Is Hawaii Tourism down 2023?

August 2023 Update In August 2023, Hawaii's tourism was notably impacted by the Lahaina wildfires, leading to a 7.3% decrease in total visitor arrivals compared to August 2022. This figure represented an 83.0% recovery from the pre-pandemic levels of August 2019.

What happened to Hawaii 2023?

In early August 2023, a series of wildfires broke out in the U.S. state of Hawaii, predominantly on the island of Maui. The wind-driven fires prompted evacuations, caused widespread damage, killing at least 100 people and leaving four persons missing in the town of Lahaina on Maui's northwest coast.

Is it okay to go to Hawaii right now?

There are no COVID-19 related entry requirements for domestic travelers. Travelers arriving in Hawai'i directly from an international airport must still comply with U.S. federal requirements. For updates on international travel, visit CDC.gov.

Is it safe to travel to the Big Island of Hawaii right now?

The Big Island and the rest of Hawai'i remain safe destinations for visitors and residents, and there are no travel restrictions for any of these locations. Extensive control efforts are currently underway in the affected areas across the island and the investigation is ongoing.

Has Hawaii tourism recovered?

By ALLISON SCHAEFERS The Honolulu Star-Advertiser/TNS | Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 12:05 a.m. Demand for travel to Hawaii has fallen, especially on Maui, and travel industry experts say it's not expected to materially recover until 2024.

The Top 10 BEST Things To Do in Maui, Hawaii (2024)

Is tourism down in Honolulu?

HONOLULU – According to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), both visitor arrivals and visitor spending decreased for the second consecutive month compared to 2022, as Hawaiʻi's tourism continued to be impacted by the aftermath of the August Lāhainā fires.

Are people still vacationing in Hawaii?

While the number of tourists in Hawaii is at about 96% of its pre-pandemic levels, signs point to 2023 far exceeding that. For starters, the number of tourists from the rest of the U.S. has already massively increased, up 29% in September 2022 versus September 2021, according to DBEDT data.

What is the red flag warning in Hawaii?

RED FLAG PROGRAM

Extreme fire behavior in Hawaii is typically characterized by a wind-driven fire with high rates of spread that create control difficulties.

Is Maui closed to tourists?

Maui is currently open for tourism!

Is it ok to go to Oahu right now?

There are no travel restrictions for travel into Hawaii from the Continental U.S. as well as travel within the Hawaiian Islands.

How do Hawaiians feel about tourists?

Locals are tired of tourists treating the island like a theme park – here's what to know before you visit. Keani Rawlins-Fernandez grew up in Hawaii and has seen tourism increase over the years. Now a local council member, Rawlins-Fernandez says locals can feel overrun by tourists.

Is it safe to go to Honolulu?

Again, Honolulu is safer than most cities, but use judgment and caution, especially when meeting new people. Buy your own drinks while you gauge the trustworthiness of new companions and stick to busy, well-lit areas rather than drifting to dive bars down dark alleys.

Is it safe to travel to Honolulu Hawaii right now?

Yes, you can visit Hawaii right now. Hawaii is welcoming visitors back to our islands: for incoming domestic travelers, there will be no COVID requirements.

What is the tourism outlook for Hawaii in 2023?

Visitor arrivals are projected to be 9.6 million in 2023, lower than previously projected. Visitor arrivals are now expected to increase to more than 10 million from 2025 instead of 2024. Visitor spending is projected to be $20.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase to $23.5 billion by 2026.

Why is Maui on fire?

What caused the wildfires in Maui? An investigation continues to determine the exact cause of the wildfires. According to Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura, high winds fueled multiple fires that ignited shortly after midnight on August 8, 2023. Ventura reported wind gusts reaching 60 mph during the Lahaina fire.

Will Hawaii go under?

But could this island paradise one day end up underwater? If you're wondering whether rising sea levels could submerge Hawaii, here's a quick answer: While minor changes are likely, experts don't foresee the Hawaiian islands being fully underwater anytime soon.

Which island in Hawaii is closed to tourists?

About eighteen miles southwest of the Garden Island (Kauai), sits Hawaii's “Forbidden Island”, also known as Niihau.

Is it safe to walk around Maui?

Don't spend time in isolated areas where no one else is around. In unfamiliar territory there IS safety in numbers. Don't go out for a moonlight stroll on a remote beach. Don't plunk yourself down on an uncrowded beach where your only “neighbors” are homeless people illegally living in tents or cars.

Has Maui tourism recovered?

"The number of visitors to Maui collapsed following the August wildfires, but the initial recovery has been more rapid than we anticipated," the report said. Comparing to the previous year's arrival numbers, October's arrivals came in at 60% recovered, while November was already up to 80%.

Why are British flags flown in Hawaii?

Hawaii's state flag resembles the Union Jack of Great Britain because many of King Kamehameha's advisors were British and the islands were once placed under England's protection. The flag consists of eight horizontal stripes, representing the eight major islands and the British Union Jack.

What are the green flashes over Hawaii?

The Chinese pollution-monitoring satellite Daqi-1 probably produced the lights spotted over Hawaii on January 28, according to a NASA scientist. The comments apparently put to rest earlier theories that the lights were coming from a U.S. satellite. The lights were first seen during a live stream.

Can you turn on red in Hawaii?

Red Light: To Turn or Not to Turn? Right turns on red are allowed at intersections with traffic signals if not prohibited by signs. Where right turns on red are allowed, motorists are reminded that they must first come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe to do so.

Has Hawaii tourism dropped?

Visitor spending for all the islands is down 2% from October 2022 to October 2023, from $1.54 billion to $1.51 billion in nominal dollars, according to DBEDT. But the numbers are up 13.8% from October 2019. Overall, the number of travelers to Aloha State is down 3.2% from October 2022.

Should you travel to Maui in 2024?

Travelers often make too much of a fuss about this sort of thing, but the fires on Maui are definitely very, very serious. It's obvious that you shouldn't go in the area near the city of Lahaina right now. But it should be just as obvious that you shouldn't cancel a planned trip to Maui in 2024…

How can I go to Hawaii without being a colonizer?