Hawaii has witnessed a devastating decline in the number of tourist visits in recent years, with nearly half a million fewer tourists in 2025 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The island relies on visitors for its tourism industry to thrive, yet travelers often feel deterred from vacationing in the Aloha State at all, partly due to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen’s plan to eliminate thousands of vacation rentals, according to Beat of Hawaii.
Bissen’s plan focuses on short-term rentals along the region of West Maui, most of which have been operated for decades and are considered some of the most popular places to stay among tourists. Proponents argue that his plan is the “only way to reduce housing costs and preserve neighborhoods,” while others assert that it deters both visitors and locals and only exacerbates the crisis.
Statewide, there has been a 6.7% decrease in visitors compared to 2019 and a 23.4% decrease in Maui tourists. Simultaneously, the state is becoming more costly. Hotel rates have increased 29% from 2019 to 2024, with vacation rental prices also skyrocketing, resulting in reduced demand, according to SFGATE…