How Neighbor Islands Are Working To Address Overtourism In Hawaii … As the Hawaii Tourism Authority shifts from marketing to tourism management, the counties are taking matters into their own hands with new hotel bans and airport shuttle systems.
Amid a post-pandemic tourism surge, Hawaii’s counties are rethinking their reliance on the visitor industry with new laws meant to stem the flood of visitors.
Kauai is considering a new visitor parking fee at overcrowded beaches. The Hawaii County Council recently weighed the pros and cons of defunding Big Island tourism promotion since, regardless of marketing efforts, visitors seem to keep coming anyway.
Last week the Maui County Council introduced its toughest measure yet when it adopted a ban on new hotels in south and west Maui. No building permits will be given out for visitor accommodations in these areas, which includes Lahaina and Kihei, for up to two years.
