Is Hawaii Still Worth Visiting in 2025? Tourism Crisis, Maui Recovery & Travel Tips

Is Hawaii Still Worth Visiting? An Honest Discussion for 2025 Travelers

In this bonus episode of 'Hawaii Travel Made Easy,' host Marcie addresses the concerns many travelers have about visiting Hawaii in 2025. This timely Hawaii travel guide covers the recent changes in Hawaii's approach to tourism, the impact of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires on Maui, and the importance of being a respectful and mindful visitor during your Hawaii vacation, essential for first-time Hawaii visitors and Hawaii vacation planning.

Marcie provides practical Hawaii travel tips on booking 2025 Hawaii travel flights, accommodations, and activities, and emphasizes the potential benefits of visiting Hawaii now, such as fewer crowds and better Hawaii vacation deals. This honest Hawaii travel guide aims to help listeners make informed decisions about their Hawaii travel plans while supporting local Hawaiian communities.

Perfect for Hawaii family travel planning and anyone wondering about current Hawaii travel conditions, learn about responsible Hawaii travel, post-wildfire Maui updates, and why Hawaii vacation experiences may actually be better in 2025. Essential Hawaii travel tips for navigating the current Hawaiian Islands tourism landscape.

This Hawaii travel guide addresses real concerns while providing practical Hawaii vacation planning advice for 2025 Hawaii travelers.

00:00 Introduction and Current Concerns 

00:32 Tourism Trends and Changes 

01:30 Impact of Lahaina Wildfires 

02:37 Visitor Sentiments and Local Perspectives 

03:40 Practical Travel Tips for 2025 

04:46 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 

05:57 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Episode Transcript

(00:01):
Hey there, Hawaii Dreamers.
Here's a bonus episode of HawaiiTravel Made Easy.
I'm Marcie, and today we need tohave a heart to heart
conversation about somethingthat's been weighing on my mind
and probably yours too.
If you've been following HawaiiNews lately, I've been getting
so many messages from you asking"Marcie, is Hawaii still worth
visiting?
Are we even welcome thereanymore?" And honestly, it's

(00:22):
complicated.
So let's jump in and figure thisout together because I want you
to make the best decision foryour Hawaii dreams.
Okay, so here's the deal.
If you've been planning a Hawaiitrip for this summer, you might
have noticed something weird.
It is actually been easier tofind deals and availability than
usual, and that's because wellfewer people are going.

(00:45):
June, 2025 was reportedly theslowest month for Hawaii tourism
bookings in quite some time.
We're talking peak summer seasonhere when hotels should be
packed and flights should beexpensive, but that's not what's
happening now.
Before you panic and think, ohgreat, is there something wrong
with Hawaii?
Let me be clear, the islands areabsolutely beautiful, safe, and
ready for visitors.

(01:06):
What's changed is Hawaii'sapproach to tourism.
The state has basically said wewant fewer tourists, but we want
them to spend more money, thinkquality over quantity.
And you know what?
In some ways this could actuallybe good news for you as a
traveler.
Less crowded beaches, easierreservations, maybe even some
deals.
But, and this is a big, but it'salso created some challenges

(01:29):
that we need to talk about,honestly.
We absolutely have to dressMaui, because I know many of you
have been wondering about this.
The Lahaina wildfires in August,2023 were devastating.
115 people lost their lives andmore than 2000 homes were
destroyed.
Now, here's what might surpriseyou.
Tourism spending on Maui hasactually bounced back above pre

(01:50):
pandemic levels.
People are visiting and they'respending money, but the
rebuilding process, it's beenheartbreakingly slow.
Only six homes have been rebuiltso far.
Out of those 2000, here's whatthis means for you as a
traveler.
Maui absolutely wants and needsvisitors.
The tourism industry there isdoing everything they can to

(02:10):
welcome you back.
But if you do visit, especiallyWest Maui, just go with an
understanding that it's still acommunity and recovery.
And the rest of Maui, placeslike Haleakala, the Road to
Hana, Wailea, Kihei, they're alloperating normally and would
love to see you.
And honestly, your tourismdollars are helping the entire
island recover.
So should you avoid Maui?

(02:31):
Not necessarily.
Should you be a respectful,mindful visitor?
Absolutely.
Okay.
This is the hard part of ourconversation, but we need to
address it because they knowit's on your minds.
I've been seeing comments andhearing from travelers who feel
like Hawaii doesn't want themanymore.
One longtime visitor told areporter, I understand the need
to preserve the islands, butit's starting to feel

(02:53):
unwelcoming.
Another said they're choosingCanada and Europe instead of
their usual Maui trips.
And listen, I get it.
Nobody wants to vacationsomewhere.
They feel unwanted.
But here's what I want you tounderstand, the vast majority of
people in Hawaii's tourismindustry, from hotel workers, to
tour guides, to restaurantowners, absolutely want you to
visit their livelihoods, dependon it.

(03:14):
So what you're seeing is areally small but vocal group on
social media plus some policychanges that aren't being
communicated Well, the HawaiiTourism Authority has been
actively running campaignssaying Hawaii is ready, and we
welcome mindful travelers.
The key word there is mindfulHawaii wants visitors who
respect the culture, theenvironment, and the local
communities.
And honestly that's probably youbecause you're here listening to

(03:37):
a podcast about how to travel toHawaii thoughtfully.
So let's get practical.
What does all this actually meanfor your Hawaii vacation
planning?
First flights, the HawaiianAirlines merger with Alaska and
Southwest.
Reducing some routes means thereare fewer seats available, but
it also means if you're flexiblewith dates and book early, you
might find some good deals sincedemand is softer.

(03:58):
Second accommodations.
Maui is eliminating thousands ofvacation rentals to create more
housing for locals.
That means fewer Airbnb options,but hotels are working hard to
fill that gap.
You might actually get betterservice and deals at resorts
right now.
Third, activities and fees.
Yes.
Some places now requirereservations like Diamond Head
and Haleakala, sunrise, viewingsome beaches have parking fees.

(04:22):
But honestly, this can actuallyimprove your experience by
preventing overcrowding.
Fourth, international visitorsare way down, especially from
Japan and Canada.
What does this mean for you?
Potentially fewer crowds atpopular spots.
The bottom line is this, Hawaiiis absolutely still worth
visiting.
It's just different than it wasfive years ago, and different

(04:42):
isn't necessarily bad, it justmight require a little more
planning.
All right.
Let me give you my honestopinion.
As someone who loves Hawaii andwants you to have an amazing
experience there, should youvisit Hawaii in 2025?
If you can afford it comfortablyand you're willing to be a
respectful visitor, absolutely.
Yes.
The islands are still incrediblybeautiful.

(05:02):
The culture is still rich andwelcoming, and your tourism
dollars are genuinely helpinglocal communities.
Should you expect it to beexactly like your trip from
2019, probably not.
You might pay a little more.
You might need to make some morereservations in advance, and you
might encounter some new fees,but you'll also likely encounter
fewer crowds and possibly evenbetter service.

(05:23):
Here's what I recommend.
Come with the rightexpectations.
Come ready to support localbusinesses.
Come ready to learn a bit aboutHawaiian culture.
Come ready to be flexible Ifplans change and remember every
destination goes throughchanges.
Hawaii's just being moreintentional about managing
theirs.
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoatit.
Hawaii tourism is in atransition period right now, but

(05:45):
that doesn't mean your Hawaiidreams need to be put on hold.
If Hawaii has been calling you,don't let fear or uncertainty
keep you away.
Just come prepared, comerespectful, and come with
realistic expectations.
And hey, if you need helpplanning that trip, that's
exactly what this podcast ishere for.
Send me your questions and letme make your Hawaii dreams
happen.
If you find my podcast helpful,please rate it and leave a

(06:07):
review.
It helps other travelers findthis podcast.
Thanks for listening to HawaiiTravel Made.
Easy.
I'm Marcie and I'll see you onWednesday with more tips to make
your Hawaii adventure,everything you've dreamed of.
Aloha.