122 thoughts on “Does Hawaii Want Tourists or Not? It’s Fickle.”
Amy T
I’ve never been made to feel unwelcome or unwanted in Kauai, but then I’m always respectful, tip well and not an ___! My family and I leave the seals and turtles alone and encourage others to do the same. I love the islands! Can’t wait to return!
I live at the Jersey shore. We have the same complaints. The big difference our tourism season is only 3 intense months. But people come here with a sense of entitlement. Leave their trash on the beaches when they leave Interfere with turtles and seals. And play loud music sometimes all hours of the night. A price we pay to live by the ocean on an island. We love Hawaii and try to treat it like we do our beaches here. We want to preserve America’s Paradise. Mahalo
Grew up Monmouth County, New Shrewsbury (now Tinton Falls), Lifeguarded Long Branch and Sea Bright for 5 years, last address before moving west, Sea Bright, the Sea Wall between me and the Atlantic. The shore was our playground from Spring Lake to Sea Bright. Amen to all you said, Respect.
What a Great perspective of what Hawaii
could really become as a tourist destination.
Cater to your visitors who brings with them a
sense of wonder of sky, land, and water.
Those visitors interested in the Hawaii of Old,
the culture, the music, and The Ohana.
Promote a visitor of this stature and you”Hawaii”
could transform your land back to Paradise!
Reinvent Yourselves!
I totally agree. We used to hear the old Hawaiian music everywhere we went. It gave us the feeling of old Hawaii and its aloha. Now we hear the same rap and hard rock we hear on the mainland.
I agree. It’s not that I don’t want visitors to come, just that most of the visitors are coming with the wrong intentions or mindset. For many visitors Hawaii to them is the bamboo huts with grass roofs, and I think they should understand, that image is not culturally accurate. Just common courtesy from visitors is just not there lately. J-walking is a legit problem in Waikiki and its gotten so out of control. The idea that we should welcome you with open arms is absurd. We are welcoming, but the expectation and treating us like servants is not. Hawaii is magical but that doesn’t mean if you go hiking off trail you wont get lost and waves at beaches aren’t always soft and gentle. Just wish they’d be more mindful and respectful.
Hey Cate, are you on the same tic-tok blog with negative Lilly? Sure sounds like it. Your statement is not only inaccurate but it is completely fabricated. “Most visitors” do not go to Hawaii with the wrong “intentions”, or the wrong “mindset”! They simply come to experience all of the beauty and culture Hawaii has to offer. There will always be a few bad eggs that will dampen a fleeting moment in time. But the thing to do is take them with a grain of salt and move on with your life. Chances are, you will never see them again. So let that realization be your motivation. Look at the bright side of the tourism industry in Hawaii! Maybe it will give you a whole new perspective and respect, for those that visit the Islands. Mahalo!
Please, Ed. If someone is telling you their experience, it is their experience. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it’s fabricated. I live in Waikiki, and yes, for the most part I observe people just here to have a good time. But I also see a lot of people disobeying traffic rules, getting too close to sleeping monk seals and ignoring pleas to get away, and going places they don’t belong for the perfect photo. Perhaps if anyone needs a different perspective, it’s those that are taking Lily’s message personally. If you are a good tourist, great! She’s not talking about you. If you hear that someone is going to Hawaii, pass along the message that Hawaii is the most unique destination in the US and needs to be treated as such.
AMY P, while I do not discount Cate’s “incident”, I do take exception to her saying (and I quote) ” just that most of the visitors are coming with the wrong intentions or mindset.” “most of the visitors” is not an experience. She is categorizing the majority of tourists that come to Hawaii. Also Amy, you said your piece and I said mine. I do not agree with your take on her comment either. Just so you know my opinion! Have a great evening!
My family has been coming to Kauai for over 30 years. We have a condo we share at Poipu. Also my husband & I lived on Oahu for about 4 years. During this time we have made many local friends both on Oahu & Kauai. I find that many people assume the worst rather than looking for then good in people. I feel more like a local than an outsider. I have taught my children, grandchildren no matter where we travel we need to leave it better than we found it.I understand how the locals feel because I feel that way when I see people bothering turtles or wildlife and I tell them to stop & try to educate them as why touching wild animals isn’t a good thing. I guess I would ask all tourists to remember they are guests & all locals to know we aren’t
“She concludes that it’s better to stay with someone who already lives here in Hawaii, and suggests learning the Hawaiian language and patronizing locally owned businesses and restaurants, especially those that are Native Hawaiian-owned.”
This lady is seriously detached from reality… how many Hawaiian-owned homes have spare bedrooms that would be available for someone the family doesn’t even know? As for learning the local language, I recommend the “Pidgin to da Max” series of books. (amazon.com/Pidgin-Max-Douglas-Simonson/dp/093584841X). As for the restaurants, I actually do try to eat local – why would I go to Hawaii for a Big Mac? My favorite place on Maui is Ono Kau Kau Mixed Plate on Lower Honopiilani Rd.
It’s a complex issue, with a lot of different consituencies and in some cases people have conflicting interests. For example, over tourism creates a lot of problems. This causes people who live there to “hate” tourism while at the same time if it weren’t for tourism they wouldn’t be able to make a living. the problem is that the status-quo can’t hold, and what ever you try to do is going to make someone unhappy. The best you can hope for is to spread the pain around as evenly as possible.
It makes me sad what is and has been going on since covid. My husband & I still visited (4times). We went through the many hoops and did what was asked (mask etc). In my opinion people are over sensitive on both sides. We never felt disliked by the residents while visiting. People on both sides seem less patient than before covid. Prayers that things will calm and move forward. Communication is key. The back on & off again doesn’t help. Enjoy why you are visiting this beautiful place.
Lily’s comments are uncalled for. This is the United States and Hawaiian residence benefit from being a state. During the pandemic how would they have survived without federal help. No one excuses bad behavior by tourists but turn on the news at night and see the same crime that many big cities on the mainland experience. That’s not because of tourism. Those crimes are locals with all the issues every state faces. Does Lily or any resident of Hawaii believe that no tourism will help the state when there is virtually no income. I think not.
You are sounding like a typical patriotic American hawaii is more resilient than you would think the locals can survive it’s that the US told them they can’t because that’s a colonial way of thinking and they are used to that
Her comments aren’t uncalled for. They are her feelings, and she’s free to have them. Perhaps you should open your yard to endless visitors who continually disregard rules and treat it like a playground, and then let us know how you feel.
Amy P., you are right. She has every right to her “opinions”. But so do the rest of us. And she is hearing “our opinions” in return. Most visitors do not abuse the locals, or the land, in Hawaii when they come. That is a fabrication and a stretch, at best. Most people come to enjoy the culture and respect the land while there! Abusers are a super minority! Not “most” of the tourists!
After visiting here many times, we moved here about 3-1/2 years ago. We are on the Big Island, which is nothing like Oahu or Maui. Do I think that tourism is ruining Hawaii? It’s hard to accept the answer but Yes, just like most everywhere else, big commercial tourism has impacted local habitats and the economy. Like alot of other places, Hawaii relies on tourism. It’s not just big corporations that are doing it, local businesses also are changing the way they operate to get their share of the almighty dollar.
I’ve never been made to feel unwelcome or unwanted in Kauai, but then I’m always respectful, tip well and not an ___! My family and I leave the seals and turtles alone and encourage others to do the same. I love the islands! Can’t wait to return!
I live at the Jersey shore. We have the same complaints. The big difference our tourism season is only 3 intense months. But people come here with a sense of entitlement. Leave their trash on the beaches when they leave Interfere with turtles and seals. And play loud music sometimes all hours of the night. A price we pay to live by the ocean on an island. We love Hawaii and try to treat it like we do our beaches here. We want to preserve America’s Paradise. Mahalo
Grew up Monmouth County, New Shrewsbury (now Tinton Falls), Lifeguarded Long Branch and Sea Bright for 5 years, last address before moving west, Sea Bright, the Sea Wall between me and the Atlantic. The shore was our playground from Spring Lake to Sea Bright. Amen to all you said, Respect.
What a Great perspective of what Hawaii
could really become as a tourist destination.
Cater to your visitors who brings with them a
sense of wonder of sky, land, and water.
Those visitors interested in the Hawaii of Old,
the culture, the music, and The Ohana.
Promote a visitor of this stature and you”Hawaii”
could transform your land back to Paradise!
Reinvent Yourselves!
I totally agree. We used to hear the old Hawaiian music everywhere we went. It gave us the feeling of old Hawaii and its aloha. Now we hear the same rap and hard rock we hear on the mainland.
I agree. It’s not that I don’t want visitors to come, just that most of the visitors are coming with the wrong intentions or mindset. For many visitors Hawaii to them is the bamboo huts with grass roofs, and I think they should understand, that image is not culturally accurate. Just common courtesy from visitors is just not there lately. J-walking is a legit problem in Waikiki and its gotten so out of control. The idea that we should welcome you with open arms is absurd. We are welcoming, but the expectation and treating us like servants is not. Hawaii is magical but that doesn’t mean if you go hiking off trail you wont get lost and waves at beaches aren’t always soft and gentle. Just wish they’d be more mindful and respectful.
Hey Cate, are you on the same tic-tok blog with negative Lilly? Sure sounds like it. Your statement is not only inaccurate but it is completely fabricated. “Most visitors” do not go to Hawaii with the wrong “intentions”, or the wrong “mindset”! They simply come to experience all of the beauty and culture Hawaii has to offer. There will always be a few bad eggs that will dampen a fleeting moment in time. But the thing to do is take them with a grain of salt and move on with your life. Chances are, you will never see them again. So let that realization be your motivation. Look at the bright side of the tourism industry in Hawaii! Maybe it will give you a whole new perspective and respect, for those that visit the Islands. Mahalo!
Please, Ed. If someone is telling you their experience, it is their experience. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it’s fabricated. I live in Waikiki, and yes, for the most part I observe people just here to have a good time. But I also see a lot of people disobeying traffic rules, getting too close to sleeping monk seals and ignoring pleas to get away, and going places they don’t belong for the perfect photo. Perhaps if anyone needs a different perspective, it’s those that are taking Lily’s message personally. If you are a good tourist, great! She’s not talking about you. If you hear that someone is going to Hawaii, pass along the message that Hawaii is the most unique destination in the US and needs to be treated as such.
AMY P, while I do not discount Cate’s “incident”, I do take exception to her saying (and I quote) ” just that most of the visitors are coming with the wrong intentions or mindset.” “most of the visitors” is not an experience. She is categorizing the majority of tourists that come to Hawaii. Also Amy, you said your piece and I said mine. I do not agree with your take on her comment either. Just so you know my opinion! Have a great evening!
My family has been coming to Kauai for over 30 years. We have a condo we share at Poipu. Also my husband & I lived on Oahu for about 4 years. During this time we have made many local friends both on Oahu & Kauai. I find that many people assume the worst rather than looking for then good in people. I feel more like a local than an outsider. I have taught my children, grandchildren no matter where we travel we need to leave it better than we found it.I understand how the locals feel because I feel that way when I see people bothering turtles or wildlife and I tell them to stop & try to educate them as why touching wild animals isn’t a good thing. I guess I would ask all tourists to remember they are guests & all locals to know we aren’t
“She concludes that it’s better to stay with someone who already lives here in Hawaii, and suggests learning the Hawaiian language and patronizing locally owned businesses and restaurants, especially those that are Native Hawaiian-owned.”
This lady is seriously detached from reality… how many Hawaiian-owned homes have spare bedrooms that would be available for someone the family doesn’t even know? As for learning the local language, I recommend the “Pidgin to da Max” series of books. (amazon.com/Pidgin-Max-Douglas-Simonson/dp/093584841X). As for the restaurants, I actually do try to eat local – why would I go to Hawaii for a Big Mac? My favorite place on Maui is Ono Kau Kau Mixed Plate on Lower Honopiilani Rd.
It’s a complex issue, with a lot of different consituencies and in some cases people have conflicting interests. For example, over tourism creates a lot of problems. This causes people who live there to “hate” tourism while at the same time if it weren’t for tourism they wouldn’t be able to make a living. the problem is that the status-quo can’t hold, and what ever you try to do is going to make someone unhappy. The best you can hope for is to spread the pain around as evenly as possible.
It makes me sad what is and has been going on since covid. My husband & I still visited (4times). We went through the many hoops and did what was asked (mask etc). In my opinion people are over sensitive on both sides. We never felt disliked by the residents while visiting. People on both sides seem less patient than before covid. Prayers that things will calm and move forward. Communication is key. The back on & off again doesn’t help. Enjoy why you are visiting this beautiful place.
Lily’s comments are uncalled for. This is the United States and Hawaiian residence benefit from being a state. During the pandemic how would they have survived without federal help. No one excuses bad behavior by tourists but turn on the news at night and see the same crime that many big cities on the mainland experience. That’s not because of tourism. Those crimes are locals with all the issues every state faces. Does Lily or any resident of Hawaii believe that no tourism will help the state when there is virtually no income. I think not.
You are sounding like a typical patriotic American hawaii is more resilient than you would think the locals can survive it’s that the US told them they can’t because that’s a colonial way of thinking and they are used to that
Her comments aren’t uncalled for. They are her feelings, and she’s free to have them. Perhaps you should open your yard to endless visitors who continually disregard rules and treat it like a playground, and then let us know how you feel.
Amy P., you are right. She has every right to her “opinions”. But so do the rest of us. And she is hearing “our opinions” in return. Most visitors do not abuse the locals, or the land, in Hawaii when they come. That is a fabrication and a stretch, at best. Most people come to enjoy the culture and respect the land while there! Abusers are a super minority! Not “most” of the tourists!
After visiting here many times, we moved here about 3-1/2 years ago. We are on the Big Island, which is nothing like Oahu or Maui. Do I think that tourism is ruining Hawaii? It’s hard to accept the answer but Yes, just like most everywhere else, big commercial tourism has impacted local habitats and the economy. Like alot of other places, Hawaii relies on tourism. It’s not just big corporations that are doing it, local businesses also are changing the way they operate to get their share of the almighty dollar.