Global news outlets raise big concerns for Hawaii visitors.
456 thoughts on “Hawaii Public Relations Nightmare as Media Frenzy Fuels Unrest”
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Home » Blog » Culture and Events » Hawaii Public Relations Nightmare as Media Frenzy Fuels Unrest
I have tentatively scheduled a fully refundable family trip for two weeks to Maui in September at a cost of around $13,000. And if the anti-visitor, immunization check, contact tracing, hotel reporting, kamaaina confronting police state continues, I will cancel and go to Mexico. Almost everyone in my office travels to Hawaii at least once a week. There are 7 of us that visit every year from the west coast – and we are all talking about Mexico and the Caribbean now – half of us went and got passports for our families. I think the visitor slowdown that is a result of not the negative press, but the negative actions – is going to be far more costly than any of you realize.
shame on you for helping fuel negativity! It’s all about our staying healthy these days – what is it you don’t understand and continue to put out negativity for Hawaii? Shame on you Beat of Hawaii – just shame on you!
I have been to Maui about 15 times over the last 12 years… and love(d) it. I follow 2 FB news pages from Maui. The comments from the locals are horrible! They must not be the people who depend on tourism to feed their families, pay rent, buy groceries. I am rethinking future visits to Maui.
My husband and I made our first trip to Hawaii on American Hawaii Cruises back in 1983. The following year we returned to stay for a week in Maui at our favorite spot, Puamana, on Front Street. We have gone nearly every year since then, along with my Mom, sisters, cousins, and kids. It’s my favorite place to visit, and I can’t conceive of never going there again. We have also spent time in Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, Oahu, and Molokai. I hope and pray that this vi rus will not end this beautiful relationship that we’ve had all these years with our friends in Hawaii.
Mahalo to Beat of Hawaii. When I want to find out what is going on in Hawaii, this is my “go-to” website.
What is ironic to me is that a lot of “locals” were once mainlanders themselves. They came over to visit, loved the flavor of the islands (what’s not to love), and decided to come back to take up residence. These seem to be the ones that are complaining the most about those “awful” tourists. Hawaii though is a beautiful melting pot of people of different cultures and ancestries from different parts of our world. I embrace that.
I come over to visit for a couple of weeks a year. To the locals – “cut me some slack”. A lot of you were me at one time!
Hi Curtis.
Thanks for this and all of your comments.
Aloha.
My Mother was born on Hawaii island. We have been visiting the islands since she left 74 years ago. We still have family on the island of Oahu, and Hawaii island. My first trip was when I was 1 year old, 65 years ago.
With the Nazi type style, ankle bands, 14 day seclusion, hotel keys to keep track of people, it is getting less and less likely we will ever visit the islands again. We have a trip planned in September. A birthday and retirement trip. Been looking forward to it for several months. If things don’t change, we will have to change our trip. I know 2 people won’t change much over there, but if this keeps on the islands will be bankrupt. Is it worth it to crush an entire community and people for what is turning out to be less and less a problem than first thought. I’m so sorry for this.
I am so sad for my beloved Hawaii- yes, I understand the locals concern for expanding beyond a tourism based economy, but it way too late for that. Everyone I know including myself who dreamed of visiting Hawaii in 2020, is not coming as your local government has bit the hand that feeds them. The loss of tax revenue, businesses permanently closed, etc..not to mention the more real and relevant human loss (unemployment, hunger, alcohol/drug/child abuse/spousal abuse, depression/suicide) will be unimaginable as the devastating consequences beyond the 17 lives lost to this become clear. I don’t see a clear plan to recovery, do you???… in Southern California where I live, people are out and business are re-opening despite what our governor mandates; we see a death toll of 3,200 in a state of 40 million; 0.00008%- a bad flu season data is way higher, and we locked down late; most people already had it and did fine….Reading headlines of another tourist arrest in Hawaii because a tourist dare go get food to eat, instead of having food delivered to their hotel/condo/home front door is beyond ridiculous. You quar antine and protect the vulnerable, not the healthy! My husband and I have been waiting for the right ocean front condo in Kaanapali to open up to buy and use throughout the year; we just discussed our plans today and I told him I don’t think that is wise, I would rather just visit (2021? maybe, maybe not) as I don’t trust that hassle or “Inconvenience” as you mentioned it would take to use said condo. I can spend a million+ bucks anywhere else and be assured that I could get food to eat without “permission”
Mahalo
Hi Nita.
Thanks.
Aloha.
oh my gosh! we here on the big island are desperate to see your friendly faces, our mainland tourist friends! I look around every day (the weather has been spectacular0 and wish I could invite you all to come stay. My kids and grandkids are coming in two weeks, and will be careful not to touch anything on the plane, but we feel good about them coming. I am an artist and my galleries have been closed, my teaching opportunities cancelled, and we are watching, and worried. Please ignore the nonsense you hear. We want you back just as soon as the powers that be let you
Aww!! Someone who is nice!! I was actually wondering if the nice people were on the Big Island, which happens to be where we hope to go in October, assuming the quar antine for visitors is over. We bought a timeshare there and were supposed to arrive today!! If most people are nice, we will still go. But if most are rude, entitled and selfish we won’t come, we will g to Jamaica where it’s just as beautiful but ALL the people are so kind, happy, and appreciative! Forget Aloha, it will be One Love! Thank you Phyllis, there may still be hope!
We were supposed to arrive in Kauai today (5/17/2020) for a two week stay between the islands of Kauai and Oahu. As an annual visitor for the last 9 years, I can attest that we have always been extremely welcomed and have had the opportunity to make lasting friendships with a few individuals who are native to the islands. What draws us back every year is the heritage, the culture of the islands and how they care about the eco system, protecting their oceans and lands. There are many places within the mainland that could learn a thing or two from the Hawaiian way. We will return as soon as we can. Practice Aloha.
Thank you for this article. I was happy to read this as I’m feeling the same way. We had to cancel our 10 day vacation this month to Kona. We decided to come to Hawaii as it’s part of the USA and got a really bad feel for travel in Italy. Since our Italy trip, we’ve been coming to Maui, Kauai and the Big Island every year. A friend told us the story of her girlfriend who’s trip was ruined shortly after the Co vid hit the USA. They were finishing up the Maui vacation and we’re being flipped off while driving with people yelling at the haole go home. What are they thinking on the islands to treat fellow Americans like that? We got married in Maui. We’ve spent so much money on all the islands and have always showed respect. It’s so expensive there. It’s expensive to vacation there. Not sure when we will be back.