the history of tourism in hawaii

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Humble Beginnings Much has changed about the Hawaiʻi visitor industry since May 14, 1902, when W. C. Weedon convinced a group of Honolulu businessmen to pay him to advertise the Territory of Hawaiʻi on the Mainland. But one thing has stayed the same: Throughout the years, the entities which have promoted Hawaiʻi to the world have also had to promote themselves to Hawaiʻi. Despite the grumbling of powerful sugar planters, it was under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Association that the business of tourism promotion began. Weedon's proposal was to collect $100 per month for six months of lecture tours, and a 'magic lantern' show. Pictures, then as now, could tell Hawaiʻi's story better than anything except the recounted memories of people who had been here. Armed with his stereopticon and some tinted scenes of Hawaiʻi, Weedon boarded the ship for San Francisco with "a realistic and truthful representation of those remarkable people and beautiful lands of Hawaiʻi." There had been some precedence for tourism promotion in 1892, in the Hawaiʻi Bureau of Information. That effort fizzled, but when Hawaiʻi became a territory, it drew adventuresome travelers in a tourism boom around the turn of the century. Hotels blossomed, including Waikīkī's oldest surviving hostelry, the Moana Hotel, in 1901. Then, according to published accounts, the tourists stopped coming--possibly because Honolulu was swept by bubonic plague in 1899 and 1900. There were reports that Los Angeles was anticipating a bumper crop of tourists for the winter of 1902. Competition had already begun. The plan was to persuade California visitors to go "a little farther" when they were out West, and see Hawaiʻi, too. The time was right! Due, in great part to the writings of men like Mark Twain and Robert Louis Stevenson, Weedon drew packed houses on the West Coast, and soon wrote back to the merchants: "At every point I go, I find people ready and eager to learn more of Hawaiʻi." He urged them to provide, "some literature which may bear upon the advantages of our islands for rest and pleasure seekers..." Hawaiʻi had nothing to send, but efforts were already underway to launch systematic tourism advertising. On July 19, 1902, the Merchants Association proposed a permanent tourism promotion bureau. By 1903 a source of funding had been secured--a share of the voluntary tonnage tax shippers levied after the plague to rat-proof the docks and later to create a public health emergency fund and to promote business. That same year, the first Territorial Legislature debated tourism promotion for the first time--and rejected the Joint Tourist Committee's request for $10,000. Then Governor Sanford Dole backed the chamber's plea for reconsideration and $15,000 was approved for what became the Hawaiʻi Promotion Committee. Before the year was out, the new Alexander Young Hotel opened downtown, with the new tourism office in it manned by Edward Boyd, and about 2,000 visitors came to enjoy Hawaiʻi's version of paradise, after advertisements promising perpetual spring and romance appeared in national magazines. An early vest-pocket map and guide described, Honolulu--What to See and How to See It. The guide, one of the promotional pieces distributed with the help of steamship and railway agencies, advised that if taxi fares seemed too high, visitors could collect a refund from the Tourist Bureau. Another early pamphlet contained a bit of pithy prose from a speech by a talented California newspaper columnist, Mark Twain, correspondent for the Sacramento Union. Hawaiʻi tourism promoters and others have used his lines time and again since then: "No alien land in all the world has any deep strong charm for me but that one; no other land could so longingly and beseechingly haunt me sleeping and waking..." Hawaiʻi, he wrote, is "the loveliest fleet of islands anchored in any ocean." Over the decades, promotional efforts grew and so did the number of tourists. The tourism promotion agency acquired another new name, the Hawaiʻi Tourist Bureau in 1919, a new executive secretary, George Armitage in 1920, and a new function of counting visitors (8,000) and rooms in 1921. The governor appointed four members to the bureau to represent all the major islands, and the agency had a vastly expanded budget ($100,000) in 1922. Colorful community events were staged, usually involving flowers and parades. Entertainment flourished to keep the visitors occupied. Wonderfully wacky hapa-haole music was performed to ukulele and steel guitar. The tourist hula show was born, and instantly became controversial. The missionary families still considered the hula to be immoral, but the tourists loved it. The Bureau took part in many promotional activities over the years, but the most enduring and successful was launched in 1935 as the radio program, Hawaiʻi Calls. Originated, produced and narrated by Webley Edwards, it was broadcast for nearly four decades to the Mainland, Canada and Australia every Saturday, usually from the Moana Hotel's lanai on Waikīkī Beach. Listeners grew up with the sounds of Hawaiʻi from that popular show and developed lifelong desires to see and hear the real thing. In 1941, a record year, in which 31,846 visitors arrived, World War II brought an abrupt end to tourism in Hawaiʻi. Three years later, the Chamber of Commerce began bringing it back to life with a Hawaiʻi Travel Bureau, which concerned itself with leaving a friendly Territorial impression on the servicemen who were soon to go home. In 1945, the Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau was launched. Major Mark Egan was named secretary, and a whole new era of Hawaiʻi tourism promotion began. A group of businessmen borrowed $20,000 and launched Aloha Week in 1947 to boost tourism in the otherwise slow fall season. An important priority was to get the ocean liner Lurline back in the passenger business after her wartime duty. It cost Matson $19 million, but in the spring of 1948, with an exuberant welcome by some 150,000 people and an 80 vessel escort arranged by the HVB, she steamed into Honolulu Harbor to reclaim her title as "glamour girl of the Pacific." In 1948, American President Lines resumed plying the Pacific and scheduled air service was inaugurated to Hawaiʻi. A long maritime strike in 1949 cut Hawaiʻi tourism in half, to 25,000 visitors and the Legislature agreed to match private contributions to the tourism promotion budget. That made it a million-dollar proposition over two years: Advertising on the Mainland; transmitting and financing Hawaiʻi Calls; special displays; Mainland offices; movies; publicity; literature; guides; warrior markers; music and hula to greet arriving ships and planes, and an HVB flower lei for every visitor! Special people got special greetings. The Lurline herself got a steamship sized lei, 80 feet of orange crepe paper, during the 1948 reception. Actor Joe E. Brown (and his invisible rabbit co-star) came to play in Harvey in 1950 and was greeted by the HVB with a lei of carrots. In 1953, the HVB held a pretty face contest and selected hula dancer Mae Beimes as the first official HVB Poster Girl. Her sweet smile and proffered plumeria lei adorned a poster that is still a part of Hawaiʻi history. Beimes was succeeded later by Beverly Rivera Noa, and Rose Marie Alvaro, a dancer who posed for four posters, and followed by Liz Logue, Tracy Monsarrat and Zoe Ann Roach, they became Hawaiʻi's best known representatives around the world. Statehood in 1959 brought with it the arrival of the first jet service to Honolulu. Tourism exploded. Waikīkī began to build up (and up). Sheer numbers eroded some of the personal touch like a lei greeting for every arriving visitor. But the Bureau hit the road. Hawaiian entertainers and promotion experts circled the globe to spread the Island word. The HVB metamorphosed again in 1961, when it began doing business under contract to the State Department of Planning and Economic Development. Private contributions had slacked off--industry leaders were spending more on their own advertising--while government funding increased. The 50-50 funding became two-thirds state, and one-third private financing of HVB efforts. In the mid 1960's, for the first time, advertisements circulated at home in Hawaiʻi pointing out the benefits of tourism to the community. At the same time other Pacific Rim nations were sending emissaries to the HVB to get the experts' advice and training on how to set up a tourism bureau. They included Australia, Canada, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Taiwan, Korea and Alaska. The HVB diversified to include a Meetings & Conventions department, and later a Visitor Services department. Steadily during the 60's, 70's, and 80's the millions of tourists added up, and the HVB and Hawaiʻi learned to cope with the problems of success. The yearly tourism total reached nearly seven million people in 1990. 1991 was the breakpoint year for Hawaiʻi's visitor industry. The Gulf War raised fuel prices, detoured aircraft and decreased lift capacity to the Islands. Coupled with a downturn in both the U.S. and Japan economies, a drying up in overseas capital investment, and a reticence among eastbound visitors to come to the U.S. amidst threats of terrorism, arrivals and airline seats decreased through 1994. During 1995 & 1996, the organization was shifted from a community/government model to a business model emphasizing public/private partnerships. The organization became leaner, more flexible and proactive. New goals, performance standards and accountability measures were established. New initiatives were conceived, but programs were still hindered by a budget that would never allow Hawaiʻi to compete effectively with other destinations' investments. The Japanese market grew steadily for the next three years, reaching its highest visitor count in 1997. But, the U.S. Mainland market was still relatively stagnant during this time. In July 1996, the name was officially changed to the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, to reflect a new emphasis on business/meeting travel and a new responsibility for marketing the world class, state-of-the-art Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The $350 million Center officially opened in June 1998 and represented the first significant tourism-related construction in over five years. The nature of tourism promotion changed to keep pace with the rest of the world. The advertising programs that had sold Hawaiʻi with pretty girls and palm trees began to stress the Islands' diversity, its Hawaiian culture and history, and the wide range of sports, activities, and cuisine. We began to appeal to a wider base of travelers who wanted more of what Hawaiʻi really is. While the competition has intensified, Hawaiʻi remained one of the world's most desired destinations. Unsurpassed natural beauty, pristine physical environment, and diversity of islands, combined with our world-famous spirit of "aloha", continue to be an unbeatable product. Some things don't change all that much! What did change were management, vision and politics. By 1997, it was obvious to everyone, from the Governor and Legislature to the man on the street that if we wanted to compete on a global scale, Hawaiʻi needed to stimulate structural & foundational changes. As James Michener once said, "Nothing that ever prospered on these islands ever did so without a struggle." The Governor convened the "ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION TASK FORCE (ERTF)." This unique coalition of community and government, counties and businesses established several key initiatives. For tourism, Hawaiʻi's number one economic driver and the catalyst for many inter-related industries, a special Tourism Bill was passed by the 1998 Legislature. It established the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) with dedicated funding at a more globally competitive level. Its purpose is to create a strategic vision and direction for tourism and implement the key initiatives for sustainable, social and economic benefits for all of the Islands of Hawaiʻi. By 1999, dedicated funding was a reality and the HVCB was ready for the "new economy" challenges and opportunities. Our marketing mission is to create sustainable, diversified, global, leisure and business travel demand for all of these Islands of Aloha. The Bureau is uniquely qualified to serve the people of Hawaiʻi as a publicly supported, private corporation whose singular goal is to showcase and celebrate Hawaiʻi's diversity and aloha to the world; to encourage people to reawaken their senses and rejuvenate their spirit in Hawaiʻi; and to return again and again. HVCB is a vanguard organization. It is dedicated to creating a new 'Gold Standard' for destination marketing, and its primary product is the world's most-desired destination. Hawaiʻi, The Islands of Aloha.

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UHERO The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawaii

Creating “Paradise of the Pacific”: How Tourism Began in Hawaii

February 6, 2015
James Mak , Economy , Working Papers

UHERO’s Justin Tyndall cited in the 2024 Economic Report of the President

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This article recounts the early years of one of the most successful tourist destinations in the world, Hawaii, from about 1870 to 1940. Tourism began in Hawaii when faster and more predictable steamships replaced sailing vessels in trans-Pacific travel. Governments (international, national, and local) were influential in shaping the way Hawaii tourism developed, from government mail subsidies to steamship companies, local funding for tourism promotion, and America’s protective legislation on domestic shipping. Hawaii also reaped a windfall from its location at the crossroads of the major trade routes in the Pacific region. The article concludes with policy lessons.

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History in Hawaii

The First Hawaiians

Throughout the Middle Ages, while Western sailors clung to the edges of continents for fear of falling off the earth’s edge, Polynesian voyagers crisscrossed the planet’s largest ocean. The first people to colonize Hawaii were unsurpassed navigators. Using the stars, birds, and currents as guides, they sailed double-hulled canoes across thousands of miles, zeroing in on tiny islands in the center of the Pacific. They packed their vessels with food, plants, medicine, tools, and animals: everything necessary for building a new life on a distant shore. Over a span of 800 years, the great Polynesian migration connected a vast triangle of islands stretching from New Zealand to Hawaii to Easter Island and encompassing the many diverse archipelagos in between. Archaeologists surmise that Hawaii’s first wave of settlers came via the Marquesas Islands sometime after A.D. 1000, though oral histories suggest a much earlier date.

Over the ensuing centuries, a distinctly Hawaiian culture arose. Sailors became farmers and fishermen. These early Hawaiians were as skilled on land as they had been at sea; they built highly productive fish ponds, aqueducts to irrigate terraced kalo loi (taro patches), and 3-acre heiau (temples) with 50-foot-high rock walls. Farmers cultivated more than 400 varieties of kalo , their staple food; 300 types of sweet potato; and 40 different bananas. Each variety served a different need—some were drought resistant, others medicinal, and others good for babies. Hawaiian women fashioned intricately patterned kapa (barkcloth)—some of the finest in all of Polynesia. Each of the Hawaiian Islands was its own kingdom, governed by ali‘i (high-ranking chiefs) who drew their authority from an established caste system and kapu (taboos). Those who broke the kapu could be sacrificed.

The ancient Hawaiian creation chant, the Kumulipō , depicts a universe that began when heat and light emerged out of darkness, followed by the first life form: a coral polyp. The 2,000-line epic poem is a grand genealogy, describing how all species are interrelated, from gently waving seaweeds to mighty human warriors. It is the basis for the Hawaiian concept of kuleana , a word that simultaneously refers to privilege and responsibility. To this day, Native Hawaiians view the care of their natural resources as a filial duty and honor.

Western Contact

Cook’s Ill-Fated Voyage

In the dawn hours of January 18, 1778, Captain James Cook of the HMS Resolution spotted an unfamiliar set of islands, which he later named for his benefactor, the Earl of Sandwich. The 50-year-old sea captain was already famous in Britain for “discovering” much of the South Pacific. Now on his third great voyage of exploration, Cook had set sail from Tahiti northward across uncharted waters. He was searching for the mythical Northwest Passage that was said to link the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. On his way, he stumbled upon Hawaii (aka the Sandwich Isles) quite by chance.

With the arrival of the Resolution , Stone Age Hawaii entered the age of iron. Sailors swapped nails and munitions for fresh water, pigs, and the affections of Hawaiian women. Tragically, the foreigners brought with them a terrible cargo: syphilis, measles, and other diseases that decimated the Hawaiian people. Captain Cook estimated the native population at 400,000 in 1778. (Later historians claim it could have been as high as 900,000.) By the time Christian missionaries arrived 40 years later, the number of Native Hawaiians had plummeted to just 150,000.

In a skirmish over a stolen boat, Cook was killed by a blow to the head. His British countrymen sailed home, leaving Hawaii forever altered. The islands were now on the sea charts, and traders on the fur route between Canada and China stopped here to get fresh water. More trade—and more disastrous liaisons—ensued.

Two more sea captains left indelible marks on the islands. The first was American John Kendrick, who in 1791 filled his ship with fragrant Hawaiian sandalwood and sailed to China. By 1825, Hawaii’s sandalwood groves were gone. The second was Englishman George Vancouver, who in 1793 left behind cows and sheep, which ventured out to graze in the islands’ native forest and hastened the spread of invasive species. King Kamehameha I sent for cowboys from Mexico and Spain to round up the wild livestock, thus beginning the islands’ paniolo (cowboy) tradition.

King Kamehameha I was an ambitious ali‘i who used western guns to unite the islands under single rule. After his death in 1819, the tightly woven Hawaiian society began to unravel. One of his successors, Queen Kaahumanu, abolished the kapu system, opening the door for religion of another form.

Staying to Do Well

In April 1820, missionaries bent on converting Hawaiians arrived from New England. The newcomers clothed the natives, banned them from dancing the hula, and nearly dismantled the ancient culture. The churchgoers tried to keep sailors and whalers out of the bawdy houses, where whiskey flowed and the virtue of native women was never safe. To their credit, the missionaries created a 12-letter alphabet for the Hawaiian language, taught reading and writing, started a printing press, and began recording the islands’ history, which until that time had been preserved solely in memorized chants.

Children of the missionaries became business leaders and politicians. They married Hawaiians and stayed on in the islands, causing one wag to remark that the missionaries “came to do good and stayed to do well.” In 1848, King Kamehameha III enacted the Great Mahele (division). Intended to guarantee Native Hawaiians rights to their land, it ultimately enabled foreigners to take ownership of vast tracts of land. Within two generations, more than 80% of all private land was in haole (foreign) hands. Businessmen planted acre after acre of sugarcane and imported waves of immigrants to work the fields: Chinese starting in 1852, Japanese in 1885, and Portuguese in 1878.

King David Kalakaua was elected to the throne in 1874. This popular “Merrie Monarch” built Iolani Palace in 1882, threw extravagant parties, and lifted the prohibitions on hula and other native arts. For this, he was much loved. He proclaimed, “hula is the language of the heart and, therefore, the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.” He also gave Pearl Harbor to the United States; it became the westernmost bastion of the U.S. Navy. While visiting chilly San Francisco in 1891, King Kalakaua caught a cold and died in the royal suite of the Sheraton Palace. His sister, Queen Liliuokalani, assumed the throne.

The Overthrow

For years, a group of American sugar plantation owners and missionary descendants had been machinating against the monarchy. On January 17, 1893, with the support of the U.S. minister to Hawaii and the Marines, the conspirators imprisoned Queen Liliuokalani in her own palace. To avoid bloodshed, she abdicated the throne, trusting that the United States government would right the wrong. As the Queen waited in vain, she penned the sorrowful lyric “Aloha Oe,” Hawaii’s song of farewell.

U.S. President Grover Cleveland’s attempt to restore the monarchy was thwarted by Congress. Sanford Dole, a powerful sugar plantation owner, appointed himself president of the newly declared Republic of Hawaii. His fellow sugarcane planters, known as the Big Five, controlled banking, shipping, hardware, and every other facet of economic life in the Islands. In 1898, through annexation, Hawaii became an American territory ruled by Dole.

Oahu’s central Ewa Plain soon filled with row crops. The Dole family planted pineapple on its sprawling acreage. Planters imported more contract laborers from Puerto Rico (1900), Korea (1903), and the Philippines (1907–31). Many of the new immigrants stayed on to establish families and become a part of the islands. Meanwhile, Native Hawaiians became a landless minority. Their language was banned in schools and their cultural practices devalued.

For nearly a century in Hawaii, sugar was king, generously subsidized by the U.S. government. Sugar is a thirsty crop, and plantation owners oversaw the construction of flumes and aqueducts that channeled mountain streams down to parched plains, where waving fields of cane soon grew. The waters that once fed taro patches dried up. The sugar planters dominated the territory’s economy, shaped its social fabric, and kept the islands in a colonial plantation era with bosses and field hands. But the workers eventually went on strike for higher wages and improved working conditions, and the planters found themselves unable to compete with cheap third-world labor costs.

Tourism Takes Hold

Tourism in Hawaii began in the 1860s. Kilauea volcano was one of the world’s prime attractions for adventure travelers. In 1865 a grass structure known as Volcano House was built on the rim of Halemaumau Crater to shelter visitors; it was Hawaii’s first hotel. The visitor industry blossomed as the plantation era peaked and waned.

In 1901 W. C. Peacock built the elegant Beaux Arts Moana Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and W. C. Weedon convinced Honolulu businessmen to bankroll his plan to advertise Hawaii in San Francisco. Armed with a stereopticon and tinted photos of Waikiki, Weedon sailed off in 1902 for 6 months of lecture tours to introduce “those remarkable people and the beautiful lands of Hawaii.” He drew packed houses. A tourism promotion bureau was formed in 1903, and about 2,000 visitors came to Hawaii that year.

The steamship was Hawaii’s tourism lifeline. It took 4 1/2 days to sail from San Francisco to Honolulu. Streamers, leis, and pomp welcomed each Matson liner at downtown’s Aloha Tower. Well-heeled visitors brought trunks, servants, and Rolls-Royces and stayed for months. Hawaiians amused visitors with personal tours, floral parades, and hula shows.

Beginning in 1935 and running for the next 40 years, Webley Edwards’s weekly live radio show, “Hawaii Calls,” planted the sounds of Waikiki—surf, sliding steel guitar, sweet Hawaiian harmonies, drumbeats—in the hearts of millions of listeners in the United States, Australia, and Canada.

By 1936, visitors could fly to Honolulu from San Francisco on the Hawaii Clipper , a seven-passenger Pan American Martin M-130 flying boat, for $360 one-way. The flight took 21 hours, 33 minutes. Modern tourism was born, with five flying boats providing daily service. The 1941 visitor count was a brisk 31,846 through December 6.

World War II & Statehood

On December 7, 1941, Japanese Zeros came out of the rising sun to bomb American warships based at Pearl Harbor. This was the “day of infamy” that plunged the United States into World War II.

The attack brought immediate changes to the islands. Martial law was declared, stripping the Big Five cartel of its absolute power in a single day. German and Japanese Americans were interned. Hawaii was “blacked out” at night, Waikiki Beach was strung with barbed wire, and Aloha Tower was painted in camouflage. Only young men bound for the Pacific came to Hawaii during the war years. Many came back to graves in a cemetery called Punchbowl.

The postwar years saw the beginnings of Hawaii’s faux culture. The authentic traditions had long been suppressed, and into the void flowed a consumable brand of aloha. Harry Yee invented the Blue Hawaii cocktail and dropped in a tiny Japanese parasol. Vic Bergeron created the mai tai, a drink made of rum and fresh lime juice, and opened Trader Vic’s, America’s first themed restaurant that featured the art, decor, and food of Polynesia. Arthur Godfrey picked up a ukulele and began singing hapa-haole tunes on early TV shows. In 1955, Henry J. Kaiser built the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the 11-story high-rise Princess Kaiulani Hotel opened on a site where the real princess once played. Hawaii greeted 109,000 visitors that year.

In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. That year also saw the arrival of the first jet airliners, which brought 250,000 tourists to the state. By the 1980s, Hawaii’s visitor count surpassed 6 million. Fantasy megaresorts bloomed on the neighbor islands like giant artificial flowers, swelling the luxury market with ever-swankier accommodations. Hawaii’s tourist industry—the bastion of the state’s economy—has survived worldwide recessions, airline-industry hiccups, and increased competition from overseas. Year after year, the Hawaiian Islands continue to be ranked among the top visitor destinations in the world.

Who Is Hawaiian in Hawaii?

Only kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) are truly Hawaiian. The sugar and pineapple plantations brought so many different people to Hawaii that the state is now a remarkable potpourri of ethnic groups: Native Hawaiians were joined by Caucasians, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Koreans, Portuguese, Puerto Ricans, Samoans, Tongans, Tahitians, and other Asian and Pacific Islanders. Add to that a sprinkling of Vietnamese, Canadians, African Americans, American Indians, South Americans, and Europeans of every stripe. Many people retained the traditions of their homeland and many more blended their cultures into something new. That is the genesis of Hawaiian Pidgin, local cuisine, and holidays and celebrations unique to these Islands.

Speaking Hawaiian

Nearly everyone in Hawaii speaks English, though many people now also speak ōlelo Hawaii , the native language of these islands. Most roads, towns, and beaches possess vowel-heavy Hawaiian names, so it will serve you well to practice pronunciation before venturing out to ‘Aiea or Nu‘uanu.

The Hawaiian alphabet has only 12 letters: 7 consonants ( h, k, l, m, n, p, and w ) and 5 vowels ( a, e, i, o, and u )—but those vowels are liberally used! Usually they are “short,” pronounced: ah, ay, ee, oh, and oo. For example, wahine (woman) is wah-hee-nay . Most vowels are pronounced separately, but on occasion they are sounded together with the “long” pronunciation: ay, ee, eye, oh, and you . For example, Wai‘anae on Oahu’s leeward coast is Why-ah-ny .

Two pronunciation marks can help you sound your way through Hawaiian names. The okina, a backwards apostrophe, indicates a glottal stop or a slight pause. The kahakō is a line over a vowel indicating stress. Observing these rules, you can tell that Pā‘ia, a popular surf town on Maui’s North Shore, is pronounced PAH-ee-ah . The Likelike Highway is lee-KAY-lee-KAY .

Incorporate aloha (hello, goodbye, love) and mahalo (thank you) into your vocabulary. If you’ve just arrived, you’re a malihini (newcomer). Someone who’s been here a long time is a kama‘āina (child of the land). When you finish a job or your meal, you are pau (finished). On Friday, it’s pau hana , work finished. You eat pūpū (appetizers) when you go pau hana . Note: Hawaiian punctuation marks are not included in this edition, but you will see them on road signs, menus, and publications throughout Hawaii.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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University of Hawai'i Press

Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy Planning in Hawaii

Additional information.

About the Book

Developing a Dream Destination is an interpretive history of tourism and tourism policy development in Hawai‘i from the 1960s to the twenty-first century. Part 1 looks at the many changes in tourism since statehood (1959) and tourism’s imprint on Hawai‘i. Part 2 reviews the development of public policy toward tourism, beginning with a story of the planning process that started around 1970—a full decade before the first comprehensive State Tourism Plan was crafted and implemented. It also examines state government policies and actions taken relative to the taxation of tourism, tourism promotion, convention center development and financing, the environment, Honolulu County’s efforts to improve Waikiki, and how the Neighbor Islands have coped with explosive tourism growth. Along the way, author James Mak offers interpretations of what has worked, what has not, and why. He concludes with a chapter on the lessons learned while developing a dream destination over the past half century.

About the Author(s)

James Mak, Author

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Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy Planning in Hawaii

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This is an interpretive history of tourism and tourism policy development in Hawaii from the 1960s to the twenty-first century. Part 1 looks at the many changes in tourism since statehood (1959) and tourism’s imprint on Hawaii. Part 2 reviews the development of public policy toward tourism, beginning with a story of the planning process that started around 1970—a full decade before the first comprehensive State Tourism Plan was crafted and implemented. It also examines state government policies and actions taken relative to the taxation of tourism, tourism promotion, convention center development and financing, the environment, Honolulu County’s efforts to improve Waikiki, and how the Neighbor Islands have coped with explosive tourism growth. Along the way, the book offers interpretations of what has worked, what has not, and why. It concludes with a chapter on the lessons learned while developing a dream destination over the past half century.

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Hawaii Hotels

The history of tourism in hawaii.

Hawaii, the 50th state of the United States, has a rich history of tourism that dates back to the 19th century. The Hawaiian Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, have long been a popular destination for American tourists looking for a tropical escape. From the early days of American expansionism to the present-day global travel industry, Hawaii has been a hub of tourism activity.

Early Origins of American Tourists in Hawaii

Hawaii first became a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s, when American sailors and business people began to travel to the islands for work and leisure. These early tourists were drawn to Hawaii’s warm weather, lush landscapes, and exotic culture. The first luxury hotel in Hawaii, the Moana Hotel, was built in 1901 on the island of Oahu. This hotel helped to establish Hawaii as a tourist destination and set the stage for the growth of the tourism industry in the islands.

The Growth of Tourism in Oahu

Oahu, the third-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, has been the center of tourism activity in Hawaii since the early days of American tourism. The island is home to the state capital, Honolulu, and is the hub of business and cultural activity in the state. Oahu’s popularity as a tourist destination has been driven by its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and rich history.

In the early 20th century, Oahu became a popular destination for American soldiers and sailors, who were drawn to the island’s exotic culture and warm climate. The growth of the military presence in Hawaii during World War II helped to further establish the island as a popular tourist destination. After the war, the island became a popular destination for American tourists, who were drawn to its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage.

The Growth of Tourism in the Other Hawaiian Islands

While Oahu has been the center of tourism activity in Hawaii, the other Hawaiian islands have also seen significant growth in tourism in recent decades. The island of Maui, in particular, has become a popular destination for tourists, who are drawn to its beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.

Maui is home to several luxury hotels , including the Grand Wailea , the Four Seasons Resort Maui , and the Ritz Carlton Kapalua . These hotels offer guests access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural exploration.

The island of Kauai, known as the “Garden Isle,” is another popular destination for tourists. Kauai is home to several luxury hotels, including the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. These hotels offer guests access to some of the most beautiful beaches and lush landscapes in the world.

The Island of Hawaii

The island of Hawaii, also known as the “Big Island,” has become a popular destination for tourists in recent years. The island is home to several luxury hotels, including the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. These hotels offer guests access to some of the most beautiful beaches and lush landscapes in the world, as well as opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural exploration.

Tourism has had a profound impact on the Hawaiian Islands, bringing economic growth and cultural preservation to the state. Over the years, the industry has created jobs, supported local businesses, and showcased the rich cultural heritage of the islands.

The Hawaiian Islands are a popular destination for millions of tourists from around the world, who are drawn to its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. From Oahu to Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, visitors are able to experience the unique beauty and diversity of the Hawaiian Islands.

While the tourism industry has faced criticism and controversy in recent years, it is important to recognize the positive impact it has had on the Hawaiian economy and culture. Through responsible tourism practices and sustainable development, the industry can continue to support local communities and preserve the rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands for future generations to enjoy.

Thomas Magnum

A Better Way to Visit Hawai‘i

How will hawai‘i—facing climate change, overtourism, and a push to reclaim native lands—welcome travelers again.

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Rethinking Hawai‘i

Brendan George Ko

In July, suddenly it seemed as if everyone I knew was traveling to, or had just returned from, Hawai‘i. Neighbors. Friends. Social media acquaintances. And they all came back saying a version of the same thing: I feel so rejuvenated. I needed that. I was so burnt out.

On the one hand, I was happy for them. It’s been a trying couple of years, and who doesn’t want to take a break in a beautiful place? On the other hand, I wondered about the choice to visit now—especially given the staggering number of post-pandemic travelers —and about the mindset with which they visited.

Not because I wanted to travel-shame, but because I was fresh off a month-long dive into the stories you’ll soon read. Stories that take you back to the day in 1893 when American businessmen staged a coup d’état and overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy, stories that take you into the fight for Hawaiian sovereignty, and stories that offer suggestions for new ways to visit more conscientiously.

The questions posed here might make you uncomfortable. In fact, I hope they do. They made me uncomfortable. While I consider myself a thoughtful traveler I’ve traveled to Hawai‘i many times without a full grasp of the history of sovereignty, colonialism, and the oppression of Native Hawaiians, and without giving much thought to who was profiting from my visit and who might be suffering because of it.

I aim to hold on to that discomfort for as long as possible. For we, mainland travelers, should no longer be at the center of the conversation about Hawai‘i. It’s time for us to cede our desire to treat the islands as an escape in order to hear from the people who have made that escape possible for so long.

In the digital age, it’s easy to just book a trip with a couple of clicks—flight, hotels, restaurant reservations—but if we spend a bit more time reading, thinking, and educating ourselves, we can intentionally plan a trip that gives to the community just as much as it gives to us. —Aislyn Greene, deputy editor

Beyond Aloha: Hawai‘i Is Not Our Playground

“Have you sunbathed at Waikīkī Beach? Snorkeled at Shark’s Cove? If so, our route that morning [on O‘ahu] would have seemed confounding,” writes AFAR contributor Chris Colin in Hawai‘i Is Not Our Playground . “My guide Kajihiro drove us inland, away from the beaches and souvenir shops. Up a gentle hill we went, and at the top, he pulled over. We were pointed back down the hill now, looking at the most visited tourist destination in the whole state.

“As many as 4,000 people a day visit Ke Awalau o Pu‘uloa, the inlet shimmering faintly below us. Most of them know it by its newer name, Pearl Harbor. As I tried to picture warplanes roaring in, Kajihiro grabbed a worn binder from the backseat. Opening it up on his lap, he proceeded to walk me through all that had come before that moment in 1941, and all that had led to that moment—history omitted by the USS Arizona Memorial tour.”

Hawai‘i has been reinvented for the mainlander’s imagination, but its locals—facing historic overtourism and a crippling pandemic—are trying to change that.

>> Read the full story .

Hawaiian sovereignty, and what’s at stake

George Brendan Ko

In What Is the Hawai‘i Sovereignty Movement? a Hawaiian scholar explains the multifaceted movement asking the United States to return the lands taken during the 1893 coup d’état that overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy. “What’s at stake here is 1.75 million acres of land—close to half of the lands of the archipelago—and the right of the Hawai‘ian people to their own government,” says Dr. Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo‘ole Osorio. “But the sovereignty movement is not one monolithic thing. We do not agree among ourselves about what form that sovereignty should take.”

Aloha ‘Āina: It’s “love for our lands,” roughly, but so much more

“There’s a sense of the deification of the land and elevating the land to something bigger than just the scientific sum total of its parts. Not thinking of, for instance, volcanoes in the ocean as purely some sort of natural phenomena, but deifying them in a way that gives them a certain amount of unknowability—and being comfortable with that unknowability. Looking at a space and recognizing that this is bigger than humans will ever be able to comprehend, and we have to give some reverence to that and see ourselves as people who are in a relationship with something bigger than us.” —Kawai Strong Washburn, a climate activist and the author of the novel Sharks in the Time of Saviors , which follows the struggles and triumphs of a Hawaiian family touched by the divine.

Cultural Traditions: The Revival of Traditional Voyaging

“The canoe I usually sail for is called Mo‘okiha O Pi‘ilani. It’s a 62-foot-long double-hull canoe. It typically fits anywhere from 10 to 16 people. When we sail, the wa‘a is the vessel for so many different spirits. There’s the kūpuna , the ancestors. And there’s everybody who put their mana , their spirit energy, into creating the canoe, because there isn’t a company that makes them—it’s communities that get together and sand [the wood] endlessly till your hands are soft or bleeding. The voyaging canoe has my blood on it.” —Brendan George Ko, photographer and author of the new book Moemoeā , and member of Maui’s Hui O Wa‘a Kaulua voyaging community.

A New Way to Visit: How to Better Connect With the Islands

“Our whole thing is about interaction. I would rather meet you and develop a relationship with you so that you can come to us and talk about your plans and what you want to do and how you can be a good visitor on our island. . . . Because the minute you step off the plane, you have a responsibility to the people of Hawai‘i to mindfully think about what you’re doing here, where you’re going, where you’re shopping. Hawai‘i is a special place. When you come, what is your intention?” —Lesley Texeira, is the cofounder of the Maui-based company Aloha Missions. She and cofounder Tamika Recopuerto help visitors better connect with—and give back to—the island.

Giving Back: One Way to Support Maui’s Natural Spaces

“The vision from my dad that I try to carry on is that people need to understand why these cultural resources—in this case the archaeology and the plants and the rocks—are important to maintain. You don’t know what secrets they hold that we haven’t discovered yet.” —Edwin “Ekolu” Lindsey, president of Maui Cultural Lands, an organization that invites travelers to help restore the island’s natural spaces.

Tourism in Hawaii

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Tourism in Hawaii is big business. But why is this industry so important and what does it all mean? Read on to find out…

Tourism in Hawaii

The geography of hawaii , the tourism industry in hawaii , statistics about tourism in hawaii , the most popular tourist attractions in hawaii , the most popular types of tourism in hawaii , the economic impacts of tourism in hawaii , the social impacts of tourism in hawaii , the environmental impacts of tourism in hawaii , faqs about tourism in hawaii, to conclude: tourism in hawaii.

Hawaii, an archipelago of unparalleled beauty in the central Pacific, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of nature and culture. This article explores the intricacies of Hawaii’s tourism sector, discussing its profound impact on the state’s economy and its interplay with the islands’ rich heritage and traditions.

Hawaii is an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean and is the only U.S. state composed entirely of islands. It is located about 2,400 miles southwest of California. Here is an overview of the geography of Hawaii:

1. Islands: The Hawaiian Islands consist of eight main islands: Hawaii (also known as the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe. Each island has its own unique geography and characteristics.

2. Volcanoes: Hawaii is famous for its volcanic activity, and it is home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world. The Big Island of Hawaii is dominated by five volcanoes, including Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano on Earth, and Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

3. Mountains and Ranges: The islands of Hawaii feature dramatic mountain ranges and peaks. Mauna Kea, located on the Big Island, is the highest point in the state, rising to an elevation of 13,796 feet (4,205 metres) above sea level. Other prominent mountain ranges include the West Maui Mountains on Maui and the Koʻolau Range on Oahu.

4. Coastline: Hawaii has a diverse coastline with beautiful sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and rocky shores. The islands are known for their stunning coastal landscapes, including iconic spots like the Na Pali Coast on Kauai and the Road to Hana on Maui.

5. Rainforests: The islands of Hawaii are home to lush rainforests that thrive in the tropical climate. These rainforests are characterised by dense vegetation, including a variety of endemic plant species, vibrant flowers, and cascading waterfalls.

6. Coral Reefs: Hawaii is surrounded by extensive coral reef ecosystems that support a diverse array of marine life. The reefs are popular for snorkelling and scuba diving, offering opportunities to explore colourful coral formations and encounter marine species like sea turtles and tropical fish.

7. Climate: Hawaii has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The coastal areas experience mild temperatures, while higher elevations can be cooler. The islands also experience trade winds, which help keep the climate pleasant.

8. Agriculture: Agriculture plays a significant role in Hawaii’s economy and landscape. The islands are known for their agricultural products such as pineapples, macadamia nuts, coffee, and tropical fruits. You can find plantations and farms cultivating these crops across various islands.

9. National Parks: Hawaii is home to several national parks, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Haleakala National Park on Maui, and Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island. These parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, scenic views, and cultural exploration.

10. Marine Life: Hawaii’s waters are teeming with diverse marine life. Whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and a wide variety of fish species can be found in the surrounding ocean. The islands are popular for activities such as whale watching, swimming with dolphins, and exploring marine sanctuaries.

The geography of Hawaii is incredibly diverse and offers a wide range of natural wonders and outdoor experiences. From volcanoes and rainforests to stunning coastlines and marine ecosystems, Hawaii is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking adventure and relaxation.

The tourism industry in Hawaii is a significant contributor to the state’s economy and plays a vital role in its overall development. Here is an overview of the tourism industry in Hawaii:

1. Economic Importance: Tourism is one of the primary industries in Hawaii, contributing significantly to the state’s economy. It generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, provides employment opportunities, and supports various sectors such as accommodations, food and beverage services, transportation, and retail.

2. Natural and Cultural Attractions: Hawaii’s natural beauty, including its stunning beaches, volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and diverse marine life, attracts visitors from around the world. The state also boasts a rich cultural heritage with its indigenous Hawaiian traditions, music, hula, and historical sites, which add to the tourism appeal.

3. Beaches and Water Activities: Hawaii’s world-renowned beaches are a major draw for tourists. Visitors come to enjoy activities such as swimming, snorkelling, surfing, paddleboarding, and sunbathing. The islands offer a variety of beach experiences, from bustling coastal areas to secluded and pristine stretches of sand.

4. Outdoor Recreation: Hawaii’s diverse geography provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Visitors can hike through lush valleys, explore volcanic craters, go ziplining, take helicopter tours, go whale watching (during the winter months), and participate in eco-tours to experience the islands’ natural wonders.

5. Cultural Tourism: Hawaii’s unique cultural heritage is an important aspect of its tourism industry. Visitors can engage in cultural activities such as attending luau celebrations, visiting cultural and historical sites, learning about traditional arts and crafts, and experiencing traditional Hawaiian music and dance performances.

6. Hospitality Industry: The hospitality sector in Hawaii is well-developed, offering a wide range of accommodations, including luxury resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfasts. These establishments cater to various budgets and preferences, ensuring that tourists have options for their stay.

7. Cruise Tourism: Hawaii is a popular destination for cruise ships, with many major cruise lines offering itineraries that include the Hawaiian Islands. Cruise tourists can enjoy island hopping and experience multiple destinations during their trip.

8. Sustainable Tourism: Hawaii places a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism practices to protect its natural and cultural resources. Efforts are made to promote responsible tourism, conservation, and the preservation of the delicate ecosystems found across the islands.

9. Events and Festivals: Hawaii hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, attracting visitors with cultural celebrations, music festivals, sporting events, and more. Examples include the Merrie Monarch Festival (celebrating hula), the Honolulu Marathon, and the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival.

10. Economic Challenges: While tourism provides significant economic benefits, it also poses challenges. The industry’s heavy reliance on tourism revenue leaves the state vulnerable to fluctuations in the global economy, natural disasters, and external factors such as geopolitical events or travel restrictions.

Overall, tourism in Hawaii is a vital component of the state’s economy, offering visitors a chance to experience the unique natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality that the islands have to offer. It continues to play a central role in shaping Hawaii’s identity as a premier tourist destination.

Now lets put things into perspective. Here are some statistics about tourism in Hawaii:

1. Visitor Arrivals: In 2019, Hawaii welcomed approximately 10.4 million visitors, comprising both domestic and international travellers.

2. Visitor Expenditures: Visitor spending in Hawaii totaled $17.75 billion in 2019, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.

3. Economic Impact: The tourism industry in Hawaii directly and indirectly supported over 200,000 jobs in 2019, accounting for a substantial portion of the state’s employment.

4. International Visitors: The majority of visitors to Hawaii come from the United States. However, international travellers, primarily from Japan, Canada, and Australia, also contribute significantly to the tourism market.

5. Visitor Origin: The main source markets for Hawaii’s international visitors are Japan, Canada, Australia, China, South Korea, and New Zealand.

6. Accommodation Statistics: In 2019, Hawaii had over 80,000 lodging units available, including hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, and bed and breakfast establishments.

7. Length of Stay: The average length of stay for visitors in Hawaii varies by market. In 2019, the average length of stay for international visitors was around nine days, while domestic visitors stayed for about seven days on average.

8. Popular Activities: Some of the most popular activities for tourists in Hawaii include visiting beaches, exploring natural attractions like volcanoes and waterfalls, snorkelling, surfing, attending cultural events and festivals, and enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking and zip-lining.

9. Cruise Ship Passengers: Hawaii is a favoured destination for cruise ships. In 2019, over 1.2 million cruise ship passengers visited the state.

10. Repeat Visitors: Hawaii has a high rate of repeat visitors, with many tourists returning to the islands multiple times. Repeat visitors contribute to the sustained popularity of Hawaii as a travel destination.

These statistics provide insights into the scale and significance of tourism in Hawaii, showcasing its economic impact, visitor demographics, popular activities, and the importance of both domestic and international markets.

Hawaii is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Hawaii:

1. Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial (Oahu): This historic site honours the memory of those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Visitors can explore the USS Arizona Memorial and the accompanying museum to learn about the events of December 7, 1941.

2. Waikiki Beach (Oahu): Located in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous and iconic beaches in Hawaii. It offers golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and a vibrant atmosphere with numerous hotels, restaurants, and shopping opportunities.

3. Haleakala National Park (Maui): This national park is home to the Haleakala volcano, which offers stunning panoramic views from its summit. Visitors can go hiking, cycling, or simply witness the awe-inspiring sunrise or sunset from the summit.

4. Road to Hana (Maui): This scenic drive along the northeastern coast of Maui is famous for its breathtaking views of waterfalls, lush rainforests, and rugged coastal landscapes. The journey includes numerous stops at viewpoints, gardens, and natural attractions.

5. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island): This park is home to two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Visitors can explore volcanic landscapes, walk through lava tubes, and witness the incredible power of nature.

6. Na Pali Coast (Kauai): The Na Pali Coast is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, emerald-green valleys, and pristine beaches. Visitors can hike along the Kalalau Trail, take a boat tour, or even view the coast from a helicopter.

7. Waimea Canyon (Kauai): Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon offers breathtaking vistas with its colourful cliffs and lush vegetation. Hiking trails and scenic viewpoints provide opportunities for exploration and photography.

8. Akaka Falls State Park (Big Island): This park features the stunning 442-foot Akaka Falls, along with lush tropical vegetation and cascading streams. A short loop trail takes visitors through the rainforest, offering glimpses of other waterfalls as well.

9. Molokini Crater (Maui): A popular snorkelling and diving destination, Molokini Crater is a partially submerged volcanic crater that offers crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life.

10. Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu): Located in Laie, the Polynesian Cultural Center offers visitors a chance to experience the diverse Polynesian cultures through traditional performances, demonstrations, and exhibits.

These attractions showcase the natural wonders, historical sites, and cultural richness that make Hawaii such a popular tourist destination. However, Hawaii has much more to offer, and each island has its own unique attractions worth exploring.

Hawaii offers a diverse range of tourism experiences, catering to various interests and preferences. Here are some of the most popular types of tourism in Hawaii:

1. Beach Tourism: Hawaii is renowned for its stunning beaches with pristine sands and turquoise waters. Beach tourism is one of the primary attractions, offering opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, surfing, and other water activities.

2. Nature and Adventure Tourism: Hawaii’s natural landscapes provide ample opportunities for outdoor adventures. Visitors can hike through lush rainforests, explore volcanic craters, zipline across canyons, go horseback riding, and experience thrilling activities like helicopter tours and lava boat tours.

3. Cultural Tourism: Hawaii has a rich indigenous culture and a strong Polynesian heritage. Cultural tourism allows visitors to explore Hawaiian traditions, attend traditional ceremonies, participate in hula lessons, and learn about ancient Hawaiian arts and crafts.

4. Volcano Tourism: The active volcanoes in Hawaii, particularly Kilauea on the Big Island, attract visitors interested in experiencing the raw power of nature. Volcano tourism includes guided tours to volcanic sites, lava viewing, and educational exhibits at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

5. Marine and Water Sports Tourism: Hawaii’s crystal-clear waters offer fantastic opportunities for water sports and marine activities. Snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and whale watching (during the winter months) are popular activities among tourists.

6. Golf Tourism: Hawaii is home to world-class golf courses, attracting golf enthusiasts from around the globe. The islands offer stunning views and challenging courses, making it an ideal destination for golf tourism.

7. Wellness and Spa Tourism: Hawaii’s tranquil and serene environment lends itself well to wellness and relaxation. Many resorts and spas offer luxurious treatments, yoga retreats, meditation sessions, and holistic wellness experiences.

8. Culinary Tourism: Hawaii’s cuisine is a blend of diverse influences, including traditional Hawaiian, Asian, and Polynesian flavours. Culinary tourism allows visitors to indulge in unique dishes, attend food festivals, explore local markets, and even take cooking classes to learn the art of Hawaiian cuisine.

9. Eco-Tourism: With its diverse ecosystems and commitment to conservation, Hawaii is a great destination for eco-tourism. Visitors can engage in sustainable activities such as hiking in nature reserves, wildlife spotting, exploring botanical gardens, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.

10. Wedding and Honeymoon Tourism: Hawaii’s romantic ambiance, beautiful landscapes, and luxurious resorts make it a sought-after destination for weddings and honeymoons. Many couples choose Hawaii for its stunning beachfront ceremonies and unforgettable romantic experiences.

These types of tourism highlight the various attractions and experiences that draw visitors to Hawaii. Each island offers a unique blend of these tourism types, allowing travellers to tailor their experience based on their interests and desires.

The tourism industry in Hawaii has a significant economic impact on the state. Here are some key economic impacts of tourism in Hawaii:

1. Job Creation: Tourism in Hawaii is a major source of employment in Hawaii. The industry directly supports a wide range of jobs, including hotel and resort staff, restaurant and food service workers, tour guides, transportation providers, and retail employees. Additionally, there are indirect jobs created in industries that support tourism, such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

2. Revenue Generation: Tourism in Hawaii generates substantial revenue for the state of Hawaii. Visitor expenditures, including accommodation, dining, transportation, shopping, and recreational activities, contribute to the local economy. This revenue helps fund public services, infrastructure development, and community projects.

3. Small Business Support: The tourism industry in Hawaii provides opportunities for small businesses to thrive. Local entrepreneurs can establish businesses such as boutique hotels, tour operators, restaurants, souvenir shops, and artisanal products, benefiting from the influx of visitors.

4. Tax Revenue: Tourism in Hawaii contributes to tax revenue in Hawaii. Visitor-related taxes, such as hotel room taxes, rental car taxes, and general excise taxes on tourism-related goods and services, help fund government programs, services, and public infrastructure.

5. Investment and Development: The tourism industry attracts investment and promotes development in Hawaii. Hotel and resort construction, renovation projects, infrastructure upgrades, and the expansion of tourism-related services create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

6. Ancillary Industries: The tourism industry in Hawaii supports various ancillary industries. These include transportation services, such as airlines, rental car agencies, and taxi companies, as well as suppliers of goods and services to the tourism sector, such as food producers, wholesalers, and equipment providers.

7. Economic Diversification: Tourism in Hawaii plays a role in diversifying Hawaii’s economy. While the state has other important industries like agriculture and technology, tourism provides a stable source of revenue and employment, reducing dependence on a single sector.

8. Community Development: Tourism in Hawaii contributes to community development in Hawaii. Local communities benefit from the economic opportunities created by tourism, including job creation, increased consumer spending, and support for community initiatives, events, and cultural preservation.

9. Preservation of Cultural Heritage: The tourism industry in Hawaii helps preserve and promote the state’s rich cultural heritage. Cultural tourism provides opportunities for indigenous Hawaiian communities to share their traditions, arts, and history with visitors, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation.

10. Economic Resilience: Tourism in Hawaii can contribute to economic resilience in Hawaii. Despite challenges such as natural disasters or economic downturns, the tourism industry has shown resilience in bouncing back and driving the state’s economic recovery.

Overall, tourism is a vital economic driver in Hawaii, providing employment, revenue, and opportunities for businesses and communities. However, it is important to balance the positive economic impacts with sustainability and the preservation of Hawaii’s natural and cultural resources.

The tourism industry in Hawaii has significant social impacts on the state and its local communities. Here are some key social impacts of tourism in Hawaii:

1. Cultural Exchange: Tourism in Hawaii provides opportunities for cultural exchange between visitors and local communities in Hawaii. Visitors have the chance to learn about and appreciate the unique Hawaiian culture, traditions, and way of life. This exchange of ideas and perspectives fosters cultural understanding and appreciation.

2. Community Pride: The tourism industry in Hawaii helps instil a sense of pride and identity in local communities. It allows residents to showcase their culture, history, and natural beauty, reinforcing a sense of pride and appreciation for their homeland.

3. Preservation of Culture: Tourism in Hawaii can play a role in preserving and revitalising Hawaiian cultural traditions. Cultural tourism activities, such as hula performances, lei making workshops, and storytelling sessions, help preserve indigenous practices and provide economic opportunities for cultural practitioners.

4. Employment Opportunities: Tourism in Hawaii provides employment opportunities for local residents, including those in rural and remote areas. The industry offers diverse job prospects across various sectors, allowing individuals to develop skills and contribute to the local economy.

5. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development: Tourism in Hawaii encourages entrepreneurship and supports the growth of small businesses in Hawaii. Local residents can establish their own enterprises, such as tour operations, restaurants, souvenir shops, and bed and breakfast accommodations, benefiting from the tourist demand.

6. Community Development: The tourism industry can contribute to community development in Hawaii. Revenue generated from tourism can be reinvested in local infrastructure, public services, and community projects, improving the quality of life for residents.

7. Enhanced Infrastructure: The presence of tourists necessitates the development and improvement of infrastructure in Hawaii. This includes transportation networks, roads, airports, utilities, and recreational facilities. These upgrades benefit both residents and visitors, improving accessibility and enhancing the overall quality of infrastructure in the state.

8. Environmental Awareness and Conservation: Tourism in Hawaii can promote environmental awareness and conservation efforts. Visitors often seek out nature-based experiences, leading to a greater appreciation for the state’s fragile ecosystems. Tourism can support conservation initiatives and encourage sustainable practices to preserve Hawaii’s natural beauty.

9. Education and Cultural Revitalization: The tourism industry provides educational opportunities for residents. It can promote the teaching of local history, cultural traditions, and environmental conservation in schools, museums, and cultural centres, fostering a sense of identity and cultural pride among young people.

10. Social Connections and Networking: Tourism in Hawaii creates opportunities for social connections and networking among residents and visitors. It allows for interactions and friendships to form, fostering social cohesion and multicultural understanding.

While tourism brings positive social impacts, it is essential to manage the industry sustainably, respect local communities, and mitigate any negative social effects such as overcrowding, cultural appropriation, or displacement of local residents.

Tourism in Hawaii has both positive and negative environmental impacts. While the industry promotes appreciation for Hawaii’s natural beauty and can contribute to conservation efforts, it also places strain on fragile ecosystems. Here are some key environmental impacts of tourism in Hawaii:

1. Land Degradation: The development of hotels, resorts, and infrastructure for tourism can result in the conversion of natural land and habitats into built-up areas. This can lead to habitat fragmentation and loss of biodiversity, particularly in coastal and sensitive ecosystems.

2. Water Consumption and Pollution: Tourism in Hawaii places increased demands on water resources for hotels, resorts, golf courses, and other recreational facilities. This can strain local water supplies, especially in regions with limited freshwater availability. Additionally, improper waste management and pollution from tourism activities can negatively impact water quality in coastal areas.

3. Marine Ecosystem Impact: Activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and boating can have direct impacts on marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and marine life. Damage to coral reefs through improper anchoring, physical contact, or chemical pollution can lead to reef degradation and loss of habitat for marine species.

4. Waste Generation: The tourism industry generates significant amounts of waste, including solid waste, wastewater, and plastic pollution. Proper waste management and recycling practices are essential to minimise the environmental impact and preserve Hawaii’s natural beauty.

5. Energy Consumption: Hotels, resorts, and other tourism-related facilities require substantial energy for operations. High energy consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbates climate change. Efforts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy sources can help mitigate this impact.

6. Transportation-related Emissions: Tourism in Hawaii involves transportation of visitors to and within Hawaii, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions from air travel, cruise ships, rental cars, and other modes of transportation. These emissions contribute to climate change and air pollution.

7. Ecotourism Pressure: The popularity of ecotourism activities, such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and nature tours, can put pressure on fragile ecosystems and sensitive species. Overcrowding and unregulated access to natural areas can disrupt wildlife habitats and negatively impact their behaviour.

8. Invasive Species: Tourism in Hawaii can inadvertently introduce invasive plant and animal species to Hawaii’s delicate ecosystems. These invasive species can outcompete native species, disrupt natural habitats, and pose threats to biodiversity.

9. Cultural Impact on Indigenous Communities: As tourism in Hawaii brings more visitors, there is a risk of cultural impact on indigenous communities. Traditional practices and cultural sites may face pressures due to increased visitation, leading to erosion of cultural heritage and loss of sacred spaces.

10. Climate Change Vulnerability: Hawaii is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea-level rise, increased storm events, and changes in rainfall patterns. Tourism activities can contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the vulnerability of the islands and affecting natural ecosystems and coastal communities.

To mitigate these environmental impacts, sustainable tourism practices, conservation efforts, and responsible visitor behaviour are crucial. This includes promoting eco-friendly accommodations, encouraging sustainable transportation options, supporting local conservation initiatives, practising responsible waste management, and raising awareness among tourists about the importance of environmental stewardship.

Now that we know a bit more about tourism in Hawaii, lets answer some of the most common questions on this topic:

1. Q: What is the best time to visit Hawaii?

A: Hawaii’s weather is pleasant year-round. However, the months of April to June and September to November are considered the shoulder seasons with fewer crowds and lower prices.

2. Q: Is a passport required to travel to Hawaii?

A: No, if you are a U.S. citizen travelling from within the United States, a passport is not required. Hawaii is a part of the United States.

3. Q: What are the major airports in Hawaii?

A: The major airports in Hawaii are Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oahu, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui, Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island, and Lihue Airport (LIH) on Kauai.

4. Q: How many islands are there in Hawaii and which ones are popular for tourists?

A: Hawaii is composed of eight main islands, and the most popular islands for tourists are Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island), and Kauai.

5. Q: What are some must-visit attractions in Hawaii?

A: Some popular attractions include Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head in Honolulu, the Road to Hana and Haleakala National Park in Maui, Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and the Na Pali Coast in Kauai.

6. Q: Are there any cultural protocols or etiquette visitors should be aware of in Hawaii?

A: Yes, it is respectful to learn and observe some Hawaiian cultural protocols. For example, removing your shoes before entering someone’s home, respecting sacred sites, and asking for permission before taking photos of people or cultural events.

7. Q: Can you swim with dolphins or sea turtles in Hawaii?

A: While you can encounter dolphins and sea turtles in the waters around Hawaii, it is important to practise responsible wildlife viewing. Do not touch or chase marine life, and maintain a safe distance to avoid disturbing their natural behaviour.

8. Q: Are there any hiking trails in Hawaii?

A: Yes, Hawaii offers numerous hiking trails for all levels of experience. Some popular hikes include Diamond Head in Oahu, the Pipiwai Trail in Maui, the Koko Crater Trail in Oahu, and the Kalalau Trail in Kauai.

9. Q: Are there any safety concerns for tourists in Hawaii?

A: Overall, Hawaii is considered safe for tourists. However, it is important to exercise caution, secure your belongings, be aware of ocean safety, and follow any local advisories or warnings related to natural hazards or weather conditions.

10. Q: Are there any local customs or words visitors should know?

A: Learning a few basic Hawaiian words like “Aloha” (hello/goodbye), “Mahalo” (thank you), and “Ohana” (family) can show respect and appreciation for the local culture. It is also customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home.

Hawaii, a stunning archipelago in the central Pacific, is synonymous with idyllic beaches, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. The tourism industry in Hawaii plays a significant role in its economy, driving growth and creating job opportunities. Yet, with its prosperity comes the responsibility of mitigating the environmental and cultural impacts. At the close of this examination, it’s evident that careful management and conscious efforts are essential to ensure that Hawaii’s tourism sector remains sustainable, safeguarding its natural beauty and cultural heritage for the future.

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Hawaii Is a Paradise, but Whose?

A growing number of Hawaiians say that tourism isn’t working for them. Here’s how they are trying to change it.

By Tariro Mzezewa

Locals in Oahu know that the best way to get from Waikiki’s crowded beaches to the cool North Shore is to drive along the island’s eastern coast. The road is framed by mountains, ocean and greenery so lush and beautiful, it’s hard to focus the eye on one place for too long, for fear of missing the next scenic attraction.

On a recent trip along the route, something else stood out: the upside down Hawaiian flags flying at almost every stop.

The flag, which has the union jack in the bottom left corner, instead of the usual top left, hung in storefronts in Waikiki and was printed on T-shirts in Waimanalo, it was stuck on the bumpers of passing cars in Kailua and flying from the backs of trucks in Kahuku and other towns on the North Shore.

The flag has become a symbol of solidarity among Hawaiians who oppose the construction of a large new telescope on Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaii . Mauna Kea, at 32,000 feet from seafloor to summit, and with 13,796 feet above sea level, is one of the best places in the northern hemisphere, if not the world, to observe the cosmos, experts say. The telescope’s proponents say that it will bring hundreds of jobs to the island and advance humanity’s study of space.

But it has faced fierce resistance from some native Hawaiians for whom Mauna Kea is sacred ground and a place of roots, and their allies. Opponents of the telescope say they are tired of having their land taken for purposes that benefit others and for the often elusive promise of jobs that fail to deliver in terms of numbers or a living wage.

“The struggle at Mauna Kea right now is one of the biggest issues that has realigned many cultural political relationships in Hawaii,” said Kyle Kajihiro, an activist and lecturer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “It’s really quite an amazing emergence of Hawaiian activism of cultural awareness.”

The battle over the telescope has revealed fissures that have long existed in Hawaii, a place that is all but synonymous with tourism — the most-popular destination for honeymoons in the United States and a bucket-list perennial. The fight has inspired actions around the islands, all relating to how land is used and who benefits from it.

The spirit of protest is most visible in Oahu, where in Kahuku demonstrators have spent the last several months fighting the construction of eight wind turbines, each standing at 568 feet — taller than the tallest skyscraper in Honolulu. Protesters say the turbines will have adverse long term health effects on the population. The company building them says there is no evidence to support those claims and promises to bring jobs to the area. More than 160 people have been arrested there.

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In southeast Oahu, in September, 28 people were arrested trying to block the building of a park and recreation center in Waimanalo, a largely agricultural town. The developers behind the center say it will bring jobs and create a new community space, but opponents fear it will be a magnet for tourists and will destroy the forest and beach used by locals.

In Honolulu, in May, Hilton employees protested, demanding a better contract and job protections. In July, hotel employees went on strike to protest what they said were low wages and the firing of 45 workers by Diamond Resorts, an operator of multiple properties in the United States and Europe. The company said it would turn one of its hotels into a timeshare resort, which requires fewer workers than a traditional hotel.

“We value our dedicated team members at The Modern Honolulu and we were pleased to reach a contract agreement that includes a significant pay increase,” a spokesman for Diamond said. “We are continuing our planned efforts to convert the property into a world-class vacation ownership resort.”

Most people in Hawaii, especially in the tourism industry work more than one job to barely get by, said Bryant de Venecia, communications organizer for the workers’ union, Unite Here Local 5, which represents resort workers.

“Mauna Kea has lit a fire for Hawaiians who are tired of watching their land, resources and work be used at the expense of their well-being,” he said.

Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, according to the 2018 Annual Average Cost of Living Index by the Council for Community and Economic Research. Groceries, for example, cost 60 percent more than the national average.

“People are tired of being decorative — Hawaiians as well as people who live in Hawaii,” said Maile Meyer, who owns Nā Mea Hawai’i , a bookstore in Honolulu that sells products from smaller local makers. “Y ou’re seeing a phenomenon of natives gathering again and completely finding our way back to each other as part of the solution.”

Jobs aren’t enough

A common thread between these protests is that they are being led by locals. They say that since Europeans first arrived in the 18th century, Hawaiian land has been taken and misused by non-Hawaiians, and often to the detriment of Hawaiians and their traditions. The endeavors that have sparked these recent protests all promise jobs, just as tourism and defense have in the past.

But perhaps for the first time in recent Hawaiian history, natives and locals are saying the quality of these jobs is not good enough.

“We’re having to move away from quantity to quality,” said Laurien Baird Hokuli’i Helfrich-Nuss, the founder of Conscious Concepts , a company that works with local organizations on sustainable tourism initiatives. “Now that local people are getting more agency, they are learning more, going into a more curious space of saying ‘It’s great that this company is providing jobs, but what kind of jobs are they? Are they good jobs? Are they paying a livable wage?”

Tourism is the biggest driver of Hawaii’s economy, accounting for 21 percent of jobs. Nearly 10 million people visited the state in 2018 and in 2019, guest arrivals were expected to surpass that number, hitting a record high. And although more people are visiting Hawaii, they are spending less there.

Locals say that resorts are often owned and run by non-Hawaiians, with Hawaiian people employed in the lower-paying service jobs, and that development often benefits outsiders at the expense of native and local well-being.

“There historically hasn’t been enough consideration for how tourism and tourists can contribute to making life sustainable and really livable for the locals who serve them here,” Mr. de Venecia said.

More than a “play land”

The feeling of escape — of fleeing to a nearby paradise with stunning beaches and luxurious resorts — has long been Hawaii’s appeal to the traveling public. While the hottest trends in travel now are the search for authenticity and ways to experience local life, many people who visit Hawaii are looking to get away from daily life. They come to sit on the beach and drink a matai without thinking about much else. Their interaction with local culture is often limited to watching a hula show at the hotel luau.

“We realized a lot of folks who would visit us who would normally have more consciousness about history and social justice concerns seem to turn off that part of their brain when they think about Hawaii,” Mr. Kajihiro, the activist and lecturer, said, adding that people treat the islands as a “play land.”

But this decision to turn off their brains is hurting Hawaii and Hawaiians, he said.

While working for the American Friends Service Committee, the Quaker peace and justice organization, Mr. Kajihiro and his colleague Terrilee Kekoʻolani studied the environmental and social effects of colonization, militarization and overdevelopment of Hawaii. They learned that tourism was one of the industries with some of the most damaging effects on Oahu, he said, citing overcrowding, a higher cost of living and higher prices for goods.

The pair began offering alternative tours of the island, which they call DeTours, in 2004 and have seen increased interest in recent years. Their work was included in the recently published Duke University Press book “ Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaii, ” a collection of essays, interviews and family histories about ethical and contextualized tourism in the islands edited by Hokulani K. Aikau and Vernadette Vicuña González.

The tours are given to groups of people who want to learn about Hawaii from the perspective of local Hawaiians. They include a deep history on the ways military life is hidden across the island. During a typical tour, guests go to Iolani Palace, the Hawaiian royal residence, then to Chinatown and some of the old neighborhoods where new immigrants to Hawaii traditionally settled. The next stop is usually Fort Shafter, the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific; then Camp Smith, but the main part of the tour is Ke Awalau o Puʻuloa — Pearl Harbor.

During a DeTours of Pearl Harbor, Mr. Kajihiro pauses in the “Oahu court” between the Pearl Harbor galleries and the museum and asks guests to look at the placards in the hallway. At the placard that says, “The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in 1893,” he explains that this one sentence has been controversial with the United States government because it acknowledges the government-backed overthrow of Queen Lili’uokolani, which unsettles American claims to Hawaii. In the museum’s Attack Gallery, Mr. Kajihiro points to a small image of the Hono’uli’uli internment camp where Japanese people were held during World War II and uses it as a jumping-off point for a conversation about immigration and civil rights.

“People already come here with so many images and ideas about what Hawaii is that it’s really hard for them to see something different, so that’s why we started calling our work ‘DeTours,” Mr. Kajihiro said. “To swerve off the path that most people are going to see or understand and consume and shake it up by raising some more critical perspectives and introducing a lot of historical facts that are not so pleasant.”

A new type of tourism

The DeTours team is part of a movement looking to change what tourism means in Hawaii. Ms. Nuss, of Conscious Concepts, is originally from Oahu and returned in 2009 after working in hospitality in the Caribbean, New York, Miami and other places on the United States mainland.

“ I came home seeing something happening in Hawaii that I didn’t see when I left,” she said. “My generation was stepping into their leadership roles and doing it differently, reconnecting for a movement back to the land.”

But she quickly realized that what many companies were doing didn’t align with her vision for supporting tourism while ensuring the well-being of overworked Hawaiians.

In 2015, Ms. Nuss created her company to find ways to support Hawaiian businesses function sustainably while also remaining a key part of the most important sector in Oahu — tourism. Ms. Nuss has worked with farms, artists and nonprofit organizations to change their offerings so they can appeal to tourists, while still benefiting Hawaiians. A farm hoping to attract tourists to volunteer might turn to her to figure out the best ways to reach them. She described her work with as “consciously creating experiences for travelers and opportunities for locals.”

“I had a realization about how our tourism industry is presently run, which is coming from the commodification of culture,” she said. “I realized what was happening in my communities and the value systems that were driving it were contradictory to the form of tourism that I was being a part of.”

To give tourists a more authentic experience of “the real Hawaii,” the artists Roxy and Matt Ortiz, invite them into their studio in the Kaka’ako district of Honolulu. The couple is known for their elaborate murals of fanciful tree houses, which they create under the name Wooden Wave .

“When people come see us work, it gives them a totally different way to experience Hawaii,” Ms. Ortiz said. “And it’s a fun way for us to give tourists a different experience than they usually see in those brochures.”

In these studio visits, guests can see the couple’s work in progress, but also learn about ahupua’a, the ancient system of land division, in which the island was separated into slices, each slice running from the top of the local mountain to the shore. During the visit, Mr. Ortiz explains that each ahupua’a included forest area up high and a cultivated area below, and depending on the politics and economy of each ahupua’a, its size was different from another.

Mr. Ortiz said that even the slightest opportunity for tourists to think about how water and land have always worked together and why they hold importance to Hawaiians can encourage them to be more thoughtful when interacting with locals and the land and sea while visiting.

“When people have some of the history and context they can appreciate the art more and they can experience the island in a more meaningful way,” he said.

Another way tourists can learn about the land and engage with locals is by visiting a local farm like Kahumana Farm in Waianae on the west side of Oahu.

In November, Chloe Anderson, a therapist and teacher in California, visited the farm and stayed for four of her six days in Oahu. There she shared a room with others, did yoga, learned about the produce grown and cooked on the farm and generally felt like she got a more meaningful experience than she would have at a luxury resort, removed from daily Hawaiian life.

“We had like three or four different activities we would do every day,” she said. “But so many things were based off the farm and at the farm. We still had the experience of being a tourist in Hawaii and going on hikes and beach excursions, but also of experiencing something more.”

Some business owners are committed to staying in the tourism sector, and are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

“I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect that people just won’t work in the main industry there is and I don’t think Hawaiians want to stop tourism altogether, but we are all working to find ways of doing it responsibly and thoughtfully,” said Shane Hiroshi Gibler, who co-owns Royal Hawaiian Catamaran , which is based in Honolulu and offers snorkel tours, sunset cruises and private charters.

On Mr. Gibler’s boat, guests are asked not to bring any plastic and recycling is available aboard. Mr. Gibler educates guests an education about fishing, food and the importance of the ocean and the land to Hawaiians. The Royal Catamaran team regularly gathers people to clean up the shoreline and has been working with the Surfrider Foundation to remove ghost nets — fishing nets that have been lost or left behind by fishing boats — from reefs or the ocean.

The idea, one echoed by Mr. Kajihiro, is to encourage tourists to think about how they can leave their resort, even for one day of their trip, and contribute to the place they are visiting.

“The point is to make folks more responsible when they come here and to interrogate this notion that Hawaii is somehow a place for them,” Mr. Kajihiro said. “If you are thinking about coming here, ask yourself: Who are you in relation to this place? Are you bringing something that will be of value to the host, the people who live here? What will be your impact and your legacy be?”

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An earlier version of this article misstated the cost of groceries in Hawaii. They cost 60 percent more than the national average, not more than 60 percent of the national average.

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Tariro Mzezewa is a travel reporter at The New York Times. More about Tariro Mzezewa

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The History of Hawai‘i From Our Files: Finding Balance on Tourism

Honolulu magazine emerged from predecessor paradise of the pacific , which began in 1888, fulfilling a commission by king kalākaua. that makes this the oldest continuously published magazine west of the mississippi, with an enviable archive worth diving into each month. here’s a look back at april 1927..

From Our Files 1927: Finding Balance on Tourism

L ocal lawmakers debate the role of tourism, including whether to make a “very considerable appropriation” to what was then called the Hawai‘i Tourist Bureau. Opponents object to using money from taxes to advertise Hawai‘i, opining instead that private transportation companies that profit directly from tourist traffic should pay the publicity bills. Supporters argue that a benefit to tourism is a benefit to all.

Paradise of the Pacific, keen on promoting the wonders of Hawai‘i, does express some concern about modern changes. “However much has been done to advance Twentieth Century civilization with its accompanying materialism the sweet, half melancholy urge of those old days of welcome and hospitality persists and ramifies every department of state, softens and makes wholesome the hearts of all the people here, of whatever race or clime.”

Local legislative leaders are still debating the best use of dollars spent to support tourism through the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority at the State Capitol. And the authority has shifted emphasis to what it’s calling regenerative tourism, defined in part as “empowering the community to have a greater voice in tourism’s future, with an emphasis on restoring the environment, perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, recognizing Hawai‘i’s multiethnic cultures, and supporting responsible economic outcomes.”

Meanwhile, government has expanded nonresident fees at such attractions as Hanauma Bay and Lē‘ahi, or Diamond Head, to help preserve and protect these natural resources for generations to come.

SEE ALSO: Rethinking Hawai‘i How the Visitor Industry Should Operate in the Future

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A Look Back at Hawaii’s Earliest, Most Historic Hotels

Travel back in time to the beginnings of hawaii's tourism industry with these icons in hospitality..

Before the advent of trans-Pacific passenger air travel. Before there were world-renowned resort areas such as Waikiki and its neighbor island kin. Indeed, before the Hawaiian Islands were a destination that worldly, moneyed travelers (who were the only travelers of the day, really) even recognized as desirable, there were Hawaii hotels.

Tiny, transient inns in big-city Honolulu and small neighbor island towns. Grand hotels and simple beachfront bungalows in then-backwater Waikiki. And luxury lodging properties with all the amenities expected by well-heeled travelers of the early 20th century—hot-and-cold running water, private bathrooms, electricity, ice.

In an era when visitors to Hawaii endured days of ocean travel on passenger ships before even glimpsing anything resembling scenic landfall, the best of our Island hotels welcomed guests arriving for typically lengthy, luxurious stays with all the trappings of their prosperous lives back home, transplanted in paradise. If you were a well-to-do visitor to our Islands back in the day, the hotels featured here have been the places you’d have called home.

HALEKULANI, OAHU

Though now considered one of the top luxury resort hotels in the world, Waikiki’s oceanfront Halekulani began its life in 1917 as a modest beachfront compound—a two-story, wood-frame home built by Honolulu businessman Robert Lewers in 1883, five bungalows and a bathhouse. Opened by Clifford Kimball, once manager of the Hale‘iwa Hotel on Oahu’s North Shore, and his wife, Juliet, the couple adopted the moniker Hale Kulani (“house befitting heaven”) from a longtime local name for the area.

In 1931, the Kimballs contracted renowned Hawai‘i architect Charles Dickey to design a replacement for the original Lewers house, by then deteriorating from age. Over the years, Dickey’s main building, with its spacious guest “living room,” large veranda and inspiring vistas of Diamond Head’s profile, offered thousands of affluent guests, movie stars and dignitaries a relaxing and luxurious welcome to paradise after long travels. Dickey’s main building (pictured above in the 1930s) still stands, though Halekulani’s current owners demolished the hotel’s once-signature bungalows in the 1980s due to age and to make way for the modern, elegant, 453-room resort of today.

ALEXANDER YOUNG HOTEL, OAHU

Its construction commenced by a Scottish-born Honolulu sugar and iron works magnate who named it after himself, the Alexander Young Hotel was the largest building in Hawaii when it opened in 1902.

Erected for $2 million when what is now Downtown Honolulu was the epicenter of city commerce and resident and visitor social life, the six-story, 200-room hotel was quite the lodging property of its era. Occupying nearly a full city block, it boasted a grand lobby with a centerpiece Vermont marble staircase, a rooftop garden that quickly became a Honolulu nightlife hub, ample retail and office space, and its own electric plant and artesian well. Post-Prohibition, the hotel was issued the first cocktail-lounge license in Honolulu in 1933, and claimed the first air-conditioned dining room in Hawaii in 1937.

The Alexander Young, however, fell out of favor with travelers as Waikiki became Oahu’s visitor mecca, converting to retail and office space in 1964. Though added to the National Register of Historic Places, the entire building was demolished in 1981 to make way for the two office buildings of Bishop Square, a parking garage and Tamarind Park.

THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN, OAHU

Its construction religiously documented in a treasure trove of professionally shot photos rare for a hotel of the era, the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” was a buzzed-about star of Hawaii’s still nascent luxury travel market long before accepting its first guests in February 1927.

Constructed at the foot of Waikiki Beach for a then-hefty $4 million in a Spanish-Moorish architectural style made famous by the movies of silent-film star Rudolph Valentino, the six-story, 400-room Royal Hawaiian welcomed well-to-do guests arriving on hotel owner Matson Navigation Co. passenger ships to 10 acres of lush tropical gardens and a home away from home with a staff of more than 300 ready to cater to their every whim. With most ocean-weary travelers opting for extended stays, larger Royal Hawaiian suites included servants quarters and multiple rooms for large families.

Ample parking was also made available for shipped-over Rolls Royces. New owners added a tower wing to the Royal’s existing structure in 1969, and other piecemeal modern accents and furnishings in the years that followed. A seven-month closure in 2008, however, attempted to restore much of The Royal Hawaiian’s common areas and rooms to their early 20th century look. The Royal Hawaiian is currently part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury Collection.

HALEIWA HOTEL, OAHU

Hawaii industrialist and businessman Benjamin Dillingham financed the construction of the Haleiwa Hotel in 1898 in the hopes of making an empty parcel of stream- and beachfront land he’d leased near the sleepy plantation town of Waialua a destination for well-heeled visitors.

The director of Waialua Sugar Co., Dillingham also owned the Oahu Railway & Land Co., whose Honolulu-to-Central Oahu sugarcane rail line ended near the property and upon which he wished to encourage passenger travel. Dillingham gave his sumptuous new Victorian hotel and its 40-acre, bucolic country club setting the name Hale‘iwa (“house of the frigate bird”) after the large seabirds familiar to area residents.

The 14-room hotel proved immediately popular with affluent Honolulu residents looking for a luxe country escape with, according to the website Waikiki Time Machine, “private bath[s], hot-and-cold running water, [a] telephone connection with the front desk,” an oceanfront nine-hole golf course and “a myriad of recreational activities including tennis, canoeing, ocean fishing and golfing.” When the Hale‘iwa Hotel closed in 1943, the town that had sprung up across Anahulu Stream over four decades took the hotel’s name. The structure was demolished in 1953.

KONA INN, HAWAII ISLAND

Built in 1928, the Kona Inn was part of a grand plan by its financier, the Inter-Island Steamship Navigation Co., to make the sleepy seaside Kona village of Kailua a destination for wealthy passenger-ship travelers to Hawaii. Designed by architect Charles Dickey in his then-popular, elegant and distinctly tropical style, the Kona Inn featured large-windowed oceanfront guestrooms to take in sunsets, open lawns and gardens, tennis courts, a cocktail lounge with a koa-wood canoe bar and an oceanside saltwater swimming pool.

Neighboring the inn was Hulihee Palace, a former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty. With Kailua village still a remote location for nearly everyone but steamship travelers in the inn’s early years, however, most of the Kona Inn’s first guests, according to the Kona Historical Society, arrived via the 121-mile road from Hilo around the southern tip of the Big Island in a touring Packard, or a 97-mile “shortcut” from Hilo along the Hāmākua Coast and through Waimea. Kona’s first airport opened in 1949, nearly two decades after Kona Inn opened its doors.

The Kona Inn closed in 1976, replaced by a shopping complex. The red rooftops of its original buildings, however, can still be seen from Kailua Pier.

MOANA HOTEL, OAHU

Waikiki’s first large hotel, the Moana opened for business in 1901 after five years of planning by owner Walter Chamberlain Peacock, then one of the area’s wealthiest landowners. At the time of the Moana’s opening, Waikiki was best known as an oceanfront playground for Hawaiian royalty and wealthy Honoluluans who kept residences there. The construction of the stream-diverting Ala Wai Canal still two decades away at the turn of the century, Waikiki was an Oahu backwater separated from Honolulu’s inland valleys by vast wetlands.

Built for $150,000, the Moana (meaning “broad expanse of ocean”) was designed to introduce moneyed travelers to then-remote Waikiki. The American Colonial-style structure included a rooftop observatory, guest rooms with private bathrooms and telephones, a billiard parlor, a saloon and a library. The Moana also claimed its own ice plant and electric generators. Honolulu businessman and hotelier Alexander Young purchased the Moana from Peacock in 1905, selling it for $1.6 million in 1932 to the Matson Navigation Co. The passenger-ship company was by that time transporting an ever-increasing number of visitors to the Islands and had opened the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1927.

The Moana’s original main building and Kalakaua Avenue porte-cochere still welcome modern-day Waikiki visitors as part of the Westin Moana Surfrider Resort & Spa.

KAUIKI INN / HOTEL HANA, MAUI

Hana Ranch owner Paul Fagan opened the Kauiki Inn in 1946—20 years after construction of the Hana Highway finally connected vehicular traffic between the remote east Maui sugar town of Hana with 52-miles-away Kahului—naming his six-room inn for the town’s landmark puu (hill).

The goal for the retired San Francisco entrepreneur was enticing visitors to the get-away-from-it-all charms of seaside Hana and lush acreage of his 45,000-acre ranch. He even constructed a grassy airfield nearby to attract wealthy travelers. When none of it proved a visitor draw, Fagan brought the San Francisco Seals minor-league baseball team he co-owned to Hana for 1947 spring training, also flying in a large group of prominent sports writers to stay at his inn. Enchanted, the writers sang the praises of “Heavenly Hana” and Kauiki Inn to the masses.

Visitors to the tropically landscaped, oceanview property increased enough to keep it solidly occupied, in the process lending the inn an air of exclusivity. Renamed the Hotel Hana Ranch and, more famously upon its addition of sea cottages and a property expansion, the Hotel Hana Maui, the hotel still retains a great deal of the Old Hawaii charm Fagan intended as the current Travaasa Hana resort. The Gun Room Cocktail Lounge, pictured above with its rifles and feathered taxidermy, however, is long gone.

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9 Charts That Show How Hawaii Tourism Is Changing

Editor’s Note: “Tourism’s Tipping Point” is an ongoing Civil Beat series that looks at the future of the vacation industry in Hawaii, its impact on our lifestyles and environment, and its sustainability.

On the surface, these are heady times for the tourism industry.

This year, Hawaii is expecting to draw a record 10.2 million visitors, with continued growth expected in the future. The industry now accounts for 125,000 jobs — roughly one in five jobs in Hawaii. Airlines are expanding flights into Hawaii.

10 Million Visitors: Can Hawaii Survive Its Own Popularity?

But understanding where the industry is headed is more complicated. Visitors are spending less per capita than three decades ago, including on places to stay, often choosing vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods. And they’re increasingly opting for cheaper activities like hiking. And as crowds grow, so too does the possibility of a public backlash, according to recent surveys.

Here’s a look at Hawaii tourism by the numbers:

Visitors to Hawaii soared during the 30-year span from 1960 to 1990, rising to 6.7 million from less than 1 million. Over the next two decades, visitor counts grew modestly before taking a dive because of the Great Recession. Now the numbers are rising dramatically with no end in sight.

As the number of visitors to Hawaii has grown, so have the number of jobs that depend on the industry . No private sector industry is more important. In sheer numbers, government jobs rival the leisure and hospitality sector. So does a sector called “retail, trade, transportation and utilities,” the bulk of which are retail jobs. But when factoring in the number of retail establishments that cater to tourists, the tourism industry’s importance becomes even more enormous.

In 1939, just 520 passengers came to Honolulu on trans-Pacific flights, according to Robert C. Schmitt’s “Historical Statistics of Hawaii.” Back then, a round-trip ticket between Honolulu and San Francisco cost $556, more than $10,000 in today’s dollars. It’s no wonder passenger numbers were small. It took nearly 30 years for the air passenger count to reach 1 million.

Since then, the numbers have grown exponentially. And while the bulk of visitors still come from the western U.S., as they did during the days of Pan Am’s first flights to the islands, Hawaii’s roughly 10 million visitors come from all over the world.

A striking statistic is that even as Hawaii’s visitor count has risen significantly, the number of people staying in traditional hotels — or the number of hotels — hasn’t grown much. So where are these millions of additional people staying? In vacation rentals, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority

But the category of “vacation rentals” doesn’t tell the whole story. There’s yet another hard-to-count category, the properties advertised on sites like Airbnb, which the authority calls “individually advertised units.” These totaled 30,000 statewide, according to a lengthy appendix to the authority’s inventory of visitor accommodations. The growth in vacation rentals and individually advertised units is noteworthy because people staying in those accommodations tend to spend less overall that other visitors, HTA has reported.

Despite ever-growing visitor numbers, Paul Brewbaker, an independent economist, has long pointed out a less positive trend. When adjusted for inflation, visitor expenditures now are only where they were in 1989, even though we have about 2.5 million more tourists than we had then. That means more side effects — stresses on roads, reefs, trails and beaches — to generate the same economic benefits.

It’s not surprising that visitors renting Airbnb or other vacation houses spend, on average, less for lodging than people staying in hotels. But according to HTA, they also spend less on food and beverages, shopping and other entertainment and recreation. In fact, people staying in hotels spend more across the board.

Industry officials say the recreational interests of visitors are changing.

One example: a rising popularity of hiking to Instagrammable trails and a decline in the popularity of golf. Back in 2002, visitors from Hawaii’s most popular market, the U.S. West, golfed about as much as they hiked. Just under 20% hit the links then, while 21% hit the trails. But by 2017, the percentage of golfers had declined by about 50 percent, while the percentage of hikers increased by about 36 percent. The trend is consistent across most of Hawaii’s markets.

It’s significant not just because it shows travelers have less expensive tastes. Golfers tend to pay large fees, which go to using and maintaining courses; hikers typically pay little or nothing to maintain the trails they use.

Hiking And Recreational Area Rescues (2016-2018)

One of the presumed costs of all the tourists hitting the hiking trails is the cost of rescuing them. As the interactive map above shows, trails that seem to attract large numbers of tourists — even easy ones like the paved path up Diamond Head and the mostly gentle trail to Manoa Falls trail — have the most rescues.

HFD statistics show at least 130 rescues at Diamond Head from 2016 through 2018. That amounts to more than one per week. In three years alone, there were 995 rescues with more than a tenth occurring on Diamond Head alone.

As the crowds grow and the impacts on beaches, roads and once hard-to-reach places are felt far beyond Waikiki, locals have grown more wary of the state’s most economically important industry. A significant, but declining majority still agree that tourism provides net benefits to Hawaii. But an even stronger majority believe the island is now being run for tourists at the expense of locals.

“Tourism’s Tipping Point” is part of Civil Beat’s year-long series, “Hawaii’s Changing Economy.” That work is supported by a grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation as part of its CHANGE Framework project.

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Learn More About The History Of Hawaii At This Beautiful Destination

H awaii's Na Pali Coast in Kauai is iconic. Its large and lush cliffs contrasting the smooth ocean below make it a breathtaking sight. It's no wonder you so frequently see pictures of it in tourism advertisements. This part of Kauai is relatively a secluded area that's only accessible by hopping on a boat or trekking by foot. It makes for a wonderful, beautiful adventure. You can hike and discover some of the many waterfalls hidden in the hills or watch for the wide variety of birds that flock to it. If you're looking for something relaxing, you can sit on the shores and watch the waves roll in.

But the Na Pali Coast is just as rich in history as it is in beauty. The Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park is an ideal place to learn as well as explore. Whether you're fascinated by the terrain and the story of its formation, or the culture of the people that once inhabited these majestic hills, the state park is the perfect place to find answers while also experiencing the land itself.

Read more: The Prettiest Waters Around The World

The Kalalau Trail And History Of The Coast

One of the best ways to explore The Na Pali Coast is through the 22 mile long Kalalau Trail — Hawaii's most beautiful hiking trail . Of course, you can also hike just piece of it if the entire thing is daunting or you simply don't have the time. While you're wandering, you might come across the remains of ancient fishing villages.

As for the history of the area, Polynesians originally came upon the land and settled there around 1200 AD, and Tahitians followed ensuite. Fishing and farming along with trading amongst each other were the main means of survival. Life continued this way for centuries, and you can learn more about the cultures and ways of life during your time on the islands.

Now, you may be wondering why people left this beautiful landscape. In the 1820s, a couple decades after people from the Western world had made contact on the island, missionaries arrived and disrupted the traditional ways of life. They outlawed important elements of Hawaiian culture and established a large Western influence. The desire and opportunity to live in larger societies spread along with the Western influences, and, unfortunately, disease did too. These factors lead people to leave the island, and before the mid-20th century, the valleys that once bustled with life and activity were empty.

Getting To The Na Pali Coast

In the 1960s, the Na Pali Coast garnered the nickname "Garden of Eden" and regained popularity as people arrived with the hopes of establishing a new life in its hills. It only took a couple of years before the government started instilling regulations and requiring permits for people on the coast. Nowadays, you can fish, hike, and camp in the park — just make sure you adhere to the rules.

Coming to Na Pali State Wilderness Park requires planning. First you have to decide how you want to get there. If by boat, you can book a cruise or boat ride and maybe even throw in some fun activities like snorkeling. If you want to come by foot and take the Kalalau Trail, you have to get the proper camping permits. Note that the Kalalau Trail, while beautiful, is also one of the most dangerous hikes in the US . The cost is $25 per night for Hawaii residents and $35 per night for non-residents. There's a five night maximum for both.

Next time you're looking to find a slice of paradise, consider visiting Na Pali State Wilderness Park in Kauai, Hawaii. The beautiful views you'll encounter and fascinating history you'll learn will make for an unforgettable trip.

Read the original article on Explore .

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Accelerating the secure bridge between industry and government: A roadmap for FedRAMP

The American public expects government technologies and websites to be secure and easy to use. They expect the government to use and deliver the same modern technologies that they see in commercial services. And of course, they expect government agencies to protect their data and personal information, keeping cybersecurity top of mind.

To meet all of these challenges, government agencies frequently rely on technologies from external partners who can offer the latest innovations, best practices, and cutting-edge technology.

Cloud-based services, in particular, can help provide the modern tools and platforms for agencies to fulfill their missions while meeting the expectations of the public.

That’s why, a decade ago, GSA established the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program . FedRAMP helps agencies that want to buy and securely use products that help them deliver on their missions while keeping systems and sensitive information safe.

Today, FedRAMP is releasing a public roadmap [PDF] of how it will meet those big challenges, laying out the features and changes that both federal agencies and cloud providers can expect to see over the next 18 months.

“This roadmap is the new vision that we need - and that both buyers and sellers expect - from the clearinghouse and driver for secure, cloud-based services for government,” said Robin Carnahan, GSA Administrator . “We’re going to build technical capacity and expertise, more clearly define security expectations, establish reciprocity where it makes sense, and focus on automation and continuous monitoring while helping agencies get the secure cloud innovations they need to deliver.”

“This is yet another important milestone in the evolution of the FedRAMP Program,” said Clare Martorana , Federal CIO from the Office of Management and Budget. “The roadmap will further enable the secure and efficient adoption of cloud technology, safeguarding critical information and infrastructure while accelerating innovation for agencies and the public they serve.”

“The FedRAMP roadmap released today is an important step forward laying out needed, achievable improvements to the FedRAMP program,” said Harry Coker, Jr., the White House National Cyber Director . “The roadmap will help federal agencies continue their cloud migration while ensuring our federal systems, and ultimately the nation, are protected.”

About FedRAMP

Sitting within GSA’s Technology Transformation Services, FedRAMP is first and foremost a security and risk management program that acts as a bridge to the commercial cloud service industry and the U.S. government. FedRAMP centralizes and standardizes the review of secure cloud services, sharing that review with agencies. It then authorizes many of them for federal use, making them available on the FedRAMP Marketplace .

Agencies can acquire these cloud services more quickly and easily than they typically could on their own. And the cloud service providers benefit from having their services vetted in one place rather than undergoing repeated security reviews at many agencies. The FedRAMP team works closely with both of these groups - buyers and sellers - as well as others to drive its strategy. The goal is to focus on the customer while expanding the FedRAMP Marketplace, making navigation easier and including more of the tools that agencies need.

Plan for progress

FedRAMP has organized its new roadmap around the goals of customer experience, cybersecurity leadership, growing the trusted FedRAMP marketplace, and operating on a foundation of technology and data.

You can read more on FedRAMP.gov about its specific roadmap initiatives, which include:

Supporting secure software development by shifting to a process that incentivizes more rapid development and deployment of security features.
Rethinking how the program measures success, based on customer research, to focus on driving down time and costs experienced by agencies and cloud providers in the FedRAMP process.
Strengthening the core security expectations underlying all FedRAMP authorizations, and publishing clear guidance for how to meet them.
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For more information, you can view the roadmap [PDF] , or email [email protected] .

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IMAGES

8 Fascinating Hawaiian Cultural & Historic Sites on the Big Island
The History of Tourism in Hawaii
The History of Tourism in Hawaii
30 Most Famous and Best Tourist Places to Visit in Hawaii Islands
10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Hawaii
3 Ways to Explore Hawaii’s Cultural Heritage

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Honolulu, Hawaii 1924 #history #rare #historical

COMMENTS

The History of Hawaii Tourism
A nonstop flight between Hawai'i and the West Coast wouldn't be accomplished until 1927; scheduled airline service took nearly another decade. In those days, passengers arrived by sea-many of them onboard a Matson Line passenger ship, purposely built for the growing Hawai'i tourism trade. Journeys to Hawai'i were also much longer-the one-way ...
PDF Creating "Paradise of the Pacific": How Tourism Began in Hawaii
Mass tourism came to Hawaii after the 1950s, but its humble origin began decades earlier, in the 1870s. That story has yet to be told.15 There is very little research available on how successful tourist destinations actually begin. This article provides a narrative of Hawaii's tourism history by going backward in time to when it all began.
Tourism in Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is a U.S. state that is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean.Of the eight major islands, Hawaii, Oʻahu, Maui, and Kauaʻi have major tourism industries. Tourism is limited on Molokai and Lānaʻi, and access to Niihau and Kahoʻolawe is prohibited.. The state's favorable climate, tropical landscape, beaches, and culture make it among the U.S.'s most visited states.
History
History. Much has changed about the Hawaiʻi visitor industry since May 14, 1902, when W. C. Weedon convinced a group of Honolulu businessmen to pay him to advertise the Territory of Hawaiʻi on the Mainland. But one thing has stayed the same: Throughout the years, the entities which have promoted Hawaiʻi to the world have also had to promote ...
Creating "Paradise of the Pacific": How Tourism Began in Hawaii
This article recounts the early years of one of the most successful tourist destinations in the world, Hawaii, from about 1870 to 1940. Tourism began in Hawaii when faster and more predictable steamships replaced sailing vessels in trans-Pacific travel. Governments (international, national, and local) were influential in shaping the way Hawaii ...
The History of Hawai'i: How Tourists Saw the Islands in 1926
Here's a look back at April 1926. April 15, 2021. Robbie Dingeman. Honolulu and Hilo both become regular ports of call for long-distance tourists traveling around the world via ship. It seems ...
History of Hawaii
A Brief History of the Hawaiian Islands. 1,500 years ago: Polynesians arrive in Hawaiʻi after navigating the ocean using only the stars to guide them. 1778: Captain James Cook lands at Waimea Bay on the island of Kauaʻi, becoming the first European to make contact with the Hawaiian Islands. Cook names the archipelago the "Sandwich Islands ...
History in Hawaii
By 1936, visitors could fly to Honolulu from San Francisco on the Hawaii Clipper, a seven-passenger Pan American Martin M-130 flying boat, for $360 one-way. The flight took 21 hours, 33 minutes. Modern tourism was born, with five flying boats providing daily service. The 1941 visitor count was a brisk 31,846 through December 6. World War II ...
Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy ...
Developing a Dream Destination is an interpretive history of tourism and tourism policy development in Hawai'i from the 1960s to the twenty-first century. Part 1 looks at the many changes in tourism since statehood (1959) and tourism's imprint on Hawai'i. Part 2 reviews the development of public policy toward tourism, beginning with a story of…
Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy Planning in
Abstract. This is an interpretive history of tourism and tourism policy development in Hawaii from the 1960s to the twenty-first century. Part 1 looks at the many changes in tourism since statehood (1959) and tourism's imprint on Hawaii.
The History of Tourism in Hawaii
Hawaii, the 50th state of the United States, has a rich history of tourism that dates back to the 19th century. The Hawaiian Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean, have long been a popular destination for American tourists looking for a tropical escape. From the early days of American expansionism to the present-day global travel […]
Understanding Colonialism and Overtourism in Hawai'i
Opening it up on his lap, he proceeded to walk me through all that had come before that moment in 1941, and all that had led to that moment—history omitted by the USS Arizona Memorial tour." Hawai'i has been reinvented for the mainlander's imagination, but its locals—facing historic overtourism and a crippling pandemic—are trying to ...
History of Hawaii
The history of Hawaii is the story of human settlements in the Hawaiian Islands.. Polynesians arrived sometime between 1000 and 1200 AD. Kamehameha I, the ruler of the island of Hawaii, conquered and unified the islands for the first time, establishing the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1795. The kingdom became prosperous and important for its agriculture and strategic location in the Pacific.
Tourism In Hawaii
Visitor Expenditures: Visitor spending in Hawaii totaled $17.75 billion in 2019, contributing significantly to the state's economy. 3. Economic Impact: The tourism industry in Hawaii directly and indirectly supported over 200,000 jobs in 2019, accounting for a substantial portion of the state's employment. 4.
Hawaii Is a Paradise, but Whose?
Tourism is the biggest driver of Hawaii's economy, accounting for 21 percent of jobs. Nearly 10 million people visited the state in 2018 and in 2019, guest arrivals were expected to surpass that ...
The History of Hawai'i From Our Files: Finding Balance on Tourism
Here's a look back at April 1927. April 14, 2022. Robbie Dingeman. Local lawmakers debate the role of tourism, including whether to make a "very considerable appropriation" to what was then ...
Creating "Paradise of the Pacific": How Tourism Began in Hawaii
This article recounts the early years of one of the most successful tourist destinations in the world, Hawaii, from about 1870 to 1940. Tourism began in Hawaii when faster and more predictable steamships replaced sailing vessels in trans-Pacific travel. Governments (international, national, and local) were influential in shaping the way Hawaii tourism developed, from government mail subsidies ...
Hawaiian Culture & History
This sense of connection is the foundation of Hawaiian culture: understanding that we all have a mandate to mālama, to care for our environment and for one another. Today, Hawaiian culture may hold many of the answers sought in a rapidly changing world. The spirit of aloha - being in the presence of and sharing the essence of life ...
A Look Back at Hawaii's Earliest, Most Historic Hotels
HALEKULANI, OAHU. Outrigger canoe fronting the Halekulani Hotel. Though now considered one of the top luxury resort hotels in the world, Waikiki's oceanfront Halekulani began its life in 1917 as a modest beachfront compound—a two-story, wood-frame home built by Honolulu businessman Robert Lewers in 1883, five bungalows and a bathhouse.
Hawaii Tourism: Opposite of a Paradise for Locals
The continued struggle of land being taken dates back to origins of the Kingdom of Hawaii being overthrown by the U.S. government. Once Hawaii became a U.S. state in 1959, it became a tourist hotspot during the 1960s. Although tourism is a major industry in Hawaii's economy, it comes with problems affecting their environment, economy, and ...
PDF Tourism in Hawai`i
Tourism in Hawai`i -. JOHN M. KNOX & ASSOCIATES, INC. 1001 Bishop St., ASB Tower 1542 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 USA Phone (808) 523-1352 Fax (808) 523-1353 E-Mail [email protected]. Sustainable Tourism in Hawai`i. Socio-Cultural and Public Input Component.
9 Charts That Show How Hawaii Tourism Is Changing
This year, Hawaii is expecting to draw a record 10.2 million visitors, with continued growth expected in the future. The industry now accounts for 125,000 jobs — roughly one in five jobs in ...
Learn More About The History Of Hawaii At This Beautiful Destination
The Kalalau Trail And History Of The Coast One of the best ways to explore The Na Pali Coast is through the 22 mile long Kalalau Trail — Hawaii's most beautiful hiking trail .
Pieces of Disney's closed 'Star Wars' hotel are coming to ...
The cost was too high for most fans, however, and it closed after 18 months . But now, for the Season of the Force, a tiny microcosm of the Galactic Starcruiser experience is coming to Disneyland ...
ASEAN Tourism in the 2025 International Year of Peace and Trust
Windows of Opportunities for ASEAN Tourism. With escalating geopolitical conflicts and socio-cultural-ethnic polarisation posing a clear and present danger to the safety, security, and stability ...
Accelerating the secure bridge between industry and government: A ...
Sitting within GSA's Technology Transformation Services, FedRAMP is first and foremost a security and risk management program that acts as a bridge to the commercial cloud service industry and the U.S. government. FedRAMP centralizes and standardizes the review of secure cloud services, sharing that review with agencies.

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History in Hawaii

Developing a Dream Destination: Tourism and Tourism Policy Planning in Hawaii

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