40 thoughts on “Have Ego-Driven Instagrammers Ruined Hawaii?”
Randy R
At it’s heart, it’s the narcissist “All about me”, whether Selfie Sticks (talk about a self incriminatory)’ in the late ’90’s may have been worse, dodging 3′ wands on Kalakaua or Waikiki Beach! These are the same people who don’t get the ‘Space’ issue of staying in one’s own, the guy who decides on Pizza @ 0900 as he or she boards the plane sitting in ‘B’ or ‘E’, as if we all wanted to share the ghastly aroma, before our senses had awoken. We didn’t get the “Ugly American” moniker for nothing, sadly as the Family devolved, the Example of Decorum and Respect gave way to the lowest common denominator, that eliminates any questions as to “Act like you’ve done this before” telling all of the Madonna Syndrome that afflicts so many!
You cannot fix stupid. I stopped using social media 2 years ago after reading a psychologist study that it was detrimental to mental health during covid. It is a fad and will pass when some Millennials who have yet to grow up finally do. Best to ignore them and move on from social media to the real world.
Unfortunately, the social media generation is missing a sense of self-confidence, and seems to need being seen to feel important. Sadly, no one cares about them.
Hey old people long before InstaGrammers a magazine came out called Hawaii Revealed which was the forerunner to showing tourist how to trespass, find beaches that only locals knew about and pretty much unlock all secrets of Hawaii.
Fact is BOH not long ago you spoke about driving the back side of Maui which resulted in a 100 plus car traffic jam and 2 car loads of tourist needing recue trapped between 2 rivers overflowing the road.
For what reason there’s really no must see spots back there, but hey when you write your next article about charging tourist to get rescued remember you’re the ones who suggested driving the back side of Maui.
By the way it violates most rental car agreements to be back there.
I understand that those who are doing something to be seen on social media don’t understand that they instigate others to do grander stunts. Some of these have no regard to signage or rules, which is a shame.
As others have said, a photo and caption should be more than enough evidence to issue a fine. They fine people that post pictures of themselves grabbing turtles, so why not trespassing? 99.5% of tourists are wonderful, respectful guests. The other .5% is ruining it for all of us. They give tourists a bad name which causes resentment among the locals, and that ends up being a bad time for everyone. And if there are problem areas, post a cop or DLNR official there for a random day once a month with a big book of blank tickets and a grumpy attitude and see if that helps. I will contribute to the cost of enforcement if they post the looks on people’s faces when they get the ticket. That’s the only Instagram I’d make time for.
Aloha Rob & Jeff, and thank you for keeping this newsletter running!
It’s so sad, and this problem is global, with utter disrespect for other cultures & other lands.
People water skiing in the Venetian canals? Venice Italy has begun limiting the number of tourists
allowed in—not a bad idea—I hope Hawaii does the same. I began going to Kauai in 1978, and went
regularly over several decades. It’s changed so much—not sure if I’ll ever be back. There’s been such a
tourism explosion in the past 2 decades everywhere, it’s mind-blowing! Social media has completely destroyed
any hope for civility. So grateful I was able to see & experience Hawaii before this new culture took over.
Tik Tokkers are worse! I refuse to get on that platform for a ton of reasons, as I think it is far worse than FB or Insta. Social media has it’s positives, but IMO the negatives far outweigh them! It’s outrageous.
Narcissism is at an all time high in this Country….between the ego boost that social media provides and the perception
that some seem to think their “right” to do what they want trumps everything, we are definitely suffering as a society.
As others have stated Hawaii is not the only placed being “crammed” to death. In Washington we have the Enchantment Lakes. This past summer I had a young female offer to pay me to let her take a picture or two with my tent. This picture would serve as proof positive that she had attained one of the coveted lottery pick core permits. Sure go ahead take all you want was my response.
At it’s heart, it’s the narcissist “All about me”, whether Selfie Sticks (talk about a self incriminatory)’ in the late ’90’s may have been worse, dodging 3′ wands on Kalakaua or Waikiki Beach! These are the same people who don’t get the ‘Space’ issue of staying in one’s own, the guy who decides on Pizza @ 0900 as he or she boards the plane sitting in ‘B’ or ‘E’, as if we all wanted to share the ghastly aroma, before our senses had awoken. We didn’t get the “Ugly American” moniker for nothing, sadly as the Family devolved, the Example of Decorum and Respect gave way to the lowest common denominator, that eliminates any questions as to “Act like you’ve done this before” telling all of the Madonna Syndrome that afflicts so many!
You cannot fix stupid. I stopped using social media 2 years ago after reading a psychologist study that it was detrimental to mental health during covid. It is a fad and will pass when some Millennials who have yet to grow up finally do. Best to ignore them and move on from social media to the real world.
Unfortunately, the social media generation is missing a sense of self-confidence, and seems to need being seen to feel important. Sadly, no one cares about them.
Hey old people long before InstaGrammers a magazine came out called Hawaii Revealed which was the forerunner to showing tourist how to trespass, find beaches that only locals knew about and pretty much unlock all secrets of Hawaii.
Fact is BOH not long ago you spoke about driving the back side of Maui which resulted in a 100 plus car traffic jam and 2 car loads of tourist needing recue trapped between 2 rivers overflowing the road.
For what reason there’s really no must see spots back there, but hey when you write your next article about charging tourist to get rescued remember you’re the ones who suggested driving the back side of Maui.
By the way it violates most rental car agreements to be back there.
I understand that those who are doing something to be seen on social media don’t understand that they instigate others to do grander stunts. Some of these have no regard to signage or rules, which is a shame.
As others have said, a photo and caption should be more than enough evidence to issue a fine. They fine people that post pictures of themselves grabbing turtles, so why not trespassing? 99.5% of tourists are wonderful, respectful guests. The other .5% is ruining it for all of us. They give tourists a bad name which causes resentment among the locals, and that ends up being a bad time for everyone. And if there are problem areas, post a cop or DLNR official there for a random day once a month with a big book of blank tickets and a grumpy attitude and see if that helps. I will contribute to the cost of enforcement if they post the looks on people’s faces when they get the ticket. That’s the only Instagram I’d make time for.
Aloha Rob & Jeff, and thank you for keeping this newsletter running!
It’s so sad, and this problem is global, with utter disrespect for other cultures & other lands.
People water skiing in the Venetian canals? Venice Italy has begun limiting the number of tourists
allowed in—not a bad idea—I hope Hawaii does the same. I began going to Kauai in 1978, and went
regularly over several decades. It’s changed so much—not sure if I’ll ever be back. There’s been such a
tourism explosion in the past 2 decades everywhere, it’s mind-blowing! Social media has completely destroyed
any hope for civility. So grateful I was able to see & experience Hawaii before this new culture took over.
Tik Tokkers are worse! I refuse to get on that platform for a ton of reasons, as I think it is far worse than FB or Insta. Social media has it’s positives, but IMO the negatives far outweigh them! It’s outrageous.
Narcissism is at an all time high in this Country….between the ego boost that social media provides and the perception
that some seem to think their “right” to do what they want trumps everything, we are definitely suffering as a society.
As others have stated Hawaii is not the only placed being “crammed” to death. In Washington we have the Enchantment Lakes. This past summer I had a young female offer to pay me to let her take a picture or two with my tent. This picture would serve as proof positive that she had attained one of the coveted lottery pick core permits. Sure go ahead take all you want was my response.