I went to HNL 3 times in 2021, stayed in Waikiki each time at the Courtyard for well under $200/nt each time, no resort fees, and paid what I considered to be acceptable fares for the front cabin on AS and HA. I used Charley's Taxi fixed rate for airport transportation to avoid UBER surprises, and ate modestly. I've been to Oahu a hundred and some times, and go when it is either "affordable" or what I'm willing to spend. As for the title of the post, Hawaii is only ridiculously unaffordable for those who cannot afford it. When a Bay Area family compares the cost of several days at Disneyland (say air for 4 plus on property hotel, multi park 4 day pass, etc.) the unaffordable Hawaii trip may seem like a relative bargain. I have found the "very nice" category of hotels in Waikiki to be wholly unimpressive, save the actual physical beauty of the public spaces (such as the Moana and the Royal Hawaiian). I've never stayed at the Halekulani, but the sister property (prior to renovation) was decent. My favo(u)rite place ever was the Prince when Westin managed it, and I had top tier status. Otherwise, get me a clean and safe room with decent AC somewhere between Kuhio and the beach at an ok price, and I'm good.

If one doesn't consider a place affordable or a "value", don't go. I'm glad that some businesses on the Islands that may have been teetering on the verge of bankruptcy will be able to recover, and eventually, the "happy new medium" will emerge. When? Who knows.

As with most things I see that are overcrowded and overpriced, my comment is "good for them." And I patronize somewhere else.