Reasons why Hawaii is becoming an unpopular destination for tourists

[Gary50]

We’ve owned time share in Kauai for 40 years and have typically visited each year. However, the cost of visiting Kauai has risen so high that this year will probably be our last. There’s a labor shortage on Kauai that’s keeping some restaurants closed several days a week. Now, with the hurricane damage, it’ll be several years before Kauai returns to normal,
Gary

 

[DonnaJ123]

Hawaii is certainly a destination for us. About the only thing I don't like is the long flights and airport time. We have been isolated a bit from the costs and locals because we use timeshares for stays, points for flights and I look like a local. Hawaii has lost tourists and the resorts are not being kept up partly because of shoreline rules and other regulations.

The article is kind of off with hyperbolic car rental quotes but spot on about parking and traffic. I'm reluctant to go to Kauai because of traffic. Maui isn't the same without Lahaina, imo. Hawaii and Oahu are about it for liking the area for us.

Bill

Hawaii Is Quickly Losing Popularity - Why Many Travelers Say They’ll Never Return - Sand in My Luggage

Hawaii lost nearly 800,000 visitors compared to its 2019 peak.

sandinmyluggage.com

Kaanapali is a perfect vacation for us. We rent a car drop it after picking up some goodies and then drop it a couple days later across the highway. Staying on the beach, taking a shuttle bus or walking to restaurants is ideal. And we don’t fear leaving the resort. The Cartel issues give us pause in Mexico

 

[rockedge399]

I agree on being driven away by the costs. We are long time owners on Kauai (20+ years) and have seen
the economy try and drag every cent out of the tourists. The bed tax, the fees to stop by the roadside and see a waterfall or Waimea Canyon, the large increases in golf fees, etc,etc. I want to support the island but I don’t want to be gouged and nickel and dime. We decided we are going to stop going to the islands for an elongated time and then reconsider.

 

[Mowogo]

Over the years the Hawaii experience has changed, but the change has been different for each island.

Oahu: Development continuing in Waikiki really has lessened the Hawaii experience if you do not get out of Waikiki. Even just going over to Ala Moana mall and Don Quijote lets you experience more real Hawaii than you find in overbuilt Waikiki. Combined with dynamics that have decreased Japanese visitors and Waikiki feels very similar to South Beach.

Maui: The Loss of Lahaina really turns stays in West Maui into self contained resort stays instead of true Hawaii trips where you get to experience something. And having to drive on the edge of the burn zone just sets a bad tone for Vacation, and the Wailea area being high end has just had its costs go up as people go there to avoid seeing the pain in West Maui.

Hawaii: All the negatives for Oahu and Maui have people flocking to Hawaii island which isn't built to handle people filling all of the resorts all the time. There is charm, but the island is straining from being at fuller capacity and then stacking the weight of inflation makes it a hard trip for many who have previously experienced it to justify at significantly higher costs.

 

[okwiater]

I feel that Hawaii has changed significantly, and it's not just locals' attitudes towards tourists. There has also been a cheapening of the entire experience. Most restaurants are heavily corporate or chains, and get their food shipped in by Sysco rather than sourced locally. The luaus are extremely kitschy and inauthentic... the term cultural appropriation comes to mind. It feels like a theme park.

Certainly, there are places in Hawaii where this is not the case. But they are becoming fewer and further between. Our most recent visit was in 2024. I don't see a need to go back.

 

[Steve A]

My wife and I have gotten too old, and business class has gotten too expensive, to make the lengthy trip from the east coast. We own in Aruba and prefer to go there, and have also gotten into cruising, which we find enjoyable.

 

[legalfee]

We’ve owned time share in Kauai for 40 years and have typically visited each year. However, the cost of visiting Kauai has risen so high that this year will probably be our last. There’s a labor shortage on Kauai that’s keeping some restaurants closed several days a week. Now, with the hurricane damage, it’ll be several years before Kauai returns to normal,
Gary

We won't be going back. Long flight from the east coast. High prices - our parking bill for one week in Kona, $300. We can fly to our timeshare in St Thomas direct flight in 3 hours.

 

[easyrider]

Kaanapali is a perfect vacation for us. We rent a car drop it after picking up some goodies and then drop it a couple days later across the highway. Staying on the beach, taking a shuttle bus or walking to restaurants is ideal. And we don’t fear leaving the resort. The Cartel issues give us pause in Mexico

If you are a Canadian you would feel right at home in Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta and Cabo in the winter because these areas seem to be a popular snowbird destination for many Canadians. I think there are more Canadians at our Mexican resorts than Americans. That being said, Kaanapali is pretty nice even without Lahaina is what I'm told.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

I feel that Hawaii has changed significantly, and it's not just locals' attitudes towards tourists. There has also been a cheapening of the entire experience. Most restaurants are heavily corporate or chains, and get their food shipped in by Sysco rather than sourced locally. The luaus are extremely kitschy and inauthentic... the term cultural appropriation comes to mind. It feels like a theme park.

Certainly, there are places in Hawaii where this is not the case. But they are becoming fewer and further between. Our most recent visit was in 2024. I don't see a need to go back.

The big change for us was having the beach disappear in the Kahana area. First was the Valley Isle resort sand which seemed to have totally disappeared in one year. Nothing was done to fix the beach but an ugly sand burrito was allowed to protect the resort. Worldmark and Vacation Internationale didn't renew their leases.

On the north end of Kaanapali Beach is Papakea resort. The sand has disappeared here too and the seawall has been repaired a few times. I'm thinking that without a proper seawall this area will end up in the ocean one of these years. For many Ocean front Hawaiian resorts and dwellings the question is how much time will it take before the ocean takes out the beach and resort, imo. I'm kind of expecting that the Vacation Internationale inventory eventually won't renew.

Bill

 

[TolmiePeak]

The big change for us was having the beach disappear in the Kahana area. First was the Valley Isle resort sand which seemed to have totally disappeared in one year. Nothing was done to fix the beach but an ugly sand burrito was allowed to protect the resort. Worldmark and Vacation Internationale didn't renew their leases.

There is nothing they can do to fix the beach. You can't fight nature.

 

[ScoopKona]

Most restaurants are heavily corporate or chains, and get their food shipped in by Sysco rather than sourced locally. The luaus are extremely kitschy and inauthentic... the term cultural appropriation comes to mind. It feels like a theme park.

That's what people are going to get when they book Costco travel. They ask for recommendations on Facebook. And they don't do any actual homework. With some exceptions that people should eat at multiple times per trip, it hasn't been "local ingredients" for decades. It doesn't help that people select restaurants based on the view and the "vibe." And not the quality of the food.

If tourists book a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits all vacation, that's what they're going to get. And that isn't just Hawaii, it's everywhere that en[excrement]fication is running into the ground. When the restaurant owners realize that guests will pay for anything as long as the view is beautiful and the drinks are strong, lowering the bar is next on the list.

Here's an example from the worst restaurant near me. This place is PACKED every day because they're right on the beach. It's basically Margaritaville in Hawaii. And tourists lap this crap up like cream.

Tater tots. $20. I just pulled this from their menu.

Add some fish, now they're $40. For tater tots. And some "fresh island fish." Which island? Who knows. Which fish? Who knows. I'm betting tilapia because the people who eat here obviously don't care about what they eat. People who will pay $40 for a bowl of tater tots will also bend over and pay parking fees, resort fees, service charges, kitchen fees and every other fee the handful of people who own most of the tourist industry can dream up.

Meanwhile, Super J's cafe sells Hawaiian food, made by Hawaiians, for $20 for a plate that will feed two people. But they aren't on the beach. And nobody is singing PinaColadaVille.

 

[davidvel]

Most people don't go to Hawaii to eat in a parking lot.

 

[AdrienneMarcy]

That reads like AI written ... information. That said, it makes sense - economics will manage scarcity eventually. I'm really on the fence about Hawaii, but I've been leaning "no" for a while after what I've been exposed to on this site. I am currently marveling at how great the beaches in Miramar Beach FL are on the Gulf in late September. So far, still no impossible parking. I really can't imagine a better beach.

If I wanted an Island, I feel like the Caribbean is closer and maybe cheaper. If I wanted to fly a very long flight, I still really really want to go to Japan, and maybe New Zealand and Australia over what I gather from that article is in Hawaii. And it's not just that article.

I will quibble with the all inclusive ad in the middle for Mexico, while I guess the price is known, it's also way more expensive than MOST PEOPLE could actually "break even" on. It's not a cheap option the way the article implies, at least not to me. I actually so far will only go to places that aren't "All Inclusive" because it costs so much. I've seen prices regularly of $1,500 per person, and I do not believe we spend that much per person to eat in a week. You would have to go to what are pretty expensive restaurants 2x a day to blow past that, and all 7 days, which we really don't manage to schedule on arrival and departure days.

I will say, to the extent I can get a non all-inclusive, I am considering Mexico more than Hawaii, simply because of being closer.

I also think the other thing is I saw an article saying people are more gravitating to cruises, and while I've been scared of the "petri dish" of cruises, I think I'd try them first if I was going to pay all inclusive fees.

We used to vacation right along in Hawaii when our kids were a teen, tween and two littles. We often had a teenage foreign exchange student with us as well. We didn’t have a timeshare then , we just rented an older unit in Waikiki with a furnished kitchen that had ample room for our horde. It was near the old International marketplace ( before it turned into an enclosed mall) and our troop would march through there with our towels, beach toys and floating things to the beach. We chose this as it was a relief to get out of rainy Portland, and could wait for good prices for flights, and because we were homeschooling we could go off season. Best times. It’s expensive to eat out with kids, so we didn’t unless it was the buffet at the Polynesian cultural center, etc. We packed a lot of food with us in our luggage (only allowed items, we made sure!) and we even brought frozen meat in a cooler! Hawaii has changed so much over the years and really has become so very expensive that we only go to visit our younger son who works over there now. We now have a timeshare and have used it a few times to visit him, but cruising is also very enjoyable for us so we do that as well.

All inclusive timeshare resorts just seem so expensive that we don’t have any interest in those. We found cruising was a wonderful way to get the travel (cruise) and food and lodging in a predictable cost effective way. A cruise around Japan and area would be a good way to see it!!

 

[Mowogo]

The luaus are extremely kitschy and inauthentic... the term cultural appropriation comes to mind. It feels like a theme park.

That has been going on even well before the pandemic, but is something you really only get to notice how kitschy if you have experienced authentic hula shows. A few years ago there was Kilohana put on by the Hawaiian Council at Waikiki Shell which was a great free show but really showed how kitschy the resort luaus have become. I was sad to see it was cancelled because it was a great location but unfortunately because it was free with relatively weak marketing to help people understand the authenticity of the show (Multiple Merrie Monarch winners performing) it ended up closing.

 

[ScoopKona]

relatively weak marketing to help people understand the authenticity of the show (Multiple Merrie Monarch winners performing) it ended up closing.

There are two weekly hula demonstrations (that I know of) on Big Island. There are others on all the main islands. And there are several to choose from on Oahu.

A visitor could find a barbecue and get some kalua pig and huli chicken (and mac salad and all the rest); then go to a waterfront tourist trap and order a sunset cocktail (which is the only thing they do well); and finally take in a free hula demonstration (and tip like a rock star).

A much better experience all around, for considerably less. And zero chance that the money goes to a church in Salt Lake City.

 

[JIMinNC]

Maui: The Loss of Lahaina really turns stays in West Maui into self contained resort stays instead of true Hawaii trips where you get to experience something. And having to drive on the edge of the burn zone just sets a bad tone for Vacation, and the Wailea area being high end has just had its costs go up as people go there to avoid seeing the pain in West Maui.

Because we loved Lahaina, we also had concerns about what a post-fire trip to Maui would be like - until we went in January 2024, only about 5 months after the fire.

West Maui is no more a self-contained resort stay today than it was pre-fire. You can still go snorkeling, whale watching, sit on the beach, and drive to Haleakala, Hana, and the upcountry. There's still plenty of great restaurants in Kaanapali (Leilani's, Hula Grill, Monkeypod, Longhi's, and Duke's), Kapalua (Merriman's and Sea House), and in the undamaged north section of Front Street (Honu and Mala Ocean Tavern). Safeway and Longs Drugs were also undamaged. We have been back every January or February since, and can still do everything we've always done on Maui except walk down Front Street, visit the Wyland Gallery, and eat at Fleetwood's, Lahaina Grill, and Kimo's. We miss those places, but look forward to the rebuild of Front Street. Maui has always been so much more than just one thing.

FYI, Lahaina Harbor has now reopened for boat tours and the first Front Street commercial re-building permits will soon be issued, if they haven't been already. Almost 2/3 of the homes lost have either been rebuilt, are under construction, are permitted, or are in the final stages of permitting.

 

[sfcolliejr]

Our last visit was to the Big Island. We were on Maui just before the fires, I feel so badly for the local people. We reserved The Westin Kaanapali for our niece's honeymoon this month. We have a reservation for the Westin Nanea next year on Maui. True, Lahaina is gone but we still love Maui.

 

[chosshaul]

I have visited Hawaii frequently over the last 10 years. Timeshare is always preferred option as I don't go out to eat too often with the crazy restaurant prices.
The key is to try to pick weeks that aren't peak demand. The rental car and gas has a price tag that can't be avoided, but I generally try to stay in resorts with no parking fees. Many of my favorite activities like hiking and snorkeling require no additional cost as I bring my own gear. I also like to surf so will usually rent a board at Boss Frogs.

Will still try to visit these islands, but I would imagine they will try to put pay walls behind every beach and activity eventually so that tourists are footing a far higher bill.

 

[geist1223]

Most people don't go to Hawaii to eat in a parking lot.

We eat at Food Trucks all the time. Some in Parking Lots, some Roadside, some in grassy/dirt lots. It is rare for us to eat in a sit down Restaurant. Do not want to waste money on Dog and Pony Shows where the Food does not live up to the Promise or cost. Visit Farmers' Markets.

 

[davidvel]

We eat at Food Trucks all the time. Some in Parking Lots, some Roadside, some in grassy/dirt lots. It is rare for us to eat in a sit down Restaurant. Do not want to waste money on Dog and Pony Shows where the Food does not live up to the Promise or cost. Visit Farmers' Markets.

So do we. Nothing wrong with food trucks at all, but I would guess that you are not like most people who go to Hawaii for vacation. Most go to relax, be catered to, spend money on touristy things, and eat in fancy restaurants close to the water watching the sunset each night. You have no problem with all the resorts near the water being torn down leaving no resorts for people to visit. I'd guess most Hawaii visitors do not share this sentiment.

Most Hawaii tourists are not food snobs like the coffee guy, but enjoy the ambiance and everything else Hawaii has to offer. We don't waste money at restaurants, but choose ones that we feel fit our vacation.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

If you are a Canadian you would feel right at home in Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta and Cabo in the winter because these areas seem to be a popular snowbird destination for many Canadians. I think there are more Canadians at our Mexican resorts than Americans. That being said, Kaanapali is pretty nice even without Lahaina is what I'm told.

Not to mention Ixtapa. Last time we were there, in 2020, there were more Canadians than USA. I fondly remember inciting a "spirited" discussion in a bar when I raised an "innocent" question regarding the Stamps, the Riders, and the Eskies.

 

[JIMinNC]

We eat at Food Trucks all the time. Some in Parking Lots, some Roadside, some in grassy/dirt lots. It is rare for us to eat in a sit down Restaurant. Do not want to waste money on Dog and Pony Shows where the Food does not live up to the Promise or cost. Visit Farmers' Markets.

I think for most people, dining out is a part of the vacation experience. It’s not just about the food, it’s also about the ambiance, service, and experience. We are admittedly not particularly cost-focused, and we probably drop more bucks on fine dining on vacation than some people spend on the whole trip. But that’s just us. We are approaching that point in life where if we don’t spend our money on great travel experiences, our kids will just get to do it instead. We are in our “Go-Go” years, so we go where we want and we do what we want.

 

[easyrider]

Not to mention Ixtapa. Last time we were there, in 2020, there were more Canadians than USA. I fondly remember inciting a "spirited" discussion in a bar when I raised an "innocent" question regarding the Stamps, the Riders, and the Eskies.

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are definitely on my list of places I want to go. We do have a timeshare available but it's a difficult reservation to get for the larger units.

We party with many Canadians in Puerto Vallarta during the winter. Many of them stay in the PV area for months.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Lahaina Harbor has now reopened for boat tours and the first Front Street commercial re-building permits will soon be issued, if they haven't been already. Almost 2/3 of the homes lost have either been rebuilt, are under construction, are permitted, or are in the final stages of permitting.

From what I read is that the Historical District permitting is going slow.

The buildings that were over the beach, like Bubba Gump, Kimos, Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Lahaina Fish Company, won't be allowed back at the same location.

The standing Lahaina Store where Fleetwoods was can't get a remodel permit because of a required Archaeological Inventory Survey.

I think the Pioneer Inn is almost through the permitting process but the shoreline rules are making it difficult. The Pioneer Inn didn't have anything left standing to grandfather it to build like for like so it falls under the newer regulations. Even if they do try like for like, which seems impossible because of the Fema flood rules requiring it to be built raised on Pier pads, they still have to meet shoreline setback rules. I think they are trying to get legislation to provide a way forward as a historical property but I'm not sure of their progress.

The Baldwin House can't be restored and I heard the plan was a tear down and rebuild.

The Lahaina Couthouse can be restored but who knows how long that will take. The schedule has a restored date of 2029.

Bill

 

[JIMinNC]

From what I read is that the Historical District permitting is going slow.

The buildings that were over the beach, like Bubba Gump, Kimos, Cheeseburger in Paradise and the Lahaina Fish Company, won't be allowed back at the same location.

The standing Lahaina Store where Fleetwoods was can't get a remodel permit because of a required Archaeological Inventory Survey.

I think the Pioneer Inn is almost through the permitting process but the shoreline rules are making it difficult. The Pioneer Inn didn't have anything left standing to grandfather it to build like for like so it falls under the newer regulations. Even if they do try like for like, which seems impossible because of the Fema flood rules requiring it to be built raised on Pier pads, they still have to meet shoreline setback rules. I think they are trying to get legislation to provide a way forward as a historical property but I'm not sure of their progress.

The Baldwin House can't be restored and I heard the plan was a tear down and rebuild.

The Lahaina Couthouse can be restored but who knows how long that will take. The schedule has a restored date of 2029.

Bill

This was the last good article I’ve seen on status. It was from two months ago:

https://mauinow.com/2026/08/02/3-ye...ing-front-street-no-longer-on-the-backburner/

I agree it will likely prove impossible to rebuild the water side buildings. I suspect that’s why Kimo’s is moving to one of the buildings on the opposite side that is close to permitting. Looks like all the activity right now is in the 600 and 700 block. If they can get those started over the next several months or a year, then it could be a little cluster to create the start of a new Front Street. Fingers crossed.