Hawaii’s tourism plans are in real trouble. Read why.
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Home » Blog » Hawaii Travel Tips » Hawaii’s Tourism Plans Marooned Again, Mired in Latest Controversy
Regarding taxes placed on tourist accommodations
I recently visited for one month, rented a modest condo, just the taxes and fees, alone added another couple of grand. No pool or any other amenities. Parking would have added almost another thousand if a car was affordable.
I did a lot of shopping and these charges are par.
Should mention in 2019 I paid in advance for a 2 month stay in 2020. When airlines stopped flying I cancelled…condo owner refused to refund. Rented for9yrs.
They don’t need to try too hard I don’t plan on going back to Hawaii though it used to be one of my favorite places on Earth. Too much nonsense for too long at the cost of those who want to visit. They’ve really messed things up in Kauai. Only the super-rich I think can visit Hawaii now anyway, and maybe that’s all they care about.
Thanks for the easily-digestible view of the HTA’s plans and problems. A key issue seems to be that many tourism-reliant businesses market the entire state as a paradisaical theme park. This leaves tourists disappointed when locals don’t act like theme park employees, and locals are insulted to be treated as such. Hawai’i is not Six Flags, it is a unique combination of cultures that overtourism is killing.
Hi Robbos.
Thanks for your interesting input.
Aloha.
With respect, if this is the case then the HTA needs to go away and stop spending the Millions of dollars spent each year to “invite” Tourists to come and “experience Aloha”. Especially, if we are contributing to the overtourism. They cannot have it both ways. My family and I come because we love HI and feel differently there. We have been smitten since the first visit in 1995. Others come because this is what they have been “sold”. N opportunity to experience Aloha like the images in the ads.
Kudos to Robbos for a valuable understanding of the tourism dilemma that Hawai’i is experiencing! We have a number of long-time friends who are long time Hawai’i residents and have expressed concern over recent tourism trends, in particular how their state government has not – in their view – responded to the dearth followed by sudden overwhelming influx of visitors. We hope for adoption of a sensible visitor plan. Blessings Jim E
Hawaii let them build their skyrise hotels,ruin the view and make some beach fronts off limits for the locals. Now you say the tourists are too many after you advertise everywhere to reel them in! Too much of a good thing but you were the ones who started it to line your own pockets and see where it has gotten you.
And while I support that the tourists must be careful not to do things such as leave trash behind etc. I was astounded that the rural parts of the islands are in terrible disrepair with old furniture and broken down cars left in front of broken down houses. The locals need to respect their land too and they set the example as well although good manners and respect should come naturally to all of us.
Apparently they want tourism management not tourism marketing. Marketing will reach far more people than just management and it sounds like they are targeting those with money to spend. It all sounds good, but when the local economies start suffering, I would bet they will be encouraging more tourism to anyone. They have already raised the nightly rates and taxes so high, that many are no longer able to consider Hawaii as a destination they can afford, along with rental cars.
Hmm, currently I’m vacationing on the big island and I think it’s nice but after all I read here and that they don’t seem to want tourists in Hawaii I will plan my next vacation somewhere else. I don’t need to visit where not welcomed. Too bad Hawaii can’t see that their main income comes from tourism.
But, point #3 states that there are too many tourists so maybe this is working out just fine for Hawaii. I know I would appreciate less tourists and I’m a tourist.
Peg, I’m a tourist also – since 1965. And, I love the crowds. Sure traffic can be slow. But that has little to do with tourists – the design of the streets and the highways.
Basically, when I go to a tourist destination, I expect to mingle with tourists – lots of tourists. Tourists leaving money for the local economy.
Few tourists = lousy experience or off season.
Well, we each vacation in our own style. Hawaii barely has an off-season.
Peg,
So true, in the 57 years that I’ve been vacationing in Hawaii (dozens of times), I think I’ve visited every season. And, in the early days I visited more islands than now.
But my favorite time to come is June because the daylight is at its peak. And, it’s been only Oahu for many years, especially as my mobility has been challenging.
Rod, the problem isn’t just the crowds, it’s also the destruction caused by the crowds.
Yes Joerg, and when I watch videos of other favored places worldwide, such as Venice, I cringe. One good thing about getting old is that I had the luxury of seeing many places before we all overran them.
Joerg,
“Rod, the problem isn’t just the crowds, it’s also the destruction caused by the crowds.”
Isn’t that what all the taxes are for – cleanup, maintenance, and repair?
A lot of the damage can’t be “repaired”, it’s just too many people tramping around. Somehow, the sheer numbers need to be cut back. That becomes a complex problem since Hawaii’s economy is so dependent on tourism.
Joerg is correct to a point. The reef at Hanauma Bay was decimated by both tourists and locals until controls were put in place. I think that is necessary across the board.
You are right on MC. The anti-visitor mentality is very easy to spot.
It doesn’t end with visitors…too many “locals” look to divide into us/them and expose that “Aloha” is a broken-down marketing tool.
Visiting other places where not just visitors but everyone is treated with friendliness and kindness it really exposes the bad attitudes of so many on the Big Island and throughout the state.
Funny, we just got back last week from the Big Island, and we didn’t have any major ani-tourism issues. Everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. We had a great time there and came home relaxed and rested. However, I completely agree with the previous poster that said that Hawaii is a state, it’s not Six Flags and everyone who lives there shouldn’t be viewed as a park employee.
Alienate tourists? How about worrying about the residents they are also alienating. Hawaii needs a multi-pronged approach that limits tourism, adds other industries, and addresses the ever-worsening local residential housing market. Our pockets are less deep than tourists are. How many of us are visiting 1K per night condos?
Anyone ever heard of not biting the hand that feeds you? You have one thing that attracts people. And many locals are dependent upon that. Anyone with half a brain would conclude the pandemic limitations on travel to the islands would resonate with the government, but, hey, they either don’t understand – or worse – don’t care.
We’ve begun our planning for other destinations and will take our $$$ somewhere else. Good luck.
I feel we need to look at other industry besides tourism to balance our state. We need to put more money into agriculture and other businesses that will promote more sustainability within the islands. Growth of our state in ways that will help our residents live a full & happy life, we certainly want to welcome visitors but not the way it’s been in the past. We’re not wanting to “bite the hand” we just want it to be handled with balance.
Mahalo Beat of Hawai’i for the updates!
This is one wild ride here. As a long time local, I can tell you that there’s nothing that will make everyone happy. People seem to want to be miserable these days. It breaks my heart to see this lack of Aloha and discord.
There’s no where on Earth like Hawai’i.
If you don’t want to come, go elsewhere. Just stop tearing us apart.
Aloha and blessings to you always 🌺
Keep on this path and you will be killing your “Golden Goose” We are all sick of the attitude of the locals. Maybe your problems will go away if Tourists stop coming to the Islands. Welfare needs to be funded. Without the Tourists where will the money come??
Sharon K. I agree. Hawaii did it tough through the pandemic lock downs an lack of tourists, all we saw on different travel blogs was ‘Hawaii need their tourists back, we can’t wait to welcome them’. Now it would appear things have changed, but as you say, they rely heavily on the tourist dollar because they have no industries to make up for it. I have visited once, it was the holiday of a lifetime and we took many wonderful memories and new found friendships back home with us. That won’t repeat.