Families arriving in Hawaii now face surprise charges, timed entries, and resident-only perks. Some call it fairness, others say it feels like being shut out.
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396 thoughts on “Visitors Say Hawaii’s New Fees Cross The Line”
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