Hawaii
From Aloha to Uncertainty: Hawaii’s Global Tourism at Risk
Hawaii’s visitor economy faces a fresh challenge: rising fears among likely international travelers. With stories of weeks-long detentions at U.S. borders and growing anti-American sentiment in key markets like Canada and Japan, a troubling question is surfacing: Will global visitors turn away—and what happens to Hawaii tourism if they do?
In January 2025, of the 792,177 visitors to Hawaii, 197,507 were international guests, making up 25% of the total count. Over 100,00 came from Canada and Japan. Their absence would have consequences far beyond hotel bookings. Hawaii’s flights, local businesses, and even jobs could be at risk.
International visitors on edge.
Hawaii’s top international markets are showing signs of distress. Beat of Hawaii readers echoed the concern seen in mainstream media. Bruce M, a longtime Maui visitor from Canada, wrote, “Due to the treatment of the US to our country, we won’t be returning.” Another visitor added, “We used to go for 14 days. Now we only do 10. Basically, it is your loss.”
These aren’t one-off comments—they reflect a growing mood. Travelers from Vancouver to Tokyo to Western Europe voice concerns about being detained, harassed, or unwelcome. For Hawaii, the impact is compounded by the state’s physical distance and reliance on long-haul flights.
Hawaii tourism leaders recently confirmed in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that Canadians are rethinking trips. Some Canadians report backlash at home just for coming to Hawaii now. Others cited political tensions, economic retaliation, and a push to avoid U.S. travel as key reasons for staying away.
Detentions of international visitors spark fear.
Recent stories of detained international tourists are chilling. A German man spent 16 days in U.S. detention after a routine border crossing. Another tourist from Wales was held for nearly three weeks. A Canadian woman spent 12 days in custody before being sent home. The exact reasons were not released, but according to Customs and Border Protection, “if statutes or visa terms are violated, travelers may be subject to detention and removal.”
The issue isn’t necessarily about the detentions themselves—it’s the uncertainty and fear they’ve triggered in an unprecedented and widespread way. “Nobody is safe there anymore to come to America as a tourist,” one detainee said after being released.
The unease is spreading beyond those directly affected. Hawaii officials say they’ve received emails from Canadians canceling travel plans due to political tensions and uncertainty at the border.
Even travelers who were never affected now wonder if it could happen to them. For international visitors, Hawaii suddenly doesn’t feel like a separate destination—it feels like part of a country that may not want them.
The transparency gap in Hawaii widens.
Making things worse, Hawaii stopped reporting daily international arrival numbers on March 1, citing a long-overdue system overhaul we previously wrote about. At a time when businesses need clarity, the data gap has left everyone guessing.
Without visibility, it’s impossible to know whether concerns translate into cancellations. The pause in reporting couldn’t come at a worse moment—just as international markets are shifting.
Domestic visitors are under pressure, too.
Mainland travelers, Hawaii’s core audience, are also scaling back. Reader after reader shared frustrations about rising costs, service inconsistencies, and a fading sense of value.
Peterparker22, who brought his family of five to Oahu and the Big Island, said the only way they could afford it was to burn every airline and hotel point they’d saved. “The total cost would have been $25,000 in cash. It’s probably the last time I can afford to bring my family to Hawaii this way.”
Another reader noted, “Two weeks in Hawaii were going to cost more than our three-week cruise next year to three countries.” Others are opting for New Orleans, the Caribbean, or simply staying home.
Hawaii has recently tried to offset this with resident discounts and marketing focused on mindful travel. But affordability remains a sticking point, and even loyal visitors are weighing their options.
Flights and perks could fade.
When international demand drops, it’s not just fewer people—it’s fewer planes, especially widebody aircraft that serve long-haul routes from Japan and Canada. These flights support not just passengers but cargo and interline connections, too.
Reducing these flights could mean fewer total seats to Hawaii, higher prices, and less flexibility for all travelers—including those from the U.S. mainland. Premium experiences like lounges and first-class service also risk being downgraded if high-spend travelers disappear.
The next chapter isn’t written yet.
It’s clear Hawaii’s visitor landscape is rapidly shifting. Rising geopolitical tension, travel anxiety, and domestic cost fatigue could lead to real change. Fewer visitors—international or domestic—could impact everything from air service to hospitality jobs.
But Hawaii’s greatest strength has always been its ability to adapt. If the state and industry leaders respond with openness, cultural grounding, and true hospitality, Hawaii can remain a top destination even in a changing world.
Your comments about how government policies impact travel are appreciated.
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Hawaii offers a wide range of small towns across its islands, each with its own draw. The state has hikes among active volcanoes near Volcano Village and long stretches of coastline like Waimanalo Beach on Oahu. One town below sits on a crescent-shaped bay that has drawn visitors for decades. Another holds a winery on volcanic slopes. The list ahead covers seven small towns spanning beach and inland Hawaii.
Hanalei
On the north shore of Kauai, the census-designated place of Hanalei is known for a laid-back atmosphere, a crescent-shaped bay, and a small collection of shops and restaurants. Hanalei Beach is a stretch of fine sand and clear water, and has been featured in films including The Descendants and South Pacific. It has been ranked among the state’s best beaches, with picnic tables, good surfing, and kayaking all within reach. Within walking distance is the Hanalei Inn, a small retro-style lodging near downtown.
Further into town is the Wai’oli Mission House, a historic two-story missionary home built in 1837 and preserved as a museum. Tours run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, covering the lives of the missionaries who lived there. Near Black Pot Beach is Pat’s Taqueria, a Mexican food truck serving Hawaiian-style tacos, burritos, and quesadillas within walking distance of the Hanalei Pier. Locals and visitors both favor it for its locally sourced ingredients.
Pāʻia
In the north of Maui is Pāʻia (also spelled Paia), a walkable community with local surf shops, restaurants, and ocean views. Lower Pāʻia Park is one of the more photographed beaches in the state, with calm waters good for snorkeling, surfing, and swimming. Basketball courts, a skatepark, and a youth center sit nearby. Near the beach, the Surf Club is an event venue for weddings, dinners, and corporate or private functions, with a short walk back to downtown.
Wabisabi Soba and Sushi is a sushi restaurant on the Hana Highway known for its 100 percent buckwheat Jyuwari soba noodles. The interior and garden lean Japanese, and the restaurant is BYOB. The Rip Curl Surf Shop in downtown stocks swimwear, boardshorts, surf accessories, hats, surfboard covers, and apparel for anyone heading out to the waves.
Waimanalo
On the east side of Oahu is Waimanalo, a community with a three-mile stretch of beaches, a laid-back culture, and an agricultural character. At the eastern end of town is Sea Life Park Hawaii, an aquarium and animal sanctuary home to dolphins, sharks, sea lions, native fish, rays, and birds. Visitors can interact with animals in the water, visit penguin habitats, meet sea lions, and see sea turtles. Waimanalo Beach is a wide stretch of white sand backed by the Ko’olau Mountains, with turquoise water for swimming and surfing, and Waimanalo Beach Park shaded by ironwood trees. Parking is limited, especially on weekends and holidays, so arriving early is best.
Further inland, Olomana Golf Links is an 18-hole par-72 course with the Ko’olau Mountains in the background. Former U.S. President Barack Obama has played here, and professional golfer Michelle Wie trained on the course. The Waimanalo Forest Reserve is farther still, with quiet hikes on trails such as the ‘Ohana Trail and the Maunawili Ditch Trail, home to wild birds, small mammals, and reptiles, along with views of Maunawili Falls within the 500-acre reserve.
Volcano
Volcano, or Volcano Village, sits as the gateway to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in a cool, damp rainforest setting. The park is home to two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano in the world. The rest of the park holds geographical features that often require multiday trips to reach. Visitors can view lava eruptions, hike, and explore the rolling hills of the Kahuku Unit.
In the heart of town, the Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea offers cottages for visitors exploring the park. Each cottage has a small tropical garden. The hotel is within walking distance of the Lava Rock Cafe, which serves burgers, pancakes, and local Hawaiian dishes. Volcano Winery is one of only a few wineries in the state, with views of Mauna Loa and a rare chance to taste Big Island wines on the Big Island itself.
Lānaʻi City
At the center of the island of Lānaʻi is Lānaʻi City, a plantation town with historic homes, local restaurants and shops, and a walkable center. On Lanai Avenue, Dreams Come True Bed and Breakfast is a renovated property with mountain views and a garden. Further up in town, the Lānaʻi Culture and Heritage Center preserves the island’s history, traditional cultures, and plantation past through photographs and artifacts.
The Lānaʻi Art Center is within walking distance of the Culture and Heritage Center. It serves as a studio space for local artists, features a gallery, offers classes and workshops, and is the island’s main community arts program. On the outskirts of town is the Koloiki Ridge Trailhead, a roughly 5-mile trail that follows old cattle paths and opens up to panoramic views of the island.
Honokaa
On the northeastern coast of the Big Island is Honokaa, a census-designated place with plantation-era architecture and a role as gateway to Waipi’o Valley. The Honokaa Heritage Center is a museum covering the town’s history, with research materials and exhibits of photographs and artifacts. The center hosts the Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival every October, dedicated to the state’s plantation history with parades and a festival fair. South of the heritage center is the Hāmākua Country Club, a nine-hole course and one of the oldest on the island, set 1,200 feet above sea level with views of the Pacific Ocean. Carts are available for rent, and the course hosts tournaments.
Waipi’o Valley is just west of town. It was the boyhood home of King Kamehameha and is considered one of the most sacred places on the Big Island. Trails such as the Muliwai Trail lead into the tropical valley, where coconuts, green bananas, and papayas grow. Note that valley access is currently restricted to Hawaii residents.
Makawao
Upcountry from Paia is the census-designated place of Makawao, a community with boutique shops, art galleries, and an upcountry character. Makawao Public House is a gastropub serving local fare and paying tribute to the town’s past. On Baldwin Avenue, Banyan Tree Bed and Breakfast sits on 2.5 acres of gardens with cottages for stays, a short drive from local restaurants and shops.
On the southern outskirts of town is the Kahakapao Loop Trail, a 5.9-mile route in the Makawao Forest Reserve that is a popular hiking and mountain biking spot. At roughly 4,000 feet, the rainforest setting offers a cooler alternative to a beach day. At the northern edge of town, the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center operates as a cultural hub with a gallery, classes, workshops, a gallery shop, and exhibits by local community members.
Small-Town Hawaii
Hawaii’s small towns provide a different side of the state from the major resorts, with local character, natural features, and regional history. Makawao draws visitors to the Makawao Forest Reserve. Volcano offers access to two of the state’s most active peaks. Waimanalo’s white-sand beach anchors the east side of Oahu. Each of these communities offers something different from the others, but all share a strong sense of place.
A Kansas man is accused of stabbing a Hawaii boat captain at sea with a filet knife.
Avery Nissen is now facing charges of second-degree attempted murder in connection to the April 16 attack, which took place during a three-hour snorkel tour off the Kona coast, according to a statement from the Hawai’i Police Department.
When Kona patrol officers arrived at the Honokōhau Harbor, they found the captain of the boat—identified as Stanley Lurbiekci, according to Hawaii News Now—suffering from stab wounds to the lower abdomen and cuts to the head and hands.
Witnesses aboard the boat told police that Nissen allegedly attacked the captain with a filet knife. Other passengers intervened and restrained him until the boat made it back to shore.
The 62-year-old was transported to the Kona Community Hospital, where police said he remains in stable condition.
Owner and president of Hawaii Nautical Mark Towill described Lurbiekci as a “real hero and a fighter.”
“I’m just incredibly grateful that our team is safe and that the situation ended the way it did,” Towill told the news outlet. “I’ve never heard of anything like this happening in this industry before, and just really grateful to all of our team for the way that they reacted, the professionalism that was demonstrated.”
Police said the motive in the attack is unknown.
In addition to the second-degree attempted murder charge, prosecutors have also charged Nissen with first-degree assault and second-degree assault, police said.
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He’s currently being held on a $1,570,000 bond and is expected to appear in Kona District Court for an initial appearance on April 20. It’s unclear whether Nissen has retained an attorney.
Police are asking anyone with information on the alleged attack to contact Detective Bradley Llanes at (808) 326-4646, ext. 268 or via email at Bradley.Llanes@hawaiipolice.gov.
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