Global news outlets raise big concerns for Hawaii visitors.
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456 thoughts on “Hawaii Public Relations Nightmare as Media Frenzy Fuels Unrest”
Global news outlets raise big concerns for Hawaii visitors.
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I am a kanaka Maoli who has worked in tourism for over 20+ years and am currently employed part time by a resort. Visitors who want to travel to Hawaii, break the laws of Hawaii which is in place to protect our kamaaina are selfish. Period. Honestly speaking we don’t need those types of visitors. The ones who have said they don’t want to return because the “Aloha” is missing…we don’t need them. Aloha is not a commodity that means Tourism is king and visitors do whatever they want and we have to allow them. That is NOT aloha and obviously those types of tourists need to be educated. Aloha is love and respect and if they don’t respect Hawaii by staying away during this then they do not have Aloha for us and THAT is the issue. We as Hawaii WELCOME (when the time is right) those who ARE waiting to visit, with open arms and most likely a honi as well. Do not worry about tourists, they will always come. Instead worry about Hawaii and her people. She is healing and needs time.
I don’t believe that visitors are uncaring towards the islands. I also don’t think that anyone believes that tourism is king and that visitors can do whatever they want. Being that you have worked in tourism for so long, you may have seen more than your fair share of rude tourists. However, if you’re being truthful I’m sure you would have to admit that most are kind and respectful. Possibly your anger towards visitors is a bit jaded due to working in the industry.
Your statement that visitors can come when the time is right and that visitors will always come is very optimistic. You live on the islands and tourism is your business. However, I think that you are being very naive regarding this situation. Yes, “some” visitors will always return. But, have you thought about how many visitors must visit the islands each year in order to sustain the necessary jobs and support your economy requires? I think not! You really aren’t listening to what the visitors are saying. Thanks or no thanks to the media, we have clearly heard the disdain that some locals hold for visitors. Whether or not you want to believe it, visitors are choosing to go elsewhere. Some will always return but many will never come back for fear of retribution from locals. I’ve read many comments about forcing visitors to rent ankle bracelets so that our every move can be tracked. Statements like this are taken very seriously. Personally I doubt that it will ever happen, but it is very disheartening to hear. Some even feel that it’s such a threat that they don’t want to come at all. Others feel they may be harassed or even physically attacked by angry locals.
All this negative talk is chasing tourists away. Hawaii is fortunate to have suffered very few cases or deaths from this. One death is too many. However, Hawaiian government officials need to be realistic when doing things like 14 day quar antine for every arriving visitor as well as denying rental cars and allowing room keys that work only one time. The rest of the United States is dealing with this pandemic as a country. Hawaii must come to their senses and align with the rest of the states. Keeping Hawaii locked down any longer is economic suicide.
Hawaii is a beautiful paradise, loved by millions. Please kindly share it with the rest of the United States.
Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity.
Mahalo and Aloha!
Hi TJ.
Thank you!
Aloha. R/J.
The Aloha Spirit will need a reboot for sure. We’ve been visiting the Hawaiian Islands regularly for 20 years. We fell in love with Kaua’i Island with the intent to move there in retirement. We sold our home in Colorado and moved in with family while looking for a place to buy. We bought a modest condo a year ago and were ready to make the move. However after spending the month of February 2020 on Kaua’i we have some reservations.
The Aloha Spirit seemed to be just a phrase. We had family join us for a week and while visiting the popular places we were embarrassed by some local attitudes. In addition the condition of the public restrooms at almost every County/State Park was deplorable. Kaua’i is a world class destination with some second world infrastructure. What is being done with the parking new parking fees charged at Waimea Canyon? We are certain the revenue was stellar prior to the lockdown. We hope the funds go to the restroom situation.
Also as a vacation rental owner with intent to make it our home we pay our share. Property taxes are much higher for vacation rentals than what residents pay. We also generate a large amount of GET & TVR revenue for the county. And don’t forget the additional charges on rental cars which are greater than the car rate. Infrastructure has been neglected for some time, was the tourism revenue squandered?
We are saddened to see how visitors are talked about on Kaua’i. We have made a point to volunteer a day each week and donate to local non-profits when we visit because it’s the right thing to do.
The economy where we live for now in Colorado is also predominantly tourism driven and we love our tourists. There will always be a few bad apples but tourism provides so many jobs and lifts everyone.
Hopefully the Aloha Spirt will return. We love Kaua’i.
I adore Hawai’i (Maui) and have tried to go once or twice a year for the last decade. I’m always respectful and tip very well. What I watched unfold with their government as part of this appalled me. Never have I seen so much hate directed at visitors. I was there in March as this game were shutting down and had hoped to go back in the fall/winter. We’ll see. Ankle trackers? Making people get tested 3 days before arriving? Initial quar antines? Anything other than how it was at the beginning of 2020 is unacceptable to me. Hawai’i has forgotten that they are part of the USA. If they want my Money in the future, they will have to start respecting me as I have them. There are many other beautiful places in the world who would be grateful for my tourism dollars.
We would love to return. Our family is from Oahu and some still live there. But we will not risk our personal liberties if there are mandatory tests before flying. We also do not want to be in a place that requires masks, even if it is just for businesses.
There is no credible argument that disputes the fact that if everyone wore a mask when interacting in business’s and on airplanes it would help slow the spread of this. If no one wears a mask the spread would be greater. The point is we all need to do what we can to try and help the situation. We all need to think of others, not just ourselves and our “liberties” Trying to do what we can to help the big picture is the best line of defense we have.
If you believe the conspiracy stuff floating around about masks not working you are being used.
JB, have you asked your relatives on Oahu if they have no problem with anyone from areas with much higher infection rates
coming and interacting with them while taking no safety precautions? Breathing in their face and refusing to be tested even if they
have been around people that have co vid? You are really fine with that?
Open up and I will return in July. We have a trip planned with a private residence but, if no restaurants and other venues are not open with will have to plan for next year. We love Hawaii and will return as soon as we can.
We love Hawaii and plan on coming in late October. We’d submit to a test before we leave the mainland if that means we can come. We try so hard not to be the typical tourist when we come. We respect the Hawaiian culture and traditions, that’s why we love coming to Hawaii. And we would do nothing to upset the islanders. We just hope we can come back and that Hawaii is not too harmed by all that is happening.
“Hitler”? “Nazi” Really??? Are you kidding me? I am a mainlander, but I am embarrassed by your selfish comments. My wife is a nurse on the front lines of this on the East Coast. She knows what a CO VID pneumonia x-ray looks like all too well. We applaud Gov Ige and Mayor Kawaakami’s restrictions. And for all of those Californian comments – Easy for you to say considering the hospitals and healthcare system you enjoy. Do you realize how many patients are fixed-winged every year from Honolulu (which has the best Island healthcare) to either LAX or SFO to a CA hospital. California has about 12,000 ventilators, using about 32% of them now. All combined Hawaii has 667 ventilators! That’s it. Kaui – 18; Maui – 27; Big Island – 39, and Oahu with population of almost 1 million residents has a “whopping” 583 ventilators. Yes, some local residents are afraid of visitors right now. And for good reason. A few stupid visitors could literally create a mini-pandemic on an island easily overrunning the local hospitals. While I’m not in favor of ankle bracelets or a fan of a 14-day quar antine, I’m OK with the police enforcing the rules. If you don’t like the local laws, then stay home. The risk is real. As I’ve said on this blog before, unfortunately, the reality is either wait for a vac cine or re-open the islands with restrictions and expect outbreaks and deaths. It’s not an either or. We will gladly return to Kauai as soon as we can. We should be there now for 3 weeks, but for the pan demic. Aloha
We love Hawaii but not the residents. We have experienced rudeness by the residents towards us every time we have visited and it has gotten progressively worse. The people that haven’t experience rudeness probably stay at resorts where people are paid to be nice. One bad experience leaves a taste in your mouth of not wanting to return. I would love to keep coming back year after year but if treatment of visitors does not improve, we will be spending our hard earned money in other locales that appreciate it. Aloha spirit is alive if you are staying at a resort. Otherwise forget it
I have been visiting Hawaii for over 30 years and have recently seen comments posted on social media that I NEVER would have expected to see coming from most of the the locals in Hawaii. I have found those comments both disgusting AND disdurbing on many levels and although I do not believe that the majority of Hawaii citizens feel that way, especially those that rely on tourism for their livelihood, the very vocal minority are the one’s that are giving Hawaii the reasons for the well deserved bad press that Hawaii is now getting. They and their ilk are indeed entitled to their opiniions because chances are they are not impacted by being locked up in their own homes and a prison, no matter how pretty, is STILL a prison and your state officials have indeed created a prison mentality by their draconian methods of dealing with the situation. There is NOTHING in the numbers about the virus infection in Hawaii that should cause the kind of draconian methods currently in play. I also look forward to the coming lawsuits against the state’s governor and mayors relative to people’s Constitutional rights being violated especially in relation to religious services when this insanity is over. There is literally NOTHING in the US Constitution that has an escape clause as to our rights short of the President or a governor declaring martial law. The Beat of Hawaii has a voice IN Hawaii and it is well past time for you to start expressing it in terms that the state and county authorities might recognize as meaningful. And yes, I will be back at some point but not for awhile.
I’m flat out in shock at the entitlement in many of these posts. You are a GUEST on these islands. The people who live there are more concerned about keeping them and their loved ones safe than your tourist dollars and you are acting like they are wrong for that? My God! We have never had a challenge on the islands even though our stays often lead us to the most native parts of the islands including Waianae and Makaha. I see it all pretty clearly now. You don’t own these people. You don’t own this land and you have no right to it. You are guests. Just freaking wait and respect people’s lives. When they’re ready, you’ll know.
And I am shocked by YOUR sense of entitlement. Do you expect Hawaiian residents to be treated as an outsider if they visit any one of the other 49 states? We are all aware of Co vid and no one wants to spread it or contract it…..but get a grip. This will pass, but your stinging words may not.
Exactly!
A GUEST? I’m sorry, but you are flat out wrong! I am NOT a “guest” anywhere in my country. I am a citizen. It’s not a privilege that I get to visit Hawai’i, it’s a right. Get off your high horse.
Yes, you are a guest. And with attitudes like this, I can see why some tourists have bad experiences with some locals. It would behoove you to learn a little about Hawaii’s history of illegal occupation.
How rude of Hawaiians to resist tourists because they don’t want to die of this.
Believe me, I want to go back as well, but I’m not that selfish.
Agree completely, Jen. There is some very disappointing privilege and entitlement from people who think that because they live in the US, they are entitled to do what they want in a state they aren’t citizens of. Disgusting to see it, but it seems to be going around. Stay home!! Hawaii doesn’t need you.
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.
Aloha and thank you for the useful, insightful information you provide. We rebooked an April trip to late October only because everything is cancellable with minimal loss (one $30 booking fee). So I won’t hesitate to cancel if the aloha is gone.
Nothing “Beats” Hawaii, period!
I live in a resort town in Cali, we too are severely affected by this and it will be a long road to recovery. Visitors, tourist or snowbirds, however benevolent wouldn’t think twice about haggling for a lower price, be rude or demand compensation, meanwhile sneak a shell or two in their swim trunks. Fact remains if you are not a local you do not and cannot know how it feels to be a native. Our economy also relies heavily on Airbnb & VRBO for many 2nd homeowners who rent their vacation homes. Between the renters whom break the noise, occupancy or car ordinances or the landlord’s reckless driving and defying speed laws, we too like Hawaii are dependent on their revenue. Just like any other tourist destination, Hawaii will survive. The same for our small little town. Downtown will reopen, there will be liter in the street, restaurant servers being yelled at followed by rounds of free drinks from the bartenders. Year after year we smile, nod our heads and say “ welcome back.”
Hello, this has been a very interesting chat. I am not sure I would return, having been to all the islands, 8 times in the past 16 years. My husband has back trouble and cannot tolerate the long flight from east coast mainland anymore. The last time we were there,(2016) we spent most of our time on Kauai. The traffic was so bad that we could not get to Waimea Canyon from Princeville, and just turned around, very disappointed. There were many wonderful things to do elsewhere, of course. But I have found this kind of problem becoming to frequent. We have loved our trips, but maybe us tourists are now victims of themselves. Maybe some Pineapple whip would bring us back 🙂
We’ll return when the islands open up completely and when vacation rentals are allowed to rent again. Hotels are too expensive with the daily resort and parking fees added to the room rate. Also, when airlines can stop herding us in like cattle and packing us in like sardines in a can. We’re looking forward to that day if it ever comes.
Aloha, and thanks for the opportunity to comment on this important topic.
I am a California resident who has visited Hawaii (primarily Maui, but occasionally Oahu and Kauai) numerous times over the past 30 years. Some of the best memories I have are from my visits to your lovely state, including an incredible honeymoon in Waikiki in 1989 and many vacations in Maui in between then and now. To say Hawaii is an amazing paradise is an understatement. I truly love Hawaii and the Hawaiian people and their customs.
In my visits, I have seen both the good and bad sides of Hawaii. There have been times that I felt out of place and viewed as an unwelcome outsider, and other times when I was treated like ohana. To say this experience is unique to Hawaii would not be fair: as a frequent traveler to Italy, and an Italian by heritage, I have received similar treatment there. There are nice people, and also rude people, in the world wherever you go. The common theme seems to be how tourists interact as visitors. If you don’t respect someone else’s home, you cannot expect to be treated with kindness and respect by those who live in that home. That, of course, doesn’t give anyone license to treat you badly. We should all respect each other, even when we are not on our best behavior. I have seen visitors act horribly and disrespect the people who live and work in Hawaii, and that is simply unacceptable. Equally unacceptable is being treated rudely just because someone is “just a tourist” and not an indigenous resident. It is very expensive to go to Hawaii, and when there I expect to be at least treated with the same level of kindness and courtesy with which I treat others. We would all do better by observing the Golden Rule (treat others as you would like to be treated.)
Personally, I understand the sentiment felt by those living in Hawaii. It must be very hard to see your lovely island, and your local customs, disrespected. I can see how the continual flood of outsiders, some of whom are rude, intolerant, and ignorant of the history and traditions of the Hawaiian people and their lands, would cause resentment of visitors. Unfortunately, though, the reality is that Hawaii and tourism go hand in hand. Without the latter, the survival of the former is jeopardized. Thus, there needs to be a better understanding and relationship between visitors and the Hawaiian people and their environment. I don’t know how to bring that about. We can certainly educate each other, but it’s difficult to bring about a change in people’s hearts and how they treat one another. Again, perhaps we can try to employ the Golden Rule and things just might get better. This applies not just to visitors and the residents of Hawaii – it also applies, perhaps even more so, to government leaders who set policy. They can’t expect their constituents to act differently when the leaders themselves send the message that visitors are not really welcomed but instead are a necessary evil.
Sadly, I haven’t been back to Maui for nearly 10 years. Life has gotten in the way, and I’ve spent most of my limited vacation time chasing my Italian heritage. However, I do intend to go back to Maui perhaps for the Christmas holidays this year if everything goes back to normal (whatever that may now be) and I still have the considerable resources needed to fund the trip. I strongly believe in supporting local economies and particularly the small businesses that are being decimated by the pandemic. I think the only thing that would possibly stop me from coming would be a continued shutdown of the islands, a worsening of the pan demic, a personal health crisis, or a continuation of the heavy-handed treatment of tourists by some of your tone deaf leaders. I very much want to come back to Hawaii and enjoy her incredible lands, amazing peoples, and the aloha spirit that I’ve been shown many times in the past.
Again, thanks for the opportunity to chime in, and I hope to see you in December. Mahalo.
John
In Maui, I stay at my uncle’s condo in the Maui Kai complex. He is an original purchaser. In reading the various comments posted before this one, it seems there are really two questions being answered: First, what would it take for tourists to return to beautiful Hawaii? And second, do we want to return given the perception that we are not welcome or appreciated?
Hi John.
Thanks.
Aloha.
This pan demic has been frustrating for everyone everywhere. I completely understand Hawaii’s strict stance because of i’s fragile ecosystem and isolated geography. I have canceled plans to travel at all until at least late August. That said, I hope to make my annual trip to Hawaii at Christmas. To my friends in Hawaii, stay healthy and stay safe. We WILL get through this!!👍
My wife and I have owned a timeshare on Kauai for more than 25 years.We love the islands but will wait until there is a vac cine before we fly again.
We usually visit Hawaii several times a year, last time being February 2020.
After seeing how unfriendly Hawaii response has been towards tourist, is causing me to pause wanting to travel to Hawaii. Hawaii is a prime example of how Hitler came into power in causing fear and saying all their problems are certain type of people.
I know there are several good individuals in Hawaii, and have enjoyed their hospitality when we visited in past, but wortry about how welcome we might be if we ever return.
I love Hawaii and will travel again but only when the two week quar antine is lifted. I just can’t afford to add two weeks to my trip.
Aloha
Hawaii is taking too long to make up their mind for visitors to fly in. We have decided to go somewhere else, as I’m sure lots of other people will do the same. If we cant Fly in, then I guess they can’t fly out.
I think Hawaii is currently at a tipping point. Where you go from here will depend on how the state and the islanders respond in the next 6-12 months. If we mainlanders hear more reports of ankle bracelets for tourists or people being hauled off to jail or put on planes back to the mainland for stepping outside our hotel room door, or if we continue to be attacked (on this board and on other boards) for conveying how we as visitors feel, I think that the decades of goodwill that have been built up of a Hawaiian “heaven on earth” brand will quickly be undone.
Unfortunately (or fortunately?), the state can’t control if someone buys a ticket to come to Hawaii or not so they feel they have to revert to other tactics (like the governor’s ankle bracelet proposal and the “lock them in their hotel rooms and don’t let them out or call the cops on them” approach). I don’t know if the islander’s realize it but this is causing massive damage to the Hawaiian brand right now with us mainlanders.
I believe the thing that the islanders need to realize is that the vi rus is a massive disruption for a lot of industries right now. It has disrupted the airline industry. It has disrupted how people work (work at home), so much so that many companies are saying they are going to adopt more work at home options for their workers. They aren’t going back to the old ways. If the islanders aren’t careful, this will happen to Hawaii too. There are other vacation options for us mainlanders and as the article states, more and more of us are reevaluating if Hawaii will be on our future vacation destination list based on the news reports we see at least once a week about how us visitors are being treated in your state.
On the other hand, if Hawaii were to take more nuanced approach to all of this, they should be able to get through this with the tourists returning (as airlines and other travel-related companies offer pricing deals at some point). The thing that Hawaii needs to keep top of mind here is that they MUST protect the “Hawaiian brand”. And reports about your governor’s tactics and how visitors are being treated damage that brand more than you can fathom.
As your friends and visitors for 6 months each year, we are going to take next year off due to treatment from locals and the fact that we just are feeling plain unwelcome here now. We have been targeted with gestures and foul language as have friends of ours who are residents here and have been really hassled at check points and elsewhere. I am fearful of going out alone as I think this local attitude is empowered by the lack of tourists on the island and I fear it will escalate. I need to emphasize that this is not all locals who are creating this atmosphere. I have many local friends who are appalled at what is happening to residents and long term visitors like us and they are watching out for us. Many thanks to them. This is a heart breaking decision on our part. It has cost me many sleepless nights and panic attacks to get to the point of leaving this island and animals I love for an undetermined amount of time. Will wait to see how things play out here before considering a return. Keep up the good work, my friends.
Hi Julie.
You will be missed!
Aloha.
Julie – Which Island are you on? And what town? If you’re talking about Kauai, I’m really surprised. In fact, but for the pan demic, we’d be in Kauai right looking at property (we plan to retire in Kauai next year). Aloha
“What will it take for me to return to Hawaii?”
Assurances that the airlines will actually enforce distancing, spacing passengers, and absolutely requiring masks.
The no middle seat plan wasn’t being used on some carriers and it’s still masks are requested and suggested but actually optional almost everywhere. Not an effective policy. But it may not be economically feasible to fly partially filled aircraft.
The Islands are beautiful and the people even more so. If the airlines stop worrying about who might be offended by wearing a mask, and put more fresh air in the cabins, I would come back in a heartbeat.
There are many beautiful places to visit besides Hawaii! We will come once more and if we feel that as a tourist we are not welcomed then that will be the last time we ever come again!
Normally we come and stay for a month every year.
Thank you for Beat of Hawaii. I have lived and worked on four continents and traveled widely. I tell everyone I know that there is no place on earth more beautiful than Hawaii (especially what I call “wilderness Hawaii.” My greatest concern is that someday in the near future we will not be able to get on a plane bound for Hawaii (or any other place in the USA) without having the government mandated vac cine…even though its efficacy and safety may have not yet been proven. Hopefully this will not happen.
Because I am Caucasian there are places I do not go in Hawaii because of hostility. The same could be said for where I live on the mainland in Chicago. (There is no place on earth where everyone is kind and respectful, at least that I have found.) IMHO if we mainland visitors (frequent or not) to Hawaii acted like visitors should, most issues would disappear.
Hi Dan.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Some thoughts…..we are still trying to figure out how to open safely so the 14 day quar antine was simply the only way they could keep the islands safe until it’s safe enough to open. The mainland newspapers and blogs are misrepresenting it as slap at tourists. That’s wrong, it’s the reason we have had so few cases. If we hadn’t done that we would have had a lot more cases and tourism would be in much greater jeopardy then it is now. So thanks to the decisive action we took we are in fact sitting in one of the nicest and safest places on the planet.
Now how we open back up is critical. Of course everyone knows how critical tourism is. But it’s not how quickly tourism returns, it’s how safely
it returns. If we do this right, Hawaii could be looking at a renaissance of tourism. A spectacular chain of islands that offers a safe and amazing travel experience for a world that needs it desperately after all we have been through
It’s all going to hinge on the correct application of Aloha……..respect for what we have to do to keep us all safe and respect or those of you that understand this and are coming here.
I usually don’t comment on topics that could be “controversial”, but this one hits my heart. My husband and I have vacationed in Hawaii (mainly Kauai) at least once a year since 2007. Hawaii, and the locals stole our hearts the first time we visited. We refer to it as our second home. The reason Hawaii experienced so few deaths in comparison to other locations is because of their swift action to close down. (Might I add that even ONE death is too many, how can you put a price on a persons life?) It’s not that Hawaii doesn’t want tourists, they are looking out for the best interests of all of us. I’ve talked to friends that live in Florida that want “tourists” to go back to their own state instead of bringing the virus to them. Every person, in every state, should understand that. Tourists possibly taking the vi rus to Hawaii, or any other state for that matter, affects the lives of those that call that place home. That’s not fair and completely unreasonable for us to expect them to make that exception. Quite honestly, I feel that way about people that live in our own state that aren’t taking this seriously. We love Hawaii, the locals and the Aloha spirit. We will be back to Hawaii as soon as it is safe. Aloha and Mahalo for all you do.
Hi Maria.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We typically go to Hawaii about three times a year. Many of our friends there are lifeguards. We see what they’ve been posting and their struggles in keeping people safe and having to worry about tourists and COV ID on top of it. It’s easier to cut things off and stay safe when your home is an island and that’s what the people have been doing. They’re not like the people in Huntington Beach protesting the closure. They want to stay safe and they know full well the costs to their economy. How entitled would it be of me to insist on coming back until they’re ready and comfortable with tourists? We hope to be back soon, but we won’t go if our presence threatens our friends in any way.
Frequent Big Island visitor from SoCal….truth is there’s no easy solution. Every outcome has an intrinsic cost. From the outside looking in, it sure seems like Ige’s lack of appreciation for the economic side of the picture and preference to lean on “science and data” is a big piece of the problem. Great leaders evaluate all facts, concerns and outcomes equally and make the best (timely) decision he/she can. It sure seems like the “data and science” position will be a convenient scapegoat if the economy tanks (possibly long term) and the local way of life suffers generationally. It could happen….and governors like Ige will just defend their actions and say “well, the science and data were wrong.” People need to think critically about opening. As others have stressed, the rest of the world will find substitute vacation destinations.
Please open safely and responsibly, but give people the choice to arrive if they wish. Be prepared and let the market regulate. Traveler quar antines and active blood tests prior to boarding will continue to tank Hawaii.
Wishing you the best,
Matt
There’s no place like Hawaii. We are planning on attending our son’s wedding in October in Maui ( after being postponed from May). We are all looking forward to spending time doing all that Maui has to offer as well as attending the wedding. And I plan on going back next year as well as “there’s no place like Hawaii.”