You’ll love this current look back and update on what has happened to Hawaii travel.
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76 thoughts on “The Path From Zero to 💯 As Hawaii Travel Hits New Records”
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You’ll love this current look back and update on what has happened to Hawaii travel.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Our family just visited in May 2021 from upstate NY. The four of us had our testing done at Walgreens and had results the same day. We stayed at Ko Olina for 14 days. It was sad to see some favorite beaches closed, but we made the best of it. Turtle Bay wasn’t done yet so the beach wasnt crowded like it usually is. That was nice. We had a low key visit, swimming, hiking and snorkeling. We only ate inside once and the restaurants were taking temps and doing contact tracing. Everyone we encountered from beginning to end was courteous and welcoming. The aloha spirit was alive and well. We were respectful and always wore our masks in stores and buildings. It was wonderful to be back. I hope we can come again next year.
I came back from Kauai on July 12th for a week. I did not feel welcome starting with the person at the rental car agency next to the check-in at our hotel. There was a weird vibe there. The local roads are not equipped to handle traffic especially going from Lihue to The Princeville area. Many restaurants I remember are gone, especially in Koloa area. Also been reading so many articles on this subject about how locals don’t want us back on all of the islands. Their wish is granted in my case.
Mahalo for all the information you provide. Visited Maui this last February & will visit again in 2023. I read/follow you all the time. Aloha!
Hi Linda.
Glad you will be able to return in 2023. Thanks for all of your comments and the nice words.
Aloha.
I just returned from a week in Oahu; my first trip. I am vaccinated but still follow any signs or rules for mask wearing. It wasn’t overly crowded but yes, many rental cars! Places to go were booked out 2 weeks so wasn’t able to see much but it was beautiful just relaxing at the beach and eating out and enjoying Hawaiian beauty.
Dear Katusha, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I’m getting very excited & can’t wait!!♡♡ my 1st trip! 🍍🥥🌍🛩🌈🐢🐠🌺🏖God Bless you….psalms 91:11!
just read that hotel occupancy is down roughly 25% Statewide for May…and 2021 total visitors will not be close to 2019.
However, Florida (which is oh sooo dangeruous), is booming even in the slower summer season. It’s not “the Vid” or supposed “safe Hawaii” that is influencing travelers. It’s the mandates negatively affecting Hawaii’s recovery.
Keep up the mandates Hawaii… Daddy needs a cheap investment home in 2023.
Hi
Iam from nz
We all are miss hawaii some much.
My family & had been there lots of times
Love come to back .when hawaii ready for us to to come
Sharron
When my family and I traveled to Oahu and Maui we always have respected the shop owners, servers, front desk personal and others. If these morons that think it’s their right to yell and scream they are directing the anger at the wrong people. Just think if that anger was directed to the Governors office and all the other “I know best “political talking head things may be different. Some of my family members are in the service industry, so we are very sympathetic to those that have chosen to come to work.
Thank you are see you in Maui over thanksgiving.
Thank you so much! I truly appreciate the great information you provide and I’m so glad I found Beat of Hawaii. I welcome any suggestions others have on this topic as well.
Yes, we will be joining you in February/March 2022! My husband & I were one of the lucky ones who traveled to Kauai in November 2020, receiving our test results from Kaiser less than 12 hours before our 7:00 AM flight the next morning. The other 2 parties joining us weren’t so lucky, as their test results, also from Kaiser, didn’t arrive within 72 hours. So very stressful! We were all able to travel to Maui/Kauai in April this year. My husband & I were flying Southwest, so we chose to take their $20 test with results guaranteed within 48 hours, rather than taking the chance again on the free Kaiser test. The other 2 parties once again relied on Kaiser, and this time their results came in long before the 72 hour deadline. We were all vaccinated prior to the April trip, which meant nothing for Hawaii travel at that time, so we’re glad that it now makes a difference, since we’ve made reservations for the “Big Island” and Kauai in February/March, but are still trying to secure reservations for Maui. Hopefully our auto rental rate will come down before then, and Hawaii’s current rules for us to visit will still be in place. Something that I have to say is that both times we were there during the last year, we found the people of Hawaii to be friendly & welcoming, and constantly thanking us for coming, never giving us the feeling that they wished we weren’t there. And, I don’t know what more I say about “Beat of Hawaii” than you’re the best!!! I don’t even remember how we stumbled on to you, but we’re so glad we did. Who knows what travel criteria/rules we may have missed while visiting various websites if we hadn’t had “Beat of Hawaii” to guide us. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! When someone mentions that they have a planned trip to Hawaii, we always tell them that they have to check out “Beat of Hawaii”.
Hi Donna.
You just made our weekend! Thank you, and happy travels.
Aloha.
Dear Donna, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year!! I’m getting very excited & can’t wait 🍍🥥🐢🐠🐋🌺🌍🏖✈🌈 God bless you! Psalms 91:11❤
Aloha,
We have had to cancel our trip twice during Covid. We are so excited to be returning on September 2 to Maui! We try to go to Hawaii once or twice a year, as our budget allows. We have missed the islands so much!
Thank you for all the information you have provided and continue to provide. We have a trip planned for early November (after canceling our trip we had planned for last November) I have been to Hawaii several times and instantly fell in love with the people and the general feeling being there gives me. I am sure the return of so many tourists (some I’m sure who can be rude) has been difficult for locals. I’m interested in learning more about Hawaiian culture and some do’s and don’ts beyond (what should be) common courtesy. Would you consider an article on this or do you have recommendations for what to read? I want to be respectful and a good tourist beyond my normal courtesy and friendliness. I truly see Hawaii as a treasure. I appreciate any insights and suggestions you have!
Dawn
Hi Dawn.
Thanks. One thing that came to mind is a post we authored here. Others may add their suggestions.
https://beatofhawaii.com/ecoculture-hawaii-new-kuleana-tourism-campaign/.
Aloha.
I don’t think Hawaii is breaking travel records. The graph you posted is just the domestic passenger count. The international passenger count is basically nil. If you look at the state’s total passenger count, it is clearly below 2019 levels. I guess you could say Hawaii’s breaking domestic travel records…
Hawaii is my most favorite place, I have lived there twice due to the military and I have been back many times and taken family and friends to see your lovely home. We were there in late March before the craziness started had a wonderful time. ( we were on Maui) I get angry with visitors that won’t be patient and kind, they can stay home. I understand a lot of the problems you have, I will be going back again, I love your aloha. Hope to see you after the first of the year, I hope things settle down. Love you all
Simple solution:
Place mask, distancing and group size restrictions on beaches and parks again. Then have HPD use those fancy new ATV’s to patrol it..
It was such a smart idea last summer. That science and all… I’m sure most in Hawaii would follow the mandate again no questions asked.
Hey remember when some States ( talking to you Hawaiians and Californians) ticketed people outdoors maskless at the beach or on the sidewalk…
Thank you for all the timely information, it has been so helpful as we planned our trip. We leave tomorrow, have uploaded our vaccine document and received our QR code. Made car reservation back in March when you alerted us! Also made dinner reservations for the first week, but when checking now for the second week, there are NONE to be had. That’s so ominous but we’ll wing it.
I didn’t even bother trying to get an Uber to the hotel, just went with Charlie’s Taxi and having someone meet us at baggage claim will be a big relief. Crossing fingers that our car reservation is actually there, but I think it will be.
For fellow travelers, following the updates and planning ahead is really key…
Hi Becky.
Thanks. Have a great time on Oahu.
Aloha.
Well of course the residents would love to have the insanely beautiful island all to themselves while the state paid the majority of them with unemployment. Just look how many are still not willing to work, everywhere is way understaffed & can’t find employees Kauai’s visitor numbers are still down or parallel (see above chart) to where they have been in past years (excluding 2020) and yet the locals are screaming it’s too many people, the most they’ve ever encountered ever, way too many cars on the road, beaches overflowing with tourists etc …. It’s called getting back to normal business. When you live on a little island where tourism is it’s main economy source I have absolutely no sympathy for those who complain about tourists.
I humbly ask that you do not make generalizations regarding the people of Hawai’i. We are very aware of the importance of tourism and many work multiple jobs just to make ends meet living on one of the most expensive areas in the United States. I believe the focus lies not necessarily on the sheer number of people that are coming to the islands rather the seemingly high percentage of “tourists” rather than “visitors”. We welcome visitors who have taken the time to research the culture, respect people, the aina (land), ocean, beaches environment and above all, the culture of Hawai’i. There seems to be a high percentage of “tourists” who arrive here with unrealistic expectations as the world is still dealing with the throes of a pandemic. Hawai’i is the most remote populated island chain in the world and it took hours to fly to Hawai’i, connect the dots that it is expensive to live here and vacation here, listening to people complain about the price of groceries is commonplace as they don’t stop to think the majority of our food and goods are shipped in by container, not via interstate trucking companies like the mainland. Many do not seem to have budgeted fir this trip, didn’t plan ahead of time to rent a car or reserve activities prior to arrival. Tension fills the air as tourists scream at hostesses for having to wait for a table or at shop owners for having to wear a mask indoors. The State is still under Emergency Orders and it is disrespectful to shout at others in the Hawaiian culture. Aloha is a lifestyle not a catch phrase and we live in harmony with each other, we do not block people’s driveways with rental cars or stop traffic for the perfect selfie. We do not honk our horns when traffic is stopped or “flip off” people when someone is driving the speed limit. Yes, we welcome visitors but do not appreciate tourists disrespect and name calling, just as you would not tolerate the same in your home. Live Aloha.
We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit the Big Island for two weeks in late June. From shops, to farmers markets, beaches and more, we received genuine aloha from all we encountered, and gave the same in return. What many cannot understand is that Hawaii is not a vacation spot, but a sacred place. It should be approached with a sense of respect and gratitude, not entitlement. Until I return again, I will honor Hawaii by sharing and living aloha in my daily life.
Love this comment!!! You get it and you are the visitors we love to welcome!
Mahalo Nui for your understanding. There is a difference between visitors and tourists and your awareness and willingness to respect of the fact we cherish our culture, heritage and live Aloha is appreciated, that is what visitors to new destinations do and we welcome you again with thankfulness. Sadly, we are overrun with many tourists who did not take the time to learn about the destination, practice patience and show disrespect for the aina (land), water, coral, beaches, and residents who work tirelessly in hotels, restaurants and shops. I’ve personally watched tourists scream at hostesses because there is a wait for seating at a restaurant, complain about high prices when we live here and know the cost of living is expensive. While admittedly we’re approaching (hopefully) the final throes of a worldwide Pandemic there is no reason to chastise shop owners for having to wear a mask when our State government has Emergency orders in place. Beaches are overrun with tourists who didn’t realize activities are expensive, rental cars are scarce and groceries are shipped in by container, hence higher prices than the mainland. Aloha is a lifestyle, not a catch phrase, there is more to Hawai’i than cheap airfares, swaying palm trees, sun, sand and sky blue oceans. We only ask for respect as a guest in our home, as we would respect your culture and customs when visiting your home.
Absolutely agree! I wish all visitors would understand this.
I was living on Kauai when covid for reared it’s ugly head.!I was furloughed from my job as well as many experienced. My family and children have been on Island for 10 years, as we all watched this beautiful, busy island come to a complete hault.I eventually returned to the mainland and just visited in mid May. It did not resemble Kauai and it’s tourism as I have experienced coming there for the past 10 years. There was a peace during the beginning of covid I had never felt before there either. This is a very sacred place and although this economy relies on tourism, I pray there is a better way for all these souls to continue to flourish and really allowed to live Aloha!
There is no excuse for rudeness anytime, but especially when you travel. Whether you are visiting someone’s home across the street or in another town, state, country, you are a guest in someone elses home. NOR DO YOU GET TO BE RUDE BECAUSE YOU PAID A FEE! We are guests in the airplane, taxi cab, restaurant, theatre, … IF YOU CAN’T BE CIVIL, STAY HOME IN YOUR HOUSE! Since we don’t have herd immunity anywhere, if you choose to not be vaccinated, STAY IN YOUR HOUSE. That 10-20% unvaccinated, but “safe” through herd immunity is taken up by those who cannot be vaccinated for legitimate medical reasons not for religious or political reasons. I will be back to Hawaii when traveling with strangers is not scary and Hawaiians are comfortable having visitors. Unless I don’t live so long … Aloha and mahalo
broken record here: THANKS SO VERY MUCH you guys are terrific . I AM coming back maybe in the fall or next feb, by then it may calm down. mahalop
Hi Mary.
Thanks. Glad you can return soon, and yes it will calm down. We appreciate your many comments over the past 5 years.’
Aloha.
Myfamily has hotel and flight reservations for May 2022. Do you think things will calm down by then. I lived on Oah for 6 years long ago and have
visited a couple of times since then. I’m hoping my family will be able to see all the beauty of both local people and the Island itself. Should we book tours now or do you think things will be ok by next May?
Aloha and Mahalo
Hi Nancy.
Things will most likely be calmed down by then and May is a nice and quiet time to visit. That is assuming world circumstances don’t change again.
Aloha.
I have to wonder if other people are like me. My travel voucher from canceling my 2020 trip was going to expire in December so I had to use it. I can only travel during the summer months.
Visitor-less Hawaii has happened before——-such as on Kauai’I for a few years after Hurricane Iniki (yes I spent part of my vacation there at that time. During that lull in tourism, you could roll a bowling ball through the Lihue Airport terminal and not come close to hitting anyone. Just don’t forget the late Don Ho’s perspective on Hawaii tourism: Its not just the rain that keeps Hawaii green.
The environmental impact of over-tourism is very easy to see; from plastic lids, bottles and straws on shorelines and roadsides, to overcrowded beaches and “snorkeling” destinations. Traffic jams, and crowded stores. It is a shame what is happening to Hawaii, but the Mayors and Governor look the other way at the destruction of one of the most beautiful places on the planet to bow to the tourboat operators, giant hotels, and other tourist centered businesses. Nobody seems to realize that Hawaii is slowly degrading. The state government has chosen quantity over quality with numbers of tourists vs. quality of visitors which effects the quality of life here for every resident and every creature. The state of Hawaii sold out to tourism long ago, but what is happening now will forever change these islands. “Paradise lost” has never been so obvious, or true. Just ask anyone who grew up here, or has been here long enough to see Hawaii’s decline. Many towns and places are resembling Disneyland more than the most beautiful place on Earth. Hawaii government and chamber of commerce are addicted to tourism, and just like any addict they cannot see that it’s killing themselves and taking the rest of us with them!
Thank you Beat of Hawaii and safe travel. We are here on the Big Island and are having a great time. No shortage of cars, they have plenty they told up and I even got to pick one out I wanted. Everyone one is so friendly and happy to see us all visiting. We even got a reservation to see Henry Kapono sing at our hotel. We still wear a mask on hotel property and in stores which is fine with us. Love the Islands. Thank You
Hi Beverly.
We appreciate your input. Enjoy your time on the B.I.
Aloha.
I luv this article! I sums up a perfect timeline and explains a lot of anxiety today for those who live here! In May of 2020, since I could only swim in the ocean. I decided that this was a historical time to drive and quickly take pictures of every beach in west side Maui with no one on them! I will treasure these moments forever. I believe in tourism but for any place it’s way too much now. There has to be some sort of state limitation for our environment to survive!
Hi Lou.
Thank you for this and for your other comments.
Aloha.
I will be going in August. I am so excited to go to Hawaii with my sister for her birthday. We have been planning our trip since March and planning this trip has made us closer. Just got my vaccination card put on Safe Travels this morning. Just one step closer to our vacation.
Aloha Kathy, have a safe,fun, wonderful trip with your sister!! 🌎✈🌞🌈⛱🌊 I’m planning my lifelong dream vacation trip to Oahu next year! I’m getting very excited & can’t wait:)♡♡ God bless you! Psalms 91:11
Thank you Andrea! Have a great trip to Oahu! God bless you as well! Have a wonderful weekend.
Mahalos for a great glimpse at our recent history!
Re-opening is a real mixed bag. Without tourism, Hawai’i residents were offered the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of their home undisturbed. This probably sounds like nothing special to people whose communities aren’t normally overrun with loud, disrespectful, disruptive outsiders – but for everyone in Hawai’i (including animals, ocean, air, and aina), time-out for tourists and trespassers was a rare glimpse of an intoxicating peace. To be fair, for many locals this experience was tainted by a loss of tourism-related income. Despite the hardships, many folks in Hawai’i would welcome a return to that peace, and this time would feel better prepared for it.
The silver linings of COVID-19 have been more than just a brief experience of a more peaceful Hawai’i; there have been resurgences in nature, a renewed recognition of the importance of ohana, and a widely shared acknowledgement that Hawai’i’s economy must diversify, must rely less on tourism in order to build the resilience needed to ride out the next storm, whatever form that storm takes. At last, the tragically low wages of a hospitality economy are being seriously questioned. And despite the best attempts of politicians on the continent to create division, mistrust, and even hatred among people, many Hawai’i locals realized a shared struggle and camaraderie with their neighbors.
As you so rightly say, it feels like zero to a hundred overnight. Like being woken by a hair dryer. Like someone throwing a firework onto your lanai. In time tourists will have travel options beyond Hawai’i, and will then be able to vent their quarantine frustrations somewhere else. Hawai’i locals may grudgingly, eventually, become accustomed again to repairing tourist damage, to picking up tourist trash, to smiling through tourist abuse, to seeing Hawai’i treated like a theme park. But let’s all learn and do better.
Hi Robbos.
Thanks for your comments over the past couple of years and for your input on this unprecedented situation.
Aloha.
We are planning trip to Waikiki Jan 1 — I cannot find travel requirements for Canadians travelling to Hawaii — we both have had two shots of vaccine — and would like to be sure we have all requirements covered for flights direct Vancouver to Honolulu — any info our Hawaii sites would be appreciated.
Don
Hi Don.
Nothing has changed for Canadians so far. The current requirement is to comply with the Safe Travels testing protocol. We’ll update you as soon as that changes.
Aloha
I arrived to Maui in Nov 2020. Masks required everywhere, even sitting ocean front with the two people I traveled with, trade winds blowing and no on one within 20 feet of us. But no traffic and restaurants that were open very welcoming to visitors, with one exception. Over Christmas and New Years the mask at ocean front and pool side was revised, thank goodness!! Restaurants more open. Visited again in May 2021 and many more visitors, hard to get dining reservations, more traffic. Was happy to see stores and restaurants doing better. More options open than Dec/Jan. So yes, I’ll be back 😉 again and again. Thank you for your updates through COVID, related to the islands. I often read the update here before I found it anywhere else. Aloha!
Hi Kathleen.
Thank you. Happy to hear the reporting on your Hawaii travels and glad you will be back.
Aloha.
Dear Kathleen, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year and I’m getting very excited!! Can’t wait♡♡🌍🌊⛱🌈🌞✈🐋🐢🐠🌺 God bless you! Psalms 91:11
Your Beat of Hawaii updates have been great the past year. No other publication was able to help explain all the details about “everything” than your site. Mahalo from a California and Kaua’i resident! Looking forward to finally getting back to my Kaua’i home in November.
Hi Scott.
Thank you! We appreciate you being a part of the conversation and the many comments.
Aloha.
We traveled to Maui May 7-15, 2021. We stayed in a beachfront condo in Lahaina and found the same Hawaiian hospitality as before (:
At that time, although vaccinated, we had to do the 72 hr ahead of arrival testing, but that was no problem! United Airlines streamlined the arrival process with their wristband program in LA. We live in Florida, which has been an open door state thru pretty much all of Covid. We saw many tourists/new summer season snowbirds that escaped NYC and other more restrictive states and brought Covid with them to our state and hospitals. We totally understood Hawaii’s restrictions! We are also glad to have booked a great car-included package back in Feb., tho’, as we saw our condo, flight and car price now skyrocket. (We couldn’t afford that same trip now). We will definitely be back when overseas travel returns and stabilizes your (and everywhere’s) prices. Hawaii has become the Europe alternative right now, But hooray for your beautiful state and your recovery economy! Aloha!
Yes!! We will be joining you.
If it helps Hawaii understand the flux of visitors-we also live in a highly visited tourist area Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island which the only travel is from our side to the island by ferry and only horses and carriages.(Historical) We are also overwhelmed here. Never have we seen this many visitors all year. We are struggling to keep up. Many of our workers are senior citizens going back to work for visitors,including my husband. It is hard but the benefits are many. We come to Kauai each year for 5 or 6 weeks just to get to peace.We do understand! The whole country is going through this. Sometimes it feels like we are not all U.S. citizens when wanting to come to the Hawaiian Islands. Thank you very much
Hi Holly.
Thanks for your first-time comment and the input from another tourist destination. ]
Aloha.
As a twice a year visitor Hawaii was missed in 2020. When we were finally able to return in 2021 it was very different in the month of May. Not the Aloha we were used to. Servers if there were any, we rude and indifferent, same with Hotel Staff. They resented us for being there. I was even told to my face by a man fishing on the pier in Hanalei, “we don’t want any of you here”! It was heartbreaking to see signs on the door in Princeville at one of the largest restaurants there, “closed for 2 days due to lack of workers”. Shop owners complaining that they couldn’t get people to work because of the “extra” unemployment benefits. We thought you wanted us to come, and you couldn’t feed us or let us shop and spend our money. Made us get tested to go to a 2nd island even though we were had just been tested and had the same CDC card and vaccine as locals. SUMMER VACATION IS OVER … nothing will ever be the same again.
Aloha Beat of Hawaii,
I’ve got Ohana trying to purchase air fare for January. When would you advise they start purchasing tickets? They’re flying HA from LAX to connect in Oahu and then Kahului, with just a layover of a couple hours to visit my Tutu.
Should they start buying now or wait?
Mahalo for your amazing insight and helpful advice!
Hi Pam.
It looks like prices may come down by about $100 RT if you wait. The airlines are not yet looking ahead that far. You’ll see them soon enough – maybe another 60 days or so. Thanks for asking.
Aloha.
Aloha-
We are returning to our beloved Kauai finally in October! Are there any notable restaurants or other attractions that are closed forever? Also, have you heard if there are any plans to restart the shuttle to Ha’ena? Can’t wait to download my vaccination card and get on the plane!
thanks
Hi Jon.
We aren’t sure why the shuttle isn’t operating, perhaps with a start-point in Hanalei due to the road closure. It seems the road issue will go on for a significant time, from personal observation. Nothing comes to mind in terms of things that closed forever, although others may comment differently.
Let us know how your travels go. And thanks again for so many comments in the past year.
Aloha.
Aloha,
We just returned from our June Kauai trip. Everything went smoothly. We were prepared for no restaurant reservations and had no problem going to food trucks or kiosks or the grocery store.
Lines were long in grocery stores but the checkers were working so hard. Patience and kindness works wonders. They have a shortage of employees just like everywhere else. We had a rude and grumpy shuttle driver but look what he is dealing with. All in all things were wonderful if you go knowing what to expect and enjoy the love of the island.
Mahalo
Hi Judy.
Thanks for your first-time comment and the report on your trip from last month.
Aloha.
Dear Judy, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I’m getting very excited & can’t wait!!♡♡ 🐢🐋🌺🐠🌍🌊⛱✈🌈God bless you…..psalms 91:11
Thank you for this recap. I remember reading most of these articles as my family and I prepared for travel.
Our family visited Maui last week, and we had a great time. The safe travels program required testing, which was relatively easy, and we actually felt safer knowing that every traveler needed to be tested for Covid before flying to the islands.
Our week in Maui was really quite nice, and every resident we encountered was quite helpful and gregarious. We tipped well, knowing that restaurants were still not at capacity, although we were a bit disappointed not to be able to eat at a couple of our favorite spots. Masks are required indoors, but not outside. It actually felt quite normal.
We will be back, although we will be keeping an eye on tourism numbers. We noticed a significant increase in traffic as Independence Day approached. There are a lot of people on the islands right now who will probably return to the Caribbean or Europe or other destinations in the future. We look forward to visiting Hawaii again when it’s not so busy.
Hi Matt.
Thanks for your comments. We’re glad your time on Maui last week was great and that you’re planning to return.
Aloha.
We are heading to Maui this week. We only have a car for a portion of the trip and plan to use shuttles, taxi, Uber and/or Lyft. Do you have an recommendations regarding which one might be best? We have a trip scheduled to Pearl Harbor on Friday (a day we do not have a car), so I’m trying to figure out which one would be best to book in advance. Any tips would be appreciated!
Hi Amy.
Others may give us a hand. We tend to use Uber ourselves, but that’s just out of habit and from prior good experiences.
Aloha.
WOW!! You guys have done a GREAT job keeping all of us informed. I’ve shared your blogs innumerable times w/family and friends as we all waited anxiously to return. We last left Maui Jan. 4, 2020 and will finally be back Oct 13. We’re grateful for all the workers who have stayed the course and kept our STVR sanitized and ready for all our guests & family.
Be well, be safe, be courteous, and above all…be kind and gracious to every human you meet. Much aloha! 🌺
Hi Sue.
Thank you. We’re happy to hear you’ll be returning to Maui in just a few months.
Aloha.
Thanks for this “review” of the past year. I enjoyed reading your perspectives. We travel to Maui in February 2021,and found it most enjoyable with the smaller crowds, although we were surprised at how many people were actually there, including Canadians almost everywhere we went!
We will be back to Kaua’i in September and Maui again in February. We can only hope the situation on all fronts continues to improve.
BTW, do you have any updates on the rental car situation? I reserved our vehicle for September back in March at a very good rate even for “normal” times and am wondering if you have any insight as to the arrival of new fleets to the islands.
Mahalo, BOH!
Hi Ed.
Thanks. We appreciate your input through the process!
On car rentals, we thought it would have improved already. Then we heard that car rental companies are still having a hard time getting cars due to retail sales and chip shortages. So we aren’t sure. Prices should reflect better supply, and thus far, that isn’t good.
Aloha.
Government / people in Hawaii feel there is no need for tourism promotion / Hawaii Visitors & Convention bureau as funding has been dramatically reduced. This is very short sighted.
Once closer / friendlier destinations reopen watch out. Also beware of Hawaii government always making life for locals more expensive with highest taxes and “green” energy. Only retired government / military workers with pensions (untaxed in HI) will be staying!! Aloha.
I keep reading similar stories about record tourism in the islands. What I can’t understand is where all these people are staying. I’m not aware of any major increase in accommodations available, so if new records are being established, where are they staying?