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Congratulations, Hawaii. The state has topped 8 million visitors in one year.
It happened last year, as a matter of fact.
Since January this newspaper and others have reported Hawaii hosted 7.99 million visitors in 2012.
That was the number given by the Hawaii Tourism Authority early in the year in a preliminary report.
In its final report, issued late last month, the agency said 8,028,744 visitors came to the isles last year.
Either way, the state set a record for the number of tourists in 2012 and will most likely set another one this year.
HTA expects 8.47 million visitors this year.
While demand for Hawaii seems as strong as ever, a recent increase in prices for airfares and hotel rooms could put a damper on growth.
Gladys Lagat, a frequent visitor from Arizona who was playing on Kuhio Beach with her children Miika, Courtney and Gianna on Friday, said she’s noticed the change.
"It’s still quite popular. … I can tell by the price. We come about every other year, and this is the most expensive that it’s been," Lagat said. "This is supposed to be the slow season. October used to be cheaper, but it doesn’t seem like that now. The flights cost about $200 more each, and the hotel rooms were about $50 to $75 higher. What got me was the $35-a-night parking charge. We’ll be paying $245 just in parking costs this week."
While Lagat said the family will probably return to Hawaii, she’s already thinking of ways to save on their next trip.
"We may take a shuttle into Waikiki next time so that we don’t have to rent a car," she said.
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