Tipping is increasingly becoming a source of confusion and frustration for travelers, particularly in Hawaii, where expectations often differ from the mainland. However, as tipping culture continues to grow, with visitors expected to tip in nearly every situation, some are left wondering: has tipping shifted from being a generous act to an exploitative necessity? And who exactly is bearing the brunt of this?
For example, you choose a prepackaged sandwich from a refrigerator, and at checkout, the payment screen suggests tipping. Is the tip for the person who prepared the sandwich, the cashier who rang up the order, or shared with all employees? It’s never clear.
BOH editor Rob recently went to a coffee shop and bought a bag of whole-bean coffee to grind at home and an espresso to drink. The tip screen totaled the entire purchase and presented a combined tip suggestion of up to 30%. Rob selected a custom tip to change the percentage and only tip for the drink he had prepared. What would you have done?
It’s not just visitors who feel the pinch. For service workers, tipping often comes with emotional labor—the pressure to deliver exceptional service to make ends meet. Have business owners unfairly shifted the burden onto both their employees and customers? Some might argue that this exploitation stems directly from the practices of these businesses, leaving both groups to bear the brunt of tipping expectations.
Why tipping is different in Hawaii.
Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the U.S., and service industry workers often depend on tips to make ends meet. Even with Hawaii’s current minimum wage increase to $14 per hour, many argue it’s still not enough, especially in a state where housing, groceries, and basic necessities cost far more than the national average.
Tipping, in this context, is more than just a tradition; it’s a financial lifeline. One worker shared, “In Hawaii, we rely heavily on tourists being generous because every bit makes a difference in such a high-cost economy.”
Tipping at restaurants and bars.
Tipping at sit-down restaurants in Hawaii follows the mainland standard of about 20%, but with an added twist. As one frequent traveler said, “Service in Hawaii is often outstanding, and I make sure to leave more when they really go the extra mile.”
The rule of thumb at bars is to tip $1 per beer or wine and 20% for cocktails.
However, as some visitors have noted, tipping culture has extended beyond traditional services. People are now prompted to tip for takeout, counter-service, and pre-packaged drinks. “It’s feeling excessive,” one commenter shared. Am I supposed to tip for every coffee?”
Hotel tipping: bellhops, housekeeping, and valet.
Hotels in Hawaii, from budget-friendly spots to high-end resorts, have varying tipping expectations.
Bellhops generally receive up to $5 per bag, while housekeeping staff suggests tipping $5 daily at budget hotels and more for resorts. Interestingly, readers like Heather noted, “I always tip a bit more if housekeeping leaves extra towels or does something extra without me asking.”
Valet parking, which is nearly ubiquitous at Hawaii hotels, also has its tipping norms. Visitors can expect to pay $2-$5 when retrieving their vehicle, with some going beyond that when service is prompt, at higher-end properties, or under difficult conditions, like rain.
Tours, activities, and tipping fatigue.
Tour and activity providers are often integral to the Hawaii experience, and tipping reflects gratitude for their role in shaping excellent, memorable moments. Typical tips for half-day tours range from $10-$20 per person, while full-day tours can command $20-$40.
One reader shared, “I had an amazing snorkeling guide who made the whole trip unforgettable, so I left a bigger tip than usual.” Yet, as the expectation to tip extends to virtually every aspect of the tourism experience, some visitors grow more fatigued. “We’ve been asked to tip for things we wouldn’t even think about at home,” one traveler noted. “It’s getting harder to keep up.”
Transportation tipping in Hawaii.
Tipping is a standard practice in Hawaii whether you’re taking a taxi, shuttle, or ride-share. Most suggest tipping 15-20% of the fare, with a little extra if the driver helps with bags or provides local insights.
For editor Jeff, the bags make all the difference. If a taxi, Uber, or rental car shuttle driver loads and unloads bags without being asked, it’s a plus for a larger gratuity.
Airport curbside airline check-in attendants should receive $3-$5 per bag. However, for many visitors, tipping drivers is another example of Hawaii’s tipping culture pushing into areas where it wasn’t traditionally expected.
Is tipping in Hawaii becoming exploitative?
Some feel the responsibility to supplement wages has shifted disproportionately onto the consumer. As one commenter noted, “I understand tipping for good service, but when it’s everywhere, it feels like we’re being taken advantage of by business owners primarily.”
A local bartender shared, “It’s not just about doing the job anymore. We have to go above and beyond, smile more, and deal with difficult customers, knowing that our essential tip is hanging in the balance.”
Conclusion about tipping in Hawaii.
As tipping culture continues to evolve, visitors and locals grapple with its impact. Is it fair compensation for hard-working service employees, or has it become an unsustainable expectation that puts undue pressure on both patrons and workers at the hands of business owners?
The debate is ongoing, but one thing is clear: tipping in Hawaii is more than just a courtesy—it reflects the islands complex economy and the daily realities faced by those working in its thriving tourism industry.
Many visitors feel burdened by constant tipping prompts, while service workers depend on these contributions to cover living costs in one of the most expensive states. Finding a balance that supports workers without overwhelming visitors will be key to keeping Hawaii’s hospitality industry sustainable.
An example of employer misuse of tipping is instead of paying a liveable wage to crew and capt long term instead say that their pay is determined by tip which indicates their capability on the tour. So guests with no idea of the expectations or obstacles and are responsible for evaluating performance? That seems unfair as waves, wind, rain and the guests own sea sickness affects their tips.
I too get really cranky when getting a tip request for take out. Although if this is a small neighborhood business or I am confident the money goes to the workers then I’ll click 10 or 15%.
This article is right on that tipping is now an exploitive practice but has been so engrained in our economy. Both presidential candidates have stated a position that tips should not be taxed. On face of this, it sounds like a great deal for workers but in reality it another excuse for businesses to not pay living wages since people would be increasingly paid by tips and not taxed wages.
There is also an argument that by keeping prices lower with optional tipping allows those who are willing/able to tip more to do so and subsidize those who won’t/can’t.
Tipping also brings out and reinforces racism, sexism, xenophobia and all kinds of biases.
I had to have a mitigation company clean up a water damage in my condo in Hawaii for around to $9000. When I went to payment for it online, I was asked to tip. I was already upset that we were dealing with cleaning up all the damage the water caused ($80000 which covered multiple units) which luckily was covered by insurance, but to ask for a tip? I thought that was out of line.
I use a designated dining credit card wherever possible, but choose to give a cash tip for waiters & servers. They truly appreciate it.
Mahalo to BOH for all you do!
Go out to eat, you tip, get a prepackaged meal and leave you do not tip. Valets, tour guides, luggage handlers you
tip. If you don’t like tipping stay home and eat pbjs.
If you need to read up on how to tip on your trip, stay at home.
Thanks,
The Rest of the Planet
That’s not fair at all. So you’re saying if you’ve never been to Hawaii and you want to know what’s proper don’t bother reading about it and don’t go.
Provide no tips and force the owners of businesses to compensate their help a living wage or more. Tell the owners to cough up, raise their prices, or get out of the business. Like most of the world, we should get to a no-tip, raise-the-prices society that operates sanely and fairly.
This has gotten to a point of ridiculousness. Shall we start a movement so that workers are properly compensated and no one asks for or expects a tip?
For exceptional service well beyond the norm, a 5 to 10% tip is warranted and should be happily accepted as an out-of-the norm gratuity by workers earning $40 to $80/hour, with benefits for those working more than 15 hours per week.
Workers and consumers unite!
Aloha,
I tip when I am served. That’s what tipping is for, good service. If I go to a counter or drive thru for food, I don’t tip. I will tip if I go to Starbucks on Christmas day because I think it sucks that they are even open. I tip pizza delivery guys but I refuse to use the apps that deliver everything and want you to tip before it’s delivered. I usually tip $5 for valet and even more if I have suitcases in the car. Since Covid and hurricane damaged Caribbean islands, I have been an over tipper knowing that the shutdowns deeply affected them.
exploitative? Yes Indeed. Glad you have this article. I am from the generation that worked and worked hard. We did not have flex hours. I went to work an hour earlier and stayed late and took work home. People are coddled now and I will not be a part of it. I will not overly tip and I only tip what service is performed at restaurants. I do 20 percent now but hate every second of it, because the owners of the business Should be paying an appropriate salary. So I have decided in 2025, I will go back to 15%. I will not pay for the Greed from the wealthy any longer!
I do so little “tourist” oriented stuff when home that I rarely see the most egregious tipping situations. I patronize mostly local small businesses and the supermarkets that operate here. Don Quijote’s is my favorite. I tip generously when deserved to support local people. However, when I get poor service (rarely) or a product that does not meet my expectations I have no qualms about not leaving a tip regardless of “stink eye”. They wanna make a remark in pidgin? I can come right back in it… Don’t let yourself be pressured. The tip should equal the value of the service or product provided.
Best Regards
To add to the problem, it is becoming less common for consumers to carry cash. It’s not an issue if Venmo or Zelle is a reasonable option, but in many situations, cash is the only viable means of tipping.
I refuse to tip a cashier for doing the basics of their job when ringing up a Coke or a sandwich. That’s ridiculous.
So …
20-25% for meals/drinks
$10 for valet
$2/bag for airport shuttles
We have been coming to Kauai for years and have gotten to know a number of the longtime service people. We recognize how hard and cheerfully they work and we have no problem rewarding them for it.
Square and all the other electronic payment systems present tipping as an option everywhere, not just in Hawaii. The defaults start at 15%. Which seems ridiculous to me. What’s even more ridiculous is that you have to touch the screen to enter or deny the tip. Who wants to touch a screen that 100s of others have used. Contactless payments – HAHA, what a joke. But this is not a Hawaii phenomenon – it’s everywhere and it’s annoying everywhere. Better to pay with an app on your own phone, and avoid all of this tip Shaming.
So the bill our table of 4 is $160. We tip 20% wish comes to $ 32.
The waiter does 6 tables like ours in 1 hour. So his tip money is $192. -10% for the kitchen. So he makes $170 in our on tips.
Hm how much do I make?
I’m ok with tipping for goos service. But it is getting to much.
Tipping is a North American custom, and one I abhor. As a customer I have no say in what employees are paid, and resent being guilted into subsidizing their pay. Cruise lines are the worst offenders, routinely adding $18 or more per day, per person to your onboard account. Tipping is supposed to be optional and perhaps if more people pushed back and put down “0” , employers might get the message. Otherwise it just becomes another underhanded, but easy revenue source, and enables the employer to pay less than a living wage.
In California the prices are outrageous for everything. I’m a senior living on a fixed income. My friends and I like to go out for lunch or dinner sometimes. It has become our habit tip less than before because we can’t afford to do so. And none of us tip for anything regarding food unless we are seated at a table and someone serves us. I was in Malaysia and Singapore and tips are Not done there. You know the price of everything and no tips are ever expected. In fact, it’s considered an insult to tip. So, I got in a taxi at the airport, asked for the price to my hotel and gave exactly that and the driver was so happy. In restaurants it was great to just give the price of the listed meal. I wish it were that way here.