Hawaii Travel Survey: Nearly 40% Experience 'Unexpected Confusion' Even in a 'Familiar Destination'; 'Connectivity' and 'Tipping Culture' Lurk Behind 'Aloha Time'

Hawaii has long been a popular overseas travel destination for Japanese people. In addition to its accessibility, being about a 7-8 hour direct flight from Japan, it is supported by a wide range of people for various purposes, from honeymoons and family trips to repeat visits, thanks to its wide array of attractions including a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, shopping, dining, and a unique hospitality culture.

On the other hand, many who have actually visited have expressed feeling unexpected confusion regarding things like 'English,' 'tipping culture,' and 'the cost of living.'

Therefore, in collaboration with WiFi Travel, a WiFi rental service, we conducted a 'Survey on Travelers to Hawaii' targeting 300 men and women nationwide, aged 20-59, who have traveled to Hawaii within the past 10 years.

This survey reveals the real situation of traveling in Hawaii, from pre-travel anxieties to on-site troubles, communication methods, and even the perceived 'flow of time' and 'differences in lifestyle.'

Survey Overview Survey Name: Survey on Travelers to Hawaii Survey Method: Internet questionnaire Survey Period: May 1 - May 8, 2026 Survey Target: Men and women nationwide, aged 20-59, who answered in a preliminary survey that they had 'traveled to Hawaii within the last 10 years.' Number of valid responses: 300

About 50% Felt Anxious Before Traveling to Hawaii, Opinions Split Even for a 'Familiar Destination' First, when asked about their anxiety before traveling to Hawaii, 19.7% were 'very anxious' and 30.7% were 'a little anxious,' totaling about 50% who felt anxiety. On the other hand, 49.7% 'had no anxiety,' a figure close to a majority. This result suggests that while Hawaii is a familiar destination for Japanese people, there is still a significant group that feels a certain psychological barrier towards its unique culture and environment.

Nearly 40% Experienced 'Unexpected Confusion,' Complacency is Risky Even in a 'Friendly Destination' When asked if they experienced any unexpected troubles or confusion during their stay in Hawaii, 37.7% answered 'yes,' revealing that nearly 4 out of 10 have experienced unforeseen issues. This is about 1.5 times higher than a previous survey on Taiwan (25.7%), suggesting that contrary to its image as an 'easy overseas trip,' Hawaii is a destination where travelers often experience confusion.

'Connectivity' and 'Tipping Culture' Are Barriers; Often Overlooked Points Even in a 'Familiar Destination' The most common issue was 'unstable communication environment (WiFi/internet)' at 45.1%. This was followed by 'tipping culture was hard to understand' at 43.4%, and both 'could not communicate in English' and 'prices were higher than imagined' at 38.1% each. Although Hawaii is known for its well-developed tourist infrastructure, it seems that connectivity can be unstable outside of hotels, the Waikiki center, during transit, and in local areas.

'Rental WiFi' is the Most Common Communication Method; Preparation Determines the Experience The most common communication method used when traveling to Hawaii was 'rental WiFi' at 43.7%. However, 15.3% 'did not prepare anything in particular,' indicating a certain number of people travel without arranging for communication means. As mentioned earlier, dissatisfaction with the 'communication environment' was the highest, suggesting that preparing a communication method is directly linked to the comfort of the travel experience.

'Payment,' 'Connectivity,' and 'English' are Keywords for Advance Preparation When asked what they 'wished they had prepared more in advance,' 'communication environment (WiFi/SIM/eSIM)' was the top answer at 36.0%. This was followed by 'payment methods (credit cards/tipping culture)' at 34.3%, and 'local transportation methods' at 30.0%. The high percentage for 'payment methods' is likely due to Hawaii's unique tipping culture.

Experiencing 'Relaxed Time' and 'Easygoing National Character' in Hawaii Finally, when asked in an open-ended question about the 'flow of time' or 'differences in lifestyle' felt during their trip to Hawaii, the most common response was a sense of the 'leisurely flow of time.' The next most common was comments on the 'easygoing nature' of the people of Hawaii. On the other hand, a certain number of people were confused by the 'lateness' of public transportation.

[Conclusion] Satisfaction with a Hawaii Trip Varies Greatly Depending on 'Preparation' This survey has made it clear that while Hawaii is a familiar destination for Japanese people, satisfaction is greatly influenced by how well one understands and prepares for the local culture and environment. In particular, 'communication environment,' 'tipping culture,' 'prices,' and 'English' can lead to more confusion and stress than expected, and the presence or absence of prior information gathering and preparation seems to be the dividing point for comfort on-site. Because Hawaii is cherished as a 'nearby overseas' destination, this survey result suggests the possibility that a small difference in preparation can greatly affect the satisfaction of the trip.