Hawaii is a gorgeous corner of the world that draws in many through its allure of
stunning natural landscapes and unique culture. It is a particularly popular tourism
spot for Americans due to its status as a state whilst still being geographically
diverse in comparison to the rest of the USA. Whilst it is understandable why
many wish to have their next getaway in such a beautiful place it is important to
understand the consequences of such an action, and to listen to and respect what
the locals have to say.
Overtourism is a concept that plagues many nations but has been hitting Hawaii
hard, especially during and post-pandemic. Tourism has caused irreparable
damage to the environment, economy and quality of life for those who call it
home. Tourists outnumber locals 7 to 1, which puts an immense strain on the
infrastructure of the islands that are not built to maintain such numbers. This is
especially evident in the water crisis, where water usage in hotels, restaurants and
recreational activity centres have created pollution and shortages for locals.
The trend of rich investors buying up property in the area has also created a cost
of living crisis, where houses are totally unaffordable to those that actually live in
the state and are instead left empty by developers and periodic holidayers.
It’s an issue that needs to be addressed and kept on the forefront of any travellers
minds when debating their next destination, is your experience worth more than
that of the locals? It may feel unfair but it is the reality of the situation, and one
we should all remain conscious of.
https://brownpoliticalreview.org/2023/02/tourism-in-hawaii-the-case-for-caps/
https://www.khon2.com/local-news/hawaii-tourism-climbs-despite-slight-drop-on-
hawaii-island/
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