A first-time T&L writer/tourist to Maui writes all about a $2,500+ night accommodation, doesn’t mention the wildlife he’s snorkeling with is endangered, or the issues about his recommended Road to Hana, and flies Southwest to get here.
Leave a Comment
35 thoughts on “Dodgy T&L Hawaii Article Misses The Mark”
I was informed that Hawaiian airlines no longer has Hana Hou magazine what do they have now.
Thanks
Wow, that was the perfect vehicle for educating those coming to Hawaii, Seasonal Events, Sun Blocks, Reefs, Beaches with Parking Charges. I used to subscribe, overall a very nice publication! I felt superior to Hawaii Magazine, but something they may want to reconsider, Hawaii is a Special Place, amortized over 6 Islands and the Airlines own Destinations to Austral-Asia and for some it is once in a lifetime trip with great anticipation, possibly when Advertising gets back, Dining, Etc.. To that subject American dropped their Publication as well, in retirement matters not, but now flying maybe 3-4 R/T’s after 30 years of 46 weeks a year, it was the first thing I grabbed from the Seatback!
Just flew on HA to SEA and back two weeks ago….Hana Hou was onboard…..perhaps someone had a seat without one,
It happens…and jumped to conclusion? Too bad if it’s true….one of the many things that differentiates Hawaiian from the other airlines.
My guess is regular reviewers are known to the businesses they review. So, whether they tell the establishment they are coming or show up under a different name, the staff knows the regulars.
Paid or comped makes little difference. They only announce that so the readers will think the review is unbiased. Every review has some bias built into it, intentional or otherwise.
I completely agree with you!!
It’s a shame that there are so many self-centered people, young and old, who are giving a bad name for all tourists to Hawaii. We are not all like that. Most , I hope, do care about the culture of the islands.
I pray that the locals will not judge all tourists by the actions of a few.
It is definitely unfortunate. I cancelled my subscription to T&L long ago as it became clear that they were only catering to the upscale places where they wanted to stay. Everything was all fluff.
Tourist incidents every where can be highlighted, but most of us already know not to bother wildlife, both in HA or Yellowstone, etc. And as long as there is distance to turtles, it is fine. Nitpicking to prove a point? My takeaway? After grad school work in Hilo in ‘75, and too many trips to All islands, I can truly say, both sides need to give grace and Aloha! Understanding and patience are keys! And one other thing, I believe Hawaii Loves the extreme price point burdens placed on visitors. That is punishing enough.
If I read a restaurant review by someone who was comped the meal I wouldn’t take it seriously. The same applies to hotels.
Real reviewers hide their identity.
As far as reviewing an airline, I doubt airlines spend their time scanning passenger manifests for potential reviewers. In fact, airline reviews have tons of pictures, the crew knows what the passenger is doing. Not as if they’re going to whip them up a special meal!
Besides, US based carriers are terrible compared to many foreign carriers. What’s to review, general level of crabbiness, how loudly they slam the bins?
Aloha and yes, paid stays are nothing more than advertising for the resort or hotel. Sadly, T & L has long had the reputation of writing about paid media trips or merely tweaking press releases sent by a resort without actually having visited the place. Conde Nast Traveler has long billed itself as the journalism of travel — all their writers take no freebies at all, make sure they include local knowledge by interviewing a resident for cultural correctness and include info on how to nurture the native species. Night and day in the two approaches.
We’ve been to Hawaii about 15 times over the last 20+ years and have come to experience the tourists who only want to be seen. It seems to be mostly younger travelers who want to feed their Facebook or instagram accounts. The “look at me” generation. They seem to care nothing about the Hawaiian culture, the locals or how to have minimum impact on the land and wildlife. Very sad because the islands, wildlife and the people are very giving and should be appreciated for sharing their beautiful islands with us.
Tom,
“We’ve been to Hawaii about 15 times over the last 20+ years and have come to experience the tourists who only want to be seen.” I see the same people at home and everywhere I travel. So what. You see some forks for 30 seconds and have decided how they will spend the rest of their time in Hawaii.
I’ve been coming a lot longer than you. In the early days, we rented cars and went all over. Enjoying the land, the people, the weather. Now, nearly 80 years old, we go for 2 reasons – my wife will not travel outside the USA. And, we still enjoy this State even though we only rent a car for 1 or 2 days over 2 weeks.
Enjoy your vacation, don’t let your first impressions of others ruin your time here or anywhere.
This is what just makes me so sad. Kapalua Bay Hotel was an Aloha gem. When RitzCarlton tore it down and built their time-share monstrosity…which became the Montage…all who knew and enjoyed Kapalua for years were bereft. Hawaii is stunned by the clueless people coming through and seriously destroying so much that had always been respected but if you look at the larger, sadder picture it’s the world that’s changing and Hawaii is suffering. We raised our kids at the beach, then the pool, then the lava—that was their day. My stepdaughter had to have pool slides and all sorts of entertainment for her kids, she thought I was nuts for expecting my kids to be calm and respectfully curious. Kapalua Zipline=ADHD and what you’re shocked about now.
Michelle, agree 100%, Kapalua was a special place in the late ’80’s and into the ’90’s, just below the Kapalua Bay Hotel was the Kapalua Bay Club (now Merriman’s) that was special, as there was still a Dress Code (Jacket’s for Men, no Shorts) that made the evening and the views to Jaw’s’ stunning. Ritz-Carlton is now Blackstone, having changed hands twice since the millennia in ’06 and ’18. Went to a wedding at the Kapalua Bay Hotel, on the Lawn overlooking the Bay, also remember DK Kadama opening Sansei on his return to Hawaii from Aspen in the Retail component, great spot, now I think In the old Clubhouse near Sacred Heart Church, Kihei and Waikiki only. Maui invited over-development, now out of hand!
T&L is a hack publication filled with gushing articles about properties who provide complementary stays in lieu of glowing reviews. I cancelled my subscription years ago.
Agreed! I recently tried a one-year subscription and it was full of BS articles promoting stuff…honestly, every article was just an Ad for a place disguised as an article. Cancelled before my year was over….very disappointing as it was 100% not what I expected..