456 thoughts on “Hawaii Public Relations Nightmare as Media Frenzy Fuels Unrest”

  1. Very disappointed in Hawaii’s view of tourists. This is a PR nightmare for Hawaii. Future ads for Hawaii should show smiling people saying “We welcome you back.”

  2. Both sides, the mainland and Island populations, may be a little thin-skinned now and could be taking media reports, social media comments, message boards, etc. too seriously. Over reactions during these times is certainly not unexpected. But just give everything time to settle down and before you know it tourism to the Islands will be back to normal.

    1. Very good point about the disconnect between people pointing fingers and reality….myself included when I do it!
      We need to be sharing ideas and perspectives right now, none of us has the answers individually. Personally I think the country
      is more together as people then social media and cable news would have us believe.

    2. We spend a lot of the winter in Hawaii every year. Homeowners and part time residents, but visitors by the current labeling.
      I have met many wonderful residents, but also felt and seen prejudice against visitors for years.
      Lately though, the level has gone off the rails! Borderline hatred would be a little strong, but close. Anywhere else in our great nation, this would be completely unacceptable. To us, it feels like a form of racism!

  3. I am a resident of Oahu who enjoys our way of life. The island is a precious resource that has suffered the last several decades of millions of visitors. We truly do enjoy the visitors, but we really need a reset button on how visitors treat the island. The beaches are our pride and joy, yet we watch many families leave their trash and cigarette butts on the beach when they leave. Only to contaminate our ocean when the tide comes in. Our trails In our mountains are pristine, but are heavily traveled and in much need of repair. Not to mention the trash left behind. We love our Island . The words Malama and Kuliana are Hawaiian words you may not be aware of as a mainlander. But it is to care for land, and the privilege and responsibilities of that care. We honor the mana (land) because it provides for us. Food, water and life.
    In a mainland society this rule is not taught, as it is here. The children learn in school these laws of respect. Respect, another word for the people of Hawaii . We are taught Aloha. A word for love, hello and goodbye. I respect you and it is mutual. You respect me and mine. We share, we love, we brings gifts to each other, we barter. Leo’s for homemade bread. Handmade gifts when visiting a neighbor or friend.
    This is the lifestyle we love and share.
    Hawaiii was fortunate to not suffer the harsh effects of this, like many areas on the mainland. We have had very little exposure to the vi rus, because we shut down early . We are scared to open up to visitors simply because, we know that any visitor has traveled thru various airports and sat on crowded airplanes, busses and other forms of transportation to get here, and it’s frightening to think that just 1 person could carry this deadly vi rus to our non-immune people. It is still out there, and there is no cure or vac cine. We cannot go back to what life was like before there is a vac cine. Instead of being angry, at us or Hawaii in general, please please have a little Aloha.
    Try to be kind and think of both sides. We are just trying to protect our people and maintain the island Aloha in the meantime.
    Much love and Aloha, Lori RN

    1. Lori,

      I am from Monterey Bay Area, California and completely understand what you are saying. I feel the same way, which is why I consider myself a considerate Hawaii visitor. However, not everyone that lives in my are is as considerate. Monterey Bay is a Marine Sanctuary and not even the residents living here are considerate!

      It doesn’t matter where you go, there is good and bad everywhere. I’ve even seen Hawaiians who were very inconsiderate while I was there. Not everyone thinks like us.

  4. NO ONE is above the law, whether you’re a local resident or tourist, anyone who VIOLATES that state’s law DESERVES whatever the penalties are.

    What part of the current rules do these violators not understand?!

    The violators all put others at risk and especially where the islands don’t have all the access like the mainland with regards to the TP, wipes etc which takes longer to get there and more expensive to ship.

    I’m a native Californian and visit the islands annually with family members and friends.

    For ALL those that claim they will stop going to Hawaii then I say good for you, stay out, they will be many others who will still visit the islands when this all gets better.

    I think however those that write down these threatening type words, they’ll be back one day but if not, it won’t be our loss but rather theirs. Aloha!

  5. I have missed Hawaii for 3 years and have been trying to plan a trip back until recently… now I am reconsidering. Do the locals not really want us? That makes me very sad. I wish there was an all-inclusive resort on one of the islands. That way we wouldn’t have to leave the resort. But realistically, I would need assurances that beaches, restaurants and hotels (including their amenities) were open and functioning well for me to feel comfortable coming back.

    1. I hope someone answers u because I was thinking the same thing. Just cancelled our trip which was supposed to b in 2 weeks. Hope to book next year!

    2. To be honest, no the locals do not like tourists. But they also do not really care for mainland haole’s who live here. Some do not like the fact that Hawaii is part of the US.
      We have found out a lot in the last year over TMT about who is wanted and who isn’t. Aloha is Pau.

  6. Aloha, My husband and I aren’t one of the rich who expects to be waited on hand and foot and who are rude and demanding. We are very respectful and kind to others. With kind words and awe for Hawaii sharing their beauty with us. We were last in Hawaii in 2018 for our 50th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of it (except for all the rain). We would be there again in a minute but we had to save for 8 years to be able to come in 2018. We are retired and will both be 72 this year, so it’s not very easy to save the money for such an expensive trip. I can understand where the locals are coming from and how they feel. They are kind of caught between a rock and a hard place – needing the tourism because they need the income, but not wanting the tourism because of what it is doing to their islands. I do understand and I would be happy to come back if we can save enough to do that! We loved Hawaii and it is our dream to visit again. Thank you for all your have done and God Bless you for all you are going through now. I pray that you will see prosperous and healthy times ahead!

  7. we will NEVER return to Hawaii, it will be the Bahamas for us when we need fun and sun. You all locked down a state for SEVENTEEN deaths? That response is insane. And then the police follow people around and arrest them? The Gestapo did that during World War II No thank you

    1. Hawaii’s low infections and deaths numbers ARE the result of the mandatory visitor quarantine and us locals taking the stay at home order seriously. We are both lucky and unfortunates that we are so remote and isolated, we have succeeded better than almost every other state to manage this. It is not that Hawaii is anti tourism, but the sentiment here is why rush to open the gates to the world in what seems to be still reeling. The debate on how to balance the economic needs versus safety is ongoing and I hope a win win plan can be implemented when the time is right. Is it time now to open up? Most locals would say no. How are infected visitors detected? Before boarding or disembarking? Is that too late? We gave laws that are designed to protect all, now is not the time to disregard those for a chance to vacation here. How many visitors of the 200plus a day we see are going to actually stay in their room for 14 days never stepping out? That’s we so many questions that need to be answered. I think we have a great opportunity now to dial in a solution That is respectful to the business, the residents’-health, and the health of the environment ( reefs are reviving, fish and marine mammals returning,) but for now at this point in time those visitors who are seen as flouting the laws and risking the health of all Just for a cheap vacation- are not welcomed or invited. This is where the negative sentiments are coming from. Aloha

      1. And you won’t have any more deaths, if you keep the state locked down. But good luck to all the people who rely on brothers and sisters from at least the other states. Forget the world, what about just the states? We have all the same problems in all other states but quar antine is just warranted for high risk states like New York. And we certainly don’t think our state is ours alone. That’s ridiculous! We all have the same President like it or not, because we are the same country. This to me feels like the prejudice And racism in the Deep South that mostly is gone. Discrimination is against the law. Not only that, but it’s wrong. I actually grew up in Hawaii. I’ve been excited to introduce my family to all the beauty and aloha I’ve been telling them through the years. It will be embarrassing if we in fact are discriminated and harassed and not treated with aloha for our rescheduled trip from this week to this October. If the perspective and attitudes do not get better toward “visitor”s before then, we likely will not be back. There are so many other places on this earth worthy of our attention, time, and money. But I am keeping the faith for now. Pull it together Hawaii, make a game plan, get over yourselves, ask for and appreciate tourists, and you will be fine.💜🏖

  8. It’s quickly reaching the point in Hawaii where ‘tourist bans’, ‘quar antines’ and ‘foreigner bans’ [aka ‘mainlander bans’] are just quick,easy,and ‘cheap’ (at least to government) panaceas … with the added plus is that it appeals to more xenophobic elements in the islander population—especially when people are scared. At first it was understandable to help stop infections and save lives…. but as weeks turn into months, more inventive(and effective) solutions need to be found. Testing and not ‘wall building’ Is probably going to lead to more satisfactory long term solutions to the public health and economic crisis is Hawaii. This is harder though. Hawaiians need to push your politicians to come up with something other than bans,quar antines and arrests.

  9. These comments make me feel so bad for the locals and tourists alike. We lived on Maui in the early 90’s and our children were born there. We try to go ‘home’ every couple of years and look forward to a time again to visit when all beaches and businesses reopen. The sad reality is those employed by the tourist industry need to show some extra aloha to rebuild the welcoming spirit. These last few years the prices and crowds even bring a criticism or two from this true believer that there is no better place on earth to visit. Would love a new and improved experience based lessons learned while on this ‘break’. More trolleys on Maui so less rental cars would be a step in the right direction. More reasonably priced restaurants for locals as well as tourists. More brief ‘free’ hula shows like at Whalers, Hyatt, etc. to showcase the culture. The craft fair at the civic center is missed! Mahalo!

    1. If the islands decided they needed the quar antine, so be it. My complaint and yes, even anger, is charging the vacationer cancellation fees, over $100 for nothing and no refunds but future credits for the airfare. That’s a lot of money for nothing.
      We’d much rather be vacationing on Maui but the vi rus and then the Hawaiian quar antine have made this impossible.
      I don’t think that the tourist should be fleeced and I’ll sure remember this when planning our next vacation!

  10. I’m a more recent visitor to Hawaii, making our first family visit in October 2016. Our trip was fantastic, and we have such good memories. I’m certainly open to another visit to Hawaii. Being seniors, we aren’t after big adventures. We are happy to sit and read in the lanai. If we had isolate for 14 days, I would certainly not rent a car for that period. I think it is too early to get riled up about visitor requirements as they will likely change as conditions change and we learn more about this. So I’m not going to overreact.

    My personal opinion is that outdoor activities, walking, running, swimming, picnics, are much less risky than going to indoor restaurants.

    This virus is making it tough on everyone, not just in Hawaii. Of probably more concern than Hawaii’s visitor restrictions, is how much disposable income people will have for big vacations. We cancelled a Disney World trip this spring as too risky, and then the park closed.

    Looking forward to seeing you folks in the future in better times!

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