Maui County and Hawaiian Airlines have released the first of multiple videos designed to instruct Maui visitors on appropriate behavior, aloha, and respect.
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130 thoughts on “Are Videos Needed to Instruct Maui Visitors On Aloha?”
Maui County and Hawaiian Airlines have released the first of multiple videos designed to instruct Maui visitors on appropriate behavior, aloha, and respect.
If I, as a very long-time tourist, must watch a video then so should the locals. Some may need to be reminded that we all are Americans and Hawaii is but one of 50 states. These are our islands too.
Seriously? Please keep in mind that, while the Hawaiian Islands are part of the US now, they do have an indigenous population with their own unique customs. All that’s being asked is that people be sensitive to those customs.
Joerg, that’s probably very true. But some are making it sound as though Lahaina had been nuked and that visitors don’t know how to act. It’s ridiculous.
At least 30 Hawaiian vacations – never ran into rude tourists and only one problem with a local.
I’d say most people know how to behave.
I’ve seen some of the pictures, and that’s kind of what it looks like. I think that the problem here is that a tiny minority of rude/entitled tourists ruin it for everyone. Personally, I’ve been coming to Hawaii for many years, and have witnessed more and more rude/entitled behavior. This increased even more after the pandemic shutdowns. People trespassing, people harassing the protected seals and turtle, etc. I think that some folks forget that the islands are peoples homes, not an amusement park.
Less than 5% of Hawaii are pure indigenous Hawaiians, and less than 20% have any Hawaiian blood at all. I believe in preserving the Hawaiian culture here, but everyone here deserves a voice.
I gathered a common point. All the videos state treat it or us like it’s your home. Well as a tourist it’s not our home. We are guests and should be treated as a guest. If Maui is so Aloha, Polo asyahoo you state then why do you see Aggravated Assault as the #1 crime in 2019 when you look up the crime history. 5000 cases at near 80 percent. What do you think this is all tourists misbehaving? Many Hawaiians cursing Haole’s and lately a commenter stated he was addressed as “white devil”. Now you want to address etticate. Maybe Hawaiians need to practice what they preach.
‘We’re guests and should be treated as guests”? That’s the whole point Don, you get what you give. Treat others with respect, graciousness, and empathy, and that’s what we’ll (all) get in return. Aloha is alive and well for those who give it mutually. 🙂
Got your point but where is the Aloha spirit when someone breaks into your car and steals everything? If the aloha spirit was alive then how is it that Dog the Bounty Hunter made a living off catching fugitives and criminals off the islands. The only aloha he gave was to offer them a cigarette before being put in the slammer. Not to mention all the crack,meth,ice pipes that were smashed into the precious island soil when drug users were caught.
My exact thoughts and feelings
I get why they do it (local flavor, Hawaiianizing), but sometimes it is a bit irritating to have people sticking random Hawaiian language words into the middle of a presentation in English. Some of them you can guess by context (I’m guessing kapuna are the elderly and ma’lama means respect in some form), but it knocks you out of the presentation for a moment – like an unexplained acronym.
As for telling tourists not to take selfies with the burned out area in the background… yeah, you’re going to have to do it. Like the mayor using it as the background of that shot from Lahinaluna HS’s Sue D. Cooley Stadium.
I hate it-the insert of words like keiki,,kapuna,-the false concern for kids and the elderly-just say kids,seniors,it’s fake ,-In my travels I experience genuine places where the elderly and seniors are truly a part of the community-don’t feel it here –
When I saw the headline my blood pressure started to rise. Then, after watching them, I thought “What’s the harm?” There are lots of things to get offended by these days, and we are easily offended — this isn’t one of them. It is earnest and, to some potentially less considerate people, perhaps appropriate. To others, it’ll go in one eye and out the other unnoticed. I wonder, too, if this isn’t just appeasement for locals than tourists? With this ongoing conflict on Maui, it’ll not be surprising if the holiday visitors numbers are less than the predicted 35% occupancy. The videos and the “Respect The Locals” signs will fade away to be replaced with “Welcome to Our Ohana.”
“ … a $20 million shortfall since the fire. And that is just the beginning.”
First, the “lions and tigers and bears, oh me” pandemic with all the hysteria and Ige’s totalitarian lockdown.
Now?
The August 8 HECO Tragedy.
Fasten your seatbelts.
I won’t need to watch the video’s because I’ve made my last trip to the islands. The beauty isn’t worth trouble.
Our family vacationed to Maui in Sept.We had a nice time and felt welcomed.Tourism will come to a screeching halt if Adults are required to watch videos on etiquette. This is insulting.
What local businesses would you suggest? My friend and I are coming Tuesday for a day trip and would love some suggestions on where to go. 😊
Digging the hole just doesn’t stop. Ugh
Videos are very condescending and are subtly telling me to stay away! I will come back to one of my favorite destinations when I am welcomed back!
Scott I did not get this vibe –“condescending and are subtly telling me to stay away!” –I felt the videos were level headed and welcoming that at all . Multiple references in many of the videos stated “We need tourist. “
How about video teaching locals how to be civil & tone down hate. This fake aloha culture they pretend to have
The internet (including You Tube) and guide books educates me to a certain degree about local customs. Also common sense, respect and the golden rule apply. I heard about a visitor to the mainland at a national park. He put a baby animal in his vehicle and the animal was rejected by its family and had to be euthanized. I was surprised to learn he was from Hawaii.
Tourist and the “local people” both need to be thought the “Aloha”!!!
Especially the local businesses!
Every where in the world if the local people treat you with nicely, you will always want to return there!
It is the local people who makes any tourist destination either a good trip or bad trip…depending on how you where treated .
Aloha needs to be thought to our children and adults, it importance to our way of life…
Unbelievable. Seems to me that is expected of everyone no matter where one is. It’s called manners!
The videos are ridiculous. Pandering and condescending. Perhaps all the other airlines should create videos directed at local Hawaiians visiting the mainland, instructing them on appropriate mainland etiquette. Let’s see how *that* message is received.
As I’ve said before, if instructional videos are needed, show them to the locals who destroyed Hawaiian parks, bathrooms, and grounds during the pandemic (when there were literally zero tourists).
Yes because often many visitors especially taking cheap flights just because it’s being offered right now due to the suffering of our local residents they often come with a me first attitude and don’t like being told no. How our Maui residents will have to welcome them back with smiles and real aloha which I know they might which breaks my heart honestly because they shouldn’t have to do that right now it’s wrong. But that is who they are at heart, despite this return to Maui might not be the welcome back that visitors are hoping for this vacation maybe not for another year at least. Locals will be frustrated, hurting so I hope visitors are prepared for attitude from our local residents as well.
I find the videos to be patronizing. In fact, I think they may have the opposite of their intended effect. I’m already sensing that sympathy is fading due to unrealistic demands from the anti-tourist crowd. And these videos won’t help. In fact, they just reinforce the us v. them mentally (and the us v. them is tourists and anti-tourists, while actual concerns about recovery are ignored).
Really? I didn’t get that from the video’s at all. I wonder if, perhaps, some people watch them ready to be offended, and *poof* surprise, that’s what they are. The problem here is a catch 22. Rude tourists offend the locals, who then develop an “attitude” toward all tourists, who pick up on the attitude, and are rude in return. Round and round we go. The key is to break the cycle. Visit there with respect having some idea of the customs, and a spirit of Aloha, etc. and guess what? You might just get that Aloha spirit in return. Go there just Waiting to be offended and acting in an offensive and entitled way, and I suspect you’ll find a way to get offended.
Born 1950. We were taught respect,public shool educated which includes history. Attended Church. We were taught table manners.We were grounded for disobeying Any rule. Now, I go on social media, & see the dumbest questions.I see daily rudeness! Few say thank you. One can murder without much punishment. Yes it appalls me that one would need a video on how to behave outside their front door. But the dumbing down of the World is real! Its all due to overpopulation. People not raising their children properly. Folks have kids they cannot afford. They get married without being in love, It’s common to divorce. Greed & “got to have it is rampant. Sadly, someone has to remind idiots.With today’s technology, no reason for ignorance!
The answer is yes. If it is necessary to post signs at the donation centers meant for displaced residents to tell tourists things like water, food, and medical supplies are not for them than yep it is necessary to have campaigns reminding visitors to behave. While many visitors are respectful, there is also an overwhelming amount that feel entitled because they “own a week at a timeshare” or “booked a trip long ago” and they really don’t have much respect for the local community. The question should be why aren’t you directing this question to locals? Why are you asking this question at all? Is this helping to be respectful to the local community?
Perhaps include etiquette on the roads. Pull over safely when large amounts of cars are behind you.
This is such nonsense. These things are taught before obtain license. I am tired of the dumbing down of the World. Everyone else has to raise everyone elses children to do things they should have learned within their homes!
I get your point, but we get a lot of “road boulders” (aka “15ers”) on the road between our neighborhood and Hanalei. Different island, but same problem. I think people can get a bit stunned by the scenery and forget they are driving on a highway with others. Pull over to side and take all the pictures you want.