I was asked recently how to fit in and not look like fresh tourist meat when visiting Hawaii. What first came to mind are these 7 tips.
1. Drive something other than a convertible.
No problem if you do, but you’ll stand out. Also think about sun damage to your skin and an unexpected rain storm.
2. Remember that Aloha is more of a feeling between people than a word we use in daily conversation.
A nice hello and thanks works too and sounds more natural. Many of us use Aloha and Mahalo in our written communication.
3. Fight the urge to make U-turns on the highway.
Even if the road looks rural, it’s still not a safe thing to do. I know I keep harping on this, but seriously, we see it, and have had too many friends hurt.
4. Wear tennis shoes that aren’t new.
Clean shoes will look like you’re just off the plane. If you’re on Kauai, for example, remember how our red dirt can permanently stain the best of shoes and clothes.
5. Enjoy the fact that the size of house you have or car you drive doesn’t make a person.
We’re all on the island together. In contrast with how things seem on the mainland, we’re not usually focused on status.
6. Refer to home as the mainland and not, “the states.”
I know it’s a long way to North America but you’re not on foreign soil. Canadians and other international visitors are exempt.
7. Avoid matching aloha wear.
Aloha clothing is great and common, just not in matched family sets.
Okay, these are my 7 tips. If you live in Hawaii, or are frequent visitors, be sure to add your thoughts too.
T (3 years ago)
Thanks, Jeff…loved it! Our family visits Maui every May for a month and we consider it our second home. We are respectful to locals and treat them with respect. We try to blend in and rarely do touristy things anymore. We basically just hang out at the beach and visit the great restaurants. My observation is that in the past few years, the attitudes seem to be changing. A more vocal group seems bent on making the fact that tourist are unwelcome known. A wave of very “anti-visitor” feeling seems to be taking hold. Am I wrong? Is there anything we can do, other than being kind and respecting the people and the land, to change this? We love Maui for the beaches and Aloha. If the Aloha goes away, it becomes just another sunny beach getaway.
P.S. My Mom has lived on the Big Island for 12 years, and it isn’t as bad.
Linda J (3 years ago)
Beaches are a main attraction to Hawaii, one of the ones I have herd a lot about is Glass beach On Kauai. It is in an old industrial area and has a beach where the one factory used to dump their scrap glass. Because of this it is called “Glass Beach” and a big attraction for sea glass collectors.
For other sea glass beach locations in Hawaii, visit http”//www.seaglasslovers.ning.com a private member only community that is home to sea glass collectors around the world.
They share onot only beach loctions but display ideas, photos, stories about great sea glass finds and much more!
Jeff (3 years ago)
Unfortunately Linda, the glass at glass beach has to a large degree disappeared over the years. I believe that was caused by the lack of new glass and people collecting the existing glass. What is left is dark sand with small amounts of glass.
Jeff