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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We all need to admit, we shoot holes in our own foot frequently !
My wife and I have made several trips to Hawaii over the past 8 years. We have taken our family with us twice. We typically eat at off hour times at restaurants and spend a lot of time on the tourist beaches. We are from Colorado and understand the benefits and damages that tourists can do, so we try to not join in the crowds finding ‘secret’ places the local residents enjoy. Tourists have to remember they are guests. Just like if we were staying in someones home, we would be thankful we were given a guest bedroom and enjoy our time there. We would not rummage through the cabinets and closets looking for their treasures nor would we feel slighted for not being given the master bedroom. While we have never experienced any negative comments from residents, we would hope that residents remember that, in many ways, they are ‘hosts’ to their ‘guests’. It is as simple as courtesy and respect. I completely understand the 14 day quar antine and the need for it that doesn’t exist on the mainland. I have also not heard anywhere that it will be a permanent situation going forward. With people in some parts of the mainland desperately trying to crowd into bars and stores as quickly as possible, I understand the hesitency of Hawaii to end their quar antine at the moment. We miss Hawaii and have hopes of returning soon and as often as finances allow. In the meantime, I have no problem waiting and allowing residents there to prepare to open up on their schedule.
Unfortunately, the liberal politics that Hawaii’s government officials can’t hide is a buzz killer for many conservative visitors like me. The Big Island has been my choice for honeymoon and about 7-8 other visits in 20 years, which is a bit more than infrequent but does not reflect my love for Hawaii and essentially everyone there with whom I have interacted. That said, the oppression of such a polarized political environment, which is most ardently stoked by so many politicians, is so toxic to the spirit of aloha as to be repulsive. Following such a self-destructive path of polarization is beyond my comprehension, especially in the grace, marvel, and beauty of Hawaii’s physical environment. I can only hope the people of Hawaii (along with the rest of our country) wake up and start cleaning up the political pollution that is fouling our lives and now, Hawaii’s economic health.
As a frequent reader, I want to thank you for the information and insight you provide on Hawaiian travel. My wife and I are in our 70’s and have historically travelled about 13 weeks annually. Our travels are international as well as domestic in scope. We have vacationed in Hawaii more than 20 times, usually in Poipu and Princeville on Kauai, but occasionally on Maui, Big Island, and Oahu. Our Hawaiian trips are typically 3-4 weeks in duration. During all our time in paradise, we have only encountered friendly, caring, and welcoming residents. That is one of the principle reasons we love Hawaii so much.
Now to your question about what will it take for us to return to Hawaii. Since we are in the “vulnerable” segment of the population, we will not feel comfortable flying anywhere until a vac cine becomes available. But you can rest assured, that as soon as we are vac cinated, we will be returning to our home away from home, Kauai.
Hi Jim.
Thanks for being a frequent reader and for your comment.
Aloha.
We went to Hawaii in early March before everything got crazy with this and stayed until mid April. We stayed when it got crazy instead of cutting our time short bc we have a son with preexisting conditions and felt uncomfortable putting him on an airplane and through airports.
We spend quite a bit of time in Hawaii, it’s our goal to eventually be there half the year and be able to be involved in community and contribute to the well being of the islands. But this last time spent there was very sad. It is as you say, SOME locals were very unfriendly. There were handmade signs put up in yards saying “tourists, go home”. We had that written on our car window. Very few smiles. We saw another tourists car windows get smashed in. We had already been there 3 weeks before the quarantine was set so we weren’t required to quar antine but it felt like people were judging us, like we weren’t respecting the rules, which wasn’t the case.
All around, it was very sad. The energy of the island was completely different. We will come back though because we have grace for the situation, we understand that people react in different ways to stress. But i no longer encourage anyone to visit and if the energy of the island feels the same when we return, that will probably be our last time.
In response to this question, What will it take for you to return to Hawaii?
We have gone to Maui, Kauai, and Big Island every year since 2011 for 6-8 weeks. We love the people, the islands and the Aloha. We are in the higher risk category of being over 60, so we do follow what is happening with the pan demic. Though we are already booked for Jan-Mar/21 we worry that if there’s no vac cine available by then it may drive our decision to stay home. We’ve decided to take a wait and see approach to buying airfare to Hawaii to probably Nov-Dec. Hoping for the best. Aloha.
Hi John & Sally.
Thanks.
Aloha.
I have come to love Hawaii as if it’s my home away from home. I have long sought opportunity to share my love of the islands with my children. My family has worked long hours and scraped money for over a year all the while telling my kids how amazing and beautiful Hawaii is (was) so we could go and vacation there. Now I hear stories of tourists who are being secretly watched by the watchdog hotel staff, the cops, and military is all insane to me. How would I ever be able to come and stay at a hotel when I know that the hotel agents are undercover gestapo like agents and ready to call in the troops to either arrest or fine you? I would never be able trust them again and who could? I can’t believe they have gone to this level of insanity. Then on top of all of this, I hear that the locals are totally fine with tourists not being there and are more than happy to have us away from them. So I have decided to cancel my vacation plans, not that the Hawaii government would let us ever come there again, and I plan on showing my family other parts of the world instead, and especially in a place where I don’t feel like there are watchdogs looking to arrest or fine me. It really is sad to me that this is where Hawaii has come too. The tragic loss of Aloha is something that the Hawaiian people and local government will have to work diligently to restore the trust of future tourists, myself included.
I hope you understand that these are trying times for us all. The tourists who travel during a pan demic are not your average visitor. These are people who are selfish risk-takers who go against the consensus. At first our government put the quar antine in effect with no follow-up, trusting the visitors to follow the rules. It was only after they realized that many visitors were thumbing their nose at the rules that they began looking for enforcement methods. So really, it’s not as though these visitors had no warning and are being “spied on” for no reason. They should not have come if their intention was to break rules and have no respect for others. BTW, I scolded my own friend for traveling to the Mainland in mid-March for the same reason, so it’s not Hawaii visitors that I’m against during this.
We were planning a week cruise around the islands with excursions as a well as more than a week on land. With this attitude we have stopped planning this and will go elsewhere. You will get what you wanted… No visitors. See how that works with your economy.
We had a trip planned, we actually would have come home yesterday after a month on your lovely islands. My bride and I look forward to returning! As we are older, air travel is not an option, so it may be next year before we could return. Stay strong and healthy Hawaii! Your people and home is beloved by many! Mahalo for your past and future hospitality!
“While we have always wanted a more diversified economy for Hawaii, that simply has not materialized and could not happen fast enough to save Hawaii” . UNBELIEVABLE!!! Tourists are not loathsome and infectious disease that Hawaii needs to be SAVED from.
I will take my loathsome tourist vacation money and spend it in Cancun, Cabo, Bahamas and Bermuda. There is nothing Hawaii has that I can’t find at other vacation destinations. EXCEPT for the ugliness attitudes of the Hawaiian and its government many of you had experienced.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! DON”T go to Hawaii.
Our family loves Hawaii. We own a Marriot timeshare since 2001 and have been going to Hawaii every other year . We love and respect Hawaii and treat the State as our second home. It is disheartening to read some of the comments on how residents feel about the tourist. Like it or not tourism is the heart and soul of Hawaii. It is paradise. Not all tourist are bad, not all tourist disrespect the island and the culture. We want to take care of Hawaii because we want to keep on coming back to our paradise. We have a plethora of vacation options that we can go to, however we keep on coming back here, our second home.
We have been vacationing in Hawaii yearly for the past 15 years. The unreasonable fear and anti-Aloha that is spread by the citizens and the government is alarming. We visited Mexico with our family in February for a wedding and we felt very welcomed and appreciated. Mexico is opening again without draconian measures and mistrust. I’m sure there will be increased screening to help keep them safe. I hope Hawaii and it’s government will see the error of draconian tactics and the assault on freedoms that will leave a mark for years to come.
I also can’t imagine how much more expensive it will be to stay in Hawaii as it attempts in the years to come to dig out of the financial pit that is being dug. The bed tax loss alone that is burdensome to visitors has to be astronomical. I understand measures needed to be taken until we understood this vi rus more, but when the numbers look good and the rest of the nation and world are opening it only makes sense for a place that has the Aloha spirit to welcome its cousins back to the family.
Mexico is beautiful and welcoming and we are planning a trip to Costa Rica this year or next. I’m not sure when we will return to Hawaii. It has lost some of its charm and much of its Aloha.
I had a trip booked to Kauai in April, which I had to cancel due to this. After the fighting to get my money back for my not so cheap rental and reading negative comments about tourists from the locals, I have now booked a trip to the Florida Keys. Cheaper and also beautiful. This kills me. As an environmental scientist who really cares about the islands, I wanted to learn about the culture and islands first hand. My money will be spent elsewhere. I also live in a state which depends on tourism on the East Coast and I cannot imagine treating visitors the way I have heard they are treated in Hawaii and I would never ask them to stay away.
I can only believe Hawaii is on an economic suicide mission. First the Bill on minimum 30 day vacation rentals and now becoming a police state related to this. We have a place in Waikiki and have canceled our usual Spring trip because like all tourists we would need to quarantine for 14 days. There is no aloha is tracking people like cattle and imposing harsh punishments for the most minor of infractions. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a rule follower but with all of this, it just isn’t appealing to go to Hawaii now. We have already planned a first post quar antine trip elsewhere. Public relations and marketing plan for the Hawaiian islands? Whew! Good luck!
Everyone is uptight right now mainland or hawaii. It will all relax eventually. We have rebooked our May 1-11 to September 4-14 and are SO looking forward to seeing you all, spending money visiting and getting to know the locals. We love you all and cant wait to spent 10 glorious days there. Take heed everyone. Everyone is uptight. WE WILL GET THRU THIS! Aloha
Hi Paul.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We love spending time each year near the ocean and have reservations to visit Maui in August. Yet we find the Hawaiian response to tourists draconian and disheartening. The actions taken of arrest, quar antine and tracking along with published hostility towards tourists alarming and frightening. I take my family’s and personal safety into account when choosing where to travel. Hawaii is looking unsafe.
Up until recent years, we chose to go to the beautiful Caribbean and Central America instead of Hawaii. I anticipate the alternatives to our booked Maui trip are still welcoming, hospitable and safe – not to mention affordable.
I’d like the two editors of Beat of Hawaii to share their thoughts. My wife and I have been to all of the islands many times over the past 10 years. I have over 20 attorney clients/friends on Oahu. And we have several local (multiple generations) friends on Kauai, our favorite island and where we plan to retire next year. We’ve seen many “ugly American” tourists over the years. But, we’ve also experienced the true Aloha spirit of the locals. I’m just wondering if the negative experiences discussed here reflect a few “vocal minority” and isolated incidents, or if the Beat of Hawaii editors believe it’s a growing trend? And if it is a trend, is it worse on a small island like Kauai vs. the heavily populated and more demographically mixed island of Oahu? Mahalo for a great Beat of Hawaii blog.
Hi Tom.
First, thanks for all your comments. We are happy to share our thoughts, but obviously others experiences will be different. We both live on Kauai full-time, so again, it’s hard to speak for Oahu.
There have always been these issues between visitors and “locals.” Keep in mind too that locals include people whose ancestors include native Hawaiians and others who have been here for a short time to a very long time. Rob’s family came to Hawaii in the 1850’s, as an example.
Our sense is that this has gotten somewhat but not hugely worse over the past ten years, as more and more visitors have come to Hawaii. And the state has done nothing to help that with an aging and inadequate infrastructure which doesn’t well support the number of visitors we have.
Keep in mind that visiting here and living here are two entirely separate things. When you move here, it is a little hard to get into the island flow, both for you, those around you. You have to give it some time and patience, and that has always been true.
Hope that helps. Let us know if you want anything more.
Aloha.
Never after what we experienced!
Prior to last July, Hawaii was the last state for me to visit. Honestly, I never had any great desire to go there until then. Now? I am so very happy I did! I found everyone very friendly and accommodating. The only people that were NOT terribly friendly, were some that obviously were not FROM Hawaii.
Before we went, I kept reading all the boards, blogs, posts, articles, you name it. There was so mush negativity, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go yet, but, it was my 50th state, I could suck it up. Well, I can now honestly say that all those posts and articles must be written by some very bitter people. We had an AWESOME time. If all those people had been correct, I would have been absolutely miserable.
We visitors all need to understand that this is a state with a very rich culture and it should be protected. I also hope that those who live in Hawaii realize that we’re not all “like that”.
For my part, last July could have been a once in a lifetime trip, but, not if I can help it. I will go back as many times as my resources allow. I’ll stop at a roadside stand for pineapple, I’ll go to the top of the mountain, I’ll scuba dive, I will engage the local folks just like I did last time. If they’re not as nice and kind as the ones I met last time, I will simply move on and greet the next friend I haven’t met, yet!
I have visited Hawaii 2-3 times a year for over 25 years. I love Hawaii and consider many who live there to be my ohana too!
Unfortunately, there has been a progressive decline in a quality travel experience over the years. Crime against tourists, the homeless, the trash on the sides of the road, and neglected, abandoned, trash filled buildings that stand unaddressed for decades are all examples. The visitor seems to be the easy scapegoat for Hawaii’s ills. The same politicians keep getting re-elected. It’s time to fix these problems in a fiscally responsible way.
Tourists have a choice of where to visit. No one is obligated to visit Hawaii. It costs a minor fortune to even fly to Hawaii, let alone rent a hotel room and eat there. Does the average Hawaiian even know what the taxes and fees are to visit Hawaii already? Do they know how relatively low their property taxes are compared to other places in the country because of this revenue?
In the current environment, many countries are making it difficult to travel to the US, and many economically strapped countries are recognizing the power of the quick tourist dollar. Does rebalancing tourism make sense for Hawaii? Probably. Tourist restrictions, quar antines and hard handed legal persecution may not be the best idea. Hawaii may not realize what it had, until it’s gone.
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.
We come to Oahu every year and are caring tourists, we respect the culture, people, land, and sea. It costs over $6,000 for four of us for 1 week from Montana. We could go anywhere in the world, but we love Hawaii. The biggest problem is you have sold most of the land off so there is very little agriculture, and foreign companies own alot of property. Hawaii created a monster they could not control, they grew tourism so big that it has exhausted the Aina and the people. What other reason do people have to come to Hawaii? It’s expensive to live,taxes and maintenance fees are high,electricity is outrageous, it’s not business friendly, drugs and homelessness continues to grow, everything has to be shipped in, yet you continue to build more and more skyscrapers choking the view. I hope a solution can be found. We will return once again, someday.
We spend 6+ weeks in Hawaii every year… it feels like our second home. Our children only know family vacations in Hawaii.
But- we are seriously reconsidering our next trip. Mexico or our own backyard of the Pacific Northwest might be better options with all that I am hearing and reading.
I can’t imagine Mexico as an alternative to Hawaii or the Pacific Northwest, or anywhere in the USA. ‘Nuf said.
Can’t seem to stop the email thread replies – not able to see that option on my account info. Can you take me off?
Mahalo!
Kelly
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That’s turned off. For future reference, you can go to the post you are getting emails about. Scroll down to comments and you’ll see the manage link.
Aloha.
Please stop sending me thread replies from this post. Can’t seem to do this on my account
Mahalo
Hi Kelly.
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Aloha.
I think the State and the Mayors have done the right thing. People need to grow up. Some clown signs the form, promises to self isolate and then posts pictures of himself breaking the law, gets what he deserves.
In the long run what vacationers want is somewhere beautiful that is healthy and safe. Far better to tell visitors to behave like adults than have coffins lined up at HNL to be flown back to the mainland and Japan.
Remember a lot of visitors are retired and in vulnerable groups.
So what if the hacks are looking for a story. They are attacking the States that open up and they attack Hawai’i for being cautious. They are after a story not trying to analyze what is best for folks.
Keep Hawai’i safe and get people to act like adults.
I agree that behaving like adults is a prominent point. Which behavior I would say includes being responsible for one’s actions. On that count, it appears to me that the elder and vulnerable adults are susceptible to tragic outcomes from any flu, so wouldn’t they and their families be the ones to exercise the most restraint instead of requiring everyone else to do so? It also appears that the more data we have about this, the lower the mortality rate. And with it a given that hygiene and respect for others are always required, so is, for most of us, working and making a living. Ultimately, living on this earth requires love and faith while reasonably confronting fear and death. Hawaii probably is as close to heaven on earth as we get, but being on earth as it is requires the mundane of work, travel, and commerce. Mahalo for Hawaii.
A parable: Let’s say that your household has been isolating and you’re vi rus free, and now your friends who’ve been touring the country want to come and stay wit you for a couple weeks. How would you feel? Then let’s say that you told them you love them but it’s not safe for your family, and you have elderly who live with you. You’d be happy to have them over when it’s safe, but not now. Your friends tell you that you have no aloha, and they might not ever come back.
I had a trip planned to Maui later this year. I canceled the trip and booked it to a different country. I generally try to go to Hawaii 2 to 3 times a year And not sure I’m going back anytime soon after reading all the comments about how the locals really feel. It’s one thing if you don’t need the tourists but it’s another thing it your livelihood depends on it so your taking the tourists money in one hand and flipping them off with the other. For the time being I’m going to choose to not be putting the money in their hand and Spending it elsewhere with people more accommodating. I’m not saying that I don’t take Co vid seriously. I understand the lockdown however I don’t understand all the negative sentiment Especially when you’re supposed to be the aloha state.
I agree!
I’m regularly engaged with residents living in Hawaii mostly Maui. There’s been spirited discussions on the shutdown, 14 day quar antining of tourist, over tourism and what we’d like to see going forward.
As with any subject matter as large as this emotions run high on both sides. Those who would like to see the islands go back to the old quieter days to those who want things to be as they were before shutdown.
The one thing we all agree on is Hawaii has an economy that relies to heavy on the tourist industry dollar a fault of their own. The great recession of 2009 exposed Hawaii to that issue, but instead of investing in a more business friendly environment like Texas and Nevada Hawaii chose to double down on bring back tourism as the quickest way of digging out of recession.
It worked, but at a cost. Aloha spirit has suffered, traffic jams, trespassing by tourist, the surge of transplants moving to the islands has caused the cost of living to skyrocket and contributed to housing shortages.
After several weeks of discussion many living on the islands have come to to realization that there will be no quick fix that any changes will come with time. They’re taking this period to enjoy something that isn’t going to last long the Hawaii they remembered the Hawaii they love.
Hana is a good example the highway is closed and the town isn’t over run with tourist, but they also know it isn’t economically feasible. When the federal and state unemployment dollars dry up the town will be in dire straits. Tourism will have to return.
Lets take the time to reflect on whats important family, health and financial stability. Lets put on their shoes and walk a mile with them to better understand the frustration many are feeling.
For the most part we all want whats good for the islands and for the people living their.
Me and wife had a trip planned in late July for our 25th anniversary. We have been looking forward to it so long. We were still considering coming after the restrictions eased up. After seeing the Hawaii’s local government was speaking about treating visitors, we cancelled. Not sure we will ever make it to Hawaii now. We travel all over the world and and I felt more unwelcomed in Hawaii than any place we’d ever been or thought about going. Hawaii definitely has some work to do on the PR front.
I agree with you 100%
As a former resident of Hawaii and grandma-to-be of a Maui baby, it won’t take much convincing for me to return later this year. I miss my family and friends but I won’t go if lockdown measures, mandatory testing and tracking are in place. I am saddened to see some locals not showing a spirit of aloha. I’ve always felt loved and welcomed and hope on my return trips I will find aloha just as I left it.
I was actually happy to read this article because I was starting to feel like the only one that felt like the greatness of Hawaii was gone. We have been so excited to go because I have been there several times, my mom was raised there and my grandpa still lives there. It would be our first time for our daughters. I read Hawaii news daily and follow several Facebook groups to keep up with what’s happening with this But I constantly hear negative comments from people that live there and I feel like nobody would want us to be there and I’m kind of afraid to go and get harassed while we are there. We are quiet respectful people that only want to literally spend our money there and sit on a beach. But I am very nervous because it just feels so unwelcoming right now. It’s very sad because Hawaii has always been my favorite place on earth. But I guess me, like other people have considered going somewhere else where I don’t have to be nervous about feeling bad for being there. We are supposed to be going in July so I hope things change. I just feel anxious about the whole trip as of now. Not because of the vi rus but because of the people there.
I agree with you also…. they need tourist to survive JOBS
I am on several Facebook Hawaii groups and although most of the locals are patient and understanding of most of the inane questions tourists ask, there are some who are definitely not displaying the Aloha spirit, so much that several group moderators have had to make pleas for everyone to play nice.
For us, we have rescheduled our two weeks on Kauai (we should be there right now) for May 2021 and we are hoping that is not being too optimistic. We are making back up plans to visit places on the mainland we’ve never been (would you believe I am almost 70 and never been to either New Orleans or Yellowstone) in the event our Hawaiian plans fall through.