For the first time the state notes a reluctance to visit Hawaii with travelers uncertain about how well they will be received among other issues.
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For the first time the state notes a reluctance to visit Hawaii with travelers uncertain about how well they will be received among other issues.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
5% GET Tax?
I think Hawaii is doing everything in it’s power to drive away the very industry they live off of….tourism. Since the pandemic, car rentals have gone awall…..I mean $1100 is now $2,000! That is a Huge amount of Anyokne’s travel budget. We own a time share so the housing cost is amazing based on our maintenance fee. But flights, and the car, are close to $4000 now. I better enjoy my next trip (hopefully next June) because if the goal of Hawaii is to make it for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” they are headed in the right direction!@
Side note….Love this newsletter and all the information you provide! Thank you Thank you!
Hi Thom.
Thank you! As we indicated, the increase in GET is .5%. Earlier there was a typo which was corrected. We appreciate you noting that.
Aloha.
That extra 5% may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back…makes me consider selling our property.
I feel bad for the locals but their government may get what they apparently want…no visitors.
And what a tremendous burden on the full-time residents!
In many respects, I have never witnessed such poor leadership. The governor’s statements early after the tragedy were purely emotional and obviously not thought through. The notion that “West Maui is closed” is absurd! There are hundreds of businesses from Kaanapali to Kapalua that are entirely dependent on tourism. The Island was just recovering from Covid and this will be the last straw for many. I grew up in California where wild fires are a way of life. We don’t close down neighboring cities when a terrible tragedy occurs–life unfortunately goes on. The governor’s early statements should have conveyed that once Lahaina was secured and public facilities up and running, tourism would be the economic engine to power recovery.
I live in Kona and was not aware of a 5% surcharge on Maui. In the interest of accuracy I looked it up; it is a 0.5% surcharge.
I appreciate your work at Beat of Hawaii.
Hi Michael.
Thanks. And yes that was corrected.
Aloha.
I’m unable to find any mention online of Maui adding an “additional 5% GET” beginning January 1, 2024. Did you mean 0.5%?
I believe that the effect on tourism is not from the Maui fires and the additional costs to the state, but rather to the outrageous regulations that Honolulu County has passed with respect to those visitors who want to stay in an apartment, or a private home rented on VDRO or Airbnb I will be traveling to see my family this winter, but it will be my last trip because I’m required to stay 30 days as I prefer renting an apartment. I believe these regulations are impinging on travel to Oahu and causing severe impact on tourism.
It’s a .5% surcharge for Maui. Not 5%.
My first flight to Honolulu, Hawaii, was in July 1965. I also flew from Honolulu to the big island of Hawaii and Kauai on that trip. I have since made numerous trips to the big island of Hawaii and Kauai. I always fly Hawaiian Airlines because the attendants wear Hawaiian shirts/blouses which make me feel like I am going to Hawaii. I also love that they offer tasty snacks. I was on the inaugural flight of Aloha Airlines from Orange County, California, to Lihue, Kauai, before it went out of business.
My thought is Maui is going to rebound much faster then what’s projected by UHERO.
Why do I say this?
It’s been announced that Maui will be completely open, including westside, by October 8th. That message is reaching individuals through social media.
Looking at Maui visitor stat today arrival numbers topped 4,000 for the first time since the fire.
At several high end resorts in Wailea there’s blocks of time in November and December where there is no room available.
Here’s where the problems lye flight and rental car shortages or an uprising of citizens been moved from there temp housing could cause another wave of cancellations.
A 5% surcharge on groceries??? Is that on top of the 4% State tax?
Hi Valerie.
.5%.
Aloha.
“Starting January 1, 2024, Maui will implement an additional 5% GET (sales) tax surcharge. Visitors and residents will all pay that on everything from groceries to accommodations.”
Addition2al 5%GET? On top of the 4+%(?) already charged? Wow, on already super expensive groceries in particular, that is regressive.
Hi CM.
As noted, the additional amount is .5%.
Aloha.
I am afraid that the additional GET tax will only chase more people away to other equally beautiful places and hurt Hawaiian tourism more.
I’ll keep this short, as I’ve kind of written two times before about somewhat the same sentiment: The word is now out to a good degree that lots of Hawaiians resent tourists. Yes, I know what the word ‘respect’ means….and we always are nice wherever we go, but we don’t get pushed by hostility, have gods and religions forced into our faces, etc. We are visiting. Visiting. There are other beautiful and nice places in the world. Many don’t tax so much or have special fees for outsiders. Maybe it would be better for many in HI to really think about to seceding altogether. No TMTelescope, no military, no tourists. Paradise will result.
Spot on!! I know the article describes us
It costs a lot of $ to go to Maui and as much as we love and many many trips in my lifetime, I don’t want to risk going and getting the stink eye
U can’t keep beating your paying guests up
Our government failed us once again. The state was warned for years about maintaining the brush, and ignored the advice.
Green (New Deal) was asked if his inept team was going to apologize for all the mistakes and he blamed “global warming “. Maybe he forgot that the water wasn’t available, the sirens didn’t go off, and the police trapped everyone for escaping. Quickly remote Green.
I visit Hawaii each February to participate in the Great Aloha Run. Yes, Hawaii is expensive to visit but it is worth every penny. The Hawaii residents are some of the friendliest you will find. I would stay an extra week to visit Maui in February 2024 if I could afford it. I live 90 miles from Myrtle Beach, SC. I haven’t been there in years because Hawaii has spoiled me in what a beach should be like.
So Maui hadn’t been charging any GET? Is that Maui 5% GET just for Maui? And is it on top of the 4% that Hawaii already charges?
So what exactly is changing?
Is it being added? Increased? Doubled?
Whatever it is, Maui is getting hammered.
The additional GET is 0.5%, not the 5% stated, please don’t give government officials another tax increase suggestion!
Is it an additional 5% or .5% GET ?
“Starting January 1, 2024, Maui will implement an additional 5% GET (sales) tax surcharge. Visitors and residents will all pay that on everything from groceries to accommodations.”
What? What? What? An additional 5% sales tax surcharge? Has the government lost its mind?
Are you sure it isn’t 0.5%, or “zero point five percent”? There is an enormous difference between these two numbers.
Sounds like a reasonable projection, until lodging costs come down
which will happen gradually. We may go to Kona next spring instead
of Kauai to reduce the cost of lodging.
The Big Island will be next. With all the overgrown brush and grass. Owners not caring for there properties. Big land trust and Kamehameha Schools are Big abusers of not clearing properties to name a few. It’s all around Kailua-Kona.
The Big Island will be next. With all the overgrown brush and grass. Owners not caring for there properties. Big land trust and Kamehameha Schools are Big abusers of not clearing properties to name a few. It’s all around Kailua-Kona.
This is sad news for Hawaii. You can not blame the tourists- a Hawaiian vacation is not inexpensive. People do not like to be micromanaged when they are going on vacation. Words matter. I’m praying that hawaiis messaging improves. Inflation and added fees to visit will make people look elsewhere for vacation. It’s a beautiful place but there are other beautiful places too. Good luck Hawaii.
The GET surcharge is 0.5%, no? 5% would be insane…
I truly feel for Hawaii about the tragedy that happened in West Maui and that tourism has been so affected and will be slow to grow for a long time. Visiting Kauai in 2014 was one of the best experiences of my lifetime.
With that said, tourism is the economy of Hawaii. I get the tension between vocal residents and governments, but if wishes were fishes, we’d all have nets. Hawaii cannot have it both ways. Middle ground is going to be very hard to come by.
I booked a private owner condo & car rental, pre-fire, to visit for a week next May. The condo is quite expensive, but our (3) airfares are covered by SWA points, so that helps. That said, the extra 5% on everything is a huge ask, given the already high prices, taxes and fees. Under other circumstances, it would definitely make me reconsider the trip, but due to my age and health, and now the expense, it’ll sadly be my final visit to the beautiful Maui island.
Thank you for your careful coverage of travel related issues in Hawaii. My family has visited Kauai for 40 years. We had to save for several years to take all our
kids and grandkids there the summer of 2022 to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We were happy to contribute to the island’s economy and always enjoy meeting and interacting with the residents and environment respectfully. The posts we read (even on your website) before our trip led us to believe we weren’t wanted there. Since the Maui fires, it’s become clear that only certain classes of visitors are welcome. I’m not comfortable with this attitude, so we we do not plan to visit the islands in the future. Since kauai holds a special place in our hearts, we are deeply sad.
Starting January 1, 2024,
Maui will implement an
additional 5% GET
(sales) tax surcharge
Visitors and residents
will all pay that on
everything from
groceries to
accommodations. Wow
The additional GET is 0.5%, not 5%. Maybe it is now 5% total?, idk, but edit needed.
We are traveling in Spain right now. Everyone has been extremely welcoming, despite our American lack of mindfulness and poor Español. Back to Kauai in mid October for the winter. I hear Avalon finally opened in Kilauea, but reservations needed.
Hi David.
Thanks. Fixed.
Aloha.
It looks like you guys said it all here. Nothing to add. Looks like you covered everything in your article. It has become pretty clear that Hawaii does not want tourists so why the worry
I have come to Hawaii over twenty times and this time is the first time I have been harassed by locals. Hawaii survives on tourist dollars and calling us “white devils “ and letting us know we are not welcome is not not good for business
Aloha Jeff and Rob. I just read the article about visitors slow to return. While social media may have some impact, I think most people understand that a concerted blitz on media can create an illusion of people not being welcome. I did not find that to be true. I know I was insulted by the governor wanting high end tourists. I did not spend thousands for lodging and food where profits would go to a Delaware corporation, I stayed and ate local to keep my money on the island. However, it seems Green has reached the wealth level where he feels rich and entitled, or as the saying goes ” we have met the enemy and they are us”
It may have to be an apology from the governor to get people back. Mahalo and thanks. Aloha.
Another reason visitors are down from Aussie is that people living in Brisbane can’t get in or our of Brisbane to Hawaii Maui or anywhere as there are NO flights from any airline to do so. Everyone have to go to Sydney or Melbourne to get out & that is a lot of extra money
We have timeshare in Hawaii & unable to go as no flights & current fare is $12000 for us. We would have been back last year except for this
Maui was one of our favourites
My heart aches for the Hawaiian Islands, AND understsandably someone (all) will have to pay, but I am determined to return to te islands in 2024, yet will not be able to (tip) heavily as urged as I can not keep paying more and more and more each time I research my trip. If condos, dont reduce their rates, and yet everyone keeps increasing, it is a sad situation for us that want to travel with middle incomes. I think (we) are not the tourists that your islands want for sure. Its a shame since I studied Hawaiian history for 10 years, and yet my wallet wont let me enjoy my studies.
BOH,
Please correct the Maui GET surcharge amount starting in January.
The increase will be .5%, not 5%.
Thanks Pat.
That was corrected.
Aloha.
That 5% sales tax starting in 2024 should really, really, help increase tourism…NOT. Aren’t prices high enough already? I can’t believe the residents will be too happy with that tax either. It probably won’t matter too much to those that don’t want tourists to visit as those folks are no doubt being subsidized by the government anyway…
If you want to attract residents to come back first thing, the government should think about is putting off at 5% sales or tax going into affect in January. That’s hardly going to entice anyone to come back there as your taxes are already the highest in the country.
now maui in january will implement a .5% tax on everything. maui you keep giving us reasons not to go back
Someone needs to explain to the locals to which side one’s bread is buttered on.