72 thoughts on “Aloha On The Endangered List: Hawaii Gone Wrong”
David K.
While we have encountered some animosity from locals, we have also met some locals who invited into their house and treated us like old friends based on common interests even though we live 3,000 miles apart…
As long as you respect the culture, let the islands change you, don’t try to make the islands what you have in your mind….Learn what it means to live pono..whether in Hawaii or anywhere…
We are long time visitors from CA to Maui and Kauai as we brought time shares, with $$$$$ annual maintenance fees. I have always found locals share Aloha, but we are respectful to them too.
Yes, there are too many tourists sometimes, especially at Kalapaki Beach when the cruise ship docks. In fact there is a new “battle” going on as a local vender is now setting up beach chairs and umbrellas taking up a good part of the beach. There may too much tourism, but as local companies keep adding to that tourism for profit – they are causing some of the overcrowding and not always with Aloha. Just my opinion, I don’t have a good answer, but we will continue to share Aloha when we are on island.
There’s bad players on both sides of this equation entitled tourist is no worse than entitled resident.
I believe Aloha spirit comes from individuals visiting the islands who take time to voluntary at Hawaiian food banks, animal shelters, cultural centers etc.
Yet these same individuals are the ones for the most part are being priced out from visiting the islands.
Here’s another thought instead of just charging a $50.00 visitor fee maybe also offer a visitor an opportunity to attend a cultural lecture or voluntary activity, so that both resident & tourist benefit from their experience on the islands.
My wife and I visited Hawaii for the first time 10 years ago. I was skeptical of visiting. Why? Because I thought it was too commercialized. We’ve now been to the Islands 8 out of 10 years, all during the holiday season. We missed the last 2 years due to the pandemic, but are now back on track to visit again this holiday season. Obviously we’ve greatly enjoyed every trip. However, after reading this segment I’m a little concerned. Visitor fees, park fees, beach fees, residents not wanting tourists… sounds like that’s not very Aloha. It’s my understanding that tourism is the life blood of the Islands, and it’s unfortunate that too many visitors are not respectful of that. That fact throws shade on all people visiting Hawaii.
With tourist price-gouging increasing, it does seem only the very affluent will be traveling to Hawaii. Of course, that would successfully lower the number of visitors and have the least impact on proceeds from tourism.
However, I’ve often found that those in the middle-class are far more appreciative of beautiful places and kind people. Trying to lessen the number of visitors via price hikes may be counterproductive if respect for the people and culture is the desired result. Surely there’s a better way to address Hawaii’s concerns.
(I mean no disrespect to any of the millionaires reading this.)
The point the authors make is very valid. After 18 months or so without the usual overflow of tourists, Kauai residents now understand that it is important to protect our unique quality of life. And we have finally been able to successfully communicated to our government and local business community that it is not acceptable to encourage unlimited tourism. As the cost of a Hawaiian vacation increases (significantly) we understand that some families will choose other lower cost and attractive vacation destinations such as Florida and Mexico which are much better suited to handle large influx of visitors. Kauai’s economy will easily adjust to this new reality and it will be win/win for everyone.
Hawaii was always a lttle backward, not unlike petticoat junction.
I think a lot of tourists suffer
From self loathing. Check out this southpark episode
southpark.cc.com/episodes/hrno4n/south-park-going-native-season-16-ep-11
We have been to the islands more times than we can count (upward of 40), Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, including visits during COVID. We have always felt welcomed and treated with courtesy and kindness. We have even struck up conversations with locals who start out hesitant and end with some great connections. We have also seen much damage, trash and mistreatment of the islands from locals, more than we have experienced with visitors. Some visitors in our experience who do not following signs, directions, etc, are not American’s but international travelers. We feel if you treat the islands like your own home, all will be well. We hope to continue our travels to the Islands, but the costs, taxes, fees, may become too much! Aloha!
I would venture to say that the “visitors” who act entitled are most likely the more well-to-do people who act that way no matter where they are. The typical visitor who saves for a long time for a once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii is probably less likely to act entitled. With the outrageous cost of lodging, rental cars, fees and taxes that are being imposed and proposed, Hawaii is likely to see more of those well-to-do visitors who act entitled because they are the only ones who can afford it. What normal visitor can afford $15,000 a week for a hut at the Kona Village? Making Hawaii a place only the elite can afford to visit will not do anything to help the growing rift between locals and tourists, but it could definitely make it worse.
Sometimes when one saves up for a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience the expectations can be incredibly, impossibly high.
Travel to anywhere is going to have its ups and downs. Nothing is going to be perfect, no matter how much you’ve busted your budget.
I think belligerent travelers come in all stripes.
I have been traveling to Maui for over 30 years. I feel that at is my home away from home I would never treat my home badly. I have never felt unwelcome. It seems since Covid there is a movement of entitlement that says I am entitled to do what I want screw everyone else. We see it at home also.be clear it’s not the majority of tourists it’s the minority and they are getting all the attention
I am a visitor for 3 months, as my wife is a traveling medical person, I feel for the local residents that have to put up with all the over populated tourism , although it helps alot financially. It is a tuff balancing act.
While we have encountered some animosity from locals, we have also met some locals who invited into their house and treated us like old friends based on common interests even though we live 3,000 miles apart…
As long as you respect the culture, let the islands change you, don’t try to make the islands what you have in your mind….Learn what it means to live pono..whether in Hawaii or anywhere…
We are long time visitors from CA to Maui and Kauai as we brought time shares, with $$$$$ annual maintenance fees. I have always found locals share Aloha, but we are respectful to them too.
Yes, there are too many tourists sometimes, especially at Kalapaki Beach when the cruise ship docks. In fact there is a new “battle” going on as a local vender is now setting up beach chairs and umbrellas taking up a good part of the beach. There may too much tourism, but as local companies keep adding to that tourism for profit – they are causing some of the overcrowding and not always with Aloha. Just my opinion, I don’t have a good answer, but we will continue to share Aloha when we are on island.
Aloha to you!
There’s bad players on both sides of this equation entitled tourist is no worse than entitled resident.
I believe Aloha spirit comes from individuals visiting the islands who take time to voluntary at Hawaiian food banks, animal shelters, cultural centers etc.
Yet these same individuals are the ones for the most part are being priced out from visiting the islands.
Here’s another thought instead of just charging a $50.00 visitor fee maybe also offer a visitor an opportunity to attend a cultural lecture or voluntary activity, so that both resident & tourist benefit from their experience on the islands.
My wife and I visited Hawaii for the first time 10 years ago. I was skeptical of visiting. Why? Because I thought it was too commercialized. We’ve now been to the Islands 8 out of 10 years, all during the holiday season. We missed the last 2 years due to the pandemic, but are now back on track to visit again this holiday season. Obviously we’ve greatly enjoyed every trip. However, after reading this segment I’m a little concerned. Visitor fees, park fees, beach fees, residents not wanting tourists… sounds like that’s not very Aloha. It’s my understanding that tourism is the life blood of the Islands, and it’s unfortunate that too many visitors are not respectful of that. That fact throws shade on all people visiting Hawaii.
Another thought….
With tourist price-gouging increasing, it does seem only the very affluent will be traveling to Hawaii. Of course, that would successfully lower the number of visitors and have the least impact on proceeds from tourism.
However, I’ve often found that those in the middle-class are far more appreciative of beautiful places and kind people. Trying to lessen the number of visitors via price hikes may be counterproductive if respect for the people and culture is the desired result. Surely there’s a better way to address Hawaii’s concerns.
(I mean no disrespect to any of the millionaires reading this.)
The point the authors make is very valid. After 18 months or so without the usual overflow of tourists, Kauai residents now understand that it is important to protect our unique quality of life. And we have finally been able to successfully communicated to our government and local business community that it is not acceptable to encourage unlimited tourism. As the cost of a Hawaiian vacation increases (significantly) we understand that some families will choose other lower cost and attractive vacation destinations such as Florida and Mexico which are much better suited to handle large influx of visitors. Kauai’s economy will easily adjust to this new reality and it will be win/win for everyone.
Hawaii was always a lttle backward, not unlike petticoat junction.
I think a lot of tourists suffer
From self loathing. Check out this southpark episode
southpark.cc.com/episodes/hrno4n/south-park-going-native-season-16-ep-11
We have been to the islands more times than we can count (upward of 40), Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, including visits during COVID. We have always felt welcomed and treated with courtesy and kindness. We have even struck up conversations with locals who start out hesitant and end with some great connections. We have also seen much damage, trash and mistreatment of the islands from locals, more than we have experienced with visitors. Some visitors in our experience who do not following signs, directions, etc, are not American’s but international travelers. We feel if you treat the islands like your own home, all will be well. We hope to continue our travels to the Islands, but the costs, taxes, fees, may become too much! Aloha!
I would venture to say that the “visitors” who act entitled are most likely the more well-to-do people who act that way no matter where they are. The typical visitor who saves for a long time for a once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii is probably less likely to act entitled. With the outrageous cost of lodging, rental cars, fees and taxes that are being imposed and proposed, Hawaii is likely to see more of those well-to-do visitors who act entitled because they are the only ones who can afford it. What normal visitor can afford $15,000 a week for a hut at the Kona Village? Making Hawaii a place only the elite can afford to visit will not do anything to help the growing rift between locals and tourists, but it could definitely make it worse.
Sometimes when one saves up for a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience the expectations can be incredibly, impossibly high.
Travel to anywhere is going to have its ups and downs. Nothing is going to be perfect, no matter how much you’ve busted your budget.
I think belligerent travelers come in all stripes.
I have been traveling to Maui for over 30 years. I feel that at is my home away from home I would never treat my home badly. I have never felt unwelcome. It seems since Covid there is a movement of entitlement that says I am entitled to do what I want screw everyone else. We see it at home also.be clear it’s not the majority of tourists it’s the minority and they are getting all the attention
I am a visitor for 3 months, as my wife is a traveling medical person, I feel for the local residents that have to put up with all the over populated tourism , although it helps alot financially. It is a tuff balancing act.