Flushing toilets and cleaning pools costs money, plus there are looming taxes. Can hotels survive the pandemic?
Tourism’s Tipping Point
With more than 10 million visitors a year, the skyrocketing expansion of Hawaii’s most lucrative industry is pushing the limits of the state’s beaches, hiking trails – and the state’s aloha spirit.
In an ongoing series, Civil Beat is exploring the future of tourism in Hawaii – and the critical question of how to balance the industry’s growth with sustainability.
Posted inTourism's Tipping Point
Ige, UH Economists Agree: COVID-19 Testing May Be Key To Restoring Tourism
The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization’s executive director says Hawaii can emerge as the “premier destination for U.S. travelers over the next year.”
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Hawaiian Airlines Will Suspend Most Long-Haul Service Starting Thursday
The airline, which is Hawaii’s largest private employer, faces uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
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Hawaii Imposes Mandatory 14-Day Quarantine For All Arrivals
Updated: The order is intended to bring tourism to a near halt. But top lawmakers want Ige to go further and require residents to shelter in place.
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Hawaii’s Biggest Industry Is Reeling As The Coronavirus Spreads
Hawaii’s hotel and service industry workers are losing their jobs as COVID-19 pummels the state’s tourist industry.
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Vacation Rentals Are Still Thriving In Kailua
Critics warned that a bill to crack down on illegal vacation rentals would doom Kailua’s economy. But months later, the town still bustles with tourists and hundreds of vacation rentals.
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Honolulu’s First ‘Climathon’ Tackles The Challenges Of Green Tourism
The winners of the hackathon proposed giving beach toys a second life as a way to reduce visitors’ environmental footprint.
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How ‘Green Fees’ Might Offset The Hidden Costs Of Tourism In Hawaii
A growing number of tourism hot spots, ranging from Mallorca to Bhutan to New Zealand, are imposing new taxes and fees on visitors.
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This Facebook Campaign Is Teaching Tourists How To Behave In Hawaii
Officials believe visitors will follow local customs if they simply understand them.