Hawaii Resident Support for Tourism Falls Near Record Low Amid Culture Concerns
Support for tourism among Hawaii residents has dropped to 53 percent, hovering near the historic low of 49 percent recorded in 2021, according to the Spring 2026 Resident Sentiment Survey commissioned by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and conducted by Omnitrak.
Resident Sentiment Falls Near Historic Low Amid Rising Friction
The new reading marks a decline from 58 percent a year earlier, reflecting mounting frustration with the state’s dominant industry. The Omnitrak survey gathered responses from 1,716 residents statewide between March 17 and June 14.
North Shore resident Choon James, living near Laie Point, said that local irritation stems from the constant daily influx of visitors rather than tourism in general. Traffic, illegal parking, and blocked access on narrow residential roads have created safety hazards that stretch from early morning into the evening.
Social media promotion has redirected crowds into once-quiet local spaces across rural communities, expanding congestion far beyond Waikiki and urban Honolulu. Omnitrak President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Kam noted that residents are judging the industry by its cultural and environmental toll rather than just its economic output. Disrespect for culture and the natural environment emerged as the primary complaint this year.
Cultural Disrespect Overlaps With High-Profile Incidents
Among residents who feel tourism creates more problems than benefits, 75 percent cited disrespect for Hawaiian culture, traditions, and the aina as their leading concern. Environmental damage, overcrowding, and the high cost of living followed behind that core grievance.
Caroline Anderson, interim President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, pointed out that the survey period aligned with several visible visitor controversies. Those incidents included a dispute on Maui’s Road to Hana and a case involving a visitor accused of striking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Residents also reported ongoing issues with tourists harassing endangered sea turtles on Kauai.
Historically, resident support drops during periods of strong visitor arrivals and rises during economic downturns. In 2026, however, sentiment softened even as the visitor industry experienced a slower recovery compared to pre-pandemic peaks.
Growing Calls for Economic Diversification and Economic Pressures
The survey revealed that 67 percent of residents said the state should diver
Choon James said growing frustration stems from the cumulative effects of overcrowding, traffic, the loss of local spaces and increasing visitor entitlement and disrespect.
At the same time, Rep. Adrian Tam, chair of the House Committee on Tourism, observed that visitor activity in Waikiki remains visibly softer than in past years. Tam emphasized that local businesses still rely heavily on visitor spending, creating a complex balancing act for lawmakers who must weigh economic needs against resident discontent.
Destination Management Efforts Face Skepticism
Confidence in destination management has dropped alongside overall sentiment. Residents who believe tourism is being better managed on their island fell from 52 percent to 47 percent, while those feeling they had a voice in tourism decisions dropped from 31 percent to 26 percent.
Awareness of the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Destination Management Action Plans declined from 45 percent to 38 percent. Chris Kam noted that residents aware of these plans tend to view tourism more favorably.
Caroline Anderson explained that the newest destination management plans were still rolling out during the survey period and might not yet reflect community impacts. Meanwhile, lawmakers and local advocates continue to press for tangible results and stronger pre-arrival education from airlines regarding local laws and cultural respect.