Is Hawaii too touristy?

The island state is burdened by overtourism - and it's becoming a big problem. Last year, tens of thousands of extra US tourists left Hawai'i in turmoil as it struggled to cope with unprecedented tourism demands.



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After the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, over-tourism only grew as people wanted to get out of their houses and travel. Nearly 600,000 people visited Hawaii in 2021. The population of Hawaii is only 1.4 million people, so an influx of visitors was too much for the small state to handle.

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Don't go during peak hours. Traffic in Hawaii is a sore spot, with Honolulu often ranking as one of the most congested cities in the country. With so many tourists out and about on the islands, Harlow suggests to try going to popular attractions during off-hours.

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Hawaii heavily depends on the revenue generated by tourism to fund various state programs and initiatives. Without tourism, the state would experience a substantial decrease in tax revenue, which would directly impact its ability to provide essential public services.

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Although some of them might seem a bit stereotypical, these are the common pieces of clothing worn by native Hawaiians regularly.
  1. Hawaiian/Aloha shirts.
  2. Board shorts.
  3. Loose-fitting pants or shorts.
  4. Comfortable shoes like sandals or flip flops.
  5. Colorful sundresses.
  6. Muumuu dresses.
  7. Tank tops.
  8. Pa'u hula skirts.


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The island state is burdened by overtourism - and it's becoming a big problem. Last year, tens of thousands of extra US tourists left Hawai'i in turmoil as it struggled to cope with unprecedented tourism demands.

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Disrespect for the environment: Hawaii is known for its beautiful natural environment and animals that can be found nowhere else on the planet. But, the increase in tourism has resulted in problems such as overcrowding, littering, an overextension of our rescue and emergency resources & damage to the fragile ecosystem.

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One last note about respect; and please, we cannot emphasize this enough: Unless you are Hawaiian or are very intimately familiar with the culture, do not throw or attend a party deemed a “luau.” Culture is an identity- not a party theme.

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Moving to Hawaii ethically is something that is difficult to accomplish. Taking up housing and driving up prices leaves natives struggling. While many realize stopping people from moving to Hawaii all together is impossible, there are still ways to be respectful and try to help the community.

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Many visitors enjoy taking bus tours to conveniently explore the Islands. For most islands you can also get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, or public transportation.

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Molokai is known for its limited resorts and attractions, which adds to its charm as the least touristy island in Hawaii. Unlike other islands that are filled with high-rise hotels and commercialized attractions, Molokai offers a more rustic and untouched experience.

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Relaxation and natural beauty are the top draws Known for its active volcanoes, wildlife refuges, and tall active peaks, it's little wonder that 88% of our respondents cite natural beauty as a reason for visiting Hawaii. Relaxing by the beach is the second most popular reason for visiting.

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Vacationing in Hawaii can be expensive because of the high cost of living on the islands. The cost of goods and services is higher than most other places due to its remote location, limited resources, and lack of competition.

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TOURISM INDUSTRY AFFECTED BY MAUI WILDFIRES IN AUGUST 2023 HONOLULU, HI – According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), a total of 769,163 visitors came to the Hawaiian Islands in August 2023, down 7.3 percent from August 2022.

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Oahu - The Gathering Place Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki.

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Hawaii was given the No. 1 rank in the categories of travel and tourism consumer spending per capita and share of consumer expenditures on travel, and it was second for the share of travel- and tourism industry-generated GDP.

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Cost of Living The most obvious drawback to living in Hawaii is our cost of living. Because everything needs to be imported, the cost of goods is significantly higher than any mainland market.

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