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Our tourist-dependent economy is fizzling as tourists hit their tipping point.
Rather than an aloha welcome, Hawaii is nickel and diming our chief economic engine.
Tourists have noted Hawaii's haughtiness with our "stick it to 'em" attitude.
Entrance to state parks and beaches can have a daily family cost of $30 plus a $1.78 order processing fee.
Hawaii's nearly 18 percent accommodation taxes are among the highest anywhere. Add on resort and parking fees, restaurant surcharges, room cleaning and registration fees, and you have our vital visitors annoyed and, via social media, sharing their displeasures worldwide.
It's a global vacation market, and Hawaii is out of sync with reality.
Airlines are savvy marketers with off-season travel discounts. The Hawaii government should eliminate annoying activity fees and follow the airlines' marketing expertise with seasonal accommodation tax discounts.
Businesses should jettison surcharges and incorporate them into the price of their products or services if needed.
Phil Winter
Kihei