68% of all Hawaii visitors used to be return guests. Here’s why thats changing.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
428 thoughts on “Why Hawaii’s Repeat Visitors Aren’t Returning – Does Anyone Care?”
Comments are closed.
68% of all Hawaii visitors used to be return guests. Here’s why thats changing.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We visited Tahiti this year. It’s not Hawaii, but it’s beautiful and very welcoming. I hear Costa Rica is I’ve as well. I miss you Hawaii, but I thank you for encouraging me to leave my comfort zone. I am enjoying my vacations.
We have been returning guests to Maui for the past 7-8 years; this year we went to Kauai because the price for the room we normally stayed in at that Fairmont Kea Lani literally doubled from last year. As I look at prices for winter 2023 it looks to be the same so we may finally pass on HI and look to Tahiti or Bora Bora for a change of pace. We love Maui (we got married there 5 years ago) but the resort costs have become untenable.
Here in Hawaii most of our politicians would cut their nose off just to spite their face! Look at the scam boondoggle financial rip off of the tax payers that is the rail(road job)!
just returned from Maui,Hawaii,Kauai,Oahu,5 days each. 17th visit to the wonderful islands.however,our reservation to Haena State Park canceled due to rain, so we could not hike the trail. The $132 shuttle fee is to be refunded, but not the park entrance fee.
Room rates extreme.used award points,still paid $5000 in resort fees, parking,visitor taxes, resort fee taxes,county taxes, and a real cutie,tax on tax described as an inflation adjustment,& tax on self parking.
“free” award day cost $82.Cost included rental cars on 3 islands, at$75/day w/ fees&taxes,$100 in gas each island,food,no drinks, bought groceries for breakfast and lunches.milk $20/gal If not using points for air & hotel tot trip cost $22,500.
Trip 2017,all cash, $7500
#3 for me being from the Midwest due to cost increases. Airfare way up. Flight reductions also. But, the Hotels price gouging is what ticks me off. Same room on Waikiki 2 years ago was $219. Now $529. I don’t feel sorry for those going to Hawaii & then complaining about things. And, I’m a multi-repeater to Hawaii. I’ll wait it out or not come back.
We are coming to Oahu next week for 2 glorious weeks. We’re bringing friends (new to the islands) and our daughter & granddaughter are joining us in week 2. Our last visit was 2019 and we plan to come back every other year.
My thoughts: If you’re coming to Hawaii, you need to realize that it is a tourist destination. People make their livings off the industry and do not control price
Yes, prices are up. They’re up everywhere. Do you stop buying groceries because all of the prices have gone up at the store? You make adjustments. Maybe you stay somewhere a little further from the beach. Maybe you get a place with a kitchen and eat some meals in. Maybe instead of coming every year, you come every other.
Make adjustments. Hawaii is worth it.
To answer the author’s question “Does anyone care?”, the answer is “No”. The tourists don’t care because they will go to a more welcoming location that will be happy to take their money. The locals don’t care because the whole point of the hostility, both online and by the extra fees, extra taxes, and new, exclusionary rules on the islands, is to stop tourists from coming. We got a taste of life without tourists in 2020, and that’s what is wanted going forward. So, if repeat visitors are not returning, dreams are coming true for both, and everyone is getting what they want. This isn’t a problem, it’s a solution!
For the last 25 years we have spent 3 months alternating between Maui or Oahu. This year on Maui was the most expensive and the most unpleasant. High costs on everything. Unable to get reservations at restaurants. Rental cars non affordable. Rude native folks. This was our last year for visiting the islands. We’ll take our vacations elsewhere. Best of luck with The New Council.
Aloha,
I have been coming to the state for 27 years, most frequently to Maui and Kauai. I recently spent $12,000 on lodging and rental car alone, and another $1,600 on food (vs $7k and $900 approx two years prior). We have been quite used to the prices, but there really is a cap on what many are willing to spend. I think the desired slowdown in tourists will occur with continued increases and Hawaii will become even more of an elitist destination. Apart from maybe Oahu and the Big Island.
My last trip as well, been coming to Hawaii for 50 years. Never been so rudely treated, expensive and unwanted. Good luck with keeping your costs down as your tourism spirals down.
We were treated politely everywhere, but even hotel executives admitted room rates not sustainable. 70% occupancy and charging $1200 w taxes/ night. Trying to catch up in one year for 3 lost. We won’t return after going every 2 years.
I lived in Wahiawa, HI in 1965 to 1967. I have returned AND visited numerous times, but now am not sure it would be beneficial. It is harder to find the simple beauty and basic traditional food when visiting.
Great and timely article!
I have visited Hawaii on one island or another every year for over 10 years. Everything about this article is true. Slowly but surely I no longer feel welcome in Hawaii. Locals are rude. Everything has become too expensive. They might not like all the tourists coming to the island but suck it up, it’s how you make your living. I made a decision after my last trip last year that I would never return. My money is much more welcome elsewhere.
I have been coming to Maui and the BI for 18 years and only the last two years have I seen the prices skyrocket double and triple from what they were the year before. I will be visiting both islands this year, but since the price of the condo on the BI for example went from $339/night to $450 per night it is highly unlikely I will be able afford the next increase. Rental cars have tripled and quadrupled making them an extravagance. It saddens me that greed has taken over the Aloha spirit and is pricing returning guest right out of the market. There are so many other places we can travel now, so feeling like we are getting charged extra to make up for the time the islands were shut down feels nothing like Aloha spirit.
I live on Kauai I have lived here for 34 yrs now and yes you are right the price of everything is outrageous.maybe you should think about how the people that live on the islands how they feel paying the same price that tourists pay and scrape by on trying to live here. To rent a 2bd house is $1800.00 and up. I agree with you it’s to expensive. As for the aloha spirit not being good is because we suffer because the tourists paythe high price and that makes everything so expensive for the locals that live here. If tourists weren’t paying thehigh price the price of everything would be less expensive.the locals suffer the worst because we have to pay the higher price to live here.
I too am a Kauai resident for over 40 years.
I recently visited a friend in Tucson and found grocery prices the same as Kauai
Housing is cheaper,-its a trade off/no ocean-dessert heat
And Tuscon gets inundated in the winter with “ snow bunnies”
I’m missing the era where the majority of residents knew that life in Hawaii was a trade off -trade off between incredible beauty ;weather:,,higher cost of living ;but wages are actually really good in Hawaii compared to many mainland states -I am not envious or resentful of visitors,I live here ,in Hawaii-I hope that Hawaii residents once again appreciate the magic,the daily sacred moments of life in Hawaii,this is why visitors come and we call it home
Hawaii people in general aren’t that smart in handling tourism as it should. Culture, relaxation, nature, and community need to be the message being promoted. Instructional guides provide which promote the above with the intent of enhancing a visitor’s experience. Giving random economic breaks will go along way in fostering repeat business. The instructional videos need to portray the sense of the life of the land is preserved through righteousness. Kindness towards others.
Yeah thanks a lot America. Again all this trouble catching up, but the trouble maker can not admit his faults, America ignores responsibility for the crime they committed. Hawaii should be run by the stewards of the land, not the abusers, make plenty rubbish and leave. No respect
Most of the issue of the natives who were imported to work the british sugar cane Plantations are addicts. I’m afraid the current attitude will lead to hard times.
Huh? Natives weren’t imported and addiction was not an issue.
Hawaii does not have enough resources to deal with the ice epidemic. Hawaii cannot afford to cut revenue. This story is a fantasy.
1. “Natives” and “imported” are an oxymoron. Natives were Hawaiian. 2. People are not “imported”, products are. Foreign laborers were contracted and relocated to plantations; some stayed on after as immigrants. 3. The “Big 5” in sugar were American, not British.
How does the plantation era, which began in and 1800s, went into great decline in the 90s, and having last mill closed in 2016 have anything to do with “addicts.”
If this is how you view HI and it’s residents, please vacation elsewhere.
1. “Natives were hawaiian”
The first migrants were Maori. They migrated here looking for opportunity.
2. “Foreign laborers were contracted…some stayed on after as immigrants”
Foreign laborers migrated here looking for opportunity. Those that were declared immigrants were processed as such by US immigration services. Many of those immigrants had children born here and they are “Native Hawaiians”.
3. How does the plantation era…have anything to do with “addicts.”
Despite the marketing pitch of the magic and the mystery, Hawaii is not immune to human frailty. Much of the population are progeny of the farm labor who immigrated and settled here. Simply go to the park for some local flavor.
No matter what the cost. There are always going to be people who will pay. It will not surprise me if tourism go up even after all the new fees and taxes.
Traveled here several times before moving permanently in 2004. I completely understand the locals attitude towards most tourists from the mainland. You come here expecting everything to be focused and catered to You. From the weather, people, food, ocean, etc…. Covid taught us something here too, it was nice without you.
Covid May have taught you that it was nice without tourists, but billions of Covid stimulus dollars won’t be coming in to offset the loss of tourism revenue any more.
You may find that it isn’t that nice without tourists and the money they inject into Hawaii’s economy.
You have a retirement check to live off. What do native live off without tourism. No jobs
Wow! This article hits the nail on the head. I remember the state of Hawaii wanting to focus their energy on the more expensive tourists, looks like they’re going to get their wish. However I don’t think they have an understanding of what impact those actions will have on the state. It’s very likely the state will get their wish and some ugliness is going to come about.
The reason for the rental car shortage, is because of the micro chip shortage. That shortage is on the verge of changing and it’s going to have an impact on the local rental car people. To my way of thinking, their actions are most likely going to move monies off island.
Aloha Guys
bravo. finally a common sense comment. these westerners ‘we will save u with our tourism’ attitudes is laughable and narcissistic.
For the past 25 years we have enjoyed Maui. A “local” last week drove down Kihei Rd yelling tourists go the “f#$%” home. There is a vocal group of people who really enjoyed having the island to themselves while receiving Government subsidies during covid. People all over the world want their slice to themselves. These people are no different. Entitled takers who act like they have exclusive rights to land that was there before them and will be long after. But keep the federal money coming!
Maybe the cost of living will go down here in Hawaii when or if the council for native Hawaiian advancement takes a wrecking ball to the tourist industry.
Whoever said that Hawaii is unfriendly, unwelcoming and expensive and will not return must Not have visited the Hawaii I know.
Just returned from Oahu and found quite the opposite. Friendly, warm amd welcoming as always. For those who choose not to return that is great for me , lol.
Love the people, the culture and the environment.
Not sure the action of one person has anything to do with reality….if it’s true. I’ve lived on Oahu for 36 years and never witnessed that type of behavior. Same thing with the few obnoxious tourists, most tourists are nice. Seems like whole demographics of people are being painted here with the bad behavior of a few. Typecasting people about “Federal Money” certainly defines were you are coming from but doesn’t say anything relevant about “locals”. The people that live here are a rich tapestry of all kinds of unique lives, typecasting is very shortsighted.
Aloha BoH friends, I lived on Big Island. We love the islands, visit 2-3x a year since 1987, this coming trip (mid Sept) is the most expensive we’ve seen. It hasn’t been inching up, it shot up! We’re still coming and probably again in Feb for whale season, but it is getting harder to justify the costs.
Hi Tea.
We’re just glad to hear you’re coming back! Thank you for being a part of this for so long!
Aloha.
In Kona now, will be going to Molokai (our favorite) then Kauai in 6 weeks. I’ve lost count how many trips to Hawaii we’ve taken over the years, 2-3 times per year. I understand the frustrations with tourists, I live on the Oregon coast where we get flooded with them every spring and summer, at least we have an off season.
I don’t like the increasing costs but it hasn’t stopped us yet. The thing that frustrates me more are the increasing amount of transients and their insistence of loafing around ocean fronts and park areas. You can’t watch a sunset from the sea wall in Kailua Kona anymore because it’s lined with homeless.
thank the state for that
Rudeness has been developing in tourist economies worldwide for a few years and seems to be increasing. Europe and North America are having some of the same issues. The tensions in the industry are very high currently in all sectors-air travel, accommodations, and across the board.
Well things have gotten more expensive for us living here.
We have been coming to Kauai for 25+ years and love every visit. Right now we have 3 of our 4 timeshare weeks booked for kauai in September, but are already planning for next year’s weeks to be banked with an exchange company.
I don’t want to give up on Kauai, but retirement on a fixed income does not accommodate such drastic increases well. Our next step will likely be to sell our timeshares. I am sad just writing these words.
Ditto on the number of years but our timeshares are for two weeks. They have helped us in this inflation and we can supplement eating in then going out all of the time. We live in the Bay Area so we honestly don’t see an increase in sundry pricing or gas. Straight across the board. Car rentals are up than before but we plan ahead of time for that. (Late bookings are crazy). Our costs change if we want to add on a stay at a place outside of our timeshare so that could affect our financial decisions to extend a stay or not.
Mahalo
Aloha, BoH.
1) You cannot turn off the tourism spigot without an alternate plan of revenue.
2) Posturing without said plan makes you look foolish and impractical.
3) It’s time for Hawaiian legislators to have a bigger picture mentality to replace tourism dollars lost, due to quality of life adjustments
4) Gouging only last so long, then the Goose stops laying golden eggs.
5) If Hawaii gets out of its own way, removing cousins hands from our pockets, we could get progress made.
Mahalo for your excellent coverage of the ups and downs of tourism, particularly over the past 2 years. It will be interesting to watch the trajectory of marketing to the Mainland, especially since there have been mixed messages lately. If nearly 70% of arrivals are repeat guests, the condescending tone of advertising (and fees directed specifically at visitors) would seem to be a bit tone deaf to the majority of its audience and users. Respect and care must flow in both directions.
Hi Peter.
Thanks. We appreciate your many comments and your input on this important subject.
Aloha.
We havw been coming to Maui for 20 years. Last trip was 2020 but Covid stopped us from traveling. We have a trip booked for next year. We have many local friends and so excited to see them. Sure prices have increased but they have also increased everywhere. I respect the local people..the land and the law. We are Iowa farmers and I would expect the same thing here..Maui is beautiful..so many people complain about everything..I believe that there is so many issues in the world..stop being negative…if you cant afford it or dont like it then I guess go elsewhere..enjoy life
The reason most Locals no longer feel “obligated” to cater to the whims and wishes of Visitors comes down to two things:
1) Far too many are rude, demanding, demeaning and treat locals like second class citizens of their own land. They don’t bother to learn, appreciate or care for the Aina or the culture. They are ignorant of the fact many of these people must 3-4 jobs to sustain their families because most jobs are Part-Time Minimum Wage.
2) All higher paid jobs in the Hospitality Industry are given to people from the Mainland. More and more affordable housing is being replaced by accommodations for tourists Forcing them to commute long distances.
Just returned from our first trip to the big island. Have been to Kauai and Maui several times. Locals seemed to receive us ok. Hopefully they continue to accept our dollars. We did hear a Hawaiian radio station dj refer to tourists as terrorists. Not very nice considering we are choosing to spend our $$ there. I still hope to return.
The islands have lost the Aloha spirit. People are taken these beautiful islands for granted. Give the locals more of a voice. Let them be heard.
All the mainlanders are destroying paradise.
Well, I just caught wind of this whole story today. It’s hard to comment completely without all of the facts but, as I understand it, HTA snatched the contract from HVCB with little to no warning. That sounds so anti-Aloha and, if it really is as it sounds, I feel like it’s not the best way for CNHA to start off. Aside from that, Hawaii does need to be more strategic with how they manage their visitors and tourists, both coming in and while they are there. A lot of this should have been looked at during the shutdown because it was a bit out of control prior, so I hope CNHA can handle. It’s a big task but I’m sending good vibes their way.
Seems to me the neighbor islands could take advantage of the fact that most people return or go to Oahu. If the locals are happy they are more likely to exude that Aloha spirit. We also did a lot of hand wringing during pandemic about will people come back.
We’ve visited 10 times since 2004, & look forward to our 2023 visit. I believe I understand what, and why, travel to Hawai’i will change. We have always expected high prices, but our last 2021 proved to be better than expected. I’m hoping we can continue traveling to Hawai’i & continue learning. Mahalo!
Hi Linda.
We’re happy to hear you’re returning again next year. Thanks for many comments.
Aloha.
I agree with Colleen. It appears that the Hawaiian people don’t want us. They just want our money. Well I’m taking the same amount of money it would take me to rent a car on Maui and taking a cruise out of LA and that includes 5 or 6 meals a day plus all the entertainment included. Hawaii is not as nice as some of the natives think.
It is also the same flight distance from the West Coast to Miami as Hawaii. I’ve always felt that if I’m not wanted, I won’t go.
There is the bottom line.
I have only had positive experiences in Hawaii. My brother and his family live on the Big island. We are respectful people who clean up after ourselves at beaches and support local businesses. We respect the land and the culture. I think the only things that would keep me from visiting would be very high costs or negative interactions with locals. However, the only awkward interactions I’ve had are with other visitors. The cost of the trip is another thing completely. We busted the budget for our trip this summer, but it’s not something we can keep doing at these prices. If we can afford it, we want to return.
We’re just going to wait out the first timers, trip of a lifetime crowd.
We visited Oahu for the first time in years, last month. It was great fun.
Things will calm down and tourists will always flock to Maui.
Not only are visitors being marginalized but so are residents. One example is seen in the political campaign for one of the highest jobs in gov’t–Governor. The theme seems to be “protect native Hawaiians over all others”.
I don’t get it. Native Hawaiians are too small a group to support the islands economically. I suggest that anti-tourism would be “throwing out the baby with the bathwater”. So I am shocked to see a move to make this singular focus to improve native advancement philosophy become more mainstream.
As a footnote: I’ve been coming to Hawaii since early 80’s and finally retired to Maui 7 years ago and I have definitely seen the “locals” attitude that the tourists are reflecting and it seems to be increasingly negative.
I disagree with the thrust of this article – high prices are related to high demand, if tourists go elsewhere, demand goes down, prices go down and those lower prices start attracting tourists back.
Instead I think more domestixt travelers have discovered Hawaii due to the COVID restrictions and I think there will continue to be increased domestic demand.
On top of that, as the world begins to travel more, international demand will increase – Hawaii has a lot of natural attractive features.
Ultimately this means higher prices. But I don’t think higher prices are a problem from Hawaii’s perspective.
We’ve been coming to Hawaii (mostly the BI and Kauai) for about 6 weeks total for the past 20 years. Every trip, we tried to be as respectful of Native Hawaiian and local culture as possible, and are extremely grateful for the grace and aloha we’ve always received. We’re not wealthy, and save our pennies to be able to afford such a luxury. We always stay in a place with a kitchen and make our own meals from the abundance we find at farmers’ markets in all the islands. We try to mind our kuleana and always pick up trash on the beaches, drive slow, and don’t expect to be catered to in any way. But when looking at the prices now of both lodging, airfare, and rental cars, we find we can no longer afford our travels there. It is incredibly sad.
Aloha guys,
As you know from our in person conversation in January, we’ve visited Hawaii for the past eight years, many years twice. Kauai had been our go-to for most of those eight years. We’ve done the Kauai Shaka Guide tour three times now and always learn something new. We have never had issues with locals. Most are engaging and helpful.
Unfortunately due to escalating prices, from airfare to lodging, Europe or the Caribbean is in our sights for our next foray.
One location we stayed at in 2020 for $550/night is now quoting $1050. Inflation and costs are high but this plain outright greed. Dinner at The Hula Grill which used to cost us $50-60 for two (no alcohol) last month cost us $125 (no alcohol) and you cant ever ordr a hamburger anymore… its only available on the kids menu. I guess you cant charge $35 for a hamburger even with this prevailing greed. We will be looking at the Virgin Islands or Nevis/St Kitts for next year. I think everyone is trying to make back in one season what was lost in two years.
In 2020, most places were offering deals due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. You cannot compare pandemic and post-pandemic travel costs, especially with shortages of many things shipping issues, and the high cost of fuel right now. Consider it lucky that you got to take advantage of the prices during the pandemic. I am a local, and 10 years ago, the hotels on Lanai offered a (pricey to us but low cost for their norm prices) trip. We bit the bullet and enjoyed the hospitality and luxury of the Manele Four Seasons. The prices have risen astronomically, and we will likely never be able to there again, but we treasure that memory of a great trip at a price unlikely to be seen again. Do think the same for your pandemic price score.
Una is 100% correct. We have been coming to Hawaii nearly every year since 1981, but this year we are seriously looking to go elsewhere. Perhaps if it were a once in a lifetime trip for us the outrageous price increases and taxes would be easier to overlook, but that is not the case for us or thousands like us who have been to the islands so many times. The state will soon find out just how much it needs the tourists, and perhaps biting the hand that feeds them is the wrong approach. I hope they realize that before it is too late.
Hi Sheryl, your analogy “bite the hand that feeds them” while perhaps having some validity, has a condescending tone. That said, perhaps it is time that Hawai’i begans to feed itself.
Exactly, the locals managed before tourism, they can manage after just fine.
That’s what the US government has been spouting to people for years I mean heck Iolani palace had electricity before the White House our Hawaiians are resilient more than people know let me ask this you all question the COVID restrictions but you don’t question what the US government tells you to be true about our islands?
We have only been to Hawaii two times. Our third trip is this fall. The price of lodging increased a little at Hale Koa. However, the main increase for us is the car rental. My husband does not feel comfortable with Turo. We will deal with the increases because this trip is for our wedding anniversary.
Daily I encounter repeat visitors-but,im sure there are visitors who aren’t returning. -I’ve been enjoying the new first time traveler ,who have been able to take their dream Hawaii vacation due to new domestic airline routes-
37 trips to Hawaii over 32 years and the last trip in April may have been the last for me. The day before my flights to Maui I got a call from a group who I have been dealing with for years asking if I was still coming. They then informed me that I would not be staying in the condo unit originally discussed AND I would spend my first night in a unit diffeent from the rest of my stay. I was NOT at all happy so IF I do return it may be at a different property. Otherwise, none of the other costs bothered me at all.
No comment about who now has the Tourism account. I’ve been returning to the islands since my first visit in 1958. Been back just over 60 times over the years. Headed back in July and again next January. My observation is that any data collected during or just after COVID is but a small slice of time in an otherwise longer history that the real tourism experience will be written written. Unreliable at best as but a small blip in time. And just for the record, my experience with the local, full time residents is and always has been respectful and positive. But then, I know and respect the Aloha Spirit.
Aloha Rob+Jeff. Remember pen pals? Maybe it’s a way to hook up with people already living there, becoming friends and then having a place to stay when you visit. And vice versa for them. Una has a very good point. It will be interesting to see what has been enacted when my next trip in October comes around. Thanks always for your info. It’s a good thing to be up to date on the latest happenings over there.
Hi Debra.
We look forward to welcoming you back!
Aloha.
We won’t be returning. Prices for our favorite places have skyrocketed.
After our 3rd visit, we won’t be returning any time soon. It’s painfully obvious that they do not want visitors. I’ll take my money elsewhere.