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.

Fodor's Travel: Best Things To Do In Hilo

Above, an aerial view of double waterfalls north of Hilo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our Hawaii trip seven years ago, we were on the Kona side of the Big Island. While there, we rented a car and drove across the island to the Hilo side where we had a scheduled helicopter tour to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and waterfalls along the coast.

It was an interesting drive, especially seeing volcanic cinder cones along the way. The helicopter tour was with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters based at the Hilo Airport. 

According to Fodor's Travel, there are other things to do in the Hilo area.

They begin with:

The Hilo side of Hawaii’s Big Island is extremely underrated for its wide variety of wonderful experiences it offers visitors—from verdant rainforests to hiking in the shadows of ancient active volcanos. Hilo is an underrated part of the Big Island, where you’ll discover that hotels, restaurants, rental cars, and tours are often less expensive than other more popular places throughout the islands.

Although Hilo is noticeably less polished than some of Hawaii’s more resort-heavy areas, there are dozens of unique accommodations and many activities to enjoy. If you’re headed to Hawaii, here’s why you should head to Hilo.

To read more, go here. 

What You Need To Know About Travel To Hawaii

Above, Diamond Head from the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Well, it appears that COVID-19 cases are spiking up again and states, primarily ones run by Democrats, are implementing lockdowns and other measures again. What did you expect? They're control freaks!

Hawaii is open to visitors again and Fodor's Travel has an article on essential things one needs to know about traveling there.

They begin with:

In October, Hawaii began its pre-travel testing program, allowing visitors from the mainland U.S. to bypass the 14-day quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of traveling to the islands. Starting November 6, the program will also extend to visitors coming to the islands from Japan.

You may be eager to jet off to Hawaii for a tropical getaway, but there are a few things you need to know before you pack that beach bag.

As with all things related to COVID-19, the details change quickly. At the time of writing, all of Hawaii’s islands allow visitors from the mainland with the exception of Lanai, which is limiting non-essential travel due to a new cluster of COVID-19 cases.

To read more, go here.

Aloha!