Hawaii visitors are pushing back against a growing list of fees, reservations, and resident-only perks. What started as modest efforts to protect popular sites has evolved into a complex system where families now juggle advance bookings, differential pricing, and rules that change by island.
The result is not only sticker shock. It is a shift in just how a Hawaii vacation feels.
We have been reviewing your notes and discussing this in our recent coverage of visitor costs and rule changes. Some readers say the new approach is overdue and necessary. Others say it has crossed a line from stewardship to exclusion. The best way to see what is really happening is to separate the feelings from the facts and look for a path that could work for both Hawaii’s guests and hosts.
Why visitors say they feel treated like outsiders.
From Kauai to Oahu, it is now common to see different prices for residents and nonresidents, along with timed entry that sells out well before a typical vacation is booked. At Diamond Head, Hawaii residents do not pay the entry fee or need a reservation. Visitors, however, must book at least 30 days in advance and pay $10 for their vehicle and $5 for each passenger.
At Hanauma Bay, the difference is even starker: nonresidents are charged $25 and can book two days in advance, while those who live in Hawaii enter for free without reservations.
Visitors to Kauai wanting access to North Shore Kauai beyond Hanalei can book their parking space at Haena State Park starting 30 days in advance and will pay $10 for their car and $5.00 for each passenger. Hawaii residents do not require a reservation and are also exempt from entry fees.
On the Big Island, the road to Waipio Valley was closed to visitors altogether while residents continued to use it. These examples are just a few among many, but they illustrate the growing divide that travelers encounter and often have strong feelings about.
Ashley wrote, “Hawaii is the 50th state of America, yet Americans are being pushed into feeling like outsiders when trying to visit.” Another visitor told us, “Charging for parking at every single turnout going up to Kalalau Lookout makes an afternoon very expensive.” A third, Tom, added, “I have brought my family for 20 years. This time I felt like every stop had a meter running.”
Part of the tension also comes from the cost context that surrounds these fees. When the price of everything else climbs, even a modest new charge lands badly. We have covered that broader cost environment in stories about food prices and hotel extras. The difference now is that fees are increasingly tied to access itself, which changes the emotion. It is no longer only about what a meal or a room costs. It is about whether you can get into a place you have dreamed about for years, and whether you feel welcome once you are there.
Residents: tourist fees are long overdue
There is another truth that deserves equal weight. Residents live with the impacts of tourism year-round. They pay state and county taxes. They navigate crowded roads and limited parking, even when they are not on vacation. For many, the idea that people who fund the place should get a break at the most popular sites is not controversial. It is practical. As one reader, Kay, put it, “Tourist fees is not a new concept. Many countries employ this. They charge residents one fee and nonresidents a higher fee.”
There is also the matter of fragile resources. Coral gets damaged. Trails erode. Cultural sites suffer when thousands of people press into the same small space, day after day. Residents are asking for fewer people in fewer places at once, and for the experience to feel calmer and more respectful when people do come. A system that spreads demand, funds bathrooms and maintenance, and gives communities breathing room is not anti-visitor by definition. The question is how to design it so it feels fair to everyone.
A longtime resident, Mary, told us, “We love that visitors want to be here. But we also want our kids to swim at the beach without fighting for parking every Saturday. That balance has to come first.”
Many residents also note that bad behavior is not limited to visitors. Litter, illegal parking, and environmental damage are shared problems. When rules focus solely on visitors, it can seem convenient to do so without altering local habits. That perception matters for buy-in on both sides.
Hawaii may be pricing out middle-class families.
Your strongest reactions in recent articles have come when rules and costs appear to push out the middle. People who have returned for decades say they now feel priced out or singled out. First time visitors say they are surprised by how many hoops they must jump through to see places they thought were open to all. Residents who depend on visitor spending worry about what happens if regular families stop coming and only the highest spenders remain.
That is the heart of the matter. If Hawaii becomes a patchwork of reservations and premiums that caters mainly to the top of the market, the islands lose more than just volume. They lose the repeat visitors who stay in small places, eat in local restaurants, and carry the story of Hawaii back to their communities in a way that no PR campaign can match. On the other hand, if nothing changes, both residents and visitors will continue to feel the strain. The middle is where the answer must live.
What would feel fair and transparent.
From your messages, a few ideas come up repeatedly. They are not perfect, and they may not please everyone, but they strive for fairness.
First, publish one simple, statewide access page that lists the big rules and fees by island, with real time availability. People plan Hawaii trips months in advance if not longer. Surprises at the last minute make them feel set up to fail. A clear starting point helps lowers frustration before a vacation even begins.
Second, commit to site specific reinvestment, and show it. If a lookout charges for parking, visitors want to see that money used for clean bathrooms, safer paths, and staff who can help and educate. Nothing reduces resentment like a place that looks and feels demonstrably better because of the fee that was paid to enter it.
Third, consider visitor free windows and resident first windows that are scheduled and consistent. Predictability helps everyone. If Wednesdays and early mornings are for residents at a beach park, post it year round and hold to it. Visitors can plan around that. Locals can count on it.
Fourth, reduce the number of places where people pay for parking in a single corridor or bundle the charge so that one ticket covers a zone for the day. The sense of being charged again and again as you move between park lookouts and trailheads is one of the top complaints we hear. Bundling turns three minor irritants into one known cost.
Fifth, keep the price signals real but moderate. High fees screen demand, but they also screen the wrong people. A family that has saved for a decade to bring kids to Hawaii is not the problem to solve. Too many bodies in one small place at one time is the problem. Timed entry can do most of that work on its own.
The legal and practical line.
Some readers raise constitutional questions about treating nonresidents differently. In practice, many places across the U.S. and worldwide, including parks, use differential pricing. What causes trouble is not the concept but heavy-handed application without equal transparency, reinvestment, and alternatives. If people see where the money goes, frustration eases. If they cannot, frustration builds.
Hawaii also needs to remember caregivers, returning residents, and people who come not as tourists but as family. There are ways to build limited carve outs that respect those realities without creating loopholes that swallow the rule.
How this fits the bigger crossroads.
This debate does not sit in a vacuum. It intersects with airfare and hotel costs, airline changes, and the feeling that the islands are losing some of what made people fall in love with them. We have heard from many who say they will continue to come if they feel welcome, can plan without stress, and can see where their dollars go. We have also heard from many who are taking a break and trying other places because the combination of cost and friction has simply become too much.
For residents, the question is how to protect home without losing the jobs, small businesses, and tax base that keep communities alive. For visitors, the question is whether the experience still feels like Hawaii rather than a long list of rules and line items. For the state and counties, the question is whether the new approach can transition from idea to execution, so that both sides see tangible progress on the ground.
Your turn.
If you have visited recently, what felt fair, and what crossed the line. If you live here, do the new systems work for you or not? Would a statewide access page, bundled parking, or resident-free windows make the difference? Tell us what would help this feel less like exclusion and more like balance. We are listening.
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I seriously doubt we’ll be going back to Hawaii anytime soon. I don’t and have never had any problems with locals. I used to live in Hawaii (Oahu), and my wife was born there (also on Oahu). But on our last trip over there, we found the expenses just too much. Really, the place is a money grab. We discovered Sedona, AZ, years ago, and we’ll be spending a lot more time there, rather than in Hawaii. I know, wipe your tears! There is an upside, though. We’ll be saving money, and the residents will have their islands back. It’s a win-win! You’re welcome. A final thought. Those of you who are counting on millionaires to ride in and replace the middle class are living a dream. They have the money to travel to Europe and beyond
I really don’t see a problem with a well run plan using tourism fees to maintain our parks and roads. Shouldn’t those who are using the facilities be responsible to pay for their upkeep. The problem i foresee is that the government won’t use the fees charged for this purpose.
We also need to be worried about the consequences of driving away tourists, especially on Maui. According a study I found on Hawaii.gov, 43,000 jobs or roughly 40% of Maui’s working population is related to tourism. Tourism also contributes $3 billion or roughly 1/3 of Maui’s income. Where will these 43,000 individuals and their families go if tourism goes away? You can’t replace these jobs so my guess is good families who love the island will be forced to leave
We have to be careful. If these families leave, off-island millionaires will swoop in and buy the island. Oprah, Zuckerberg, Gates, etc
Ok… your wish may come true , instead of the middle class and thier families visiting Hawaii , that actually come to Hawaii to learn the culture, now your going to have millionaires coming to buy up every single thing!
Vegas did the same thing at its casinos , visitors had enough and stopped coming! Squeezing the tourists for every cent ! Nobody will coming back! Sorry cant sugar coated any other way!
Your comparison is not valid. Basically Maui is weeding out the cheapest, lowest value visitors. As evidence by this Blog, they are also the ones that whine and complain the most.
Here is reality, Maui is seeing growing revenues with fewer visitors. Over tourism is a problem, so fewer guest and more profits is a win for everyone except the out of state investors in outdated condo properties
Not a valid comparison with Las Vegas. Here on Maui, revenues are UP, despite visitor numbers being down. Maui is weeding out the cheapest, lowest value visitors. Judging by this blog, these are the biggest Whiners and complainers. The visitors that I interact with are having a great experience here. Let the cheap complainers find another destination.
Maui numbers are up because they where rock bottom since the fire!!
This whole thing sounds like way more work and expense than I want to deal with. The locals have done their job hope they enjoy only billionaire visitors, they have shut out us middle class folks. I will look elsewhere to vacation.
Hawaii needs an adjustment. Too many visitors as it is. They will survive on millionaire visitors and much fewer middle class tourism.
Veiled threats to stop going are welcome. So li g as the state can subsidize its poorer citizens, there be plenty of monies coming in tacit the state.
You don’t like it, don’t cone. No sweat.
Your post makes no sense. US citizen pay more at a “US National Park”. I think not. Are you confusing State Parks with National (Federal) Parks? Where is that in the CFR and what law was that enacted under? Your points are invalid and show a clear confusion between State laws and Federal Laws. Mixing the two invalidates your comments.
LOL ……. You are the one that is confused. Not sure why you are bringing up National Parks and where you are getting your information. Hawaii residents don’t get a discount at national parks. No one is mixing anything. The national parks have nothing to do with the conversation
Is it legal for Hawaii to charge a visitors fee to US citizens? If so, why don’t the rest of the stateside states charge Hawaiian residents to visit other US States?
The new reservation fees to visit state parks, Hanama Bay, Diamond Head, Arizona Memorial, etc. is ridiculous. Some with a 30-day advance request.
Hawaii is pricing the vacationer away from their islands!
Sure it’s legal. Other states can charge those visitor fees. Go ahead. You’ll see numbers go down.
People still visit Hawaii’s landmarks. Why? Because they worth it. Supply and demand. Do t like the fees? Don’t go. Easy peasy.
What other states charge non residents, please identify?
Okay. Non-residents pay more college tuition—it’s often thousands and thousands of dollars more..
Nonresidents pay more for certain licenses and entries into national parks. Nonresidents also pay more on income state taxes (under certain instances. That’s only a few that I could find off the cuff.
Any other questions?
I don’t think most tourists go to Hawaii with the idea of attending college, so you can scratch that one off your list. In every state in the union, non-residents pay elevated fees to attend college outside of their home state. That’s the way it has been since the beginning of time. I go to National Parks quite a bit and have never been asked for proof that I was a resident of any particular state or a US citizen (other than a driver’s license). I guess a resident of another country may have to pay additional fees to enter (I have no idea, but it makes sense). I think you may be confusing Non-residents with US citizens. Additional fees probably for state parks because they are supported by the taxpayers of that specific state.
Mike, I did a quick Google search and learned that, along with Hawaii, the following states charge more to nonresidents for entrance fees, parking and/or camping: Idaho; Maryland; Oregon; Rhode Island; Nevada; New York; New Jersey; Washington; and Wyoming.
Idaho, for example, charges residents $10 per year for a state park pass. Nonresidents pay $80.
You’re welcome.
Hold on, were talking about parking fees or park fees for Tourists
Ofcourse non residents pay for out of state college! Good try to completely go off topic!
Try going to Peru. To see many of the tourist areas, like Machu Picchu, an outside company now manages it. They broke it down to 4 different places, and you pay for each location. To get into the parks, you have to book months in advance or through a local travel agent who is given a percentage of the tickets. That will be the direction for all the HI islands. What once was will never be the same. Eventually, even locals will have to pay to play; it’s the new way.
Being a long time visitor to Hawaii(1982) I am horrified at the extra fees and taxes for parking, parks, etc. It is very very clear that Hawaii only want the rich tourists which we are not. We are just a nuisance and inconvenience to Hawaii. We are a mixed generation family of modest means and I have already spent over $6,000.00 for airfare to get there from Canada. Accommodation costs are $6,000.00 (USD at 1.416 exchange) with about 40% of this being extra costs, fees, and taxes. This is outright Greed. I have visited all over the world and have never been treated like this. Aloha is Dead! Time to move on.
Wow! “Modest means” but you’ve already spent $12,000 on a vacation before arrival? Prices are up everywhere. If Hawaii has become too expensive, try some other vacation venues. I’m sure you will discover that Hawaii is still a good value, even compared to sketchy areas like Mexico. None of us like higher prices, but inflation is a fact of life. Get used to it or stay home.
Nice choice, I’m staying home!
Anthony – you hit it right on the head. Those of us who are second citizens on the island, because we do not carry a local DL, yet we pay some of the highest taxation in the country. It is because of the greed and pressure from people like us that it is a matter of time before we figure out how to survive. They may keep squeezing every dime I have in the form of property tax, but we are all trying to learn another way to stop throwing our money to the nepotism that defines the state and county governments.
“They pay state and county taxes.” While this is true, many if not all of the “local” residents pay reduced property taxes (assuming they own property) compared to those of us who have come for many years to our second homes (50+ years) and pay full property taxes and fees as if we were tourists. We are not allowed to have driver’s licenses designated as Hawaii which is what “the locals” use to show they are residents. Could we show our property taxes bill or similar, Yes (but we will be ignored as a non resident) or treated as someone who “doesn’t deserve to own property there.” It is a very messed up system fully managed by nepotism.
Oh, the drama!
You certainly are allowed to have a Hawaii Driver’s license. All you have to do is take a couple of receipts that indicate residency: tax bill; cable bill; etc.; to the HDMV and apply for a Hawaii driver’s license. Of course, you will have to relinquish the license from your other state, but is that so bad? I did it when I moved here 11 years ago and have reaped the benefits of Kamaaina discounts ever since.
Quit sniveling and man up!
Second home owners *are* tourists. And many of them let their friends stay there – they are also tourists, too.
The woman griping “when we come to Hawaii we feel like outsiders” is haole entitlement to the core. As haole we are either visitors or we are settlers. We are undeniably outsiders. Yes, the fees exist partly as a revenue stream, but they also exists to ensure that Hawaiians don’t get displaced from Hawaiian places. You are welcome to not do the activities with those fees, and you are also welcome to stay home.
Aloha Chris,
Most people are unaware of the meaning of the word “haole.” It is one of the most misunderstood and misused words, and one that Haole’s themselves continually redefine. Transplants never get it right when they attempt to insult a nonnative Hawaiian with light skin.
The Hawaiians tell white people that haolie is just a name for foreigners! Ha, ha. That is a excuse to use that racist name freely and get away with using it! Nothing different than the N word plain and simple, its racist !!
Same as the N word?! Mike, leave the internet for those with a brain.
Peace Ryan, no need for you to come back to the internet if you can’t have a fair and factual conversation . Sorry bro!
I am nearly at the point when all of us long time visitors just take Chris’ advice and “stay home”. Actually Chris, we will just take our money elsewhere. Chris, good luck when we stop coming; your island economy is not diversified and long from being so. Perhaps its time to just let you islanders experience the suffering that will come when we just “stay home” and after a couple years of that see if you are more reasonable.
Hawaiian tourism is not an “all or nothing” proposition. If malcontents like yourself go elsewhere, great! We have far too many tourists currently. About 30% of our economy is based upon the tourist trade. People posting here seem to think that “greedy locals” own the hotels and car rental agencies. Newsflash: They are all owned by mainland or foreign corporations and profits do not remain here.
Restaurants and other small businesses are mostly owned by mainland transplants and do not support local people, except as grunt labor.
Your desire to starve locals into submission will not work since prices are not set by locals. Fees for items like beach parking are a feeble attempt to generate revenue for cash-strapped governments.
To me prices are up everywhere. I go to Hawaii to heal my soul , the warm tradewinds the beautiful beaches and the country back roads of upcountry. I had the privilege of living in Maui from 1978 for 12 years. I love Hawaii , I go to breathe, relax and just be. If you get all worked up about prices on vacation then stay home. Locals should have a discount that is not uncommon.
It is a no stress zone for me. Just breathe