1,090 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitors and Residents Whipsaw in 1,000 Comments”
Jim B
I’ve traveled quite a bit and we were in 3 of the islands in 2019. We truly enjoyed it and made plans to return but the feeling of not being welcome has changed our plans. Hawaii is beautiful but the are many beautiful places. We will be visiting some of them instead.
Much of the charm of Hawaii has dissipated over the 20 plus years I have been visiting. Loss of agricultural business, total focus on tourism, overcrowding, cruise ships, as well as an increase in ill behaved tourists have all contributed to the decline from my viewpoint. Because people spend so much to visit Hawaii relative to other locations, they feel entitled to make the experience their own rather than following local culture and rules. It all makes me long for the Hawaii I used to Love!
To be quite honest if all tourists followed our requests upon visiting then social media groups on Facebook and such like “enough tourists already” wouldn’t be necessary. And if we have more tourists than residents that’s a problem and needs to be addressed. There should be an equal amount of them to us. And we have to stop marketing Hawaii as some kind of 3rd world country that needs money and giving away quiet beach spots and all. Locals need a place for themselves away from visitors
We have seen some tourists just suggest staff should be happy to have their business and to keep our mouths shut. We are not the mainland things are different here. First those do not go past signs be respectful by not ignoring them it is for your own safety. When you hike please do research before hand and come prepared. When coming to our beaches please bring reef safe sunscreen only others are banned anyhow, and distance yourself from wildlife, don’t leave trash, don’t vandalize etc
As a resident now but a former tourist of course we visited the attractions but I was never interested in that, I was amazed by the locals and the culture and history. Of course our beaches are beautiful but I encourage my friends and ohana to not just come here to lounge. Come here to listen and to learn. Over the past few months that tourists have started returning and even before that we have seen obnoxious attitude from mainland tourists.
Aloha…
Have always enjoyed the special ‘difference’ of the Islands and have always been welcomed with ‘Aloha’. when my parents were alive, they too were made especially welcome. It’s why I have so missed travels to the State. The unique culture and history is fascinating and I always want to know more. With some luck (and the overcoming of the Pandemic) I look forward to my continued love affair with Hawai’i and all its people.
Mahalo for all the good times.
If one lives in a gorgeous place,there will be visitors. We just returned from time on HI & had mostly positive interactions. We try our best to share the love & respect we feel for the land and all the people we meet. What makes a “local”? Do you mean indigenous? Do you mean resident? How long? We tried to minimize our impact & often picked up cigarette butts & fishing trash left by “locals”. The important question is: How do we all take care of this amazing planet & live together in peace?
We visit our children and grandchildren on Oahu on a regular basis. We have found that when you are respectful and kind you get it back with the locals – it seems that they welcome respect and appreciation. Obviously there are exceptions! I really feel for the locals who have to share their island with a ten-fold of tourists.
Those tourists who don’t get this are ignorant. Hopefully the visitor video helps.
I love the Big Island. My husband played music on Oahu and the Big Island for years when he was young. Even though he was a howlie (spelling?) he considered himself a Hawaiian. However when he came back and taught school in Kona for several years he was treated like an outsider. It made him very sad because he wasn’t a tourist but was treated like one.
If your husband does not have Native Hawaiian blood, he was never a “Hawaiian”, no matter what he wanted to call himself. Not being born here, he is not even a “local”, which would be a non-Hawaiian born here. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t be treated and welcome as if he was, but these designations mean something here. You are not a “Hawaiian” by nature of the fact that you reside in Hawaii.
I disagree about residents, although not natives, not being allowed to call themselves “locals.” What would you prefer? Transplants? Immigrants? Aliens? Unclean? After a few years of living anywhere, if people embrace their communities and cultures and contribute to the overall well-being of that community, and are part of the fabric of that community, they are locals. They are definitely not outsiders.
Sherri, it’s a very nuanced, unique to Hawaii deal and really not that big of a deal unless you want to make it one.
I’m a 35 year kama’aina but don’t consider myself local, and don’t feel disparaged at all. If someone is put off by that Hawaii
may not be as good a fit for them then it would be for someone who just accepts it and knows it’s nothing personal. It’s no where near as divisive as the left vs right is on the mainland.
The population has changed so very much since your husband played music in Hawaii during his youth. Old time locals with big hearts and aloha have followed their children living in other states, aged out or passed away. Lots and lots of different people moved into Hawaii without the old time ways. And that’s the difference for visitors. Without aloha it’s no longer Hawaii.
Yes, with all this talk, I think people fail to realize that currently those of Hawaiian blood represent less than 10% of the resident population of Hawaii. So, 90% are locals or Haoles.
We so look forward to going to Hawaii! Kauai beckons, and we sink right into the slow-down culture. We look for local entertainment as much as possible and appreciate the efforts of those who welcome us and want us to enjoy our time there. Mahalo for letting us be part of your ohana!
Well, it’s sad to read that many locals are just tired of tourists. I get it.
We have a trip planned to Kauai in February. We’ll just see what the vibe is.
Cancun will be our next choice.
We just returned from Hawaii. The entire process from what the State is requiring to even getting to the Island, the airline, rental car and hotel, all left me with a very strong impression that as a tourist I was just a burden upon everyone. The one person that showed kindness and a willingness to help me improve my trip was a ranger at the valcano visitor center. He was willing to direct me so that I would get the most out of the short time I had to explore the area. Note he was not native
Maybe consider a Costco package or a travel agent. Your comment is not about Hawaii but your dislike for booking everything separately. All inclusive resorts may be your thing? These are available in other countries. Aloha
We have always felt welcome when we have visited in the past. The first time we felt unwelcomed was on our last visit this October. The hotel staff, restaurant workers, tour and venues were great but your Govenor was etremely rude.
I must admit, I didn’t watch either of the two videos, but I know that I respect both sides. I have been to Europe twice; new Zealand and Hong Kong once. Tokyo three times. I hate to say it; but I have seen “ugly Americans” and how they believe that every place they visit should have “American” standards for everything.
Even though Hawaii is a US state, it’s unbelievable how some mainland tourist treat it as an exotic country that has to meet their standards.
Aloha and mele kalikimaka to all
like so many of you, because of the pandemic, we had to cancel 2 trips to our beloved Hawaii.
we just got back to Orange County from “home” and we got to see our ohana on Oahu after 20 months and go to our Maui timeshare.
to our happy surprise we were able to do the safe travels website OK.
the entire 18 day trip was awesome and gave us a new appreciation for being in Hawaii.
the local people were 1000% kind and wonderful.
we Love our Hawaii more than ever !
Aloha! We are currently visiting the island of Kauai & have consistently been treated well. We were surprised when we drove to the north shore by the permit system but found no need to be discourteous. We redpect their decisions on how to manage this beautiful island. In fact, we felt bad for all the locals living along the road & the disruption by all the traffic. We are grateful to be here.
My issue with the North Shore is federal disaster relief funds provided by all U.S. taxpayers taxes were used to rebuild Kuhio Highway and basically build their own private gated community at the end of the road.
My friend and I who were doing nothing but swimming at Lumaha’i were told by a woman there as we were leaving that it was a locals only beach and she had been going there her entire life.
And that was after we and the car in front of us had been passed by a muddy truck with lift kit at a blind corner on our way to Lumaha’i while we were going the speed limit.
I’d say that Lumaha’i can be a dangerous place to swim and not because of the locals. I’d also offer that all beaches in Hawaii are public and open to everyone. I might opt out of a confrontation, but you have every right to swim there.
My wife & I have been visiting all of the islands for over 10 years. And without question I have witnessed more rude, entitled tourists ( mostly from a large West Coast state) than any anti-tourist attitude from locals. To be honest I don’t know how the locals put up with it. I’ve actually apologized to locals for rude comments and actions of my mainland Haoles.
My husband and I have visited Kauai since 2012 and not nearly as often as we’d like but we do enjoy it and try to learn more about the culture and how things work off the beaten path. We always talk about visiting some of the other islands but we love the island and the people making it hard to venture too far from our adopted home! Thank you for this forum, have followed you for years!
So many of the comments here underscore why locals have a feeling of “dislike” of tourists. There is asense of “I know better than you” and/or entitlement in many of the non-residents’ comments.
If I went to another place for vacation with the same attitudes demonstrated in those particular comments, I would most certainly not have any red-carpets rolled out for me.
We’re visiting Maui from Wisconsin. We find the locals very friendly, no problems. It helps to smile, say aloha, and mahalo. (Just like anywhere else.)
One of my favorite memories of Hawaii happened on the road to Hana. We stopped at a bbq stand where a big burly local was cooking while his wife took orders. As I approached I said “That smells great, brother. After eating some wonderful bbq and a memorable fern salad I approached his wife and asked if I could sample her banana bread. She told me “no” as none of the packages were open. Her husband told her let me taste it. Then he said “I did that because you called me brother”. I loved that.
Contention is rampant these days. News and internet communications often amp up voices of discontent. I think the larger cultural climate is part of what’s being reflected here.
As a relative newcomer who has lived on Hawai’i Island for 15 years, I have been graciously welcomed by locals of varied races and backgrounds. I love the rich cultural mix here. Like anywhere I’ve lived or traveled, when people are treated with kindness and respect, they usually respond in kind.
In all due respect, I wonder how locals feel and think about the huge amounts of trash and garbage on a good number of beaches and such. This is not new, but during a trip in July, I couldn’t help but notice so much discarded waste along paths, on trails, etc.
For years, I would bring one reused bag for each day that I was visiting and fill up the bag with plastic trash strewn on beaches. It was a ritual to “give back” and care for/aloha Aina during my visit. This time, I just couldn’t.
We’ve never felt any negative from locals. However, visiting Kauai is for us not just something to check off our “Bucket List”. I think it’s the visitors that consider it so are the ones who give us “malihini” a bad name – particularly folks don’t take the time to learn, to respect and to value what Hawaii (or Kauai) has to offer as far as “deeper” experiences. If you just want to go to a beach, go to the one closest to you because it won’t be Hawaii! If you want to EXPERIENCE, you are welcomed!
Hawaii is in my blood, my first words when we land are “I’m home”, I have never encountered any negative hostility from any of the locals I’ve visited with, we traveled to Maui this past September and it was one of the most enjoyable trips yet, planning a trip to Oahu for next year, can’t wait to get back
I really think most visitors who come to Hawaii are respectful of the cultures, traditions and the Hawaiian way of life. As a frequent visitor, I have learned over time the customs and traditions of the Hawaiian people and have been treated kindly in the Spirit of Aloha in return. It’s a shame that a few give the respectful tourists a bad name.
We are guests to your beautiful island and we don’t want to wear out our welcome.
Mahalo for welcoming us with open arms.
I’ve only had one minor incident with a local in Maui over 5 visits (he appeared to be under the influence…tweeker). However, I have seen more than one tourist act a fool on probably each trip (too close to wildlife, driving stupid, etc) so….there’s that. But, then again, when I travel, I know I’m no longer in my own house but another’s.
Mahalo for your blog and a more balanced approach. There are two sides to every issue. Mutual respect is vital. I’ve been visiting the islands for well over 20 years. I’ve never run into an issue with the locals. I have however experienced rude, demanding, entitled visitors. Respect of the Hawaiian culture is critical. Respect of the tourist who ultimately provide the means for employment for the locals is also important. Simply be respectful and embrace the aloha spirit.
My wife and I have been traveling to Hawaii annually for over 15 years, last few years staying 4 to 5 weeks. Most years we’ve brought family or friends. Didn’t go in 2021 and won’t in 2022 due mainly to the inconsistent and often changing protocols. We also have had several very bad experiences, including harassment fr residents, that we aren’t sure if we’ll be back. We run a business and strive to earn guests loyalty thru treating them exceptionally. When we do they return. It’s not that hard.
The states with Heavy Restrictions (HR) seem to have an uneasy climate. Not just HI. I’d be guessing a large % of visitors are from HR states. We have visited during Covid and respect goes both ways. We found numerous islanders have had huge struggles but are welcoming as they have been for our 14+ year visits. Will be back in Feb. We will be moving to east coast. Our visits will be less but HI will always be apart of us❤️😎
I have a business that serves tourists in a town with an economy driven by tourism. There are locals who have no use for the tourists but enjoy the things that wouldn’t be here without the tourists.
Most tourist locations experience this but Hawaii is over the top. When limit access to the best parts of the Islands and then provide preferential access to locals it slaps visitors right in the face.
I Love The Islands but the decisions made by Locals have offended me and I won’t be back.
I love and appreciate this blog so much. It helps me feel close to the island I love while away. We have traveled to Kauai 9 times in the last 11 years. It is my favorite place on earth. We are currently trying to reschedule the cancelled 2020 trip for May 2022. Hoping to still feel welcomed. because everything is costing twice as much as our last trip we too are exploring other places to visit in the future. I would hate to think this is my last trip to the place I love, but it may be? 🙁
Sorry, we are not “insiders” just because we are Americans. Quite the contrary.
We have been visiting Kauai for many years, have bought a small lot where we are building a modest retirement home. We have many Native Hawaiian friends. We are well aware that we will always be “visitors” even after 20+ years.
We (Americans) stole these islands from the Hawaiians, and our tourism has reduced most of them to being maids and waitstaff, and many homeless. It’s amazing there is any aloha at all.
“We stole these Islands”, That could also be said of the rest of the continental US. Weren’t all the rest of the land in the US stolen?
I am a resident and enjoyed not having to wait hours to get a table at a restaurant during the shut down.
There are many more places on the mainland to have a nice meal. We are limited here with all of our resources. Staffing and the lack of the number of restaurants here on the Big Island makes it difficult at times.
KELLY… Love your “subtle” way of saying” visitors stay home! Glad your income and lifestyle apparently are not at all dependent on those awful, ugly “tourist dollars”!
You are correct Kelly. Our long history of white supremacy, manifest destiny, and American exceptionalism has led to nothing more than bigotry, blustery, and war. The Great Mahele and the dethroning of Lioliokalani was just the latest, absurd example.
As for the second part of your post, I too enjoyed our alone time. Since you hate to wait, why not consider more meals at home and take-out. Worked well for our household.
The blood of America’s soldiers was shed on almost every continent and the world is a safer and freer place because of it. We defeated the WWII dictators and then rolled back the Iron Curtain. We’re certainly not perfect but whose country is. The truck accident in Mexico yesterday that killed 50 migrants shows that people are literally dying to get into our “white supremacist” country for a better life.
…and yet some of us rebel now against the simplest asks in our current war against a microscopic enemy. Ask yourself what might have happened in WWII if folks had said: “I don’t need to ration gas. I need those metals for myself. You want me to black curtain my windows at night?
Ignore history of belligerence and war if you will, then ask yourself what this country would be had we not continued to feed the corporate war machine after that sterling period of sacrifice for others.
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Don L
My wife and I have been to Hawaii over 25 times and actually had a daughter stationed in the Navy on Hawaii and later graduated from U of H so we live Hawaii and Hawaiians. Of course there are some rude Hawaiians and rude tourists but both are in the small minority. I say Aloha to all. Enjoy the beauty of Hawaii and respect the traditions of the Hawaiian people and you will have a fantastic and memorable vacation.
Plenty of people on here saying how much they love Hawaii and don’t have issues….the “haters” are saying they are put off because of, among other things, Hawaii’s Covid restrictions and they are going to go elsewhere . That’s good for everyone.
Pre Covid one of Hawaii’s biggest issues was overcrowding and the stresses that was bringing. More visitors with Aloha and fewer with attitude
is a good thing, because it’s gonna get crowded again. You get what you give.
Aloha to all
We just came back from an 8 day trip to Oahu and felt the aloha spirit from everyone we encountered the whole time there. We had a wonderful time and were very mindful of being respectful of the island way of life. It had been 5 yrs since our last visit…it felt like my 2nd home.
Mahalo Hawaii!
I think unfortunately when posts are open to leave opinions—folks print worst of worst! I’m 61 & been going to Hawaii since I was a child—rarely have I run into rude people there! I’ve also traveled the world alone & encountered few issues! That said—I’m thinking Venice, Rome, Berlin, Athens…all have tourist & locals issues, generally in summer/holiday season…hmm, a pattern?! Of course—it’s to be expected that people have a bad day & speak unkind—deep breath before replying & Live Aloha!!
I’ve traveled quite a bit and we were in 3 of the islands in 2019. We truly enjoyed it and made plans to return but the feeling of not being welcome has changed our plans. Hawaii is beautiful but the are many beautiful places. We will be visiting some of them instead.
Much of the charm of Hawaii has dissipated over the 20 plus years I have been visiting. Loss of agricultural business, total focus on tourism, overcrowding, cruise ships, as well as an increase in ill behaved tourists have all contributed to the decline from my viewpoint. Because people spend so much to visit Hawaii relative to other locations, they feel entitled to make the experience their own rather than following local culture and rules. It all makes me long for the Hawaii I used to Love!
To be quite honest if all tourists followed our requests upon visiting then social media groups on Facebook and such like “enough tourists already” wouldn’t be necessary. And if we have more tourists than residents that’s a problem and needs to be addressed. There should be an equal amount of them to us. And we have to stop marketing Hawaii as some kind of 3rd world country that needs money and giving away quiet beach spots and all. Locals need a place for themselves away from visitors
We have seen some tourists just suggest staff should be happy to have their business and to keep our mouths shut. We are not the mainland things are different here. First those do not go past signs be respectful by not ignoring them it is for your own safety. When you hike please do research before hand and come prepared. When coming to our beaches please bring reef safe sunscreen only others are banned anyhow, and distance yourself from wildlife, don’t leave trash, don’t vandalize etc
I agree with you, but to clarify, the Sale of non-reef safe sunscreens is banned, not the use of, technically.
As a resident now but a former tourist of course we visited the attractions but I was never interested in that, I was amazed by the locals and the culture and history. Of course our beaches are beautiful but I encourage my friends and ohana to not just come here to lounge. Come here to listen and to learn. Over the past few months that tourists have started returning and even before that we have seen obnoxious attitude from mainland tourists.
Aloha…
Have always enjoyed the special ‘difference’ of the Islands and have always been welcomed with ‘Aloha’. when my parents were alive, they too were made especially welcome. It’s why I have so missed travels to the State. The unique culture and history is fascinating and I always want to know more. With some luck (and the overcoming of the Pandemic) I look forward to my continued love affair with Hawai’i and all its people.
Mahalo for all the good times.
If one lives in a gorgeous place,there will be visitors. We just returned from time on HI & had mostly positive interactions. We try our best to share the love & respect we feel for the land and all the people we meet. What makes a “local”? Do you mean indigenous? Do you mean resident? How long? We tried to minimize our impact & often picked up cigarette butts & fishing trash left by “locals”. The important question is: How do we all take care of this amazing planet & live together in peace?
We visit our children and grandchildren on Oahu on a regular basis. We have found that when you are respectful and kind you get it back with the locals – it seems that they welcome respect and appreciation. Obviously there are exceptions! I really feel for the locals who have to share their island with a ten-fold of tourists.
Those tourists who don’t get this are ignorant. Hopefully the visitor video helps.
I love the Big Island. My husband played music on Oahu and the Big Island for years when he was young. Even though he was a howlie (spelling?) he considered himself a Hawaiian. However when he came back and taught school in Kona for several years he was treated like an outsider. It made him very sad because he wasn’t a tourist but was treated like one.
If your husband does not have Native Hawaiian blood, he was never a “Hawaiian”, no matter what he wanted to call himself. Not being born here, he is not even a “local”, which would be a non-Hawaiian born here. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t be treated and welcome as if he was, but these designations mean something here. You are not a “Hawaiian” by nature of the fact that you reside in Hawaii.
You are absolutely correct but your tone lends itself to the issue of visitors bring unwelcome.
I disagree about residents, although not natives, not being allowed to call themselves “locals.” What would you prefer? Transplants? Immigrants? Aliens? Unclean? After a few years of living anywhere, if people embrace their communities and cultures and contribute to the overall well-being of that community, and are part of the fabric of that community, they are locals. They are definitely not outsiders.
Sherri, it’s a very nuanced, unique to Hawaii deal and really not that big of a deal unless you want to make it one.
I’m a 35 year kama’aina but don’t consider myself local, and don’t feel disparaged at all. If someone is put off by that Hawaii
may not be as good a fit for them then it would be for someone who just accepts it and knows it’s nothing personal. It’s no where near as divisive as the left vs right is on the mainland.
Your attitude reminds me of the “Jim Crow” south.
The population has changed so very much since your husband played music in Hawaii during his youth. Old time locals with big hearts and aloha have followed their children living in other states, aged out or passed away. Lots and lots of different people moved into Hawaii without the old time ways. And that’s the difference for visitors. Without aloha it’s no longer Hawaii.
Yes, with all this talk, I think people fail to realize that currently those of Hawaiian blood represent less than 10% of the resident population of Hawaii. So, 90% are locals or Haoles.
We so look forward to going to Hawaii! Kauai beckons, and we sink right into the slow-down culture. We look for local entertainment as much as possible and appreciate the efforts of those who welcome us and want us to enjoy our time there. Mahalo for letting us be part of your ohana!
Well, it’s sad to read that many locals are just tired of tourists. I get it.
We have a trip planned to Kauai in February. We’ll just see what the vibe is.
Cancun will be our next choice.
We just returned from Hawaii. The entire process from what the State is requiring to even getting to the Island, the airline, rental car and hotel, all left me with a very strong impression that as a tourist I was just a burden upon everyone. The one person that showed kindness and a willingness to help me improve my trip was a ranger at the valcano visitor center. He was willing to direct me so that I would get the most out of the short time I had to explore the area. Note he was not native
Maybe consider a Costco package or a travel agent. Your comment is not about Hawaii but your dislike for booking everything separately. All inclusive resorts may be your thing? These are available in other countries. Aloha
We have always felt welcome when we have visited in the past. The first time we felt unwelcomed was on our last visit this October. The hotel staff, restaurant workers, tour and venues were great but your Govenor was etremely rude.
I must admit, I didn’t watch either of the two videos, but I know that I respect both sides. I have been to Europe twice; new Zealand and Hong Kong once. Tokyo three times. I hate to say it; but I have seen “ugly Americans” and how they believe that every place they visit should have “American” standards for everything.
Even though Hawaii is a US state, it’s unbelievable how some mainland tourist treat it as an exotic country that has to meet their standards.
Please respect everyone!
Aloha and mele kalikimaka to all
like so many of you, because of the pandemic, we had to cancel 2 trips to our beloved Hawaii.
we just got back to Orange County from “home” and we got to see our ohana on Oahu after 20 months and go to our Maui timeshare.
to our happy surprise we were able to do the safe travels website OK.
the entire 18 day trip was awesome and gave us a new appreciation for being in Hawaii.
the local people were 1000% kind and wonderful.
we Love our Hawaii more than ever !
Is there any hints that Cruise ships not be allowed into ports starting in Jan through March or longer.
Aloha! We are currently visiting the island of Kauai & have consistently been treated well. We were surprised when we drove to the north shore by the permit system but found no need to be discourteous. We redpect their decisions on how to manage this beautiful island. In fact, we felt bad for all the locals living along the road & the disruption by all the traffic. We are grateful to be here.
My issue with the North Shore is federal disaster relief funds provided by all U.S. taxpayers taxes were used to rebuild Kuhio Highway and basically build their own private gated community at the end of the road.
My friend and I who were doing nothing but swimming at Lumaha’i were told by a woman there as we were leaving that it was a locals only beach and she had been going there her entire life.
And that was after we and the car in front of us had been passed by a muddy truck with lift kit at a blind corner on our way to Lumaha’i while we were going the speed limit.
I’d say that Lumaha’i can be a dangerous place to swim and not because of the locals. I’d also offer that all beaches in Hawaii are public and open to everyone. I might opt out of a confrontation, but you have every right to swim there.
Be careful at lumahai people drown there.That was stupid and rude of her she doesn’t own the beach.
My wife & I have been visiting all of the islands for over 10 years. And without question I have witnessed more rude, entitled tourists ( mostly from a large West Coast state) than any anti-tourist attitude from locals. To be honest I don’t know how the locals put up with it. I’ve actually apologized to locals for rude comments and actions of my mainland Haoles.
My husband and I have visited Kauai since 2012 and not nearly as often as we’d like but we do enjoy it and try to learn more about the culture and how things work off the beaten path. We always talk about visiting some of the other islands but we love the island and the people making it hard to venture too far from our adopted home! Thank you for this forum, have followed you for years!
So many of the comments here underscore why locals have a feeling of “dislike” of tourists. There is asense of “I know better than you” and/or entitlement in many of the non-residents’ comments.
If I went to another place for vacation with the same attitudes demonstrated in those particular comments, I would most certainly not have any red-carpets rolled out for me.
Thoughtful and balanced commentary looking at both sides of tourism.Thank you and Aloha
We’re visiting Maui from Wisconsin. We find the locals very friendly, no problems. It helps to smile, say aloha, and mahalo. (Just like anywhere else.)
One of my favorite memories of Hawaii happened on the road to Hana. We stopped at a bbq stand where a big burly local was cooking while his wife took orders. As I approached I said “That smells great, brother. After eating some wonderful bbq and a memorable fern salad I approached his wife and asked if I could sample her banana bread. She told me “no” as none of the packages were open. Her husband told her let me taste it. Then he said “I did that because you called me brother”. I loved that.
Contention is rampant these days. News and internet communications often amp up voices of discontent. I think the larger cultural climate is part of what’s being reflected here.
As a relative newcomer who has lived on Hawai’i Island for 15 years, I have been graciously welcomed by locals of varied races and backgrounds. I love the rich cultural mix here. Like anywhere I’ve lived or traveled, when people are treated with kindness and respect, they usually respond in kind.
In all due respect, I wonder how locals feel and think about the huge amounts of trash and garbage on a good number of beaches and such. This is not new, but during a trip in July, I couldn’t help but notice so much discarded waste along paths, on trails, etc.
For years, I would bring one reused bag for each day that I was visiting and fill up the bag with plastic trash strewn on beaches. It was a ritual to “give back” and care for/aloha Aina during my visit. This time, I just couldn’t.
We’ve never felt any negative from locals. However, visiting Kauai is for us not just something to check off our “Bucket List”. I think it’s the visitors that consider it so are the ones who give us “malihini” a bad name – particularly folks don’t take the time to learn, to respect and to value what Hawaii (or Kauai) has to offer as far as “deeper” experiences. If you just want to go to a beach, go to the one closest to you because it won’t be Hawaii! If you want to EXPERIENCE, you are welcomed!
Hawaii is in my blood, my first words when we land are “I’m home”, I have never encountered any negative hostility from any of the locals I’ve visited with, we traveled to Maui this past September and it was one of the most enjoyable trips yet, planning a trip to Oahu for next year, can’t wait to get back
I really think most visitors who come to Hawaii are respectful of the cultures, traditions and the Hawaiian way of life. As a frequent visitor, I have learned over time the customs and traditions of the Hawaiian people and have been treated kindly in the Spirit of Aloha in return. It’s a shame that a few give the respectful tourists a bad name.
We are guests to your beautiful island and we don’t want to wear out our welcome.
Mahalo for welcoming us with open arms.
I’ve only had one minor incident with a local in Maui over 5 visits (he appeared to be under the influence…tweeker). However, I have seen more than one tourist act a fool on probably each trip (too close to wildlife, driving stupid, etc) so….there’s that. But, then again, when I travel, I know I’m no longer in my own house but another’s.
Just keep disruptive, sometimes violent off the Island. Their leaders are always excusing them. Enough
Mahalo for your blog and a more balanced approach. There are two sides to every issue. Mutual respect is vital. I’ve been visiting the islands for well over 20 years. I’ve never run into an issue with the locals. I have however experienced rude, demanding, entitled visitors. Respect of the Hawaiian culture is critical. Respect of the tourist who ultimately provide the means for employment for the locals is also important. Simply be respectful and embrace the aloha spirit.
My wife and I have been traveling to Hawaii annually for over 15 years, last few years staying 4 to 5 weeks. Most years we’ve brought family or friends. Didn’t go in 2021 and won’t in 2022 due mainly to the inconsistent and often changing protocols. We also have had several very bad experiences, including harassment fr residents, that we aren’t sure if we’ll be back. We run a business and strive to earn guests loyalty thru treating them exceptionally. When we do they return. It’s not that hard.
The states with Heavy Restrictions (HR) seem to have an uneasy climate. Not just HI. I’d be guessing a large % of visitors are from HR states. We have visited during Covid and respect goes both ways. We found numerous islanders have had huge struggles but are welcoming as they have been for our 14+ year visits. Will be back in Feb. We will be moving to east coast. Our visits will be less but HI will always be apart of us❤️😎
I have a business that serves tourists in a town with an economy driven by tourism. There are locals who have no use for the tourists but enjoy the things that wouldn’t be here without the tourists.
Most tourist locations experience this but Hawaii is over the top. When limit access to the best parts of the Islands and then provide preferential access to locals it slaps visitors right in the face.
I Love The Islands but the decisions made by Locals have offended me and I won’t be back.
I love and appreciate this blog so much. It helps me feel close to the island I love while away. We have traveled to Kauai 9 times in the last 11 years. It is my favorite place on earth. We are currently trying to reschedule the cancelled 2020 trip for May 2022. Hoping to still feel welcomed. because everything is costing twice as much as our last trip we too are exploring other places to visit in the future. I would hate to think this is my last trip to the place I love, but it may be? 🙁
Hi Lori.
Thanks. We’re appreciate your input.
Aloha.
Sorry, we are not “insiders” just because we are Americans. Quite the contrary.
We have been visiting Kauai for many years, have bought a small lot where we are building a modest retirement home. We have many Native Hawaiian friends. We are well aware that we will always be “visitors” even after 20+ years.
We (Americans) stole these islands from the Hawaiians, and our tourism has reduced most of them to being maids and waitstaff, and many homeless. It’s amazing there is any aloha at all.
“We stole these Islands”, That could also be said of the rest of the continental US. Weren’t all the rest of the land in the US stolen?
I am a resident and enjoyed not having to wait hours to get a table at a restaurant during the shut down.
There are many more places on the mainland to have a nice meal. We are limited here with all of our resources. Staffing and the lack of the number of restaurants here on the Big Island makes it difficult at times.
KELLY… Love your “subtle” way of saying” visitors stay home! Glad your income and lifestyle apparently are not at all dependent on those awful, ugly “tourist dollars”!
You are correct Kelly. Our long history of white supremacy, manifest destiny, and American exceptionalism has led to nothing more than bigotry, blustery, and war. The Great Mahele and the dethroning of Lioliokalani was just the latest, absurd example.
As for the second part of your post, I too enjoyed our alone time. Since you hate to wait, why not consider more meals at home and take-out. Worked well for our household.
The blood of America’s soldiers was shed on almost every continent and the world is a safer and freer place because of it. We defeated the WWII dictators and then rolled back the Iron Curtain. We’re certainly not perfect but whose country is. The truck accident in Mexico yesterday that killed 50 migrants shows that people are literally dying to get into our “white supremacist” country for a better life.
…and yet some of us rebel now against the simplest asks in our current war against a microscopic enemy. Ask yourself what might have happened in WWII if folks had said: “I don’t need to ration gas. I need those metals for myself. You want me to black curtain my windows at night?
Ignore history of belligerence and war if you will, then ask yourself what this country would be had we not continued to feed the corporate war machine after that sterling period of sacrifice for others.
My wife and I have been to Hawaii over 25 times and actually had a daughter stationed in the Navy on Hawaii and later graduated from U of H so we live Hawaii and Hawaiians. Of course there are some rude Hawaiians and rude tourists but both are in the small minority. I say Aloha to all. Enjoy the beauty of Hawaii and respect the traditions of the Hawaiian people and you will have a fantastic and memorable vacation.
Plenty of people on here saying how much they love Hawaii and don’t have issues….the “haters” are saying they are put off because of, among other things, Hawaii’s Covid restrictions and they are going to go elsewhere . That’s good for everyone.
Pre Covid one of Hawaii’s biggest issues was overcrowding and the stresses that was bringing. More visitors with Aloha and fewer with attitude
is a good thing, because it’s gonna get crowded again. You get what you give.
Aloha to all
We just came back from an 8 day trip to Oahu and felt the aloha spirit from everyone we encountered the whole time there. We had a wonderful time and were very mindful of being respectful of the island way of life. It had been 5 yrs since our last visit…it felt like my 2nd home.
Mahalo Hawaii!
I think unfortunately when posts are open to leave opinions—folks print worst of worst! I’m 61 & been going to Hawaii since I was a child—rarely have I run into rude people there! I’ve also traveled the world alone & encountered few issues! That said—I’m thinking Venice, Rome, Berlin, Athens…all have tourist & locals issues, generally in summer/holiday season…hmm, a pattern?! Of course—it’s to be expected that people have a bad day & speak unkind—deep breath before replying & Live Aloha!!