Efforts to rebuild Hawaii tourism after Japan visitor numbers dwindle

State leaders and top tourism officials are gathering here at the Hawaii Convention Center to find ways to rebuild the struggling tourism industry, taking a close look at the decrease in Japanese tourists.

[educated_guess]

Japanese tourist getting robbed and beaten up in a bathroom in Kakaako and a group of Japanese tourist getting robbed at gun point on the beach at Waikiki not having the effect the state was expecting? Thats shocking.

[mr.t]

Governor Green is wasting our money on his two supposedly business trips to Japan (more like free vacation on our money twice), I’m not a math genius but I’ll tell you why the Japanese tourist aren’t coming to Hawaii, it’s not only the weakened Yen but also the ridiculous hotel room rates plus increased resort fees and increased parking fees. It’s cheaper for even us locals to fly to Japan than stay home for a staycation.

[jasoncarreira]

I'm from Hawaii Hawaii will lose a lot of tourists Hawaii is overpopulated and they will be a lot of crime it will be very hard to keep Paradise reason overpopulated face facts there will be a lot of homeless

[Tamagotanukis]

The yen to dollar is a rip off, they losing money when they come here and Hawaii is already 3x more expensive than the mainland, it’s too expensive here!

[Motorrad]

So first you throw people in jail for going to the beach during covid; then complain about too many tourists; tell people not to go to Maui after the fire months after it happened; strike at the hotels that are charging $700/night; and wonder why tourists aren't coming??? 😂😂😂

[NewtTech]

We wanted to help locals that depend on tourism so we went to Maui on spring break we largely got the feeling before and during the trip that people didn't want us there. I think it starts with being nice and wanting visitors.

[andrewdumpling]

no, there's just so much any better options then hawaii right now. hawaii offers nothing special for their cost.

[atdi]

Hawaii is soooo expensive, esp if you are using Yen. Keep electing leaders that make it hard to attain oil in the US and this is the result. No electric ships shipping in all of our goods. Not rocket science.

[artbenny]

Tourists not going to Hawaii because that place sucks. Now that some of the hotel workers are on strike the tourists has to clean and redo their own room.

[paige]

Thought Hawaii wanted fewer tourists??? Isn't that what they've been complaining about for years now?

[lancebeaudry]

The government has ruined Hawaii. Fancy hotels and resorts make billions and hardly any of the money goes to the people of Hawaii. The people that stay in these places don't do anything for the local shops and businesses either. The high end restaurants and shops are in the resorts. Poverty and homelessness is out of hand and the regular tourist was blamed for high housing costs because the only affordable accommodation was STR's. We stayed in these places shopped at the local market and ate at local restaurants. Now they tax the STR owners and put restrictions on them while big hotels get tax breaks and support. Food prices and services are ridiculous. You have to pay to park in Kona, the money leaves the state as soon as you swipe your credit card as the parking lots were sold to companies on the mainland. How does that help local people and businesses?
We used to love going to Hawaii but sadly no more. True Aloha of old is dying 😢

[georgecavendish]

It is the lack of training. Hawai’i or Americanism don’t know how to handle customer service. Service standards are poor and that is why they don’t return.

[rivertonhigh-vt]

😂😂😂 Nobody's chasing after Japanese tourists anymore. It's all Chinese, South Koreans, Singaporeans, Malaysians.

[yotrader]

Affluent people can afford traveling regardless of exchange rate. And they're the high-spending tourists you actually want. 1.4 million Japanese citizens traveled abroad in August 2024. I think Hawaii should address the fundamental issue on why many Japanese tourists no longer are choosing Hawaii as their vacation destination. I don't think marketing efforts in Japan would be that fruitful because many Japanese people are already aware of Hawaii and its issues, be it safety, crime, or high prices.

My personal disappointment while visiting Hawaii was, it wasn't Hawaiian enough. Locals were super nice and kind, but I wanted to feel and experience more Hawaiian culture, cuisine, and vibe. For me Hawaii was too American, and to experience that I can visit Continental US.

[dng]

lets raise taxes for tourists. keep voting democrat ladies.