Hawaii Has Become Too Expensive for Middle-Class Travelers

Above, Diamond Head from Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I went to Hawaii back in 2016 before the pandemic and Hawaii vacations skyrocketed in cost.

Hotels and resorts have hiked prices as has the state government with various taxes. We know which political party has total control of the state's government (the same one that messed up California). 

It now appears that Hawaii has become too expensive for middle-class travelers. 

Fodors posted an article on this and it begins with:

There’s no denying it: it’s gotten more expensive to visit Hawai‘i since the pandemic. 

In an op-ed for SFGate, contributing editor Christine Hitt poses that very question, noting that average daily hotel rates statewide have risen 25% since 2019, and on some islands, including Hawai‘i Island (the Big Island) and Kaua‘i, the increases are in excess of 50%. 

The state’s tourism promoters have said this is by design, as the state looks for ways to maintain the economic contribution of visitors to the state’s economy without growing their overall numbers. In 2025, they’ve largely succeeded, with total year-to-date visitor spend showing a healthy increase over 2024, with the total number of visitors remaining relatively flat.

But as Hitt points out, that also leaves travelers fewer options if their budgets are more modest—particularly Hawai‘i residents seeking to vacation on other islands, and native Hawaiians wishing to visit friends and family in Hawai‘i after being driven to the continental U.S. by the islands’ high cost of living. 

 To read more, go here.

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Resort Fees Are Skyrocketing Again

Above, hotels in Waikiki Beach with Diamond Head in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It looks like that it was a good thing that I went to Hawaii when I did in 2016. Hotels and resorts are planning to hike their resort fees on stays.

Beat of Hawaii reported:

Hawaii resort fees rankle travelers and residents alike, significantly inflating the cost of a hotel stay. These charges can easily add hundreds more dollars to the bill, often covering questionably chargeable services like internet access or beach amenities that might otherwise be included in the room rate.

Combined with Hawaii’s 18% state and county accommodation taxes, plus a range of other fees labeled as everything from “conservation” to “local tax,” hotel bills can quickly surge by over 50%. That’s before factoring in parking costs, adding as much as an additional $60 per night.

Hawaii visitors often feel blindsided by how these fees are disclosed.

While the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has advocated for pricing transparency, most hotels reveal resort fees late in the booking process. On platforms like Booking.com, nightly rates have become loss leaders, luring travelers before piling on hidden costs.

Despite federal initiatives, resort fees will remain widespread across Hawaii in 2025, leaving many questioning if meaningful change is possible. Although earlier proposals inspired some hope, doubts persist about whether the industry will shift, even in the face of consumer outrage.

Hawaii resort fees now.

Resort fees in Hawaii vary significantly depending on the property. Here’s just an assortment. Since Hawaii has such a vast number of hotels, you’ll need to check. The Royal Hawaiian will increase its fee to $52 per night starting December 2024. Fairmont Orchid recently raised its resort fee to $48 per night. Hilton Hawaiian Village remains among the highest in Waikiki at $59 per night. Montage Kapalua Bay maintains its $50 per night charge, with additional costs for valet parking.

To read more, go here. 

Lonely Planet: Guide To O'ahu

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that vacation season is here and one is planning to spend a vacation in Hawaii, Lonely Planet has posted guide to O'ahu for first-timers. Oddly, it doesn't mention paying a visit to Pearl Harbor. That should be a must-see for everyone, especially first-timers.

It begins with:

Welcome to Oʻahu, home to some of the most well-known natural landmarks in the world – from famed Waikiki Beach to towering Diamond Head to the surfable North Shore.

Known as a beautiful beach destination, this island is great for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing to your heart’s content. But beyond the sunny shorelines, Oʻahu has a wealth of greenery-filled hikes, internationally-inspired restaurants, and cultural landmarks for you to explore.

To read more, go here. 

3 Best Hotels In Honolulu

Above, a view of Diamond Head from the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Previously, I had blogged that hotels in Hawaii have hiked their prices around 70% since the end of the pandemic. Some say that this may ease the "overtourism" that has been reported.

Those who are undaunted about going to Hawaii, particularly Honolulu, The Manual has posted what they consider to be the three best hotels there.

As it turns out, the first one listed is the Sheraton Waikiki, which recently completed a massive renovation. I stayed there in 2016 and, even then, it was quite a nice hotel.

The Manual starts with: 

Honolulu is home to some 47,000 hotel rooms. And while it’s virtually impossible to have a bad time in paradise, some of these establishments are in an elite league of their own. Like the very best wines or a timeless rock ‘n’ roll record, the superiority lies in the details.

The following three hotels in Honolulu not only offer prime locations and unmatched service but also go the extra mile by way of unrivaled experiences like high tea or immersive luaus. Some are teeming with incredible history, while others get bonus points for being highly sustainable. Together, they capture the incredible brand of hospitality genuinely unique to Hawaii and allow visitors to absorb legendary Waikiki and Honolulu, Hawaii’s largest metro area and a delightfully diverse one at that.

To read more, go here. 

When's The Best Time of The Year To Visit Hawaii?

Above, a view of Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we went to Hawaii seven years ago, it was during the month of May. We enjoyed warm weather and no rain.

The places we were at were Waikiki/Honolulu and at Kona on the Big Island. 

If one is wondering when is the best time of the year to visit Hawaii, AFAR Media has an article that will be a big help in one's trip planning.

It starts with:

There isn’t exactly a bad time to visit Hawai‘i. But while its islands enjoy year-round sun and consistently warm temperatures, other factors like hotel prices, crowds, and your itinerary can determine a more ideal time to visit the Hawaiian islands. Humpback whale migrations take place from December to March, making that the perfect time for snorkelers hoping to hear their calls. Meanwhile, those trying to catch (or watch) those totally-gnarly-dude
swells also may want to come in the winter, when 30- and 40-foot waves hit the North Shore.

Peak crowds arrive in December and January and on a lesser scale during the summer as people migrate for the holidays and school vacations, offering the argument that the best time to visit Hawai‘i is during the shoulder seasons of April to May or September to November. During this period, the crowds thin out and the state experiences less rainfall (though topography, like whether a location is on Hawai‘i’s leeward or windward side, can affect precipitation amounts).

To read more, go here. 

2023 Hawaii Travel Forecasts

Above, hotels of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that travel to Hawaii has recovered since the pandemic.

There was a conference held in Phoenix, Arizona last week and Beat of Hawaii has some "takeaways" from that conference on what to expect in 2023 when it comes to Hawaii and other travel.

They begin with:

Trying to figure out what will happen in Hawaii travel next year is challenging at best in these uncertain times. We attended some of last week’s Global Travel Marketing conference in Phoenix. And here are takeaways for what’s ahead in Hawaii travel that you’ll want to know, including our cost prediction.

The good news is that the Hawaii travel industry has largely recovered post-Covid, and with the exception of international arrivals, is reaching or even going beyond 2019 volumes at times. That’s what we saw in 2022, and the travel forecast for 2023 may be vastly different, be it Hawaii, domestic travel overall, or international.

To read more, go here. 

The 16 Most Amazing Attractions In Honolulu

Above, a view of surfers and Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one has ever been to Honolulu, Hawaii, they are sure to miss some attractions there by either not knowing about them or by time constraints.

If one falls under the former catergory, MSN has posted a list of 16 "most amazing" attractions in Honolulu.

They begin it with:

Honolulu is the most populous island and capital of Hawaii which is known for its fabulous natural setting, the city is filled with gorgeous beaches and adventurous hikes. Aside from the breathtaking views, Honolulu has a pretty vibrant food scene, with Pipikaula and delicious Laulau topping the charts. Start the day with a hike on the diamond head for spectacular views at the top or take a moment of solace on Waikiki beach, the place is pretty much worth every moment.

In Honolulu you will find some beautiful attractions that you just cannot miss! Places like Uss Arizona Memorial, Check Out The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, and Waikiki Beach and many more. Continue scrolling to know more.

To read more, go here. 

T + L: 20 Best Hawaii Resorts

Above, a hilltop view of Diamond Head and Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is that time of the year again where Travel + Leisure posts its results of the "best" travel places, resorts, hotels and others as voted on by their readers.

They have posted their list of 20 best resorts in Hawaii. 

They start it off with:

After the Aloha State lifted COVID-19 restrictions, Travel + Leisure readers — particularly families and couples looking for a solid yet remote vacation destination — eagerly returned. The best resorts in Hawaii have kept pace with renovations and updates, making this famous archipelago in the Pacific more appealing than ever.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels (including safari lodges) were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

To see which resorts in Hawaii are the best, according to readers, go here. 

Reservations Needed To Visit Diamond Head

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Out-of-state tourists in Hawaii will have to make reservations to visit iconic Diamond Head on Oahu.

AP News (Associated Press) reports:

HONOLULU (AP) — Out-of-state visitors will soon need reservations to visit one of Hawaii’s most recognizable natural sites.

State land officials announced Monday the new policy for Diamond Head State Monument will take effect on May 12.

The iconic ancient volcanic crater stands at the end of Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu.

Diamond Head is the third state park to have such a rule. Non-residents must also make reservations for Haena State Park on Kauai and Waianapanapa State Park on Maui. Reservations are required at certain times to visit Haleakala National Park on Maui.

To read more, go here.