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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365 thoughts on “Visitors Say Hawaii’s New Fees Cross The Line”
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.
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.
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.
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