You’ll love this current look back and update on what has happened to Hawaii travel.
76 thoughts on “The Path From Zero to 💯 As Hawaii Travel Hits New Records”
Comments are closed.
You’ll love this current look back and update on what has happened to Hawaii travel.
Comments are closed.
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.