The fee was intended to fund the state’s environmental and infrastructure projects and mitigate the impact of tourism on the Hawaiian islands. However, the failure to pass the bill means that Hawaii’s tourism industry will continue without additional financial burdens on visitors.

Legislators in Hawaii were developing a one-year permit or license that visitors would need to purchase to use state parks and trails. 

The Senate proposed a fee of $50, while the House of Representatives removed the dollar amount. The lawmakers also proposed $360,000 to hire staff to implement the plan, but no agreement was reached.

According to a study conducted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the governor, members of the House and Senate, and island residents supported the idea of a tourism tax.

“I don’t think the bill failed to pass on the merits of the legislation and of the idea that we ought to be leveraging visitors to pay for these things,” state Senator Chris Lee said. “I think it was more the question of how and when.”

Despite frustration about the bill’s defeat in the state Congress, Governor Josh Green stated that officials must take advantage of the situation to “have a more comprehensive discussion on managing tourism.”

Governor Green stated that lawmakers expect the bill to come up for discussion again next year and receive enough support to pass. According to him, the tourism fee would lower prices for locals and mitigate the negative impacts of tourism.

Hawaii has about 1.5 million residents who live here year-round, but the islands are visited by over 10 million tourists annually, putting a strain on the local economic structure and environment.

The post Lawmakers In Hawaii Were Unsuccessful To Pass A Tourism Tax For Visitors appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

So, how safe is Honolulu? In 2020, MapQuest ranked it as the fourth-safest city for women traveling alone in the United States. 

That being said, travelers to Honolulu should be aware that not all is perfect in paradise. After all, Honolulu is a big city, and as such, it is not immune to crime. 

The good news is that most of the crime in Honolulu is of a non-violent nature. In 2020, for example, Honolulu’s violent crime rate was lower than the national rate. 

And it has a very low murder rate, especially in comparison with other big cities. In 2021, for instance, Honolulu had 11 homicides. 

New Orleans, which is another popular tourist destination with a population size similar to Honolulu, recorded 111 homicides. Another city with a similar-sized population is Indianapolis, Indiana, which had 101 murders.

The bad news? Honolulu’s property crime rate is higher than the national rate. In July 2022, for example, there were more than 3,300 thefts from automobiles and 1,600 burglaries. 

Suggested: Is Hawaii Safe? Travel Advisory 2023

LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from HONOLULU:

March 30 – One step closer to dissolving the Hawaii Tourism Authority

A joint House committee approved a Senate bill dissolving the Hawaii Tourism Authority a couple of weeks ago, signaling a significant shift in how the island state markets itself as a tourist destination.  

The bill, which was amended by the House tourism and economic development committees, would transfer the duties of the tourism authority to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. The bill must go through two more House sessions before it can be passed.

Rep. Sean Quinlan, head of the House Tourism Committee, stated that the new office must clearly concentrate on destination management rather than marketing.

Protect Belongings

Tourists visiting Honolulu frequently carry large amounts of cash on their person and are often distracted by their unfamiliar surroundings. So, it’s not surprising that they are often the targets of petty thieves and pickpockets. 

To protect themselves, travelers in Honolulu should keep a close eye on their belongings. For instance, in restaurants, they should avoid hanging purses from chairs or bathroom door hooks. 

In addition, tourists should never leave their valuables unattended on the beach while they go for a swim or a stroll. They should also avoid leaving any important belongings in their car, especially in a place visible to passers-by. 

Have fun but stay safe in Honolulu

Everyone wants to have a good time while vacationing in Honolulu. So, enjoying a few drinks at a bar is par for the course for many travelers.

But in order to be safe, visitors need to keep their wits about them at all times. Because when a person is too drunk, they aren’t alert to potential dangers, which could leave them vulnerable to getting robbed or worse during their stay in Honolulu. 

Visitors to Honolulu also need to be aware of their surroundings. While most of Honolulu’s main tourist areas are safe, it’s never a good idea to wander around late at night, especially while alone or inebriated.  

The Ocean

Approximately 40 people drown in Hawaii every year, making it the fifth leading cause of fatal injuries in the state. Most of these drownings occur in the ocean, with more than half of the drowning victims being non-residents. 

While the waters around Waikiki are usually calm, other beaches on Oahu can experience very strong currents and waves. So, travelers should always check the ocean conditions before entering the water.

Fortunately, shark attacks are relatively rare in Honolulu. In fact, between 1828 and January 2023, only four unprovoked attacks have been reported in Honolulu. 

Hiking

The hike to Diamond Head Crater is a popular draw for tourists to Honolulu. But it should not be taken lightly.

It is a steep hike, and Hawaii’s heat and humidity can take their toll on a hiker’s body. Travelers who want to tackle this hike are advised to wear the appropriate clothing and bring plenty of water.

They should also be honest with themselves about their physical fitness before attempting this hike. Unfortunately, the Honolulu Fire Department has to respond to approximately one to two calls a week for help from people having difficulty on this trail, according to KHON2,

Be smart

Overall, Honolulu is still one of the safest cities in the United States to visit, especially for savvy travelers who understand that crime can happen anywhere — even in a tropical paradise. 

The post Is Honolulu, Hawaii Safe To Visit? Travel Advisory 2023 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

This initiative is designed to welcome visitors rather than repel them. A chance for visitors to show that they can give back to this magnificent state instead of taking from it.

Suggested: Is Hawaii Safe? Travel Advisory 2023

Recommendations From Locals

Visitors should respect the locals and remember that they really are entering someone else’s home when they visit this gorgeous state. The only request is that visitors respect the beautiful state of Hawaii as if it were their own, be it the capital city of Honolulu or the picturesque island of Maui.

“Hawaii is NOT your amusement park”

Locals want visitors to understand that signs are posted for a purpose. No matter how picturesque a waterfall may be, it is better to abide by “no trespassing” signs. Without these signs, visitors could quickly destroy the natural wonders of Hawaii.

“Leave the beach nicer than you came”

Nobody likes to go to a dirty beach. That would be the exact opposite justification for spending money on a trip. Most people imagine crystal clear water, pristine sand and the sound of waves when they think of a beach vacation. Imagine the frustration of residents who have all of that in their backyard, only to have someone enter their property and completely disregard it.

“Support small businesses”

Hawaiians have so much pride in their history and give pushback to many corporations that set their sights on invading their homeland. One of the best ways to give back is to support the local economy rather than make the rich richer. 

• Stay at a local’s property on AirBnB
• Rent a car from a local on Turo
• Visit a market to support local vendors
• Avoid chain restaurants and eat local cuisine

“Please respect the wildlife”

Seeing Hawaii’s diverse wildlife is one of the nicest experiences you can have there. The problem is that some visitors cross the invisible line of getting too close to nature. Visitors should have a greater appreciation for what Hawaii has to offer, whether it’s seals, sea turtles or coral reefs. If not, they will not only face ridicule from the locals, but also a hefty fine that can run into the thousands of dollars.

The post Hawaii Launches New Initiative To Combat Disrespectful Tourists appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Hawaii is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world, with 9.4 million tourists visiting just last year. As a result, the state is suffering from many environmental losses, such as the endangerment of native species, damage to coral reefs, and loss of coastal beaches due to rising sea levels. 

There have been talks among state leaders about introducing tourist fees to help the environment in the past, but such a law has yet to be put in place. The Hawaii Green Free coalition hopes to build on previous momentum this year. 

Green promised to introduce a climate impact fee during his campaign for governor to raise money for state conservation efforts. The funds raised by this new ‘green fee’ is estimated to raise as much as 600 million dollars per year. 

Many favor this notion, including Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi: “Our residents have been clear. Visitors should be paying for their impact on our natural resources. When they are a guest in our house, they should treat our home like they would hope we treat their home when we visit.” 

However, opponents say that this fee would charge tourists unnecessarily. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii says this would conflict with the U.S. Constitution’s Privileges and Immunities clause, which bans states from discriminating against out-of-state visitors. 

An alternative approach is to use the revenues from the state’s transient accommodations fee, which charges tourists 10.25% in taxes for staying at hotels and other rentals. However, the Hawaii Green Free coalition opposes this idea because it would take away from other local services instead of providing a separate fund for conservation efforts. 

The bill has been deferred as of the start of this month, but time is ticking for the natural environment. Gov. Josh Green noted, “If we don’t take substantial action, not only will the visitor experience be degraded, more importantly, we will have failed to be good caretakers of the Hawaii we call home.”

The post $50 Tax For Hawaii Tourists Is Being Debated In State Legislature appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Recent tourist numbers in Hawaii are extremely close to pre-pandemic numbers. About one million tourists came to Hawaii in July alone, solidifying its position as the nation’s most popular domestic beach destination.

The number of tourists visiting the islands in July reached its highest level since January 2020, when the pandemic broke out and strict measures were taken to stop its spread.

In total, tourists spent $1.94 billion last month, 14.3% more than in July 2019.

This suggests that more than 90% of tourists once turned away have returned to Hawaii, and rising prices do not appear to be a major problem at this time.

The average overnight cost for mainland Americans traveling to Hawaii is $413.57, while some islands, such as Oahu, may have lower costs. 

Hawaiian authorities also increased the contentious tourist tax, which is now 39.3 percent more expensive than in 2019.

The recent price hikes, which put Hawaii on the list of places that explicitly discourage budget travelers from returning, have not negatively impacted the state’s rising popularity.

Hotel occupancy is reported by the government at 81.5 percent, just 3.8 points below the pre-Covid 2019 figures.

Compared to Hawaii’s 81.5 points, the occupancy rate for the entire United States actually fell to 69.6 percent in July after reaching a high of 70 percent in June. 

Still, Hawaii had experienced its best month since early 2020. In short, the Pacific Ocean retreat is more popular than ever.

According to research on current trends in solo travel by the booking site Hostelworld, 74% of respondents said that now that the gloomy Covid era is over, their top priority when traveling is to get “natural world experiences.” 

This is a contributing factor to the recent surge in tourism that Central America and other countries with a wealth of natural beauty have seen.

There is no other state in the United States like Hawaii, an archipelago of 137 volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean that stretches nearly 1,500 miles and is home to some of the most stunning and natural eco-parks in the country, as well as some of the best beaches and outdoor activities in the world.

The post People Are Traveling To Hawaii In Record Numbers Despite High Prices appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The cheapest flights were selected between December 1st and February 28th.

Seattle, WA & Portland

Travelers from Seattle or Portland can fly directly to Honolulu with Hawaiian Airlines or Alaska Airlines. The fares from both cities were the same.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 15 from Seattle, 6hr 5 from Portland
• Cost: $229
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Alaska Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 25 from Seattle, 6hr 10 from Portland
• Cost: $229
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Las Vegas, NV (LAS to HNL)

Two airlines fly directly to Honolulu from Las Vegas: Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 30
• Cost: $210
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 20
• Cost: $164
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

Phoenix, AZ (PHX to HNL)

Passengers can fly directly to Honolulu from Phoenix on Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 50
• Cost: $210
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 45
• Cost: $210
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

Austin, TX (AUS to HNL)

Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline that flies straight from Austin to Honolulu. Flights are only available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 8hr 40
• Cost: $239
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Boston to Honolulu (BOS to HNL)

This winter, travelers from Boston may fly directly to Honolulu with Hawaiian Airlines for not much more than $250. Flights are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 11hr 20
• Cost: $280
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Sacramento, CA (SMF to HNL)

From Sacramento, two carriers fly straight to Honolulu: Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 40
• Cost: $180
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 45
• Cost: $141
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

San Francisco, CA (SFO to HNL)

Three airlines fly straight to Honolulu from San Francisco: Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 40
• Cost: $179
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Alaska Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 40
• Cost: $159
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

United Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 30
• Cost: $159
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $35 Checked Bag

San Jose, CA (SJC to HNL)

Three carriers fly straight to Honolulu from San José: Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 35
• Cost: $199
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Alaska Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 55
• Cost: $129
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 40
• Cost: $103
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

Los Angeles, CA (LAX to HNL)

Four airlines fly straight to Honolulu, from Los Angeles: Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 5
• Cost: $129
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Alaska Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 5
• Cost: $129
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 55
• Cost: $103
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

United Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 53
• Cost: $169
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $35 Checked Bag

Long Beach, CA (LGB to HNL)

Passengers can fly directly to Honolulu from Long Beach on Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 5hr 55
• Cost: $159
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr
• Cost: $103
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

Ontario, CA (ONT to HNL)

Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline that flies straight from Ontario to Honolulu.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr
• Cost: $164
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Santa Anna, CA (SNA to HNL)

Hawaiian Airlines is the only airline that flies straight from Santa Anna to Honolulu. Flights are limited and only available on Saturdays.

United Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr
• Cost: $209
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $35 Checked Bag

San Diego, CA (SAN to HNL)

Three airlines offer direct flights to Honolulu from San Diego: Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 15
• Cost: $129
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Alaska Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 15
• Cost: $199
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, $30 Checked Bag

Southwest Airlines

• Flight Duration: 6hr 15
• Cost: $103
• Luggage: Free Carry-On, 2 Free Checked Bags

The post You Can Fly To Hawaii For Under $250 From These 13 U.S. Cities appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

“Our intent as we know that during return to school we’ve all got used to this very light traffic during the summer even during the COVID period but we know that’s not gonna last forever,” Honolulu Department of Transportation Services director Roger Morton said.

The cost of the $2 Holo Card will also be temporarily suspended by the city, 39 express bus routes that were canceled due to COVID will be reinstated, and a new route will be established to connect express busses to schools such as UH, Chaminade and Kapiolani Community College.

“The more frequent the transit system is, the more attractive it is for people who can now have that freedom to travel when they want to. That’s how we just shifting people from cars into public transit,” Hawaii County Mass Transit administrator John Andoh said.

Hawaii County has committed to providing free rides on the Hele-On bus through the end of 2023. Andoh estimates that could save customers up to $660.

He says Hawaii County received 5% of its revenue from fares, which was reduced to 1-2% by the expense of collecting and charging fares. Instead, the county now supports the program with $6.4 million in federal funds.

“When you really look at the grand scheme of things, utilizing grant funds to cover the cost of fares appears to be more cost-effective than collecting them themselves,” Andoh said.

To avoid joy riding, they’ve set laws requiring Hele-On Bus riders to have a destination and are intending to have security officers ride for safety.

Funds must be found to extend the program beyond 2023.

“If we determine this program to be a success, to see if the county council would consider funding transit, utilizing those other funding sources that we can identify,” Andoh said.

The City Council Transportation Committee has approved the Honolulu fareless program, but it still must be approved by the full City Council on Aug. 10.

The post Honolulu People About To Enjoy Free Bus Fares appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The aircraft will have a capacity of 100 passengers and is expected to enter commercial service in 2028.

The investment in Regent makes Hawaiian Airlines the first U.S.-based design partner for the company’s new all-electric sea gliders.

“Innovative interisland transportation has been core to our business since 1929 when we replaced steam ships with airplanes. We are excited to be an early investor in REGENT and to be involved in developing their largest seaglider – a vehicle with great potential for Hawaiʻi’,” Avi Mannis, the chief marketing and communications officer at Hawaiian Airlines, said in a statement. 

“We look forward to working with REGENT to explore the technology and infrastructure needed to fulfill our vision for convenient, comfortable and environmentally sustainable interisland transportation,” he added.

Because it operates “with the speed of an airplane and the operating costs of a ship,” the “Monarch” model is particularly attractive for Hawaii’s geographic conditions.

With current battery technology, it will have a range of about 290 kilometers (180 miles), Regent said. it could reach eight hundred kilometers (five hundred miles) with the next generation of batteries.

According to the manufacturer, the current port infrastructure could sustain operations in the archipelago. “Our world-class team of aerospace and marine engineers is leveraging maritime vehicle development pathways to bring our zero-emission, high-speed sea gliders to market within five years,” the company said.

“Seagliders will be a game-changer for sustainable regional transportation in communities such as Hawai’i,” Billy Thalheimer, the CEO of REGENT, said in the statement. 

“Through close partnerships with design partners and strategic investors such as Hawaiian Airlines, we can fully understand our operators and unlock their ability to provide zero-emission transportation solutions to their customers.”

The post Hawaiian Airlines And Regent Join Forces To Create Futuristic Electric “Seagliders” For Island Hopping appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The island has been popular among tourists for decades, but it’s seen a huge influx since lifting COVID-19 restrictions. More people than ever are eager to travel after the pandemic prevented them from doing so.

Though tourists often bolster the economies of places they visit, massive amounts of them can also cause problems. Here are the primary issues Hawaiians hope to curb with tourism caps:

• Traffic congestion
• Water shortages
• Spiking food prices and housing costs

Visitors can inadvertently raise housing prices by booking private rentals and Airbnbs, which takes money from hotels while reducing housing access for locals.

Some Hawaiian islands have already altered policies to deal with excessive tourism.

The island’s city council passed a proposal to cap how many tourists visit. The proposal would also ban short-term camper vans.

The proposal hasn’t yet become law, but some version of it is likely to pass.

Some Hawaiian islands have already altered policies to deal with excessive tourism. Travelers must now make reservations to visit numerous attractions, including the following:

• Diamond State Monument
• Haleakala National Park
• Haena State Park

Hawaii’s tourism bureau has stated that requiring reservations has improved visitors’ experiences while relieving the strain tourism places on communities.

Honolulu City Council recently passed a bill to disallow travelers from renting in residential neighborhoods for fewer than three months.

The post Hawaii’s Island Maui Might Start Imposing Tourism Caps appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

The mandates will discontinue on March 26.

David Ige, the state’s governor, shared that Hawaii’s COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates have fallen significantly. Data from local health authorities indicate that the downward trend will continue.

The state kept its indoor mask mandate in place longer than some observers expected, possibly because the Hawaiian islands would face excessive medical strain from an unchecked pandemic; unlike other states, Hawaii cannot divert patients to out-of-state hospitals.

Mask mandates arrived in Hawaii in April 2020 and were never lifted, not even temporarily, at any point.

Read: 15 Best Places To Visit in U.S. in April 2022

Gov. Ige told The Associated Press that Hawaii’s lengthy mandates were possible because citizens care about each other’s well-being and are willing to make sacrifices to protect it.

Nonetheless, health authorities continue to recommend masks inside hospitals, prisons, schools, and other places where people congregate.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green, an emergency room doctor, supports lifting mask mandates. He feels that keeping mandates alive for so long has positively impacted Hawaiian public health, but he believes it’s time to lift them.

Green also mentioned that the governor is conservative about safety measures, which made Hawaii the state with the lowest COVID-19 rates. However, there’s a sense within the government that it’s time to return to normalcy.

In January, Hawaii saw a dramatic spike in cases — though not deaths — probably related to the omicron strain. Case rates fell throughout February and March, and many days had no COVID-19 deaths.

The post Hawaii Announces Final Date For Mask Mandates appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.