August 2026 Hawaiʻi visitor spending and arrivals declined as series of storms impact islands

Total spending by visitors in August 2026 was $1.59 billion (measured in nominal dollars), a 9.7% decline compared to August 2025, according to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. There were 772,039 total visitors in August 2026, down 5.6% from August 2025 (817,504 visitors). Visitors who came in August 2026 spent more on an average daily basis ($272 per person, +7.4%) than a year ago. 

From Aug. 14 to 16, 2026, Hurricane Lala passed south of the Hawaiian Island and caused extensive flooding, landslides, property and infrastructure damage and power outages across the state. Visitors who arrived by air service to Hawai‘i during this period were affected by delays and cancellations of interisland and transpacific flights. A week later (Aug. 22 – 24, 2026) Tropical Storm Moke brought heavy rain and wind to parts of Hawai‘i island and East Maui.

Maui: Three years after the wildfires of Aug. 8, 2023, there were 201,789 visitors to Maui in August 2026, compared to 213,639 visitors (-5.5%) in August 2025. Visitor spending of $416.9 million in August 2026 was a decrease from $461.3 million (-9.6%) in August 2025. The average daily census on Maui was 40,885 visitors in August 2026 compared to 51,265 visitors (-20.2%) in August 2025.

In the first eight months of 2026, there were 1,819,840 visitors to Maui, compared to 1,716,286 visitors (+6.0%) in the first eight months of 2025. For the first eight months of 2026, total visitor spending was $4.30 billion, compared to $3.97 billion (+8.1%) in the first eight months of 2025.

Statewide: In August 2026, total visitors’ average length of stay was shorter at 7.55 days, compared August 2025 (8.47 days). The statewide average daily census in August 2026 was 187,908 visitors compared to 223,317 visitors (-15.9%) in August 2025.

In August 2026, 399,695 visitors arrived from the US West, a 4.5% decrease from August 2025 (418,468 visitors). In August 2026, total spending by US West visitors was $726.2 million, the average daily spending was $266 per person and the average length of stay was 6.83 days. In August 2025, US West visitors recorded total spending of $781.6 million (-7.1%), the average daily spending was $233 per person (+14.2%) and the average length of stay was 8.01 days (-14.8%). 

In August 2026, there were 185,962 visitors from the US East, down 4.5% growth from August 2025 (194,666 visitors). In August 2026, total spending by US East visitors was $439.0 million, the average daily spending was $299 per person and the average length of stay was 7.89 days. In August 2025, US East visitors recorded total spending of $528.1 million (-16.9%), the average daily spending was $291 per person (+2.8%) and the average length of stay was 9.32 days (-15.4%). 

In August 2026, 81,814 visitors arrived from Japan, a 9.7% decline from August 2025 (90,599 visitors). In August 2026, total spending by Japanese visitors was $127.4 million, the average daily spending was $243 per person and the average length of stay was 6.41 days. In August 2025, Japanese visitors recorded total spending of $140.7 million (-9.5%), the average daily spending was $242 per person (+0.2%) and the average length of stay was 6.41 days (0.0%).

In August 2026, 24,041 visitors arrived from Canada, up slightly (+0.6%) from August 2025 (23,888 visitors). In August 2026, total spending by Canadian visitors was $61.4 million, the average daily spending was $234 per person and the average length of stay was 10.94 days. In August 2025, Canadian visitors recorded total spending of $55.3 million (+11.1%), the average daily spending was $228 per person (+2.4%) and the average length of stay was 10.15 days (+7.8%).

There were 78,650 visitors from all other international markets in August 2026, which included visitors from Oceania, Other Asia, Europe, Latin America, Guam, the Philippines, the Pacific Islands and other countries. In comparison, there were 89,884 visitors (-12.5%) from all other international markets in August 2025.

In August 2026, there were slightly more transpacific flights (5,038, +0.7%) but slightly fewer seats (1,106,477, -0.7%) compared to August 2025 (5,001 transpacific flights with 1,114,754 seats). 

Statement by DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka

In August 2026, Hurricane Lala caused extensive flooding and damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure statewide. The impacts were felt most heavily on the southeastern area of Hawai‘i Island, particularly the Ka‘ū district. Lala caused an estimated $3–$5 billion in total damage and economic loss in Hawai‘i. A week later, Tropical Storm Moke worsened damage on Hawai‘i Island already caused by Lala.

There were numerous flight delays and cancelations during Lala. Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines reported more than 120 canceled flights across neighbor island and continental US routes. Southwest Airlines also reported more than 80 flight cancelations.  

Lala and Moke compounded an already soft summer season for visitor arrivals to Hawai‘i. In August 2026, total visitor expenditures (-9.7%) and visitor arrivals (-5.6%) declined compared to the same month last year. Both US West and US East markets saw declines in total visitor spending due to fewer visitors and a shorter average length of stay. International visitor markets including Japan, Oceania and Korea also recorded lower total visitor spending and arrivals. One bright spot was the Canada market, which saw growth in visitor spending and arrivals compared to August 2025.

Gov. Josh Green is actively coordinating state, federal and county recovery efforts to ensure rapid and efficient response, including infrastructure repair, emergency support, financial relief and long-term resilience planning. The state of Hawaiʻi is working to help communities affected by recent natural disasters to rebuild.

Note: On Sept. 7 and 8, 2026, Hurricane Lowell caused widespread flooding, power outages and wind damage across Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and parts of O‘ahu. Information on Lowell’s effects on visitor spending and arrivals will be available after the September data is published in October.