LIHU‘E — In May 2020, Kaua‘i only had 571 visitors. In May 2021, there were 73,018, according to a Hawai‘i Tourism Authority report.
This represents a 1,2687.7% jump from last year’s pandemic-era traveling.
But these numbers are still way below pre-pandemic levels. In May 2019, the county saw 112,106 visitors. The year 2020 was on its way to record-setting visitor number highs, before it was cut short in March of that year.
In a Spring 2021 Resident Sentiment Survey, HTA found that the majority of Hawai‘i residents believed tourism is worth the issues associated with the industry. That includes 70% of Kaua‘i respondents.
However, the amount of visitors has been inundating residential neighborhoods, like one in Kapahi with cars lining the street to hike down to Ho‘opi‘i Falls.
Kapa‘a resident Fern Anuenue Holland has family living on Kapahi Road, and previously lived across from the trailhead. Holland called the pick-up “frustrating” recently.
“It’s gotten to the point where residents can’t enjoy their street or way of life anymore,” Holland said, noting that visitors have been walking in resident front yards. “It’s such a high volume of people and we’re not totally sure exactly what the uptick is.”
Too, in Princeville, residents have noted that high volumes of visitors to Queen’s Bath have flooded local parking.
Just this last weekend, more than 138,000 people flew into the state from July 1 to July 4. More than 102,000 were on vacation, according to state travel data.
And starting July 8, travelers from the U.S. and its territories vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to bypass pre-travel testing and quarantine requirements with proof of inoculation.
It’s a bigger issue, Holland said. “I’m really hoping that we come up with a solution that helps manage the over tourism that allows us to live our lives,” Holland said. “We arguably pay some of the most expensive costs of living as it and then to have that lifestyle taken away from us, that we grew up having is not OK. Something has to be manageable.”
Holland said a forthcoming community street meeting will be underway, but in the meantime, has gotten word from county officials that they are looking into long-term solutions.
Similarly, the county recently allocated federal coronavirus funds for a park management study at three county-owned beach parks in Po‘ipu, Lydgate Beach Park in Wailua and Black Pot in Hanalei, to figure out mitigation efforts.
“There are other communities that have done stuff along the lines of residential parking and local traffic only roads that has to be enforceable,” Holland said.
