54 thoughts on “Hawaii Tourist Or Resident Misbehavior – What’s Worse?”
John K.
Rob and Jeff, many alohas to both of you for keeping us in touch with Hawaii.
We have been a pretty frequent visitor to the Hawaiian Islands. We have seen almost all visitors to Hawaii, treat the people, land and animal life with great respect. Unfortunately we have seen the entitled visit and act like everything should be about them.
Our first visit to the Island of Hawaii was this year. Planning the trip, I felt that the Hilo locals would not give us much kindness or respect. How wrong I was. Absolutely thrilled meeting the Hilo folks, they treated us as fellow people not as a customer. Kailua-Kona, made us feel like we were in Fort Lauderdale, no thank you.
As much as the few entitled upset us, let’s focus on the love from the rest.
I’m a visitor for the past 20 years to Kauai. and Maui My husband and I even traveled to Kauai during COVID, making sure we have negative tests and brought proper medications, doctor’s instructions, and extra tests should one of us come down with it. We spent about $500 per trip just for testing. Even with all the COVID measures we found the residents on the islands to be kind, friendly, and helpful…..other than the rental car agents at the airport! We visited Maui and Kauai in 2022 and found the same friendliness, although a little slower, but hey…..we’re on Hawaiian time. About the drivers…… yea……they can be a problem tailgating, driving too fast and sometime recklessly.
What interesting timing for me with your article today. I am a Kauai resident close to 4 years. I am affiliated with volunteer guardianship of Poipu Honu organization and stand on the sand about 20-25 hours a month for a little over a year now. About 2 times a month I deal with the nastiest, most foul mouthed, disrespectful Honu watcher; each time self-proclaimed “resident who knows what is legal and what (s)he can do around Honu, as they walk with family/friends up close and personal for pictures with flash, etc. I count between 350-600 visitors to the Honu each time I work. So far, I say the worst offenders of Aloha and respect live on our beautiful island. Sad
Aloha and mahalo BoH gents! Working from phone and I didn’t get my proofing done before I hit that post button. Appreciate your news of out state, always.
As a visitor to Kauai every year except 2020 for 14 years now. I am so glad when the volunteers are on the beach to control the crazies. I’ve especially witnessed this at Poipu with people not allowing the Honu space to come in and rest or getting right in their eyes and using their flash on their cameras. Last time we visited I did not see a volunteer,that did not stop me from standing up for the Honu. I repeatedly told people if you back up you will be blessed with their presence. And please would you want a flash right in your eyes. I said those things out of respect for the Honu and for the many times I have seen the diligent volunteer protection the Honu. Thank you
Profound Sadness. What ever has happened to the humanity? We are all created with the same love and kindess. So. . . why not be the one who makes a difference and extend that love and kindness to all whom we encounter? If we keep this at that fore, then perhaps we will see the affect begin to ripple around us. Hawaii’s culture is Aloha. May we see it as a privilege to be a part of it.
A daily part of living in our Haena-Wainiha neighborhood (north shore Kauai) is getting stuck behind a “15er” – the local nickname for tourists who go too slow on the highway. I get that people are in awe at the views, or overly cautious because they are unfamiliar with the road. I try not to tailgate, but that’s tough to avoid when you get stuck behind someone going 10 MPH in a 35 MPH zone for an extended distance. If you are crawling along and a line of vehicles has formed behind you, pull over. Not everyone here is on vacation.
It’s great if you feel safer going slow, a person has to know their limitation. Distracted driving, no good. Pull over and let us pass.
We will not have to talk about each other any more.
Great article! It only states the obvious Rude people are everywhere! Even Hawaii has their share of jerks. It only takes a few to cast a shadow over the many. Civility and kindness still go a long way
Thank you for all that you do.
As a visitor,I have experienced rude visitor behavior at the resort check- in desk with several people demanding a better room location, claiming that when they bought their timeshare they would be assured a specific room location. Watching the staff’s frustration I actually felt embarrassed as a visitor. To move forward I think we visitors have to focus on the fact it is a privilege to be in a place of such beauty.
To be honest… We’ve given up on traveling to Hawaii for a while. Costs have gone sky high when they were already quite exorbitant. We had 2 trips almost planned this last year and then decided against it. We can go to other places that are just as nice for a lot less. We’ve always respected the islands and the people. Our daughter went to college there. But things are just not the same anymore. We actually started feeling this way just prior to covid because the last time we were there, foreigners were ridiculously rude and obnoxious. Then after covid,the costs, all the additional fees and all the unwelcomeness just pushed us away. Oahu and kauai used to be our favorite places to vacation.
Sure, the drunkard at Moose McGillicuddys is a louse. But they’re in every town almost every night. The fact that you even bring it up shows it’s rare in Maui and not reflective of how most visitors behave. If politicians start using people like her and the creep who peed on Mauna Kea as why we need to change things, the whole state is doomed.
We don’t all have to sing “Kumbaya” about everything. But all this finger-pointing, fee-gouging of tourists and empty threats of “green entrance fees” are threatening the golden goose. The governor wants Hawaii to move beyond tourism? Good luck with that.
Don’t spoil it for those who come to visit, especially those, like me, who keep coming back. We promise to do the same.
Rob and Jeff, many alohas to both of you for keeping us in touch with Hawaii.
We have been a pretty frequent visitor to the Hawaiian Islands. We have seen almost all visitors to Hawaii, treat the people, land and animal life with great respect. Unfortunately we have seen the entitled visit and act like everything should be about them.
Our first visit to the Island of Hawaii was this year. Planning the trip, I felt that the Hilo locals would not give us much kindness or respect. How wrong I was. Absolutely thrilled meeting the Hilo folks, they treated us as fellow people not as a customer. Kailua-Kona, made us feel like we were in Fort Lauderdale, no thank you.
As much as the few entitled upset us, let’s focus on the love from the rest.
Hi John.
Thank you. We’re glad you had a great time in Hilo. It’s a BOH favorite Hawaii destination too!
Aloha.
I’m a visitor for the past 20 years to Kauai. and Maui My husband and I even traveled to Kauai during COVID, making sure we have negative tests and brought proper medications, doctor’s instructions, and extra tests should one of us come down with it. We spent about $500 per trip just for testing. Even with all the COVID measures we found the residents on the islands to be kind, friendly, and helpful…..other than the rental car agents at the airport! We visited Maui and Kauai in 2022 and found the same friendliness, although a little slower, but hey…..we’re on Hawaiian time. About the drivers…… yea……they can be a problem tailgating, driving too fast and sometime recklessly.
What interesting timing for me with your article today. I am a Kauai resident close to 4 years. I am affiliated with volunteer guardianship of Poipu Honu organization and stand on the sand about 20-25 hours a month for a little over a year now. About 2 times a month I deal with the nastiest, most foul mouthed, disrespectful Honu watcher; each time self-proclaimed “resident who knows what is legal and what (s)he can do around Honu, as they walk with family/friends up close and personal for pictures with flash, etc. I count between 350-600 visitors to the Honu each time I work. So far, I say the worst offenders of Aloha and respect live on our beautiful island. Sad
Aloha and mahalo BoH gents! Working from phone and I didn’t get my proofing done before I hit that post button. Appreciate your news of out state, always.
Hi Kitty.
Thanks for your comment about the Honu.
Aloha.
As a visitor to Kauai every year except 2020 for 14 years now. I am so glad when the volunteers are on the beach to control the crazies. I’ve especially witnessed this at Poipu with people not allowing the Honu space to come in and rest or getting right in their eyes and using their flash on their cameras. Last time we visited I did not see a volunteer,that did not stop me from standing up for the Honu. I repeatedly told people if you back up you will be blessed with their presence. And please would you want a flash right in your eyes. I said those things out of respect for the Honu and for the many times I have seen the diligent volunteer protection the Honu. Thank you
Profound Sadness. What ever has happened to the humanity? We are all created with the same love and kindess. So. . . why not be the one who makes a difference and extend that love and kindness to all whom we encounter? If we keep this at that fore, then perhaps we will see the affect begin to ripple around us. Hawaii’s culture is Aloha. May we see it as a privilege to be a part of it.
A daily part of living in our Haena-Wainiha neighborhood (north shore Kauai) is getting stuck behind a “15er” – the local nickname for tourists who go too slow on the highway. I get that people are in awe at the views, or overly cautious because they are unfamiliar with the road. I try not to tailgate, but that’s tough to avoid when you get stuck behind someone going 10 MPH in a 35 MPH zone for an extended distance. If you are crawling along and a line of vehicles has formed behind you, pull over. Not everyone here is on vacation.
Don’t get me started on the bridge crossings.
Even as a tourist……Agree! Pull over and be courteous to others.
It’s great if you feel safer going slow, a person has to know their limitation. Distracted driving, no good. Pull over and let us pass.
We will not have to talk about each other any more.
Great article! It only states the obvious Rude people are everywhere! Even Hawaii has their share of jerks. It only takes a few to cast a shadow over the many. Civility and kindness still go a long way
Hi David.
Thank you. We appreciate your comments.
Aloha.
Thank you for all that you do.
As a visitor,I have experienced rude visitor behavior at the resort check- in desk with several people demanding a better room location, claiming that when they bought their timeshare they would be assured a specific room location. Watching the staff’s frustration I actually felt embarrassed as a visitor. To move forward I think we visitors have to focus on the fact it is a privilege to be in a place of such beauty.
Hi Jim.
Thanks. Very interesting comments coming in. We appreciate yours.
Aloha.
Visitor, malahini or kama’aina; the secret is to think less about ourselves and more about others. Not rocket science. Have a great day everyone.
To be honest… We’ve given up on traveling to Hawaii for a while. Costs have gone sky high when they were already quite exorbitant. We had 2 trips almost planned this last year and then decided against it. We can go to other places that are just as nice for a lot less. We’ve always respected the islands and the people. Our daughter went to college there. But things are just not the same anymore. We actually started feeling this way just prior to covid because the last time we were there, foreigners were ridiculously rude and obnoxious. Then after covid,the costs, all the additional fees and all the unwelcomeness just pushed us away. Oahu and kauai used to be our favorite places to vacation.
Sure, the drunkard at Moose McGillicuddys is a louse. But they’re in every town almost every night. The fact that you even bring it up shows it’s rare in Maui and not reflective of how most visitors behave. If politicians start using people like her and the creep who peed on Mauna Kea as why we need to change things, the whole state is doomed.
We don’t all have to sing “Kumbaya” about everything. But all this finger-pointing, fee-gouging of tourists and empty threats of “green entrance fees” are threatening the golden goose. The governor wants Hawaii to move beyond tourism? Good luck with that.
Don’t spoil it for those who come to visit, especially those, like me, who keep coming back. We promise to do the same.