUV'S from all HI rentals. (Have you ever seen a bad-@** driving a Chevy spark?)
Return visitors (not tourists) are in HI's best interest too. Perhaps give them deep discounts to encourage the right kind of visitors, not masses of a##**
10
Melissa
We just returned from Oahu. We really did enjoy it however, with the Huge homeless population at times we didn’t feel safe. We would have loved to stop at some of the beaches on the west side of the island but did not because of the trash and homeless. It’s too bad Hawaii can’t implement programs for the homeless like Grand Cayman has done- taking good care of them.
4
Ernie S.
The Homeless Situation across the State should concern everyone. Imagine this, I’m Homeless and collecting Soc. Sec. Or Some kind of Retirement, you’d be surprised how many do, and Hawaii is a wonderful place. I purchase a 1 way ticket and I’m living in Paradise! Walmart sells what I need, I’m living Free! Better weather and conditions than where I had been. The Downside is what You See. Betwwen Assistance and whatever applies they for the most part are okay, perfect for many of them, not all. Also a “dumping ground ” it seems for some mentally ill. Well out of hand. Thank a Politician for this! Elect more and see what you get.
2
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Stay abreast of the latest island travel news, tips, deals, and more. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and let Hawaii come to you. Mahalo!
I lived on Kauai many years ago and I’m so saddened by the over tourism now. I think tourism and growth needs to be drastically reduced and managed so that people visiting are respectful of the land and culture!
Preserving the Hawaiian culture for the tourists is a prime concern. Just because pineapples and sugar cane are gone is no reason to make over Hawaii into another tinsel town and lose the plantation town memories
Thanks
My first trip to Maui was May 2019 for my honeymoon. We fell in love with every bit of it. We went to Oahu in 2021 and stayed in an Airbnb near Waikiki. Loved everything there but the horrible traffic but I knew that going in. We spent most days going to every end of the island and enjoyed the less crowded beaches like Waimanalo. May 2022 we took my parents with us to Maui because I wanted to fulfill my mom’s dream of visiting before her health wouldn’t allow it. That visit was sad. The amount of stripped and trashed cars that lined the roads, the teenagers that threw a beer bottle at our car going around a blind corner, and the absorbent costs of just parking at all of our favorite spots that had been free in 2019
The confused Mayor Victorino brought us to this place……..
I’m a disinfranchised local boy seeking to return to my ohana. I was born on Oahu and moved out at age 28 because my home town of kailua became to expensive to live in. That was in 1980. I’ve been home a couple of times and it’s just gotten worse. I plan on relocating to kauai towards the end of 2022, please accept me kauai, im a keki o kaina and would like to rest my bones in the Aina. If tourism and rich land buyers isn’t curtailed I won’t be the only kamaina who’s forced to leave their home land. We can have visitors and local born residents if we think about this responsibly. I love you hawaii but i wont partisapate in burying the aina in money orienred greed. Thank you for hearing my tears.
Reduce prices for rental cars and parking in waikiki. Stop pricing hawaii oüt of the market. We need tourisum to help sustain our high price economy.
Aloha. I moved here from OKC as a retired Army Ranger. I am 31 percent Hawaiian according to Ancestry.com. I knew that I would move here at 60 years young, and so happy I did. I love everything about Oahu. And my family reunion is next month in Hilo. Tourism has changed from the days I remember in 1990-94. But, I believe Waikiki is still the best destination on Earth.
“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.”
Well then, say goodbye to tourists with kids in school. Of course, that will be a lot easier for France where millions of people in France and beyond are close enough to drive over, with the kids, for the weekend. Not so for Hawaii.
The uber-wealthy who have bought king-sized estates in Hawaii are unaffected by all this. They certainly weren’t affected by the pandemic or air travel concerns while flying in and out of Hawaii in their private jets. Hawaiian tourism will likely continue to contract, given economic realities, attitudes, and decreased ability to support the tourist industry.
I have been traveling to Hawaii for 40 years,every year and sometimes twice a year.My youngest daughter now attends HPU.We definitely think of it as a second home.But honestly, it’s getting so expensive that we find ourselves sending our daughter airfare to come home, instead of us going to her.We used to stay 2 to 3 weeks at a time but can no longer afford to do that.We’re now looking to buy something but that’s also expensive. We’re hoping for a little change and this article is a little encouraging.
I lived in Hawaii in the late 60s and have returned many, many times since then. I can only afford a 10 day to 3 week stay depending on the economy and my budget.
All of the islands have changed dramatically in the past 50 years.
In some ways, tourism has ruined the islands but I still find them wonderful, lovely and my favorite vacation spot!
Good luck with protecting them,the culture and the people.
Love Hawaii so much I won’t even visit there.
Some of my family live on Kauai and I won’t be going to visit them.
I have read 2 articles articles explaining the proposed changes but neither of them make mention of how “timeshare” holders will be affected.
Should I simply stop using my timeshare in Oahu and use the “trade feature” of my timeshare? Another option would be to “simply” stop paying my annual maintenance fee and simply forget about ever traveling to Hawaii again!
With my family being from Hawaii, still in Hawaii and growing up back and forth in Hawaii, I’ve seen the impact of tourism. However, the main issue that fails to be addressed and a huge impact on the environment is the homeless crises that many choose to ignore. This is global yes, but even more devastating in the mainland and even now Hawaii. Anyone across the islands can see this with the garbage, sewage and destruction of the costal regions from these homeless encampments. But sure, blame it on the tourism that provides the financial means for these islands. Until the homeless issue is resolved, the islands will continue to erode, fall apart and turn into another lawless encampment like that of Seattle and Portland.
The “Houseless Issue,” see how the Politicians changed the dynamics of it to sound more sympathetic, was for a time more contained to the West Side of Oahu down by the containers from ships. Once they were moved to the East Side the population began to Increase. It seemed as if Oahu had opened its arms to the newcomers, Oahu is “The Gathering Place.” The Problem is out of control, closing down “Their Areas” will drive them all downtown. No Politician or Business wants that. Sending them back isn’t an option. My “suggestion” would be relocating them all to Moloka’i. I doubt that Anyone would do it! Keep Blaming Tourists for what Politicians have caused, works for Some!
Our vacation in April for 10 days was 25k, that is 10k more than in 2019. Ridiculously expensive, we felt abused by the pricing. It’s ok we are going to Grand Cayman for 3 weeks this year at almost half the price.
Hawaiis economy has gotten to expensive for locals and a costly reconsideration for tourists who plan on visiting and locals have moved abroad who wish to return home. Respect the old ways what Hawaii was meant to be like, keep the culture, development to a minimum and the lands sacred and enforced. Too much land has been desecrated by tourism and make the living affordable for residents to return back home, putting living priority on locals, local born compared to non natives because we understand how to preserve our culture
Tourists to Hawaii do need to be conscious we are on a small, fragile place that needs our care. My husband and I visit Big Island every yr, and love the laid back atmosphere. We pick up trash, add $$$ to the local economy, give to the food bank, and treat local hosts and ocean wildlife with respect. The least we can do for being made welcome in this beautiful place.
I have been to Hawaii 3 times in two years and fell in love. We have only stayed in Maui. But look forward to seeing more. I would love to see more attractions which focus on the culture and promote local food and beverages along with the history. While I have heard of the anti tourist feeling I never felt it directly. One thing I noticed was many of the workers were Philippine. Perhaps promoting more natives employees and brining in less foreign works could help foster better ties. Also resorts should spotlight local customs in their programing.
I’m Filipina, My family came here over 100 years ago, so I’m 4th generation, not a foreigner. By the way it’s Filipino/a, not Philippine.
Hi Emily G! Naming those in positions of authority that are responsible needs to occur frequently. Getting All of their names, repeatedly, in the face of voters is hopefully the start of Positive change in Hawaii. Keep up the Awesome work and hopefully get it to keep spreading to everyone. With the Appropriate Attention The RICO Statute could be applied.
Hi! Your article has many valid points about loving Hawaii to death. Our family has been cherishing Kauai since the late 70’s and have noticed a marked change in the “tourists”, (which we don’t consider ourselves to be). It seems to stem from a covid-induced, crazy self righteousness. Which seemingly thinks “me first – &%$*< everyone else". Gone are the days of love your neighbor as yourself, instead being replaced with bad behavior, especially while on vacation. One thing that could help is removing big SUV'S from all HI rentals. (Have you ever seen a bad-@** driving a Chevy spark?)
Return visitors (not tourists) are in HI's best interest too. Perhaps give them deep discounts to encourage the right kind of visitors, not masses of a##**
We just returned from Oahu. We really did enjoy it however, with the Huge homeless population at times we didn’t feel safe. We would have loved to stop at some of the beaches on the west side of the island but did not because of the trash and homeless. It’s too bad Hawaii can’t implement programs for the homeless like Grand Cayman has done- taking good care of them.
The Homeless Situation across the State should concern everyone. Imagine this, I’m Homeless and collecting Soc. Sec. Or Some kind of Retirement, you’d be surprised how many do, and Hawaii is a wonderful place. I purchase a 1 way ticket and I’m living in Paradise! Walmart sells what I need, I’m living Free! Better weather and conditions than where I had been. The Downside is what You See. Betwwen Assistance and whatever applies they for the most part are okay, perfect for many of them, not all. Also a “dumping ground ” it seems for some mentally ill. Well out of hand. Thank a Politician for this! Elect more and see what you get.