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
My son-in-law is in the military, so we’ve been to visit our daughter and grands several times. The v rus started not long after we being to plan our next visit. We’d purchased plane tickets and began watching the travel updates for the state. It was disappointing and disturbing to see the protests regarding visitors and the 14 day quar antine was obviously a message say, “don’t come.” I get it. We love Hawai’i and would never want to put anyone in harm’s way. I think it could have been managed differently. I simple plea to those visitors who love Hawai’i asking for us to give space in this difficult time would have made us feel like we were all in this together (which we are) and still maintained the Aloha spirit. It may to a while to get that back.
My wife and I have never been and we’re planning on going for a 20th wedding anniversary this year in June. We rescheduled to late July just in case things would open up, but after seeing all the comments and how all your government is treating people that want to visit, we are canceling our trip. We will spend our dollars elsewhere. It’s a shame but there are many other places in the world to visit.
I think the locals have always had a love/hate relationship with tourism. We have been going to Hawaii annually (and more) for the last 40 years and that’s the sense we get. They don’t love us exactly but they like the money we bring in.
We were to go in March for the 15th time rebooked for Aug there is no way I wouldn’t go back as soon as I leave Hawai’i and come home to Australia I won’t to go back we can’t wait for that time to come so we can once again be in my favourite play on earth
With my son and his family being stationed in Hawaii with the military, and my grandson being born in February, I couldn’t wait to come back and see him. I will not come with the restrictions that are currently in place. It breaks my heart because I know that my grandson will most likely be walking and talking before I get to hold him! Will be thankful when my son’s family PCS’s back to the mainland next January!
I’m not a local, but I live here on Maui. I’m very blessed. But, I don’t think the person who shared their opinion has the right to say Hawai’i belongs to not just the locals, but to the visitors too. I don’t think locals, 100% born and raised Hawaiians would agree with that. I’m a haole and work with all locals, and I am blessed to be part of THEIR culture and land. I don’t think visitors have the right to say it belongs to them too. I wouldn’t say Maui belongs to me!
I don’t think Hawai’i as a state can survive without tourism. We can’t group all tourists bad, but a lot sure do ruin what is truly beautiful here. It is too bad that change can’t happen quicker, because it is truly beautiful to NOT have tourists here right now. Less traffic, beaches aren’t crowded, no tourists being greedy or thinking that they run the show, etc. But at some point, I’m sure it’ll go back to what it was… but for now, I’m going to enjoy Maui and savor every minute.
Just my thoughts…
So does the mainland not belong to the Hawaiian people? Does American not belong to Americans?
I will eagerly return once there’s a vac cine. I can not trust others to board a plane without the Vi rus. I do not want to come to the island as a possible carrier. I’m deeply saddened by the economic hardship the island is suffering under.
Thanks for all your great articles.
I have a friend living in Kaneohe, and frankly, she’s lonely. She was counting on Tween granddaughters visiting this summer and other friends, me included. Since I’m still working, I generally can only come for 2 weeks. The 14 day quar antine would use my whole vacation, plus, no island hopping which we dearly love to do. I love Hawaii and I’d like to support Hawaii’s economy. I am not an obnoxious tourist. I am a working nurse, who when I get a vacation this year, will likely not be spending it there. This saddens me greatly.
Hi Martha.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We can relate to these comments. We have been coming to Kauai for over 20 yrs and have friends there so it’s like going home. We had to cancel our plans in June to take our granddaughter for her graduation. We still have reservations again in Aug. to bring our grandson for the first time. After we have fulfilled our promises to our grandkids I’m not sure we’ll come back, as much as it pains us. It has always been our respite but the response I’ve been hearing from residents and the Hawaiian government as to how tourists should be treated going forward, we feel very disheartened and are thinking the same as others that it might be time to explore 49 other states.
Some of your commenters sound quite entitled. I’m a mainlander and Hawaii is my favorite vacation spot. I had planned to go in June, despite this, and was bummed when Hawaii implemented the quar antine and other measures. Rather than whining, I respected their efforts and figures I’d just have to schedule my trip later. Visiting Hawaii – or anywhere – is a privilege, not an inalienable right.
Hi. It’s part of the USA therefore it’s open to us all. Hawaiians AND mainlanders. Stop separating.
Thank you for having this attitude. As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, I do not blame tourists individually, but blame our government for being so shortsighted. I suppose it was inevitable that as people from the rest of the world discovered how wonderful Hawaii is, it was destined for ruin because our government allowed more and more tourists and transplants (from not only the U.S., but other countries). Our real estate is priced beyond reach of the majority of our own children. More and more homeless–both our locals who can’t afford rent and those coming from the Mainland. Sad.