how many tourist in hawaii today

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U.S. Tourists Outnumber Hawaiians 5 To 1

Tourism can be a valuable source of income for countries, regions and cities, but a high influx of visitors can cause problems with energy supply, infrastructure and general cost of living for the native inhabitants of said areas. Hawaii, for example, is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers from the United States and Japan and many of its inhabitants have long been critical of the islands' booming tourism industry. According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the U.S. Census Bureau, the annual number of tourists from the U.S. alone is five times higher than the population of the tiny island group.

As our chart illustrates, the number of U.S. travelers visiting islands like Hawai'i, O'ahu or Maui has been rising continuously since 2014, crossing the 7-million mark for the first time in 2022. Even in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, roughly two million U.S. Americans flocked to the island state, which was annexed by the United States in 1898 against staunch resistance by the native population.

Hawaii has also been a popular holiday destination for the Japanese for decades, even though tourist influx from the country is only slowly picking up steam again since 2020. The relationship between Hawaii and Japan is a fraught one though: On December 7, 1941, Japan's air force attacked Pearl Harbor on O'ahu , effectively prompting U.S. involvement in World War II.

In 2019, the overall number of visitors to Hawaii stood above the 10-million threshold, a development cut short by Covid-19. Between January and June 2023, around five million people visited the islands for an average duration of nine nights, spending $10.7 billion in the process. Roughly $8.5 billion of the total amount was spent by the 3.9 million visitors from the United States.

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This chart shows the countries with the most visitors to Hawaii per year and the population of Hawaii.

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Hawaii-Guide.com (HawaiiGuide.com) was designed to be a one-stop resource for future Hawaii visitors planning their trips to the islands. Since 2002 – through the use of our website, mobile applications, guidebooks, email subscribers, social media channels, and digital visitor guides – our mission has remained the same: to be an all-inclusive visitor guide to the Hawaiian Islands.

Hawaii-Guide.com is proudly operated by GuideofUS, LLC., publishers of the expansive GuideofUS Travel Network.  Learn more about us .

As a proven leader in the Hawaiian tourism market, our team loves putting our combined 50+ years of hospitality, marketing, and advertising experience to work for our business partners in Hawaii.

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Highly-Trafficked Website

Hawaii-guide traffic summary.

• Highly Engaged audience
• 63% Mobile Traffic
• Annual Reach of up to 15M Unique Visitors

Demographics Summary

• 58% of visitors planning their trip are female
• 42% are under 35 years of age
• 39% are between 35 and 55 years of age
• 58% have a college degree
• 22% have a post-graduate degree

Geographic Summary

• 80% are visiting from the United States
• 7% are visiting from Canada
• 6% are visiting from Australia
• 53% of US visitors are located in the Western US
• 49% of Canadian visitors are located in Western Canada

Traveler Data

Visitor timeline & dates.

• 97% plan to visit Hawaii within the next 2 years
• 86% plan to visit Hawaii within the next 12 months
• 38% plan to visit Hawaii within the next 6 months
• 65% book recreational tours & activities prior to arrival

Expected Duration of Hawaii Visit

• 78% plan to stay on average 5 – 11 days
• 21% plan to stay on average 12 – 21 days

Highly Engaged Audience

• 98% use and trust GoUS Hawaii as a resource to plan their trip
• 72% visited an advertising partner website

Additional Analytics Data

Traveler budget data.

• 59% have a lodging budget of $100 - $300 per night
• 18% have a lodging budget of over $300 per night
• 37% have an activity & tours budget of $75 - $300 per person
• 27% have an activity & tours budget over $300 per person

Email Marketing Stats

• Thousands of active/engaged subscribers segmented by planned visit period
• 600-850 emails distributed, per day, to visitors at various trip-planning stages

Let our experienced Hawaii Marketing team assist you today!

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*All Analytics data was compiled from Google Analytics, Cloudflare Analytics, & Plausible Analytics, along with our email marketing platform (Drip).

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Hawaii’s Tourism Industry Is Bouncing Back. But Where Are All The Jobs?

As Hawaii’s tourism industry rebounds from a pandemic that shut down the industry in 2020, a question continues to stump economists: Where are all the jobs?

Hawaii’s passenger arrivals averaged more that 30,000 per day in July , and August has been just as strong , with 32,500 arrivals on average for the first four days of the month, according to the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Although softer than the normal summer crush, that’s still roughly equal to the average arrivals for 2019, before the pandemic, when Hawaii had more than 10 million tourists.

Meanwhile, hotels reported 31,572 jobs in Hawaii midway through 2021, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association. That’s up from 2020’s low of about 21,000, but still about 12,700 fewer than in 2019, a 29% decline.

And the reason the hotel jobs haven’t caught up with visitor numbers?

“I don’t think anybody knows,” said Matt Insco, an economist with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics in San Francisco.

Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, was similarly stumped.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate was 7.9% in June, a significant improvement from the 21.9% rate in May 2020, when Hawaii’s economy was largely shut down. But, Bonham says, that rate doesn’t count underemployed people – part-timers who want full-time jobs, for instance, and discouraged workers who bailed out of the workforce altogether.

Counting those, Hawaii’s broader unemployment rate, known as U-6 unemployment, was 18.5% for the second quarter, which translates to about 120,000 workers, Bonham said.

The U-6 unemployment rate, which includes underemployed workers, paints an employment picture far worse than Hawaii’s standard unemployment rate.

Meanwhile, employers report not being able to find people to fill vacant jobs.

“It’s going to be several years before economists understand what happened to the labor market during this episode,” Bonham said.

Unemployment Insurance Assistance Does Not Fully Explain Issue

In the meantime, there are some oft-cited explanations that actually don’t seem to explain what’s going on.

One frequently purported cause for the soft jobs recovery is federal stimulus money, which provides $300 a week of additional unemployment insurance money to jobless workers. Some employers cite the federal money as providing an incentive for people not to work — and something that’s driving what the BLS reports as record hospitality industry job openings, including 1.2 million hotel and restaurant job openings in May.

But a recent study refutes that idea.

To see whether the federal money was keeping workers sidelined, Arindrajit Dube , an economist from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, looked at employment trends in 22 mainly red states that have opted to cut the federal payments before the September deadline , when the money will run out in other states, including Hawaii.

If the unemployment insurance benefit was keeping people from working, this should have driven more people into the workforce when the benefit went away. But, Dube reported, that didn’t happen.

“Certainly there was no immediate boost to employment during the two to three weeks following the expiration of the pandemic UI benefits,” he reported.

Another possible factor is that, despite Hawaii’s strong visitor numbers, travelers from Asia still haven’t returned. That means no business for employers who cater to that market.

Domestic travel since March has been strong and has actually exceeded 2019 in July and August, according to DBEDT . But Asia travel has been almost non-existent. The result is some businesses that cater to international visitors have been slower to reopen.

Take the Halekulani Hotel. The landmark property in Waikiki has been closed since April and took the opportunity to renovate its guest rooms and oceanfront bar, the House Without a Key. And while it offered continuing medical coverage to all of its nearly 800 workers, the hotel doesn’t plan to reopen until October. And even then not all of the workers will be coming back.

“For those who may not have an immediate return to work opportunity, we are continuing to provide coverage of medical benefits through the end of the year, December 31, 2021,” the company said in a statement .

Changes in hotel policies and procedures also may be contributing to less need for workers. Automation of certain functions , already affecting staffing needs before COVID-19, appear to have accelerated during the pandemic. Features like apps that allow guests to check themselves in have led to a decline in need for desk clerks, for example.

Beyond automation, there’s been a push among hotels to let guests opt out of daily room cleanings, which has worried hotel worker unions who say the change kills jobs for the legions of housekeepers who make up a major part of the workforce at big hotels.

Nonetheless, Honolulu hotel housekeeping jobs rose steadily before the pandemic, peaking at 7,240 as of May 2019 according to the BLS. Then came COVID-19, and the jobs for 2020 plummeted to 5,230, a 28% drop.

The BLS doesn’t have numbers for 2021 yet, but UNITE HERE Local 5 , the union that represents hotel housekeepers, said hotels are intentionally putting a lid on the need for housekeepers by discouraging guests from getting rooms cleaned daily.

Kekoa McClellan, a Hawaii spokesman for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, said hoteliers are merely following CDC COVID-19 guidelines by limiting room cleanings, and he said cleaning protocols have created more work for hotels and increased the need for some staff. But the union isn’t buying it.

Gemma Weinstein, UNITE HERE’s Hawaii president, noted that guests can still get their rooms cleaned daily if they ask for it, but what’s changed is that guests now must ask.

Still, the situation isn’t all bad for workers, simply because the workforce, for whatever reason, has gotten smaller.

Retirements and people leaving Hawaii — and its high cost of living — almost certainly are contributing to Hawaii’s worker shortage, Bonham said. In addition, in a recent survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii , employers pointed to another factor keeping workers on the bench: the need for child care during a time when public schools were mostly closed.

Bonham notes that one BLS data source, known as the Job Openings and Labor Turnover, or JOLT data, indicates the employees who are in the workforce seem to be moving around from job to job, presumably seeking positions with better compensation as employers outbid each other to hire a relatively small number of workers.

“Wages are increasing the fastest in the leisure and hospitality industry,” said Insco, the BLS economist in San Francisco.

Although the sample size for Hawaii is miniscule, Bonham said the national trend almost surely applies here.

“Why should businesses be the only ones maximizing their revenue?” Bonham said. “It makes perfect sense.”

What’s driving Hawaii’s hospitality labor dynamics soon might become more clear. Public school reopenings have freed up parents who were once stuck at home with kids forced to learn remotely, which means more people soon could rejoin the workforce. And the federal unemployment insurance boost is scheduled to end in September.

But how much difference these will make is far from clear, Bonham says, especially with the COVID-19 delta variant driving Hawaii’s case counts to record highs.

“I think all of these things matter,” he said. “None of them individually is what’s driving this.”

“ Hawaii’s Changing Economy ” is supported by a grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation as part of its CHANGE Framework project.

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Maui Travel Updates

Historical Visitor Statistics

Jump to: Final Monthly Visitor Statistics Historical Island Data Historical Visitor Expenditures Historical Visitors By U.S. Regions Historical Visitors By MMA Historical Visitor Statistics

Final Monthly Visitor Statistics

2022 Monthly Visitor Statistics

2021 Monthly Visitor Statistics

2020 Monthly Visitor Statistics

2019 Monthly Visitor Statistics

2018 Monthly Visitor Statistics

2017 Monthly Visitor Statistics

2016 Monthly Visitor Statistics

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Historical Island Data

Current Island Highlights are located in 'Visitor Highlights' Current Monthly Visitor Statistics are located in 'Visitor Highlights'

Arrivals by island 1990 through 2022

Historical Visitor Expenditures

Current Visitor Expenditures is located in 'Visitor Highlights'

Visitor expenditures 2001 through 2022

Historical Visitors By U.S. Regions

Current Visitor Arrivals by U.S. Regions is located in 'Visitor Highlights'

Arrivals by U.S. regions 1988 through 2022

Historical Visitors By MMA

Current Visitor Arrivals by MMA is located in 'Visitor Highlights'

Arrivals by MMA 1990 through 2022

All Historical Data in one file

Historical Visitors Through 2022

• WHY CHOOSE US?

• THINGS TO DO

How Many People Visit Hawaii Each Year- Tourism Statistics

Hawaii is a beautiful place in the Pacific Ocean that many people know about. It has amazing nature, nice beaches, and a cool culture, which is why millions of people from all over the world come here to see volcanoes, relax on the beaches, and enjoy Hawaiian traditions.

But have you ever wondered about how many people actually come to Hawaii? If you have, you’re at the right place! In this article, we are going to talk about the numbers that can show us how much people like this place. 

Hawaii – Why Is It Famous?

Hawaii is famous because it’s incredibly beautiful. This place is located in the ocean, surrounded by water. The nature there is something special – you’ll see stunning beaches with white sand and clear blue water that make people feel happy. The volcanoes, some of them even active, add to the uniqueness. Hawaii is also known for hula dancing and big parties called luaus. These luaus have dancing and lots of yummy food. The culture in Hawaii is different from other places, making it interesting. You might think of surfers riding big waves or people wearing flower necklaces when you think of Hawaii. This place is shown in movies and TV shows a lot, making it even more famous. Many people want to go to Hawaii for relaxation and fun.

Annual Visitor Numbers For Hawaii 

In the year 2021, around 6,777,760 people decided to check out Hawaii. In that year, tourists hopped on airplanes because cruise ships weren’t doing their thing that year due to COVID restrictions. If we look back at 2020, 2,678,073 people flew in, and before March 2020, 30,185 people arrived on cruise ships until everything stopped because of a “No Sail” rule. It is also worth noting that these tourists brought a lot to Hawaii. 

How Much Money Do People Spend In Hawaii? 

According to the 2021 annual report for Hawaii Tourism Statistics these visitors didn’t just hang out, they spent a whopping $13.15 billion exploring Hawaii. It’s a reminder of how much visitors matter to Hawaii’s money and the overall economy.

• How Many People Visit Hawaii Each Year?

Annually, Hawaii welcomes varying numbers of visitors. In the year 2021, approximately 6 million individuals chose to explore this American state. The annual figures tend to fluctuate, but the observed count in 2021 notably reached this considerable figure.

Famous Activities And Attractions In Hawaii 

Hawaii is full of exciting things to do and beautiful places to see. People love to visit because there are many fun activities and famous attractions . Let’s take a look at some of them: 

Hawaii is famous for its stunning beaches . Tourists enjoy swimming, building sandcastles, and just relaxing by the ocean. Waikiki Beach on Oahu and Kaanapali Beach on Maui are popular spots. Some beaches even have big waves for surfing competitions, which you can enjoy as well! 

Volcano Adventure

One really special thing in Hawaii is the volcanoes. People can visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. They can see real volcanoes and even watch lava flow into the ocean. It’s an amazing sight you don’t want to miss. 

Hiking And Nature

Hawaii has beautiful nature with green mountains and waterfalls. Tourists love to go hiking to see these natural wonders up close. The Diamond Head hike in Oahu and the Pipiwai Trail in Maui are famous hikes.

Luau Celebrations

Hawaiian culture is unique, and luaus are a big part of it. These are big parties with Hawaiian music, dancing, and delicious food. People wear flower necklaces and enjoy traditional dishes like poi and kalua pig.

Snorkeling And Scuba Diving

The ocean around Hawaii is full of colorful fish and coral reefs. Tourists can go snorkeling or scuba diving to see this underwater world. Hanauma Bay on Oahu and Molokini Crater near Maui are famous spots.

Pearl Harbor History

Pearl Harbor is a historic place in Oahu. It’s where Japan attacked, and killed thousands of innocent people and army personnel. It’s a big event that happened during World War II. People can visit the USS Arizona Memorial and learn about the past.

Whale Watching

From December to April, humpback whales visit Hawaii. The best part? Tourists can go on boat tours to watch these huge and graceful creatures swim and play in the ocean. Please keep in mind you can watch them from afar only. 

Polynesian Cultural Center

This is a place where visitors can learn about different Polynesian cultures . There are shows, demonstrations, and traditional games. It’s a great way to understand more about Hawaii’s heritage.

Shopping And Food

Hawaii has markets and shops where tourists can buy souvenirs and local products. Also, there’s a variety of tasty food to try, like fresh pineapple at the Dole Plantation, shave ice, and plate lunches.

Sunset Views

And finally, the last one on our list – watching the sunset in Hawaii, which is magical. People gather on the beach to see the sky change colors over the ocean. It’s a peaceful and beautiful experience.

Hawaii has a lot to offer in terms of famous activities and attractions. From its splendid beaches to breathtaking volcanoes, the islands provide a diverse range of experiences for visitors. Whether it’s enjoying a traditional luau, exploring the underwater world, or taking in the rich history and culture, Hawaii is a destination that captivates and delights.

• When’s The Best Time To Visit Hawaii?

Deciding when to visit Hawaii depends on what works best for your budget and plans . If you’re traveling solo and looking to save money, the off-season might be your go-to choice. During this time, there are fewer tourists, and you can find better deals on accommodations and activities.

On the other hand, if you’re all about fun activities and want to join in on vibrant festivals, certain months are more suitable. For instance, if you’re a fan of hula and Polynesian culture, coming in April for the Merrie Monarch Festival on the Big Island would be fantastic. Or, if you’re into surfing, the winter months bring big waves, making it ideal for catching some incredible rides.

Keep in mind that Hawaii’s weather is pretty consistent throughout the year, so you’ll have pleasant temperatures no matter when you go. So, whether you’re seeking solitude during the off-peak times or eager to immerse yourself in the excitement of festivals, Hawaii offers something special for every type of traveler .

• Vacation Rental Properties In Hawaii Throughout The Year

Renting vacation properties in Hawaii is possible year-round through Hawaiian Beach Rentals. Our listings include a variety of options such as beachfront properties, condos, villas, and luxurious homes. Rest assured, we provide competitive rates regardless of the time you explore our offerings. Whether you seek a cozy beachfront retreat or an upscale villa, Hawaiian Beach Rentals ensures an ideal choice for your stay.

Final Thoughts – Hawaii Tourism Statistics

With more than 6 million people visiting Hawaii every year, you might want to start planning your own trip. If you’re curious about the beautiful beaches, interesting culture, and exciting things to do, you can scroll through our blog section for some time and think about booking your vacation. Hawaii is waiting for you to explore and have a great time, just like all those other visitors. So, get ready to make your own special memories in Hawaii’s wonderful paradise! Also, if you are looking for rental properties, you can take a look at our property listings, we can assure you, they’re amazing and affordable!

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Table of contents

• Hawaii - Why Is It Famous?
• Annual Visitor Numbers For Hawaii
• How Much Money Do People Spend In Hawaii?
• Famous Activities And Attractions In Hawaii
• Final Thoughts - Hawaii Tourism Statistics

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Why I’m Still in Love With Waikiki

It’s fashionable to look down on the famous Honolulu beach as touristy and inauthentic. But you can still find the tropical paradise that inspired dreams of the islands, if you know where to look.

By Ann Hood

Since my first trip to Waikiki Beach in 1977, I have traveled all around the Hawaiian Islands. And I’ve loved each one. But I love Waikiki, too.

Not the hordes of tourists, of course, or the high-end shopping malls that have taken over Kalākaua Avenue and earned it the nickname, Vegas on the Beach. What I love are the remnants of a different Waikiki, a beautiful, tropical paradise that inspired songs and movies and dreams and romance. When I come here, with some time and patience, I can still find that Waikiki.

Lately, it’s become fashionable to dismiss Waikiki as a playland for tourists and not the “real” Hawaii. When I posted pictures of a gorgeous sunset and the waves crashing on Waikiki Beach on social media last March, I got vehement comments like: “Get out of there and see the real Hawaii!”

And: “Here’s where you should be …”

And: “Ugh. Waikiki.”

But Waikiki is no less the real Hawaii than anywhere else, said T. Ilihia Gionson, the public affairs officer for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. “From the beginning, Waikiki has been a very special place that captured the hearts and souls of many,” he said. “The land is the land, and it will always have that certain energy and life force that comes through, no matter what we put upon it.”

According to Mr. Gionson, in prepandemic 2019, Hawaii had 10.4 million annual arrivals, its highest number ever. Numbers this year are running at about 92 percent of that number, or close to 10 million arrivals. The strain of so many visitors on local neighborhoods led the Hawaiian Tourism Authority to ask themselves how they can do tourism better and reinvest economic resources into communities and resources. With its emphasis on local culture, traditions and products, the Mālama Hawaii campaign, which kicked off in 2021, invites travelers to learn how Hawaiians care for their home.

Waikiki, once home to royalty, was an agricultural center, rich with taro fields and rice paddies, and eventually became a seaside neighborhood for local families. The Māhele, a land distribution plan that changed the islands’ communal system of land ownership to a private one in 1848, brought western land barons and the beginning of tourism with hotels built for wealthy tourists.

With the opening of the luxurious Moana Hotel in 1901, Waikiki’s reputation as a popular tourist destination began. Promoters advertised many of the things that are still synonymous with Waikiki today — lū’aus, lush leis, and the beach boys who taught water sports. Wealthy businessmen watched crowds emerge from boats onto Waikiki Beach after a six-and-a-half day trip from San Francisco and saw an opportunity to develop these wetlands into a tourist mecca. The Waikiki Reclamation Project drained and dredged Ala Wai Canal and its surrounding fish ponds, taro fields, rice farms and banana and coconut groves, then filled them with material upon which to build hundreds of acres of new hotels and upscale homes.

Old Waikiki was gone — again — and a new Waikiki of luxury hotels and tiki bars emerged. Movies like “Blue Hawaii,” starring Elvis Presley, and singers like Don Ho brought Hawaii into our living rooms. This was the Waikiki I arrived in on a United Airlines Friend Ship, one of 3 million tourists who visited in 1977. As my friends and I disembarked from our flight, where stewardesses in flowered uniforms served us mai tais and macadamia-crusted chicken, saronged women placed plumeria leis around our necks and welcomed us with that magical word, “Aloha.”

Unable to afford a beachfront hotel, we stayed at the Miramar, four blocks from the ocean. But we didn’t care — we were in Waikiki. We bought tatami mats and Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion at the ABC store and happily walked across the street, through the lobby of a hotel and onto the beach. There was Diamond Head, and surfers and the Pacific Ocean, everything we had hoped for.

When we weren’t sunbathing, we roamed around the International Marketplace, the outdoor market that Don the Beachcomber, the father of tiki culture, opened in 1956, the year we were born. Around the 60-foot-tall banyan tree in the center were kiosks that sold all things tropical and Hawaiian. Jane paid $10 for the chance to find an oyster with a pearl inside. I bought my mother a handwoven grass skirt. Why I thought a middle-aged accountant in West Warwick, R.I., would want a grass skirt, I can’t say. Except that I was bringing Hawaii, a place she would never visit, 5,000 miles to her.

At night, we ate teriyaki sirloins at Chuck’s Cellar and drank overly sweet mai tais at beach bars. In the morning, we ordered all-you-can-eat pancakes at Wailana Coffee House, tucked our tatami mats under our arms, and started all over again.

The Miramar Hotel, Chuck’s Cellar, and the Wailana Coffee House are all gone now. The International Marketplace was completely razed in 2013 and reopened three years later with only the name and the banyan tree remaining. Today, instead of the dangling vines and footbridges, the International Marketplace is a three-story mall with a Burberry shop and a Christian Louboutin.

In many ways, what happened to the International Marketplace represents what has happened to create this newest Waikiki. With an influx of international tourists in the 1990s, high-end retail shops arrived along with more hotels. The well-known San Francisco department store Gump’s, which opened at the corner of Kalākaua Avenue and Lewers Street in 1929, became a Louis Vuitton store in 1992. Thirteen years later, buildings were bulldozed or repurposed to create Luxury Row with stores like Chanel and Gucci.

When I asked the Island-born chef and restaurateur, Ed Kenney, where I could find old Waikiki, his first response was that unfortunately, that Waikiki has been all but lost. Then he gave me recommendations of where to find it.

One way to get there is to walk through a different mall, past the Wolfgang Puck steakhouse and the word Aloha surrounded by lights, until you see a flash of pink through the trees. Follow that pink through a wrought-iron gate into an oasis of grass and trees and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel , called the Pink Palace of the Pacific when it opened in 1927. Immediately, the crowds and noise disappear. Minutes after you check in, you will be under a pink-and-white striped beach umbrella, your toes in white sand. Wander over to the bar for a mai tai, commissioned as a special cocktail for this very hotel and created by Victor Bergeron in 1953, and it is like being back in time.

At sunset, I like to go to the restaurant House Without a Key to sip a pretty pink Table 97 cocktail while the Kapalama Trio sings softly beneath a 136-year-old kiawe tree and the sky turns pink and lavender. The cocktail is named for Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn’s favorite table when they honeymooned here in 1940, and the restaurant is named for the 1925 novel, “The House Without a Key,” by Earl Derr Biggers, which was the first of a mystery series featuring a fictional Honolulu detective named Charlie Chan. An original copy is on display at the entrance.

It is also worth it to brave the throngs and take a walk down Kalākaua Avenue, past some of the remaining old significant Waikiki architecture. Although most of the iconic buildings were torn down, a surprising number of hidden gems with tropical-motif latticework railings and building decorations remain. Start at the Waikiki Galleria Tower at 2222 Kalākaua Avenue, built in 1966 by the architect George Wimberly, then continue around the corner for a 10-minute walk to see the breadfruit design on the wrought iron railings at the Kaiulani Court Apartments at 209 Kaiulani Avenue.

Nearby apartment buildings along Lau’ula Street have railings with surfboards, banana leaves and sails, as well as lava rock walls and cantilevered lanais. Even the new International Marketplace is worth a visit to see that old banyan tree and a replica of Don the Beachcomber’s office with old photographs, menus and advertisements in a treehouse above it.

Skip the lines at the Cheesecake Factory and take a short Uber ride to the Highway Inn , open since 1947, for some lau lau and kalua pig with cabbage and a 25-cent side of raw onion with salt. Or try the Side Street Inn for fried rice, garlic fried chicken and sizzling short ribs. Or have an iconic plate lunch of loco moco, rice and macaroni salad at the Rainbow Drive-in , open since 1961 and affectionately called Rainbows by locals.

Except for the happy hour at the piano bar at the Moana Surfrider , where they make strong real cocktails like martinis and Manhattans, skip the Blue Hawaiis and sugary mai tais at hotel bars. Instead, walk down Saratoga Road, past the tattoo parlor and Eggs and Things (serving eggs with Portuguese sausage or pork chops since 1974) to Arnold’s Beach Bar , a tiny bar that is actually not on the beach, but is full of regulars, like a Waikiki Cheers. If you’re lucky, Brie Brundige will be behind the bar making Arnold’s famous mai tais ($10 here versus $21 or more in hotels) and will share the recipe.

One morning, I woke up early, got a kona coffee and a li hing mango morning bun from the Honolulu Café , and sat on Waikiki Beach. It was quiet and, except for some surfers in the water and a mother and daughter building sand castles, I was alone. The sky was pale pink. The palm trees swayed in the breeze. Diamond Head watched me sitting there. I was smiling, happy in Waikiki. It is still there, if you look hard enough.

Ann Hood’s most recent book is “Fly Girl,” a memoir about her years as a TWA flight attendant.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article included a photo caption that misidentified the landscape in a photograph of Elvis Presley in the film “Blue Hawaii.” It is Hanauma Bay, not Diamond Head.

An earlier version of this article included a photo caption that gave incomplete titles for a singer and misidentified the group playing with her. It also gave the incorrect age for a tree. Brook Lee is a former Miss Hawaii USA, Miss USA and Miss Universe, not a former Miss Hawaii and Miss Universe, and is seen performing with the Paahana Trio, not the Kapalama Trio. The kiawe tree they perform under is 136 years old, not 135 years old.

An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the architect of the Waikiki Galleria Tower. It was designed by George Wimberly, not George Wimbleyand. The article also misspelled the surname of a writer who spent her honeymoon in Waikiki with her husband, Ernest Hemingway. Her name is Martha Gellhorn, not Gelhorn.

An earlier version of this article referred incorrectly to a hotel that opened in Waikiki in 1901. It was the Moana Hotel, not the Moana Surfrider.

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Kaua‘i visitor numbers jumped over 1,000% since last year

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Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island

Snorkelers at Morgans Pond are protected from the high surf wraparound by the stone wall, Monday. High surf warnings for the swell expected to bring surf up to 14 feet are in effect through Wednesday.

Morgans Ponds at the Lydgate Park is a popular destination.

Lifeguard Dominic Marquez changes out the warning signs, Monday at the Lydgate Park.

LIHU‘E — In May 2020, Kaua‘i only had 571 visitors. In May 2021, there were 73,018, according to a Hawai‘i Tourism Authority report.

This represents a 1,2687.7% jump from last year’s pandemic-era traveling.

But these numbers are still way below pre-pandemic levels. In May 2019, the county saw 112,106 visitors. The year 2020 was on its way to record-setting visitor number highs, before it was cut short in March of that year.

In a Spring 2021 Resident Sentiment Survey, HTA found that the majority of Hawai‘i residents believed tourism is worth the issues associated with the industry. That includes 70% of Kaua‘i respondents.

However, the amount of visitors has been inundating residential neighborhoods, like one in Kapahi with cars lining the street to hike down to Ho‘opi‘i Falls.

Kapa‘a resident Fern Anuenue Holland has family living on Kapahi Road, and previously lived across from the trailhead. Holland called the pick-up “frustrating” recently.

“It’s gotten to the point where residents can’t enjoy their street or way of life anymore,” Holland said, noting that visitors have been walking in resident front yards. “It’s such a high volume of people and we’re not totally sure exactly what the uptick is.”

Too, in Princeville, residents have noted that high volumes of visitors to Queen’s Bath have flooded local parking.

Just this last weekend, more than 138,000 people flew into the state from July 1 to July 4. More than 102,000 were on vacation, according to state travel data.

And starting July 8, travelers from the U.S. and its territories vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to bypass pre-travel testing and quarantine requirements with proof of inoculation.

It’s a bigger issue, Holland said. “I’m really hoping that we come up with a solution that helps manage the over tourism that allows us to live our lives,” Holland said. “We arguably pay some of the most expensive costs of living as it and then to have that lifestyle taken away from us, that we grew up having is not OK. Something has to be manageable.”

Holland said a forthcoming community street meeting will be underway, but in the meantime, has gotten word from county officials that they are looking into long-term solutions.

Similarly, the county recently allocated federal coronavirus funds for a park management study at three county-owned beach parks in Po‘ipu, Lydgate Beach Park in Wailua and Black Pot in Hanalei, to figure out mitigation efforts.

“There are other communities that have done stuff along the lines of residential parking and local traffic only roads that has to be enforceable,” Holland said.

It is going to be interesting to see how the DOE and college ranks will be handling the situation. Pandemic. We are still in it.

Even if they loosen restrictions, the numbers may still show no improvements. Zero cases of coronavirus. It’s probably more political. I think they should continue with the tier system for a time.

Please note that an increase from 571 visitors in May 2020 to 73,018 visitors in May 2021 represents a 12,687.7% increase. So the headline really should read, “Kaua‘i visitor numbers jumped over 10,000% since last year” (saying over 1,000% understates the increase by 10x).

Out of those 73,000 how many died from covid. How many hospitalized, in icu on ventilators. Ahemm….nearly zero. Cool, the fear was kicked down the road for too long.

“…HTA found that the majority of Hawai‘i residents believed tourism is worth the issues associated with the industry.”

Ha! I find this impossible to believe. I’d like to know what “residents” this HTA survey went out to….

Its too bad that a few idiot, entitled tourists have to behave that way and give a bad name to all tourists. How would they like it if where they live…tourists would block their streets and affect their way of life.Show some respect

OK Kauai leaders and activists. You all talk about diversification from tourism. We had a solid year to figure out ANY kind of alternative. But what happened? We gave people money, time off, unemployment so they got even lazier. Just what are these alternatives? Tech? Don’t think so, just look at the caliber and stress that tech workers have. Ag? Nope – you think the young kids want to work on a farm? The simple fact is that tourism and military are our industries (and they need better management).

As far as what is causing this “uptick” look no farther than your cellphone. I would be willing to bet when you see these people they are on their cellphones following google maps or some travel blog touting the falls. Same thing at Wailua. Falls, travel blogs and people hiking to river leaving their cars parked for hours in the overcrowded lot. It’s only going to get worse. Has anyone else noticed a bit of “attitude” in some of our visitors? If the county took a little time they could figure out the most popular websites/blogs and explain how harmful their blogs are. At least ask bloggers to ask their readers to respect the locals and their property.

The amount of tourist in Hawaii is obscène and definitely interféres with our daily lives. We need to find another sustainable way to support our économy as tourism comes with many downsides and definitely increases the carbon footprint on our small island chain.

Like what kind of sustainable way?

Also I don’t agree or believe HTA is needed.

Tourist accounts for most of our state GDP. Products that people can buy from Hawaii. This is not a lot compared to other states. But the money is important. No way Hawaii can survive without tourism. Since statehood the budget plan has been in place. I don’t think they need another Kukui Grove shopping center. And they don’t need another highway. Two lanes is enough for the island. Keep it simple. Keep it quiet. That is Kauai.

Kauaidoug;you are right on with social vlogs causing this issue. Social media will be the death of this country yet!. I was reading a travel blog last night where an individual from the mainland exclaimed, Me & my friends are coming over and its not your bizness to say we are not welcome. Firstly, their english is uneducated. Secondly, they just don’t (read and understand) that it is not the unwelcoming. It is the overcrowding issue until things are better controlled. And I am VERY disappointed that individuals all around the world, do no respect land, trails, nature, etc. Paths are being destroyed by over crowding. Trees are being carved into, litter everywhere. I just dont know WHY people do NOT raise their children with respect for EVERYTHING. And it is devastating that common sense would not tell you that these are BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, they are not large, they can not handle all the people on the trails, paths, etc. HUMANS ARE GOING TO RUIN EVERY PIECE OF PARADISE because of self entitlement, greed, and ignorance. PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN IF YOU CAN NOT RAISE THEM TO BE RESPECTABLE TO ALL LIFE. PLEASE do not have kids if you are not happily MARRIED, have a good income, and want children. Its all going to come back to use now. A darn shame.

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I’ve Lived in Hawaii Nearly All My Life — and These Are the Most Underrated Destinations in the Aloha State

From one of the only green-sand beaches in the world to the southernmost point in the U.S., these are the top places to visit in Hawaii, according to a local.

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Hawaii has beckoned tourists away from their daily routines to experience paradise for years. Nearly 10 million people made the trek to the archipelago last year, a destination with a population of around 1.5 million. The Hawaiian islands offer accessible natural beauty throughout the year — from the mountains (known as mauka ) to the sea (called makai ). Think sun-drenched beaches with warm water, waterfalls hidden in rain forests, and sand in hues of white, black, and red. Perhaps what makes Hawaii so special to visitors is the spirit of aloha — a warm hospitality not found anywhere else — and a rich cultural heritage dating back centuries. 

Hawaii is one of the most coveted destinations in the world, but travelers often merely scratch the surface of what the state has to offer. As someone who grew up in Honolulu — a popular tourist stop — and resides there currently, I see it all the time, but I don’t blame them. Tourism has been significant in Hawaii for so long, it seems like everything has been touched by visitors. It can be hard to distinguish what’s worth the crowds and early mornings (to beat traffic) and what’s truly Hawaiian or local. 

Hawaii is more than meets the eye, and there’s a transformative experience awaiting visitors who want to go beyond the beaten path. If you’re looking to experience the spiritual power of the Aloha State's natural beauty and history, or see where the locals like to go , here are 10 underrated places to visit in Hawaii.

Waialae Avenue, Kaimuki

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Located a short drive from Waikiki, Waialae Avenue is the artery of Honolulu’s quaint Kaimuki neighborhood. The stores, restaurants, and coffee shops lining the street pulsate with energy. If you’re looking to purchase locally crafted goods, Waialae Avenue has you covered. In fact, there’s an entire movement dedicated to supporting the small businesses of the area, known as Keep It Kaimuki . I’ll typically start my day with a shaken iced latte concocted with locally sourced coconut syrup from Bean About Town before hitting some of my favorite stores like Da Shop , which carries books from Hawaii-connected authors, and browsing the creations of local fashion designers at Ten Tomorrow .

Stargazing Along East Oahu

Hawaii Tourism Authority/Dana Edmunds

If the skies are clear, you should make time for a nighttime adventure. My suggestion is to drive east out of Honolulu and into Hawaii Kai. Take the windy Kalanianaole Highway (carefully) to the Halona Blowhole parking lot, or all the way past Sandy Beach Park and stop along the beach. Away from the city lights, the stars and moon glow brightly across the vast sky. Aside from the beautiful view, stars hold cultural significance to Hawaiians — for centuries, they’ve been used for storytelling, ceremonies, and wayfinding by voyagers.

Yokohama Bay

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People come to Hawaii for the beach , and while Waikiki may technically have one, it often feels too crowded to relax. For a true beach day, pack up some snacks and gear and head all the way west to Yokohama Bay. (Or, stop by Aloha Poke and grab a bowl of fresh rice and cubed ahi tuna to enjoy on the beach.) It’s the furthest west you can go on Oahu, and about a 1.-5-hour drive from Honolulu. Upon arriving, you'll be met with a wide stretch of golden sand that's surrounded by mountains. As long as there’s no northwest swell wrapping around the island, the turquoise waters are inviting. And since you’re facing the west, be sure to stay for the stunning sunset.

Lyon Arboretum

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The flora of Hawaii is part of the state's allure: vibrant flowers like the plumeria and hibiscus; big, green, Jurassic Park-like foliage; and tropical fruits like mangoes and papayas that flourish naturally. The islands' distinctive geography and diverse climates give rise to a rich array of plant life, including unique endemic species that are exclusive to Hawaii, like the spiky, silver ʻāhinahina. You can spend some time learning about Hawaii's flora by visiting Lyon Arboretum in Honolulu’s Manoa neighborhood. Comprising 194 acres and more than 6,000 taxa of tropical and subtropical plants, Lyon Arboretum is a research center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and an outdoor museum of living plants with a mission to conserve Hawaii’s rare and native plants. Guests can meander the hiking trails or check out the botanical gardens on their own or with a guided tour.

Nakalele Blowhole

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The majestic power of Mother Nature can be seen throughout the islands, but Maui’s Nakalele Blowhole is one of the best places to witness that force up close. Getting to the blowhole, located on the northern part of the island, requires a windy and scenic drive along Honoapiʻilani Highway. The parking area offers a good vantage point for seeing the blowhole and its surrounding dramatic lava rock coastline — and humpback whales in the wintertime. The more adventurous can take a 20-minute hike down steep and rocky terrain to some tide pools, making sure to heed any warning signs along the way. Before embarking, make sure to check the tide is high; otherwise, there isn't enough water for the blowhole to erupt. If you’re lucky, there will be a local stand selling banana bread.

Petroglyphs at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Tourism Authority/Tor Johnson

Perhaps one of the top attractions throughout the islands, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a dynamic, ever-changing landscape thanks to its active volcanoes. While the volcanoes may steal the show, there are other parts of the park that are worth visiting, too. One of those lesser-known spots is the Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs , with pu‘uloa meaning “long hill.” Considered a sacred place, this archaeological site has more than 23,000 petroglyph images, including geometric shapes, canoe sails, and other motifs representing the life of ancient Native Hawaiians. Visitors can take a short hike through a 500-year-old lava field and view the fragile petroglyphs from a boardwalk.

Wailua River State Park

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Nestled into the lush rain forests of the aptly named Garden Isle, the Iraivan Temple is remarkable for a few reasons: The South Asian temple design features ornate white granite intricately carved without power tools in Bangalore and India and assembled together on Kauai. Having the Hindu temple in Hawaii is also unique, as it gives visitors and locals a rare chance to experience Hindu philosophies. The backdrop of the Wailua River Valley, where an adjacent waterfall flows and there are many shades of green, adds to the tranquility. Visitors to the temple must book a reservation for personal meditation and worship. Once you've tapped into your serenity, spend some time in Wailua River State Park , less crowded than Waimea Canyon. The free state park is full of hiking trails to waterfalls and stunning views. For an immersive experience, take a two-mile river cruise filled with Hawaiian songs and stories by the family-owned Smith’s Kauai .

Hamakua Coast

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While the Kohala Coast gets lots of attention for its sunshine, pristine beaches, and array of resorts, the Hamakua Coast is Hawaii Island’s more rugged, verdant counterpart, with vibrant valleys and majestic waterfalls in a magical, rainy setting. Start your drive from Hilo via the Hamakua Heritage Corridor. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to stop at botanical gardens, waterfalls, and scenic outlooks. You’ll likely hit some crowds at the more popular spots like Rainbow Falls and Waipio Valley Lookout, but if it’s your first time to the island, these locations are still worth a visit. I recommend stopping for lunch and a tour at Hawaiian Vanilla Co. , a small, family-owned farm that offers vanilla-themed dishes and a tasting tour. The drive ends in the agricultural town of Waimea, and if you don't stop for lunch at the vanilla farm, grab a burger at Village Burger Waimea, where the beef is as fresh and local as possible.

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Hawaii Island offers travelers the chance to visit Ka Lae , the southernmost point in the U.S. Holding much cultural significance, Ka Lae (or “the point” in Hawaiian) is believed to be where the first Polynesian voyagers landed in Hawaii and one of the earliest settlements on the islands. Evidence of the ancient Hawaiians remains there to this day, including an ancient fishing shrine, marked by stone walls and a platform where fish was once prepared. To get there, drive to the end of South Point Road in Naʻalehu on Hawaii Island until you reach the 69 and 90 mile markers. You’ll be perched atop high cliffs where the ocean crashes below. Once you finish reveling in this sacred space, head over to Papakolea Beach, one of just four green-sand beaches in the world.

Hanalei Pier

Hanalei Pier is a must-visit spot on Kauai . Walk out onto the pier, where local kids like to jump off, and soak in the sweeping vistas of the bay, veiled in rain clouds and teeming with vibrant greenery. Hanalei is my favorite surf spot, where the cold river water meets the warm, salty sea. If you’re not experienced, you can always sit and watch people ride the waves, called heʻe nalu in Hawaiian. While in Hanalei, combine your visit with some responsible tourism and leave Hawaii better than when you arrived.

You can volunteer at the Waipā Foundation , a living learning center that perpetuates Hawaiian values and stewards more than 1,600 acres of land. Every fourth Saturday of the month, the public is welcomed to help take care of the land — whether reforesting native plants or restoring a fishpond — in an action called malama 'aina .