Is Hawaii Still Worth Visiting in 2025? Tourism Crisis, Maui Recovery & Travel Tips— Ep 27

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

Who this episode is for: Travelers hesitant about visiting Hawaii in 2025 due to concerns about tourism impact, Maui's recovery, or being an unwelcome visitor.

What you'll learn: How Hawaii's approach to tourism has shifted, where Maui's recovery stands post-wildfire, and practical reasons why visiting responsibly in 2025 can actually be a good time to go.

Places discussed:

• Maui
• Lahaina

Activities discussed:

• Booking 2025 flights, accommodations, and activities
• Practicing responsible, respectful tourism

Marcie's recommendations:

• Hawaii's tourism landscape has shifted since the 2023 Lahaina wildfires — approach the trip with updated expectations, not pre-2023 assumptions
• Visiting responsibly and mindfully matters more than ever, especially around Maui
• 2025 offers real upsides for visitors: fewer crowds and better deals in some cases
• Supporting local Hawaiian communities through spending choices is part of being a responsible visitor
• Book flights, accommodations, and activities with current conditions in mind, not outdated information
• Hawaii is still very much worth visiting in 2025, with the right mindset and preparation

Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes: 

• Hawaii 101: 2026 Edition— Ep 110
• What's Actually Happening in Hawaii Right Now— Ep 122
• Peak Season vs Shoulder Season: The Hawaii Timing Decision That Affects Everything— Ep 44
• Hawaii Travel in Peak Season vs. Off-Peak Season— Ep 26

Related articles: 

• Can You Take Coral From Hawaii? Tips for Responsible Tourism
• 15 Things NOT to Do in Hawaii (Mistakes That’ll Ruin Your Vacation)

About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.

Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com

Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation

🌺 Join 11,000+ families receiving free Hawaii travel tips, island guides, and insider advice - subscribe now!
https://hawaiitravelwithkids.com/free-5-day-email-course-how-to-travel-to-hawaii-like-a-pro/

Transcript

Copy Transcript Copied

0:01

Hey there, Hawaii Dreamers. Here's a bonus episode of Hawaii Travel Made Easy. I'm Marcie, and today we need to have a heart to heart conversation about something that's been weighing on my mind and probably yours too. If you've been following Hawaii News lately, I've been getting so many messages from you asking "Marcie, is Hawaii still worth visiting? Are we even welcome there anymore?" And honestly, it's complicated. So let's jump in and figure this out together because I want you to make the best decision for your Hawaii dreams. Okay, so here's the deal. If you've been planning a Hawaii trip for this summer, you might have noticed something weird. It is actually been easier to find deals and availability than usual, and that's because well fewer people are going. June, 2025 was reportedly the slowest month for Hawaii tourism bookings in quite some time. We're talking peak summer season here when hotels should be packed and flights should be expensive, but that's not what's happening now. Before you panic and think, oh great, is there something wrong with Hawaii? Let me be clear, the islands are absolutely beautiful, safe, and ready for visitors. What's changed is Hawaii's approach to tourism. The state has basically said we want fewer tourists, but we want them to spend more money, think quality over quantity. And you know what? In some ways this could actually be good news for you as a traveler. Less crowded beaches, easier reservations, maybe even some deals. But, and this is a big, but it's also created some challenges that we need to talk about, honestly. We absolutely have to dress Maui, because I know many of you have been wondering about this. The Lahaina wildfires in August, 2023 were devastating. 115 people lost their lives and more than 2000 homes were destroyed. Now, here's what might surprise you. Tourism spending on Maui has actually bounced back above pre pandemic levels. People are visiting and they're spending money, but the rebuilding process, it's been heartbreakingly slow. Only six homes have been rebuilt so far. Out of those 2000, here's what this means for you as a traveler. Maui absolutely wants and needs visitors. The tourism industry there is doing everything they can to welcome you back. But if you do visit, especially West Maui, just go with an understanding that it's still a community and recovery. And the rest of Maui, places like Haleakala, the Road to Hana, Wailea, Kihei, they're all operating normally and would love to see you. And honestly, your tourism dollars are helping the entire island recover. So should you avoid Maui? Not necessarily. Should you be a respectful, mindful visitor? Absolutely. Okay. This is the hard part of our conversation, but we need to address it because they know it's on your minds. I've been seeing comments and hearing from travelers who feel like Hawaii doesn't want them anymore. One longtime visitor told a reporter, I understand the need to preserve the islands, but it's starting to feel unwelcoming. Another said they're choosing Canada and Europe instead of their usual Maui trips. And listen, I get it. Nobody wants to vacation somewhere. They feel unwanted. But here's what I want you to understand, the vast majority of people in Hawaii's tourism industry, from hotel workers, to tour guides, to restaurant owners, absolutely want you to visit their livelihoods, depend on it. So what you're seeing is a really small but vocal group on social media plus some policy changes that aren't being communicated Well, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has been actively running campaigns saying Hawaii is ready, and we welcome mindful travelers. The key word there is mindful Hawaii wants visitors who respect the culture, the environment, and the local communities. And honestly that's probably you because you're here listening to a podcast about how to travel to Hawaii thoughtfully. So let's get practical. What does all this actually mean for your Hawaii vacation planning? First flights, the Hawaiian Airlines merger with Alaska and Southwest. Reducing some routes means there are fewer seats available, but it also means if you're flexible with dates and book early, you might find some good deals since demand is softer. Second accommodations. Maui is eliminating thousands of vacation 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 better service and deals at resorts right now. Third, activities and fees. Yes. Some places now require reservations like Diamond Head and Haleakala, sunrise, viewing some beaches have parking fees. But honestly, this can actually improve your experience by preventing overcrowding. Fourth, international visitors are way down, especially from Japan and Canada. What does this mean for you? Potentially fewer crowds at popular spots. The bottom line is this, Hawaii is absolutely still worth visiting. It's just different than it was five years ago, and different isn't necessarily bad, it just might require a little more planning. All right. Let me give you my honest opinion. As someone who loves Hawaii and wants you to have an amazing experience there, should you visit Hawaii in 2025? If you can afford it comfortably and you're willing to be a respectful visitor, absolutely. Yes. The islands are still incredibly beautiful. The culture is still rich and welcoming, and your tourism dollars are genuinely helping local communities. Should you expect it to be exactly like your trip from 2019, probably not. You might pay a little more. You might need to make some more reservations in advance, and you might encounter some new fees, but you'll also likely encounter fewer crowds and possibly even better service. Here's what I recommend. Come with the right expectations. Come ready to support local businesses. Come ready to learn a bit about Hawaiian culture. Come ready to be flexible If plans change and remember every destination goes through changes. Hawaii's just being more intentional about managing theirs. Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. Hawaii tourism is in a transition period right now, but that doesn't mean your Hawaii dreams need to be put on hold. If Hawaii has been calling you, don't let fear or uncertainty keep you away. Just come prepared, come respectful, and come with realistic expectations. And hey, if you need help planning that trip, that's exactly what this podcast is here for. Send me your questions and let me make your Hawaii dreams happen. If you find my podcast helpful, please rate it and leave a review. It helps other travelers find this podcast. Thanks for listening to Hawaii Travel Made. Easy. I'm Marcie and I'll see you on Wednesday with more tips to make your Hawaii adventure, everything you've dreamed of. Aloha.