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From Aloha to Uncertainty: Hawaii’s Global Tourism at Risk

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn

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Hawaii Island asks for the public’s assistance finding elderly woman, Jacquelyn Glenn


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating 82-year-old Jacquelyn Glenn of Kailua-Kona, who was reported missing by her family.

Police said she is considered endangered due to her age.

Glenn was last seen on Friday, Dec. 5, around 6:37 a.m., on the 75-200 block of Nani Kailua Dr. in Kailua-Kona.

She was wearing a peach-colored shirt, blue denim jeans, and black tennis shoes. She reportedly mentioned going to Hilo with friends, but did not say when she planned to return.

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She is described as 5′6″, 125 Ibs, with curly grey hair and brown eyes.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jacquelyn Glenn to call the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.



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Hawaii gets nearly $190 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii gets nearly 0 million for rural health care | Honolulu Star-Advertiser




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Hawaiian announces $600 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaiian announces 0 million airport, wide-body upgrades | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


COURTESY HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

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Hawaiian Airlines today announced an investment of more than $600 million over five years to improve airport passenger areas across the state and interior upgrades to widebody aircraft.

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Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ahead of today’s announcement at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport that other improvements will include better apps, a better website that will make it easier for passengers to change flights, among other things that also include better integration with Alaska Airlines, which acquired Hawaiian in 2024, making it a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group.

“We have pushed a lot of change through the system for the last couple of months,” Rakow said. “We’re working on integrating our ticketing systems because right now we’re on two separate ticketing systems that don’t talk to each other.”

After late April, she said, booking on the shared Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air ticketing system “will be much more seamless.”

In announcing the renovations and changes, Hawaiian pledged “a significantly smoother guest experience … once Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines share the same passenger service system and Hawaiian Airlines joins the oneworld alliance, both scheduled for late April.”

Right now, Rakow acknowledged, “unfortunately there is some friction.”

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“There’s been so many changes and all of that friction is really painful,” she said. “We are committed to making sure we are addressing the issues. … We are certainly not perfect, but we are committed to working together. … Really, after April, it is going to improve significantly.”

Each island airport also will see renovated lobbies and gates designed to increase comfort, provide better seating and amenities such as improved power charging.

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Daniel K. Inouye International also will get a new 10,600-square-foot lounge at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.

And starting in 2028, Hawaiian’s wide-body Airbus A330s will get new seats, carpets, lighting, business class suites, a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi.

Gov. Josh Green said in a statement ahead of today’s announcement that, “Hawaiian Airlines’ investment is exactly the kind of long-term commitment Hawaiʻi needs. Modern, welcoming airports improve the experience for residents and visitors alike, strengthen our economy and keep Hawaiʻi competitive as a global destination. We appreciate Hawaiian Airlines’ partnership in advancing workforce development, regenerative tourism, clean energy, and community programs that reflect the values of our islands.”

The New Year began with a .75% increase in Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax that will help the state fight climate change.

Rakow said that Hawaiian is working to better inform inbound passengers about how to respect Hawaii’s culture and environment.

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Hawaiian said it will continue to support “programs promoting regenerative tourism, culture and conservation.”

The airline also said it will fund grants to nonprofit organizations “promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation, and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation.”




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