HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s unclear what will happen to Hawaii’s second largest international visitor market.

Some Canadians have been canceling trips to the United States due to tariff threats, and economic uncertainty within their own country.

Several Canadians took to social media and posted about canceling their Hawaii trips, with one writing:

“We have a trip booked for September to Hawaii, regardless of tariffs coming or not, we are going to cancel. Alternatives, not sure yet but, hoping to keep our hard earned money in our beautiful country!! I hope every Canadian considers doing the same! CANADA STRONG.“

The CEO of WestJet, which flies out of all the major Hawaiian islands, said demand to the U.S> has dropped 25% in recent weeks, and Canadian outlets have reported that Air Canada said its considering cutting routes as early as March.

“On my way out of Vancouver, when I went to go through customs, there was no line of people waiting to enter the U.S. customs,” explained Saskatchewan resident Jennifer Hickey, who flew into Honolulu to visit her sister on Monday.

She is a teacher back home and said it’s a busy travel week with a Canadian holiday on Monday, and also several provinces celebrating spring break this week.

“There is a big movement at home to buy Canadian, to travel in Canada, and do business within Canada,” said Vancouver resident Sheldon Mishra.

He and his fiance told KHON2 they will likely cancel trips to Vegas and Disney this year, but couldn’t cancel this Hawaii trip because they’re getting married on Saturday.

“So there were no plans to change that, regardless of what was happening politically,” he added.

“Even though Hawaii is part of the U.S., I think we don’t consider it part of the U.S., we have to spend U.S. dollars, we understand that, but we find the people, the culture, Hawaii it’s much much different than the continental U.S., so that plays a part in our thinking,” Mishra added.

Canada is Hawaii’s seconds largest international market behind Japan with about half a million visitors every year. In 2024, Canadians spent over $1 billion.

But the Hawaii Tourism Authority believes Canadians will continue to travel to Hawaii, and could even benefit if the United States mainland sees a drop. Mufi Hannemann, HTA’s Chair said in part in a statement:

“Hawaii enjoys a physical and psychological separation from the U.S. mainland. Canadians tend to perceive it differently: Native Hawaiian history, unique culture and multi-ethnic makeup of the state. Additionally, Canadians perceive the political sensibilities of Blue State Hawaii’s residents as being more aligned with their own. If U.S. visits were to decrease it does not mean Hawaii visits will decrease in the same manner.

“Hawaii Tourism Canada will monitor the visitation data as well as consumer and traveler sentiment surveys. 

“As the cost of a Hawaii vacation has crept upwards over the past 7 years, Hawaii Tourism Canada has increasingly aimed to influence more affluent potential travelers. Working in our favor, is that the more affluent travelers tend to be more likely to continue with their discretionary travel than less affluent travelers. While not entirely immune from currency fluctuations and economic uncertainty, Hawaii Tourism Canada believes our Canadian target audience will continue to travel.

“Should a reduction in travel to the U.S. continent become evident , it potentially creates an opportunity for Hawaiʻi to win market share with messaging that emphasizes how Hawaii is unique, creating a position quite different from the competing U.S. destinations.”

Canadian outlets have also reported Air Canada is looking to cut several of its flights to warm destinations like Florida and Arizona.