Hawaii Residents Sour on Tourism Benefits
A spring 2026 statewide survey found belief that tourism brings more benefits than problems fell to 53%, from 58% in 2025.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in National Parks
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Fewer Hawaii residents now say tourism brings more benefits than problems, according to a statewide survey of 1,716 residents released by the state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Among those who see more problems, 75% cite disrespect for Hawaiian culture, traditions and aina.
Why it matters
The survey points to growing resident concern about visitor behavior, including incidents involving endangered Hawaiian monk seals and honu, and about rising prices in the state. Residents' views shape how the state manages visitor volume and conduct across its islands.
Residents' favorable opinion of tourism remains at 70%, even as only 47% believe tourism is being better managed, down from 52% in 2025. Awareness of the state's Destination Management Action Plans fell from 45% to 38%, and it is not stated whether this decline reflects reduced outreach.
The players
Hawaii Tourism Authority
The state agency responsible for marketing and managing tourism in Hawaii, which runs the Malama Hawaii Program and oversees the Destination Management Action Plans.
Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
The state department that released the resident sentiment survey and oversees the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
The details
Respondents who see tourism as creating more problems than benefits cited disrespect for Hawaiian culture most often, while 71% of that group pointed to high prices and cost of living. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is educating visitors through travel advisors, media, meeting planners and the Malama Hawaii Program.
Timeline
May 2025: A Washington state visitor was arrested after allegedly throwing a large rock at an endangered monk seal off Lahaina.
December 2025: A video showed tourists picking up a honu at Halona Beach Cove on Oahu.
Spring 2026: The statewide resident survey of 1,716 residents was conducted.
August 2026: Destination Management Action Plans for 2026 through 2028 were announced.
Big Picture
The Destination Management Action Plans, introduced for 2026 through 2028, are the state's current framework for managing visitor impacts. The survey shows awareness of those plans falling from 45% to 38%, suggesting residents are not yet seeing their effects.
Visitors to Hawaii should expect continued public focus on respectful behavior around wildlife and cultural sites. Travelers planning trips may find that transportation alternatives, such as the North Shore Huakai pilot on Oahu, are becoming available.
The takeaway
Respectful behavior toward wildlife, cultural sites and local communities is a practical priority for visitors. Residents' concerns about culture and cost of living show that how tourism is managed matters as much as how many visitors arrive.
Further reading
For more on the state's natural areas, see National Parks coverage across Hawaii.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Gate.
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