Exploring Hawaii by sea dates back to the island chain's Polynesian settlers, who discovered the land around 400 AD. Hundreds of years later, in the early 1900s, the visitor cruise industry emerged when ship travel was the most viable way to reach Hawaii. Much has changed since then. Now, airplane is the most popular method of transportation. Yet, Hawaii's cruise industry has shown propelling growth recently, with additional waves predicted in coming years.

According to the most recently released March 2001 figures from the state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, year-to-date visitor days chalked up by those arriving to Hawaii by air to take cruises numbered 29,916, up 175 percent. Additionally, statewide year-to-date visitors who arrived to Hawaii by cruise ship as of March 2001 totaled 15,007, up 150 percent over last year. That translated to 55,756 visitor days, up 166 percent. On Hawaii Island, first quarter visitor days by those who arrived to the state via cruise ship totaled 11,248, a 156 percent increase over last year.

To View Hawaii Island Specials - Click Here

In December 2000 American Classic Voyages Inc.'s Patriot joined the interisland cruise market. The 1,212-passenger ship is the newest and largest vessel that will cruise the Hawaiian Islands year-round. In 2003 and 2004, American Classic plans to bring in two more 1,900-passenger ships. The wave of new vessels not only will allow additional visitors to experience our islands, but also will generate jobs onboard as well as at ports and other related businesses.

Need help?  Check out our Island Map

In late 2000 DBEDT joined forces with North West CruiseShip Association to conduct a study of Hawaii's cruise ship passengers. The study found that more than half of cruise ship passengers are visitors from the U.S. East, a market that provides strong potential for growth. More than half of the passengers are first-time visitors to Hawaii. Additionally, while overall expenditures for cruise ship passengers are lower because much of their lodging, food and transportation needs are inclusive with the cruise, expenditures for shopping and entertainment are similar to other visitors. An average cruise ship passenger spends $83 per day at local businesses while docked.

Big Island Visitors Bureau is making special efforts to capture the attention of potential cruisers by producing and distributing a four-color cruise ship poster that promotes Hawaii Island as a cruise destination. Acclaimed poster artist Michael Cassidy created the image. In the foreground of the poster a wahine paddles an outrigger canoe, reflecting the majesty of old Hawaii's prowess in sea travel, while a cruise ship looms in the background, suggesting the chic of modern travel. The poster is being distributed to travel agents and cruise providers to market Hilo and Kona as cruise ship destinations. 

The Port Cities which go to Hawaii.

Boat Days are a unique historical aspect of Hawaii's cruise ship industry. Boat Days date back to 1872, when the Royal Hawaiian Band in Honolulu played whenever King William Lunalilo went on an ocean trip. Later, the band greeted ocean liners that brought visitors and relatives to Hawaii. Thousands of people gathered onshore to meet and greet arriving vessels. Welcoming festivities included hula and music and the distribution of flower lei and streamers. Boat Days faded in the 1960s when air travel began to surpass ocean travel. But with today's surge in the cruise ship industry, traditional Boat Days festivities are returning to Hawaii's piers. 

Recently, Hilo's pier was adorned with eight 30-foot-long colorful banners to create a festive and welcoming atmosphere for cruise ship visitors. Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) was responsible for the banner placement, though the job could not have been completed without the assistance of John Moses and his Harbors Maintenance Staff, Harbormaster Ian Bernie, Paliku Graphics and Sig Zane Designs. The ambience is enhanced by Destination Hilo and its kupuna, who provide pier greetings. At the Kailua-Kona pier, Destination Kona Coast and its Kona Volunteer Aloha Committee also provide a welcome to and share aloha spirit with cruise ship visitors. The banners and welcoming groups are a few components of HIEDB's and the County of Hawaii's goals to improve piers and create a memorable experience for cruise ship visitors.

For more information about our Hawaii Specials or to make a reservation, please call us @

Toll Free: 1-877-222-2027

Happy Cruising!