How do you find the latest Hawaii tourism buzzwords? Are you on board or do you find them insulting?
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How do you find the latest Hawaii tourism buzzwords? Are you on board or do you find them insulting?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Y’all have made it clear that visitors are no longer welcome. Extra taxes and fees are chasing people away when combined with the high cost of rental cars, hotels and food. We were regular visitors (every year) until Covid and then the attitude toward visitors seemed to change. So many people save for years to enjoy a trip to Hawaii and you just want high end spenders. We love the beach, but we can go to the Caribbean for less and be welcomed with open arms. Hawaii no longer gets our vacation dollars.
After making and reading the comments to this article a few thoughts come to mind. The county of Maui for dumping sewage into the Pacfic , the landfill in Maui for pollution, illegal cesspools through out Hawaii, illegal dumping of derelict automobiles, homeless people who use the streets of Honolulu as a bathroom and you want me to be “mindful”, and pay a Green tax, ain’t gona happen!!!!!!
With the many comments on this web site, supposedly from people living in Hawaii, saying tourists are not welcome and reports of anti-tourist sentiment, I doubt we will return. There are many, many beautiful places that are more welcoming. Sad, we have been wanting to return for a long time. We were married on Kauai. I love Kauai.
We are not the elite, the rich which so many mischaracterize as the typical hawaiian tourist. We save for a long time for a vacation. We are respectful of any place we visit. But it is a turnoff to be treated like a criminal because we chose to spend our hard earned money in Hawaii.
I’m mindful that there’s now a homeless camp next to my home. I’m aware the locals see me as a wallet. I’m mindful of prices, have moved up in the last few years
I just think the big island needs better public transportation to reduce traffic regulation, needs better regulation of price gouging, needs a little more control over the monopolies colluding in the supply chains for goods. The way the tourism business works scares away the mellowness and ends up keeping everyone on the road. Its pretty convincing the local politicians are way behind the curve.
Mindful tourists? Funny. We have been coming to Hawaii for over 30 years. It started out once a year, maybe every other year. As we got older and income increased, it was twice a year. Since retirement, we stay longer and spend more. Then covid. But even after that, Hawaii started to change. We haven’t been to Hawaii for 2 years. Alaska, (we aren’t beach people), Italy, South America, Boracay and Yellowstone have been our stops. So much more to see in the world without being taxed for visiting. Hawaii is not on our schedule for at least 3 more years. It’s too bad, but my wife and I will travel where we are appreciated. Ciao.
Wow. Who doesn’t love spending thousands of dollars on a vacation for the privilege of being lectured, scolded and insulted? I try to be “mindful” of Anyplace I travel! The tone of everything I see now coming from Hawaii is a big turn off – it’s a big world and there many other tropical locales that would take me and my money with open arms. I know the aloha is there but the messaging lately is pretty offensive.
Somehow I don’t see how “mindfulness” focused on one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being necessarily translates into responsible tourism, ecotourism or not. Our island economy is still (after 100 years) dependent almost entirely on tourism, but we don’t need any more selfish tourists who are UN-mindful of their surroundings, our culture, and our ecosystem while booking their spa treatments. I’m not even a native Hawaiian, but I’ve seen plenty of entitlement in our visitors over the years.
We have vacationed in Hawaii annually the last six years, recently to Europe. The difference in locals wanting us to come back is hugh. Everywhere we visited we were welcomed. Hawaii, watch what you wish for. I’ll spend my money elsewhere!!!
Heck, you Have to be “High Spending” if you expect to afford the prices in the state anymore. Every time I visit home I’m shocked at the price increases in everything. My heart really goes out to our working class locals who are increasingly trapped in a tropical economic hell while the HTA flails about wasting their tax dollars Which will end in failure again.
I spent 9 years living in Europe and I will tell you that your average Euro is Very frugal with their cash and seeks the best bang for their buck. They have plenty of tropical, low cost, all inclusive vacation areas to choose from. Especially with the strength of the Dollar vs the Euro adding a 40% penalty. Benedorm or Mallorca anyone?
Signed:
A “Low Spending Local”
Yes, I also live in a tourist town an Euros are Not big spenders. Also, they are notorious non-tippers because their countries frown upon tipping. They are aware that the US is a tipping culture, but choose not to!
First thank you BOH for all the great articles. Month or so ago you posted an article on How Hawaii just dissed all tourists referring to preferring white collar workers from San Francisco because they tend to spend more. Then a couple articles ago Hawaii has some issue about low-end tourists. Now they only want Mindful tourists from Europe. My opinion how disrespectful. Your islands want respect and then you make remarks like this. You sure you don’t mean pocketful tourists and not mindful tourists.
Sounds like they want high dollar spenders, stay at there hotel and not leave it! Don’t go to the beach or travel anywhere on the island!
Just send money!
We have a family-owned and operated short-term rental. We seek a cultural exchange because we don’t travel. We find it difficult to travel and leave our small flock of rescued birds, dogs, cats, and a rabbit. A couple of guests told us how much they appreciate Hawaiian hospitality and “cultural exchange”. They explained how disgusting it was to have to ask and expect to tip their foreign accommodation host to turn on the hot water daily, replenish towels daily…and other service people who seemed to deliberately withhold service or cause damage to gain a tip–an “economic exchange”.
$2.18B in tourism revenue. Where is it going? How “mindful” is HTA being with how they’re using that money? I love Hawaii but this year I am taking my vacation budget (based on a very hard-earned teacher’s salary) and going to Europe. If HTA wants to be selective with the type of tourist they attract, I can be selective with where I spend my tourism dollars. Respect, or mindfulness, goes both ways.
European tourists will spend money on activities, but don’t buy much. Ever see them at the airport with a single small bag? They are not consumers of “stuff”. They travel light. Americans buy lots of stuff, even on vacation. They are the ones with multiple quad rollys. Not Europeans. One could say that’s “mindful” from a over consumer standpoint.
Hawaii is going to self destruct economically after decades of poor decision making by it’s government I have been a loyal visitor for 25 years, but no longer feel this is the Hawaii I love. It already has the highest taxes, and is one of the Most expensive places to vacation. For the majority of visitors, it is a once in a lifetime trip. I am blessed to have been able to enjoy it’s incredible beauty for so many years. The current strategy of attempting to “prune” it’s visitors to higher spending individuals and adding taxes and fees to visitors everywhere they can think of will backfire badly! If the government wants to alienate tourism they are doing a good job but should also be planning how this state will support itself.
I couldn’t say it be better myself. Over the years the Aloha Spirit has disappeared as are my tourists dollars. I wish nothing but the best for the islands but it’s almost like they are in a death spiral due to bad decisions and greed.
The first time i felt the loss of aloha was actually on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. I made a trip out to puna and I felt kind of a huge wave of “were done with you guys” that I never felt before.
hint: that was the day after election day.
Its not just a Hawaii thing, its a national fraying of nerves.
The realtors tell me that after eliminating a lot of rentals on bigIsland the hotel prices went up, and now the condos in the restort zone are a “safer buy” for prospective owners who want to rent…. I just see the middle class getting left out. Hawaii is on the path to fewer ordinary middle class visitors.
A week ago, as we walked the Kauai coastline in front of a pricey resort, we watched parents let their kids play in a clearly marked sea turtle nest. We when said something to them, we got a “go to h*ll” look. High spending tourists do not equal respective tourists.
Absolutely right, Craig. We live in the land of the entitled–Silicon Valley. Money does not equal courtesy, manners, and respect. We see lack of all every day. HI should be careful what they wish for.
Another example of how out of touch the HTA seems to be.
Instead of conducting an assessment- perhaps a SWOT analysis would help – the HTA is throwing buzzwords around. To me it shows that they really don’t know what is going on and don’t have a vision for where to go. When you don’t know this how does an organization know how to get “there?”
Have they had focus groups from various parts of the island, from industry, and from foreign tourism boards to get a holistic view and perspectives of Hawai’i tourism now and get specific ideas on how Hawaiians envision tourism that is respectful and … date I say mindful?
Mindful European visitors …… hmmm …… I wonder if they are referring to the French tourists who let their children climb to the top of a fake waterfall in a Miami hotel lobby then get to the top and scream like Tarzan? Is that what they would like to attract? Or, perhaps the German children who continually ran through a Malibu hotel breakfast room so that management had to find their parents to have a word? Perhaps the europeans cited for defacing monuments and jumping in Venetian canals? How about the Hawaiians and their abandoned cars and appliances and garbage at the side of the road or in ravines? There are “mindful” and not so “mindful” citizens in every corner of the world, whatever “mindful” is. Sick of it!!!
I am an owner of the condo that was destroyed in Lahaina. We have a renter that lost everything, but he has another place to stay. I hear conflicting reports from residents if we should come back to the island or wait. We were scheduled to come to Lahaina the end of August but moved our trip to the 19th of January, do you feel that is adequate time for West Maui to recover?
We’re mindful but we’re not rich. We’re mindful and not disrespectful of our surroundings, whether we’re sitting on the beach while visiting Maui or at home. We love learning about the Hawaiian culture. We have volunteered for causes during our visits. We do not take our many visits to the islands for granted. I just don’t understand why HTA thinks money makes a difference as if they think money will encourage wealthy spenders to join in on worthy causes while visiting. I do not believe wealthy people can put aside their wealth to work in a taro field. Sorry, but that’s my thoughts. Aloha.
It goes both ways.
This HTA can not micromanage the entire tourist population. Imo HTA will do the opposite of increasing tourism. We travel often, this is ridiculous. After 2020, the hoops to go— people just like to enjoy their vacations.
Mindful is a compromise word. As good as any for an ad campaign. They’d love it to apply to all tourists, not just Europeans. If anything, it will make you think twice, as we are doing now, about what “mindful” means and “is that me?” It could speak to plundering Hawaii’s culture, as well as to West Maui’s recovery. Some will be responsive, others will tune it out – the numbers/demographic results likely won’t change. But HTA will feel like they tried. As for high spending visitors: They are on a different level than the rest of us. I really doubt rich people perceive ads like we do, if they even see/hear them. They’ll be on their property or secluded resort oblivious of the need to be mindful. Who wants to be inconvenienced?
“Mindful” is one of those buzzwords that we hear a lot these days. It’s pretty much meaningless to most people. It certainly doesn’t mean that a “mindful” person will be a big spender, which HTA apparently wants to boost the economy. Hawaii needs to diversify, and maybe fire the HTA. Seems as though Hawaii needs visitors, but doesn’t really like them much.
At some time I hope Hawaii will quit insulting its visitors. Our family visits one week annually and would probably not fit in their “high spender” category despite saving up to spend about $10k on airfare, timeshare, restaurants, groceries, gas, tips and taxes. We respect the island as we do our own home. Let’s listen to the employees that want to work and earn an honest wage and open up Maui – we love this unique part of the United States and would welcome any Hawaiian resident who wants to enjoy our beautiful state.
Use to be parents, community, schools, and religious institutions taught our children to be mindful and respectful of others. Now very few do because it is about how ‘you’ feel. It’s okay if you aren’t mindful or respectful of Hawaii because that’s the way you feel.
Don’t like the word mindful,I travel to Maui twice a year for 2 weeks, at which time I shop at farmers market locally owned stores and make sure I respect local rules and traditions. That said I also make 4 trips to Costco 2 each trip, for personal shopping the second trip to provide for the local food bank, my way off giving back and helping. If they powers that be want high spending tourists, get the billionaires that have bought up hundreds of acres to spend more and stop telling regular visitor to stay away
We are tourists in Madrid as I type this. Mindless Americans mixed in with the mindful Spanish. But at least our mindless money goes a lot farther in this beautiful city than in dumpy Honolulu. Even what few homeless they have here are at least mindful to not block the sidewalk.
I once worked at a famous Fortune 500 with a famous CEO whose name you all know and would instantly recognize. We had a department which was under-performing and we tried and tried but nobody in the company was able to fix it. So the CEO approached universities, researchers, consultants, retired successful managers, and assembled a team from all over the world to have meetings and give us advice. We took their hiring advice – with several of them selecting key people, and created the new team in parallel with the old team. That new team was incredibly successful and a major reason for billions more in profits.
Mindful seems rather open to interpretation. However, I think that what Hawaii is looking for is to eliminate the culturally insensitive “budget” tourist that seems to have be increasing in number lately from the US. But saying it in a way that’s not insulting. I’m not sure how successful they will be since that same tourist won’t get that message and it may put off some of the very people they are trying to attract.
Who doesn’t enjoy sitting next to a group of mindful European travelers on the beach as they chain smoke cig after cig walking on the beach in front of you while talking business as loud as they can on their gold plated cell phone wearing a banana hammock.
Wait forgot about bathed in cheap cologne or perfume.
It seems that HTA is moving closer & closer to pulling a Bud Light causing a boycott of the islands.
I’m not certain the HTA really knows what they mean (or intend a specific meaning) when they say “mindful”. I think they are using the word to try to appease both the anti-tourism (or less tourism) camp and the business camp that wants people to spend more money. If so, then it means nothing and will accomplish nothing, as seems to be the HTA trend.
Oh this is so sad. I have been saving for now (6) years. I am a Real Mindful individual….not the “mindful pocketful” tourist. My love affair began with National Geographic in 1958 and my studies were all about the Hawaiian Islands. It was quite abnormal for and 8 year old, but it was a natural love and when I graduated, I just knew I would someday visit. My trips to Maui and all other islands and actually all travels have been about Knowing the history of the land, and its people and all about oceanography. Now life appears to be about greed and it saddens me so how this world is winding up. Thats all I have to say for my hurt heart.
There will be consequences to the strategies and insulting approach. I doubt it will result in better results.
I guess I’m a low-spending visitor. I come to Hawaii, mostly Maui, once or twice a year, stay in a condo for 3 or 4 weeks, rent a car, and shop mostly at Costco. We enjoy food truck lunches and sitting in the sun. Having lived a decade in Hawaii while managing a large tourism dependent company, I participated in the then HVB (Hawaii Visitors Bureau) programs to promote tourism. I learned then that Hawaii’s problems are all political. The one party system that dominates Hawaii through political tis self serving and is responsible for burning down Lahaina. After 50 years as a resident and frequent visitor, I’m done.
This entire program is misguided. During the pandemic, some Hawaii parks and facilities were damaged and abused. This made Hawaii media headlines. Because of significant travel restrictions, it was plain the damage and disrespect was caused by local residents — not tourists, which would have been impossible. Native government officials publicly admitted this fact.
If residents and HTA want “mindful” humans, here’s step one: buy a mirror.
Very well said. Thank you, Jack.
This just makes me tired. I spent 3 years growing up there as a child and have great memories, but now I travel to Hawaii to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and relax in our resort. I don’t trample private property or go where I’m not wanted. While I respect Hawaiian culture, I am not interested in immersing myself in it any more than I do when I go to Europe or Cancun. I just want to relax and enjoy my vacation. All this “mindful” talk just makes it more obvious that I’m no longer wanted in Hawaii.
I appreciate Beat of Hawaii. I actually read it. It is concise, straightforward, and frank.
My question from this article is how do I know if I’m a low-spending tourist or high-spending spending tourist? We stay in nice hotels and resorts. We go to very nice dinners but not every night. But I won’t buy a $20,000 Panama hat at the Royal Hawaiian.
Bottom line is we don’t even know if Hawaii (HTA)even wants us there.
Hi Mike.
Thanks. We aren’t sure ourselves what makes a desirable tourist. Even the concept is challenging to digest. It feels like the state has lost its way in this, its only major industry. We’ve often said however that Hawaii has survived and thrived in spite of the state and hopefully that will prove to be true again.
Aloha.
Ah yes, if only we all could request clients in our various careers /jobs to be “mindful”. I too would like only high spending /low maintenance mindful clients. Wouldn’t that be great? Send them my way. LOL who cares what or who the HTA wants or markets to. Tourists are still going to tourist.
Im sure Venice and Prague would also like mindful, big spenders.
Mindful? I guess what that tells me is that Americans are not as conscious, and sensitive to other cultures/customs as much as individuals from other parts of the world. Perhaps they are right? I could be wrong though. This is not the first time!
I suspect that mindful is just a continuation of the desire for tourists who will take some time to care for the islands that the HTA was starting with last year. There was a Hawaiian word for it that I have forgotten. A low-impact tourist, as it were.
If, on the other hand, the HTA thinks that European tourists will be nicer tourists than, say, Americans, my first snarky thought is to wish them a 767 full of British soccer hooligans…
I remember back in the 80s an explanation for why Japanese tourists were so appreciated and catered to was that while the average American tourist spent $100 a day, the average Japanese tourist spent $1000 a day. If that is what they are looking for from Europe, I can’t blame them for trying.
A low impact tourist would be my hope. But somehow, I feel it is your thoughts on the $$$. Very sad to me.
Many Europeans are very thrifty with their tourist $$$$. To the HTA be careful what you wish for. HTA’s marketing campaign is not very favorable to U.S. tourists and that’s too bad. HTA how about a marketing campaign for U.S. tourist $$$? I live in Texas now, & previously in Illinois. I can’t tell you, the last time, when I saw a promotional commercial for tourism in Hawaii. I guess HTA just doesn’t want visitors from the other 49 states. But I will still come, in fact I’ll be there in 2 days, mindful, respectful & in awe of Hawaii, it’s people & vistas.