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Hawai'i Skies

) at The Koko Crater Arch Trail on the east side of Oʻahu. Leary wrote, "Perfect sunrise out with friends 

To submit your Hawai'i Skies photo, visit us 

Hawaii Skies Ryan Leary 101 25

<title>Hawai'i Skies: Caught between a rock and a hard place</title>

Today's Hawai'i Skies was captured by Ryan Leary (@rtleary2) at The Koko Crater Arch Trail on the east side of Oʻahu.

Hawai'i Skies: Caught between a rock and a hard place

Today&#039;s Hawai&#039;i Skies was captured by Ryan Leary (@rtleary2) at The Koko Crater Arch Trail on the east side of Oʻahu. Leary wrote, &quot;Perfect sunrise out with friends — no better way to start the day!&quot; To submit your Hawai&#039;i Skies photo, visit us online or email: general@alohastatedaily.com

Ray Tsuchiyama

Columnists

Every weekday afternoon at 4:30, I pick up my granddaughter.

Sometimes while waiting in the parking lot, I answer an email from a Tokyo client. My work doesn't stop just because the school day is ending; it simply gets folded into whatever gap exists before 4:30.

Then it is time to pick up my granddaughter.

The contrast is almost comical. One minute I am updating escrow about a multimillion-dollar transaction; the next, I am fastening a child into her car seat, listening to who was “mean” to her and asking whether I have been a good “Jiji” today.

Yet there is a fundamental connection between the two, and it is not a small one. My being there at 4:30 makes it possible for her parents to stay at work.

I am part of Hawaiʻi's childcare system. I just don't show up in the childcare statistics.

That is not to say grandparents can replace preschool. Quite the opposite. I have never been more convinced of the difference between the two than I am now, watching early childhood education happen five days a week.

I see daily what preschool provides my granddaughter that I cannot. She talks about learning "A" for alligator. She says, “Good morning, how are you today?” respectfully to her teacher. She has learned to share toys and navigate relationships with her classmates.

These may sound like small things. They aren't. They are the essential building blocks of early social development and preparation for elementary school. Jiji is not going to lead a structured lesson on phonics or spelling. That is not a criticism of grandparents; it is an accurate description of what a classroom is actually for.

We must be careful not to confuse childcare with early education. They are distinct entities doing different work. Hawaiʻi's policy conversations should be honest about that distinction, rather than treating "somebody is watching the kids" as interchangeable with "somebody is teaching them."

At the same time, the two are inextricably linked. A family that cannot solve the first problem — supervision — never gets to benefit from the second — education. A child who needs supervision at 4:30 p.m. and cannot get it from a licensed, affordable after-school program does not simply do without. A grandparent, an aunt, or a neighbor absorbs the gap instead. And whatever early-learning or structured enrichment value a formal setting would have provided goes missing along with it.

This is where Hawaiʻi needs to start asking a different, broader set of questions about childcare.

When we talk about Hawaiʻi's childcare crisis, policy makers tend to count only what is easily visible: licensed centers, available slots, registered childcare workers, preschool enrollment, subsidies, and out-of-pocket costs. The state's Ready Keiki initiative, for instance, tracks its progress toward universal access for three- and four-year-olds largely through formal metrics — seats built, classrooms opened, and shrinking waitlists.

All of those metrics matter. None of it is wrong to count.

But what about the grandmother who watches a grandchild until a parent gets off a late shift? The aunt who takes care of two nieces every Wednesday? The hānai cousin who steps in when a parent's work schedule changes with two days' notice because the alternative is losing the job? 

What about the parents themselves — the ones who adjust their working hours, decline a promotion, or leave the workforce altogether because they cannot find care they can afford or 

These individuals are essential components of Hawaiʻi's childcare system. Yet much of this labor remains invisible. A family absorbing the gap through a grandparent or a neighbor never shows up on an official state waitlist. Statistically, that family looks like a household with no need at all.

Before we can solve this problem, we should determine the true scope of the system we already have. Imagine a comprehensive map of Hawaiʻi's entire early-childhood ecosystem — not just licensed facilities.

 How many are there? How old are they? Where do they live?

 Who takes care of them during the day, before and after school, on weekends, and during school holidays? Some will be in childcare centers or preschools. Many will be with grandparents, extended family, friends, or neighbors (“FFN”). Some parents will be attempting to do the work themselves, juggling split shifts or working from home with a toddler running around the living room.

 How many parents are working? How many could work more hours or take a higher-paying job if reliable childcare were accessible? How many have already reduced their hours or left employment altogether — a trend that appears consistently in statewide surveys and ripples outward to every local employer struggling to fill shifts or retain trained staff?

 Are the shortages identical in Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, and Līhuʻe? A Neighbor Island shortage looks vastly different from an urban Oʻahu shortage — fewer providers competing for thinner margins, paired with longer travel distances between existing care and family homes.

 Even for a dual-income family, a median $1,000 to $1,300 monthly fee for licensed preschool represents a substantial hit to the household budget. What does formal care actually cost families? What does the state spend?

What is the economic value of all the unpaid care that families currently provide on their own?

That last figure is astronomical. Suppose Jiji provides two hours of childcare a day, five days a week, for 50 weeks a year. That is 500 hours a year. At $20 an hour, that equates to $10,000 worth of care. At $25 an hour, it reaches $12,500. Multiply that across tens of thousands of families statewide — grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors all stepping up at 4:30 p.m. — and the value of Hawaiʻi's invisible childcare workforce runs into hundreds of millions of dollars. It is an economy quietly sustained by free kūpuna labor.

Beyond the direct hours, there is an additional layer of economic value: the parent who can hold down a job because Auntie Leilani is available. That is a paycheck earned, taxes paid, and a local business that does not lose a valued employee to a coverage gap.

Our informal care network is currently subsidizing Hawaiʻi's entire labor market — for free, indefinitely, and with no guarantee that it will still be there for the next generation.

Childcare is not simply a social service or a favor rendered by loving relatives. 

Before We Subsidize: Mapping Hawaiʻi’s Childcare Care Economy

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":" "}]

ay Tsuchiyama’s series explores one central question: How does Hawai‘i use the wealth and land it already has to create its next economic future? He can be reached at 

Grandparent with child i Stock 2161371957

<title>Hawaiʻi’s Invisible Childcare Subsidy: Free Kūpuna Labor</title>

In the first of a two-part series, ASD columnist Ray Tsuchiyama explores the economics of the childcare crisis in Hawai‘i, including the dimensions we're not talking about, but should.

Hawaiʻi’s Invisible Childcare Subsidy: Free Kūpuna Labor

Letters to the Editor

We respect the history of Kakaʻako and the cultural significance of the ʻāina, and we recognize the importance of treating this place, its history, and the people connected to it with care and respect.

That said, we were disappointed to see Waterfront Plaza in "

" portrayed in a manner that, in our view, does not fairly reflect the property, the people who work here, or the experience of the many tenants, visitors, and staff who have been part of this community over the years.

The article blends historical information with personal recollections, folklore, and a number of second- and third-hand accounts. We understand that stories about unusual experiences across Kaka'ako have circulated over the years, and we respect that individuals may have their own experiences and beliefs. However, there is an important distinction between documented history and personal accounts, hearsay, or folklore that has been passed from one person to another. Presenting those accounts together can leave readers with the impression that stories and personal recollections are established facts.

Waterfront Plaza is a place where people work, conduct business, visit, gather, and build community every day. Our tenants and their employees work hard to serve the public, and our staff work diligently to maintain a safe, welcoming, and professionally managed property. That part of the story deserves to be recognized as well.

We also believe that discussions about Kakaʻako should be approached with cultural awareness and respect for Hawaiian history and values. The history of the ʻāina, including the presence of iwi kūpuna and the traditional places associated with this area, deserves thoughtful and respectful treatment. That history carries a significance that goes far beyond the stories of the unexplained.

We are not interested in dismissing anyone’s personal experience, nor are we seeking to tell people what they should or should not believe. We simply believe readers deserve clarity about what is documented history, what is personal recollection, and what is folklore passed from one person to another.

Most importantly, we remain focused on our kuleana to the people who use and care for Waterfront Plaza every day — our tenants, their employees, our visitors, and our staff. We are proud of the work they do and of the community they have built here. 

I have personally had the privilege of working at Waterfront Plaza for 18 years. In that time, I witnessed firsthand the care, pride, aloha, and genuine commitment our staff bring to this place every day. I have seen the countless ways our team works to make sure our tenants, visitors, and guests feel welcomed, supported, and taken care of. There is another story here — one of people who care deeply about this property and the community that calls it home.

We hope that future coverage of Waterfront Plaza will reflect that same level of care, accuracy, balance, and respect.

It is unfortunate that, despite the meaningful work this property and our team do in the community, we find ourselves responding every few years to reporting that does not reflect the full story of who we are and what we contribute.

For example, our team has proudly participated in the Special Olympics for 17 years. More importantly than simply raising funds, we have helped build awareness, provide support, and champion an incredible organization and the athletes it serves. We have also hosted the Foodbank’s Fight for Hunger for more than 11 years, raising funds and awareness to help address hunger in our community.

Countless members of our management team have also served on various nonprofit boards and supported organizations throughout our community. We have worked with Voyager Public Schools in a number of ways, including fundraising and other initiatives that support its students and educational mission.

We also host an annual community cleanup and now partner with SALT to continue that effort each year, along with many other events and initiatives that bring people together and give back to our community.

These are the stories we believe are also part of Waterfront Plaza — stories of service, partnership, generosity, and people who genuinely care about making a positive difference in our community. 

Steven Sullivan, Asset Manager at The Shidler Group for Waterfront Plaza

Waterfront Plaza Rainbow Large

<title>Waterfront Plaza responds to "What Haunts Waterfront Plaza"</title>

Waterfront Plaza responds to "What Haunts Waterfront Plaza"

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

Crime & Courts

The woman charged with murder after allegedly fatally shooting a man in Kailua last weekend was turned in by her father the day of the event, according to a Honolulu police report.

Hilinaikailimakualopali Keeno, 24, was charged on Sept. 30 with second-degree murder, carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony and improperly keeping a pistol or revolver. She is being held pending a $1 million bail.

An HPD document — which was submitted on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to the Honolulu Circuit Court to establish probable cause to detain Keeno without a warrant — states that Keeno’s father brought her to the Kailua Police Station less than an hour after 

was declared dead of a gunshot wound to the neck in the Kailua Target parking lot.

The report states that HPD special duty officers, who were working security at the Kailua Fall Festival that day, were called to assist with a group of festivalgoers involved in an argument at about 8:26 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Officers escorted the group out of the festival and watched them head toward the Target parking lot, only to hear another altercation begin among the group minutes later.

During this new altercation, a pop resembling a gunshot was heard, and officers saw two men — one of whom was Keeno’s brother — assaulting a third. Both assailants were placed under arrest for disorderly conduct, while officers discovered Malone on the ground, covered in blood.

[{"type":"text","text":"Malone was declared dead at the scene by 8:43 p.m."}]

At 9:39 p.m., Keeno was brought to the Kailua Police Station by her father, who told police she was involved in the incident and wanted to provide a statement in the presence of her attorney.

According to the HPD report, no interview was conducted with Keeno that night. Subsequently, HPD sought photographs and videos from the public to help piece together the event and identify the shooter.

On Sept. 28, another witness identified Keeno as the shooter, and HPD confirmed that Keeno has one firearm registered in her name, a Sig Sauer P365 handgun.

[{"type":"text","text":"Following this, Keeno was placed under arrest."}]

Keeno’s preliminary hearing, when she will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges, will take place Monday, Oct. 5. She remains in custody.

Hpd 16x9

<title>Woman charged in Kailua shooting turned in by father</title>

Hilinakailimakualopali Keeno faces a $1 million bail for a second-degree murder charge.

Woman charged in Kailua shooting turned in by father

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

The 11 months since Diana Birkett Rakow has taken the controls at Hawaiian Airlines has been full of change for the carrier.

Formerly the senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines, she was 

 of Hawaiian in September 2025 and stepped into the role on Oct. 29, 2025.

Her appointment came nearly two years after Alaska Air Group Inc. and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. 

 that Alaska Airlines would acquire Hawaiian Airlines in a deal that was valued at approximately $1.9 billion, including $900 million of Hawaiian’s net debt, according to an announcement at that time. The acquisition was 

As she approaches the one-year mark in the role, Birkett Rakow says that one of the biggest challenges has been “just navigating through the volume of change.”

“The flip side of that is that I think people have, certainly our teams have, just navigated through a lot of change with a ton of resilience and grace,” she told Aloha State Daily during a recent interview at Hawaiian Airlines' Honolulu headquarters. “And I appreciate our guests going on that journey with us and it’s really satisfying to get to a place where there is more seamlessness in the experience; there is more stability. It’s a dynamic industry and a dynamic world, so there’s always going to be continued change, but we have the opportunity now with the full-value proposition after our reservation systems came together, full-value proposition for our guests to really make sure that people understand that, appreciate it and are bringing more of their travel into our ecosystem.”

[{"type":"text","text":"In the last year:"}]

Birkett Rakow started in the CEO role the same day that Alaska Airlines received a 

 from the Federal Aviation Administration, a major milestone in the efforts to integrate the operations of the two airlines.

 called Atmos Rewards weeks before she stepped into the role, another milestone in the combination).

At the start of the 2026, Hawaiian Airlines and state officials announced the 

, which includes investments of more than $600 million over five years “to modernize airport spaces, aircraft cabins and technology for both guests and employees, expanding loyalty benefits for Hawai‘i residents and continuing our deep investment in community and sustainability statewide,” Birkett Rakow said at that time.

launched a unified Alaska Hawaiian mobile app

transitioned to a single passenger service system

 on April 22. Hawaiian also joined oneworld alliance, a global airline network that 

In March, Chef Dell Valdez was tapped as Hawaiian's new executive chef, bringing his "modern interpretation of Hawaiʻi’s diverse culinary identity to the airline’s First Class dining program while continuing to oversee the airline’s Featured Chef Series," an 

The airline also did away with complimentary meals in the main cabin of most domestic flights this summer, instead 

 with a menu curated by Maui-based chef Sheldon Simeon.

unveiled plans to invest in the premium travel experience for both the Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines brands.

For Hawaiian, that means new interiors for its A330 widebody aircraft, a fleet of 24 that serves destinations in Asia, Oceania and select North America routes, a recent announcement from the airline noted. That work begins in 2028 and includes 22 Leihōkū Suites for travelers on international business class and domestic first-class flights, the announcement says. The updates are part of the Kahu‘ewai investment plan.

As part of broader investments in core guest experiences, Alaska Air Group also will introduce premium reserve, a new premium economy cabin that debuts in 2028 on Alaska's 787-9, 787-10 and select 737-10 MAX aircraft, and on Hawaiian’s A330 fleet, “providing guests with more room, comfort and choice on longer flights,” the announcement notes.

In addition to the recent changes, Birkett Rakow says that particularly stormy year — with the Kona Low storms in March and a hurricane season that has brought storm-related damage and destruction to the Islands — has also been a challenge, not only for the airline, but for the community and the tourism industry.

“The flip side of that is it prompts good conversations about how do we continue to make this industry as resilient as it needs to be to power local jobs in the economy and support broader economic diversification and community," she says.

 serves as the central reservation technology that connects the digital tools and programs used by guests and employees, was one of four major integration milestones that also included the launch of 

 from the Federal Aviation Administration; and joint collective bargaining agreements for the airlines’ various unions.

“From a guest perspective, that was really the big unlock for people to experience us as one airline with two strong brands and a combined loyalty program,” Birkett Rakow says. “The integration went really smoothly and it’s been sort of great to hear people’s relief that they don’t have two confirmation codes; the system works really well.”

The combined labor contacts is the remaining key milestone in the Hawaiian and Alaska combination, she says, noting that’s “more of an employee-facing milestone, but it is one that we’re working toward with negotiations with all of our labor groups.”

Diana birkett rakow 100126

<title>Nearly a year into the role, Hawaiian Airlines CEO talks challenges, changes</title>

The 11 months since Diana Birkett Rakow has taken the helm of Hawaiian Airlines has been full of change for the carrier.

Nearly a year into the role, Hawaiian Airlines CEO talks challenges, changes

Bill Brennan

Viewpoints

Government & Politics

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) will present a special statewide television premiere of "Held in Trust: The Future of Hawaiʻi’s Public Lands Beyond Military Leases," a half-hour documentary examining the history of U.S. military use of Hawaiʻi’s public trust lands and the consequential decisions approaching as longstanding military leases begin to expire.

"Held in Trust" will air simultaneously at 6:30 p.m. on 

on KGMB, KHNL, KFVE, KITV, KIKU and KHII, and will stream live at 

“For more than six decades, these leases have simply been part of the landscape of Hawaiʻi, and many people know very little about how they came to be or what their expiration means,” said OHA Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele. “'Held in Trust' is an opportunity to know the history before we decide the future. These are decisions involving ʻāina that could have consequences for generations, and the people of Hawaiʻi deserve to understand what is at stake.”

The documentary takes viewers through the history of lands that once formed part of the Crown and Government lands of the Hawaiian Kingdom and today comprise portions of Hawaiʻi’s Public Land Trust. It examines how thousands of acres came to be leased for military use, what has occurred on those lands over the ensuing decades, and the cultural, environmental and public trust issues surrounding their future.

In 1964, the State of Hawaiʻi, through the Department of Land and Natural Resources, entered into 65-year leases involving thousands of acres of public trust lands for military purposes. Most were issued for $1 for the entire lease term. Military leases and easements held by the Army, Navy and Air Force across the islands begin expiring between 2028 and 2031.

Among the lands involved are the Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaiʻi Island and Mākua, Kahuku and Kawailoa-Poamoho training areas on Oʻahu, where Army leases dating to 1964 are scheduled to expire in August 2029. Other military leases and easements involving public trust lands have expiration dates between 2028 and 2031.

The approaching expirations raise complex questions involving Native Hawaiian rights and interests, the State’s Public Land Trust responsibilities, cultural and natural resources, environmental stewardship, military readiness and national security, and the future disposition and use of the lands.

OHA has made military-leased lands a significant focus of its advocacy and public education efforts as those expiration dates approach. OHA’s Board has established a process to address the leases and has called for its work to be grounded in Native Hawaiian rights and Public Land Trust obligations.

“This documentary is not about telling people what to think,” Kahele said. “It is about giving Hawaiʻi the historical and cultural context needed to have an informed conversation. National security is part of that conversation, but so are Native Hawaiian rights, environmental stewardship, cultural resources and our responsibility to future generations. We want people to watch, learn and become part of that conversation.”

OHA is constitutionally charged with protecting and advocating for Native Hawaiian rights and interests. OHA has emphasized that the future of military-leased Public Land Trust lands presents a significant federal-state decision point involving national security, fiscal stewardship, cultural protection and constitutional trust obligations.

Community briefings and listening sessions

OHA is continuing to host community informational briefings to raise awareness on the number of military leased lands set to expire between 2028 and 2031.

Community briefings and listening sessions this month include:

Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m.
University of Hawaiʻi Maui College – Pā‘ina Dining Hall
310 W. Kaʻahumanu Ave., Kahului

Thursday, Oct. 22 – 6 p.m.
Leilehua High School Cafeteria
1515 California Ave., Wahiawā

Read more coverage on the U.S. military land leases at OHA's monthly magazine 

[{"type":"text","text":"Related coverage by KWO:"}]

You can also share your manaʻo on the matter by filling out the online form 

Military Lease map 1024x627 1

<title>Community Voices: OHA documentary examines history, asks about future of military-leased…</title>

Learn more about "the history of U.S. military use of Hawaiʻi’s public trust lands and the consequential decisions approaching as longstanding military leases begin to expire," from The Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The premiere of the organization's documentary "Held in Trust: The Future of Hawaiʻi’s Public Lands Beyond Military Leases," will air at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 across television stations statewide, as well as via live stream on its site.

Community Voices: OHA documentary examines history, asks about future of military-leased lands

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

[{"type":"text","text":"Hawai‘i’s tourism industry is in trouble. "}]

Now, this is not breaking news. We have encounted over generations the apparent demise of our No. 1 economic engine. Time after time, we have emerged, at times even stronger, and business would continue, even flourish. 

However, our dependence on one industry would also continue. The exposure would continue. And our vulnerabilities would become more pronounced promoting uncertainty, anxiety and, yes, economic failures. 

I am not a tourism expert. I worked in the tourism industry when I was a younger and more adventurous man and I have been blessed to have hosted national and international tours with listenters 20-plus times over the years. But I do have eyes and I do have a degree of expectation and perspective when it comes to travelling and touring. I am sure you do to so instead of asking the “experts” I am asking you. 

[{"type":"text","text":"Why is Hawai‘i tourism in trouble? "}]

We first have to understand that our tourism is a product in the open market. Tourism is one of the most competative industries anywhere. Our product is the unique experience of Hawaiian culture and beauty in the Pacific. When selling a product, one of the most important aspects to a customer is value. 

When you’re considering a family vacation what is likely first on the list? You would think that it’s destination but leading the charge is price. Cost. Cash. Budget. Now, you may say it is destination first but I maintain that cost that is often the final deciding factor. 

OK, yes, some tourists don’t care about the cost. I want to go to Paris and I’m going. I want to go to Australia and I’m going. I want to go to Boise and I’m going. Well, two out of three and you get the picture. This percentile of traveler is comparatively low.

From the purveyor's perspective you base your business on one of two premises. 

One, you rely on volume. Your pricing and inventory determine profitability. I need to sell a thousand widgets a day at X amount of dollars, that covers my hard cost and what remains is profit. You don’t care who buys. As long as a thousand are sold, you’re good. 

Two, you rely on premium pricing to attract a specific demographic. You market your product as essential, desirable, exclusive, and assure the customer they will receive a premium return on their increased investment. It's not quantity, it's quality.

[{"type":"text","text":"There are some businesses that co-mingle these two different strategies."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"One that comes to mind is Macy's."}]

Macy's, especially here at home, has a certain cache, a reputation for upscale brands in virtually all they sell. Clothing and jewelry come to mind. But they are also known for their deeply discounted sale items. When the kids were young, we shopped at Macy's at Kāhala Mall for their clothing from infant to pre-teen years. It's not that we were loaded but the discounts on Polo, for example, were 30% to 50% off and more on some items. Cha-ching! 

[{"type":"text","text":"Hawai‘i marketed our tourism product in a similar way."}]

We would have travel organizations and agencies in the past that would market a discounted or budget experience in Hawai‘i. The state would rely upon great numbers of visitors to generate more of a volume-based revenue model. And it worked. For example, in 2019, we hosted about 10.4 million tourists. That's about 10 times the number of residents statewide. This number generated over $17.75 billion. From a marketing and sales perspective, this would define success.

[{"type":"text","text":"Then Covid hit."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Numbers plummeted, both in visitors and revenue."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"The industry and, well, life took a hit."}]

I'm in a fairly decent mood so I'm not going to continue down the Covid path. We all know because we all lived it.

[{"type":"text","text":"However, in the years to follow, recovery has been mixed."}]

The upside. Domestic travel increased dramatically. Many believe Hawai‘i is an exotic destination, albeit one safely within the United States.

The downside. International travel continues to produce flaccid numbers far below pre-pandemic times. 

According to a recent Civil Beat report, "there was once a time when about 1 in 4 tourists on Oʻahu was from Japan. In 2019, almost 1.5 million people — 24% of the total tourism traffic that year and more than any country outside the U.S. — came from the island nation. But that’s not the case anymore, according to data from the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Over the last six years, the number of people traveling to Oʻahu from Japan dropped by roughly 50%. Last year, only about 1 in 8 tourists visiting the island was from Japan — a total of just over 715,000 people."

International tourists, especially Japanese, are the ideal customers. They spend more, they stay longer, and they'll come back. Unfortunately, that's not the case now.

"The number of foreign travelers coming to the Hawaiian islands crashed by 95%," Civil Beat reported, "falling from roughly 3 million in 2019 to just over 148,000 in 2021. The number of tourists from abroad remains about half of what it was before Covid-19. Visitors from countries including Korea, Canada and Australia still aren’t back to their pre-pandemic numbers."

[{"type":"text","text":"A post-COVID reality was the impact to locals after the pandemic."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"Without tourists, we could again enjoy our home!"}]

Beaches were clear and open. Hiking trails were accessible. Locals reacquainted themselves with places like Waikīkī, the Ko'Olina lagoons, and tourist typical attractions. Once we got a taste of it, things changed. Overtourism was always a topic of discussion but this time it was more than just talk. Educational outreach to visitors on how to behave was implemented and the already-high rates for accommodations, car rentals and meals and restaurants went higher and higher. Interestingly, despite these changes, tourism numbers were holding steady for the first quarter of 2026.

[{"type":"text","text":"That swiftly changed."}]

Hawai‘i tourism is now having its worst year in recent memory, with storms, shorter stays, and higher costs worrying the industry. Residents and businesses have faced one severe weather event after another, and the tourism sector has taken a huge hit.

As a series of storms, powered by a strong El Niño, continued to skirt around the Islands, the number of visitors on any given day dropped dramatically. In March, the average daily visitor census was 

 compared with the year before. The decline widened to 

The state reported there was over $1 billion in damages suffered due to these storms. Coupled with the drop in tourism revenues the financial situation looks bleak.

I understand resiliency and that incredible quality which is found in our people, businesses and more.

[{"type":"text","text":"Yes, through time and incalculable efforts, we will overcome."}]

[{"type":"text","text":"But, at what price?"}]

I admire and commend the positivity held by those who were the most negatively affected by storms and more. You should be elevated, celebrated and advocated by all.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"italic"}],"text":" "}]

Hawai'i Skies: Caught between a rock and a hard place

ASD Staff

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Hawai'i Skies: Caught between a rock and a hard place

Authors

ASD Staff

Reporter

More in Hawai'i Skies

Hawaiʻi Skies: Rain showers

Hawaiʻi Skies: Just a casual walk

Hawaiʻi Skies: Views from the airplane

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