Was it the shocking juxtaposition of tourists, then no tourists, then tourists, that threw everything awry?
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16 thoughts on “Are Hawaii Visitors + Residents Learning To Play Well Together Again?”
Was it the shocking juxtaposition of tourists, then no tourists, then tourists, that threw everything awry?
What’s with all the personal questions on inbound flight forms? These Q’s go far beyond the purported “agriculture” legit need to be aware of non native plants/animals. They’re asking for where you’re staying, homecaddress, email, phone #, etc. All info no one would provide entering any other state! Is this data ming legal?
Over the last 50 years, Hawaii has evolved from a mixed economy (agriculture, military support services, and tourism) to a single industry, tourism, dominating the economy. Hawaiians may resent cleaning hotel rooms—and beaches— for inconsiderate tourists, but no one wants to go back to cutting sugar cane instead. Successful tourist destinations have made a virtue of increased numbers of tourists by diversifying activities to spread the numbers and increasing job and entrepreneurship opportunities for locals. Hawaii could greatly expand human-powered opportunities for eco-tourism, including hiking, mountain biking, glamping, etc. without despoiling the environment which makes Hawaii attractive.
But isn’t it rather odd that the rest of the United States, including the California Central valley, can survive on an agricultural basis? Hawaii can’t even supply its own milk or ice cream. There is plenty of land in the central areas of Hawaii to allow agricultural production. Further, there is no reason why manufacturing can’t come back to the island.
To be wedded to tourism means that these islands will eventually be overrun by tourists. Simply expanding tourism is not the answer.
The suggestion with this comment is that Hawaii should ever more be dependent upon employment in the low wage tourist industry. That is simply not acceptable.