What percent of Maui economy is tourism?

The implosion of Maui's economy, of which tourism comprises about 40 percent, has been swift and severe. State economic officials estimate that the island is seeing about 4,250 fewer visitors each day than normal, representing a loss of $9 million a day.



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Tourism represents roughly a quarter of Hawai'i's economy. In 2019, the visitor industry supported 216,000 jobs statewide, yielded nearly $17.8 billion in visitor spending, and contributed more than $2 billion in tax revenue to state coffers.

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The Maui Economic Development Board said tourism is irrefutably the economic engine of Maui. Our business went from flying 25 to 30 tours a day to flying one tour to two tours a day, said Olsten. According to the board, about 70% of the island's economy can be attributed to tourism.

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Whether you like it or not, tourism is the main engine of our economy here on Maui. During COVID, we had lofty utopian thoughts of diversifying away from tourism, but it hasn't happened and would take far too long for our residents to survive financially.

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Generally, most locals are happy to see the tourists come and see what life means for them, especially those activities that depict a life many have never seen, learned, or experienced.

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By late 2020, 57% of residents who responded to a Hawaii Tourism Authority survey in September and October completely or strongly agreed that Hawaii was too dependent on tourism, up from 37% in 2019. Almost a third completely or strongly disagreed that their “island is run for tourists at expense of local people.”

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The island beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred ?Iao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales (during winter months), farm-to-table cuisine and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala.

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The Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, Healthcare and Social Assistance and Retail Trade sectors contributed the most to Hawaii's GDP in 2022, representing a combined 42.8% of state GDP.

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Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos are among those who have part-time homes on the island. The wildfires that have killed at least 55 in Maui are burning on an island that also contains the part-time homes of billionaires, including Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos.

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The industry's defenders argue that tourism, for all of the issues it creates, is still a major asset for the people who call Hawaii home. They say the state simply couldn't survive without the billions of dollars in spending and tax revenue that travelers bring into the islands every year.

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A 2023 point-in-time report shows Lahaina as the region with the second most homeless people on the island at 113, after Central Maui.

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Maui County has seen the largest increase in poverty in the state since 2018, according to a recent report that noted a growing trend in Hawaii families slipping below both the basic cost of living and federal poverty lines.

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The largest landowner in Maui is the State of Hawaii. The state owns vast areas of land for conservation, public use, and government facilities. These lands include state parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and military bases.

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Maui Travel Tips: How to Respect the Locals While You're There
  1. Don't litter. ...
  2. Don't honk your horn. ...
  3. Be patient. ...
  4. Don't take anything from the beach. ...
  5. Don't haggle too much. ...
  6. Say “thank you.” ...
  7. Learn a few words in Hawaiian. ...
  8. Don't take photos of people without their permission.


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