Since the recovery, Hawaii has been doing wonderfully well, and the regulars of the “Aloha State” will return to their favorite destination… with a few caveats.
The Hawaiian Islands have been, like all popular tourist destinations, heavily impacted by the pandemic. While more than 10 million visitors traveled to Hawaii annually for their vacations, that number dwindled to around 6.6 million in 2021, when the borders reopened.
“We don’t want more tourists, we want better tourists,” said Noelani Schilling-Wheele, of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau, who was in Montreal to promote the destination during a Canadian mission in the fall. 2022.
The pandemic will have allowed us to rectify the situation, to review our priorities and, if we can say so, to organize ourselves better in order to suffer less from overtourism. Our sites are mostly national parks and nature reserves, and the post-pandemic tourist will have to respect these sacred places.
Noelani Schilling-Wheele, of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau
In short, Hawaii wants to see its tourists again, of course – the “Aloha Spirit” advocating benevolence and hospitality – but, as they say, everything is in the way…
PHOTO MARCO GARCIA, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Tourists are back on Honolulu’s beaches.
Say goodbye to spontaneity
It is true that, for regulars of Hawaii, the destination was becoming more and more saturated and its most popular sites were more and more popular. The pandemic has prompted the introduction of new measures, including a new mandatory online reservation system. Initially designed to respect the constraints of physical distancing, the system has remained. It is now the same for almost all the attractions and all the so-called sites of interest on the various islands.
It is now necessary and sometimes even mandatory to reserve your time slot and buy tickets in advance for the vast majority of attractions offered in Hawaii. The experience for the seasoned tourist will of course be different. As in many other aspects of our lives since the pandemic, sometimes it is spontaneity that has to be sacrificed.
However, the positive point of this new way of visiting Hawaii is that there is no risk of being refused entry for lack of places; you don’t have to queue too long and it’s also a lot less crowded than before. Result: we enjoy it better and the experience is more pleasant.
PHOTO AUDREY RUEL-MANSEAU, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
A turtle at Kahalu’u Beach Park, Big Island
That said, Hawaii is absolutely beautiful and you don’t have to go to a so-called site of interest to appreciate all its beauty and richness. The beaches are public and access is free almost everywhere. The landscapes traced by volcanoes and the sea are still just as beautiful. Finally, let’s remember that we choose Hawaii for its climate, its beaches, its volcanoes, its tropical forests, but also for its “Aloha Spirit”, which pushes us to appreciate the present moment, and everything that surrounds us.
Four islands, four ways to experience Hawaii
PHOTO AUDREY RUEL-MANSEAU, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Big Island, the island of volcanoes
The “destination” of Hawaii is made up of four main islands. There is O’ahu (Honolulu), the vibrant, the most urban, where we like to bask on Waikiki beach, visit the historic site of Pearl Harbor and the North Shore, where the world surfing competitions are held. Maui, the lush, is more upscale with its luxury hotels, chic boutiques and great restaurants. Hawaii (Big Island) is the island of volcanoes, and the only one where there is a still active volcano. Kauai is the most bohemian of the four, perfect for the outdoors, a bit hippie and still a bit wild. A trip to Hawaii usually begins in Honolulu and continues to one or two islands, depending on the length of stay.
Three essentials
Climb Diamond Head
PHOTO VITO PALMISANO, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
Climbing Diamond Head: a must in Honolulu
Online reservations are now required to reach the summit of this inactive volcano on the island of O’ahu that has become a signature feature of the Honolulu landscape. Tickets go on sale on the official website 30 days in advance at a cost of US$5 per person.
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
PHOTO GETTY IMAGES
A man snorkels at Hanauma Bay.
On the island of O’ahu, this beach formed in an ancient volcanic crater is one of the most beautiful snorkeling sites in Hawaii, but also the most difficult reservation to get. Tickets go on sale 48 hours in advance and go like hot cakes. It costs US$25 per person. Good to know: if you are unable to obtain a ticket during your stay, the park accepts a limited number of walk-in at 6:45 a.m. the same day.
PHOTO SPHRANER, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
You have to reserve your place to enjoy the sunrise at the top of the Haleakalā volcano.
The Haleakala Volcano
Reaching the summit of the Haleakalā volcano on the island of Maui. It used to be enough (!) to get up in the middle of the night to go to the top of this volcano at 10,000 ft above sea level to see the sun rise above the clouds. You must now reserve your access. Tickets are available 60 days in advance. The ticket is free, but entry to the park site costs US$30 per vehicle. Good to know: since the pandemic, the park remains open until nightfall for sunset, which does not require a reservation. And the sunset is also, if not more, spectacular!