A new type of Hawaii visitor is emerging |
From disruptive kona low storms to rising travel costs driven by higher taxes, resort fees and increasing gas and fuel prices, several factors are weighing on Hawaii tourism. On the island of Hawaii, which has seen the largest increase in hotel prices across the state, the small businesses around the island are feeling the ripple effects. “A definite decrease in tourists,” Big Island Brewhaus co-owner Jayne Kerns told SFGATE in a text. “We used to [rely] on busy season December-February when kids were out of school and the snow birds were on island, a spring break bump & then summer vacation busy-ness but none of that has been reliable the last few years,” Kerns continued. “That unreliability affects all those who work in the tourism/hospitality industries.”
One regularly sold-out weekly event in Kohala, the Paniolo BBQ Sunset Dinner, saw 22 cancellations due to kona low concerns on April 8 alone, according to Ted Aughe, general manager of Anthony’s Catering, which hosts the weekly dinner along with preparing meals for several tour companies on the island. It wasn’t the only business to see losses, as the state estimates that there was a $300 million loss in tourism revenue due to the storms. Aughe said he’s spoken to many potential visitors who decided to travel to Mexico instead. If they do come to the island, they stay at the resorts instead of renting cars, taking tours and exploring. He said that for many visitors, a great deal of their travel budget has already gone to accommodations alone.
Aerial view of the north end of Anaehoomalu Bay and the Waikoloa resort complex, including the bay, reef, boats and beachgoers. Kohala Mountain fills the distant view.
The island’s hotels had an average daily rate of $485 in March, a 7.2% increase from the same month in 2025. Compared with March 2019, when the average daily rate was $274.06, 2025 rates were up about 66.7%, the largest increase among Hawaii’s counties.
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