1,090 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitors and Residents Whipsaw in 1,000 Comments”
KuuleiF
I am Kanaka, which not only means I am born and raised here but I also have deep genealogical ties to these islands. I have also worked in the tourist industry. Yes, there is a part of our culture that is welcoming and we enjoy sharing what we have (whether that is food, practices or knowledge) but aloha is so much more than that and it goes both ways. We also have a very complicated history with foreigners, especially those that just come to greedily take what they want. I have spent time with many tourists who are interested (and interesting) and respectful. But unfortunately, over the last 5 or so years, the attitudes I have come across are increasingly more entitled with more and more wanting access to everything. With the addition of Airbnb and monster homes, tourists are now in our neighborhoods and it feels as though we have been completely overcome. Nothing is sacred or off limits anymore – especially since it’s all been paid for and everything is for sale. Yes, some tourists are great people and amazing guests. But more and more it’s like we’re drowning, the mountain trails, the ocean and beaches and the people are full to capacity and there is no end in sight.
Now with the pandemic it feels like we can breathe again, the entirety of the islands can breathe again. No offense, but it is a nice break. I don’t mind tourists coming back after things settle down but hopefully not with the overwhelming numbers. I hope this helps give perspective.
Ke aloha nui me ka ha’aha’a.
Craig B
I can understand you point of view and frustration with the problems you have with tourists because we also are tourists from Oregon. I never thought I would like Hawaii but our daughter wanted to get married on Maui so we went. The weather was horrible and most of our events were canceled, but we decided to come back and have been coming back ever since. Wish I had a answer on how to balance your need for tourists dollars and keeping your culture.
Joanne R.
I am originally from New York moved to Kauai in 1979. I am a dark-skinned Italian but my husband was Irish and Italian very fair. I grew up in East Harlem New York and have never experienced as much hate and prejudice as I did on Kauai with my husband’s fair skin. When people used to comment negatively on The “haoles” aka foreigners right in front of me I shot back with “I am haole also, I am not from here” they put their arms next to mine and said you’re not a haole your Italian”! It took many years for them to accept my husband but they always accepted me and my darker skin. They actually do not like white people because white people represent all that was taken from them. White people come with money and buy a properties that they no longer can afford.Their children have to move to the mainland for jobs because they can’t afford a life there. There was a lot of resentment towards Tourists but they put on the “aloha” because they know it helps their economy.Yet they want no part of being part of the United States. My daughter was born there and still treated like a Haole because she had skin like her father. It takes a long time for acceptance there. Once they see you are hard-working as they are, they eventually learn to accept you. The vi rus brought out the hate that most of them feel towards tourists. It was just an excuse to vent their rage that they hold inside. People I know who are white and have been living there for years now hate the vacationers and are glad they are being told to turn away and go home. I had lived in Hawaii for almost 20 years and I still have many friends who live there local people and white people.. Even though my daughter was born on the island when her teachers picked her to be Queen of the islands for May Day one of the local mothers had a fit because she was white skinned and was very vocal about why she should not be Queen. Meanwhile she came from the island of Maui and my daughter was born there on Kauai. You don’t know how it really is until you’ve lived there. [Edited]. They are a bunch of big fish in a very small pond and I am glad I no longer live there!
1
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Joanne.
We normally do not reply to comments without a request and a please, thank you or aloha.
Your editors have a combined total of 60 years of personal experience here on Kauai, and what you are saying is simply not the reality.
Aloha.
1
Kristi Y
This was the reality for her family so please don’t say that it’s simply not reality. You asked for an open discussion from both sides so please don’t try to negatively counteract someone else’s comment just because it’s uncomfortable for you to read it. This does happen. My brother who was white, moved to Oahu with our parents in the seventies and was picked on and bullied at his middle school to the point of being beat up. He was a very shy and quiet kid who just wanted to go to school and make friends and fit in with his peers. It has hurt him and affected him to this day!
1
Kanu
The only reason Hawaii relies heavily on tourism is because we made it that way. There are many countries in the world that have created a self sustained lifestyle. Hawaii shouldn’t be any different. We have the best climate in the world for producing food and fresh water but because of money hungry earthlings it’s not happening. Instead we feel like using Hawaii as an amusement park that in part is destroying the land/water. I don’t mind some visitors but 10 per local is way over board. Thank God this pan demic has stopped overtourism not just for Hawaii but all parts of the world. Stay safe-
Ann M
My family (husband, adult son, his wife & their 2 youn children) were supposed to vacation on Maui the 1st week of April. A little over a week before, we made the decision to postpone our trip. Among the reasons – our son is an emergency room RN and was scheduled to work almost until the date we were scheduled to fly to Maui. We were also beginning to read that those who lived in Maui did not really want visitors from the mainland who could potentially bring this to the island. In retrospect, since restaurants, shops and beaches shut down, we are glad we did not come. I would like to thank the landlord and luau venue for allowing us to postpone our trip until next winter. And I would also say to the citizens of Maui – we understand. We live in a mountain town that is a tourist destination in winter and in summer. We also do not want potentially ill, contagious visitors.
Natalie d
Aloha, I graduated from UH in the mid 80s. I visited many times with my family and eventually I myself returned to make Hawaii my forever home in 2015. I put my skills to work with the DOE.
The island and the Hawaiian people have always made this Black woman feel the aloha.
Tourism during a pan demic is selfish and wrong. There is no other way to say it.
The most residents are abiding our laws and trying desperately to lower the curve.
It breaks me to see tourist wondering around town, climbing over closed signs and doing whatever they can to get away with.
Please right now is not the time to visit. Hawaii is healing and will be fully open again but right now please stay home.
Terry B
My understanding is very few tourists are arriving on the islands today. Could it be some ‘locals’ are doing whatever they can get away with?
Michael S.
I do feel animosity from SOME on social media, not all. I think the ones that have a hard time understanding are those like me that probably visited, and listened to the advice given prior to arriving such as respect the land, honu, and be courteous on the roads. It seems that there are some visitors that don’t. I just think people shouldn’t lump everyone into the same category. God i love Maui so much. Ive even felt compelled to help clean up beaches or roads on some of my next visit due to wanting to give back in some small way. To take care of it as if it’s my own. I don’t think everyone on Maui hates tourists but it saddened me to learn some aren’t welcoming. I cant say that I blame them. I think if everyone respects each other, and more importantly, the Islands, things will always work out.
Tony B.
My girlfriend and I love Hawaii. I don’t adopt native words because I think it’s a bit disengenuous, but that doesn’t stop me from being courteous and saying thank you when someone shows us hospitality.
We aren’t rich, but we sacrifice some to go to Maui as often as we can manage it. I envy those who live there, who have roots in the place; I do not envy the wealthy transplants in their gated communities. I feel for the descendants of Hawaii and I’m on their side, and my girlfriend and I aren’t that different from them (or you, depending on who’s reading this), so it hurts a little when all some see when they look at me is someone out to exploit them because I’m a white guy in a rental car staying at a vacation rental for the week.
We hope to come back when it is safe. I know we add to the crowdedness of the place, but if it becomes too restrictive Hawaii will only have rich visitors and the locals will be poorer if that is their only clientele. I speak from experience here, I clean residential windows with my son, and my best customers are neither poor nor rich, they’re just like most us and fantasize about living in paradise, if only for a week or two at a time.
Thank you, and peace be with you.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Tony.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Paul O.
I’m a transplant from the mainland and have lived here for 23 years. Upon arriving here the first thing I did was learn as much about the culture and beliefs of the hawaiian people. It was very important for me as I didn’t want to disrespect or interfere with the lives or culture of the local people.
After working here in the islands for a few years I started seeing some of the tourists being less than polite and expecting the local people to cater to their every wants or needs with out showing any appreciation or even saying thank you.
Please understand this is not all visitors but enough to irritate me and sometimes asking the visitor to please be a little more respectful to those that are trying to make your time here enjoyable.
I’ve always tried to greet all people with kindness and respect and by doing so making it a better experience for all. Thanks for your time, Aloha.
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Paul.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Dave R
Sometimes anti-tourist sentiment is based on customs. Here in San Diego, we get a lot of people from elsewhere (I’m not gonna name the states, but you know who you are \;D) who don’t respect the ocean, who tend to seem loud and rude and pushy and now, with AirBnB, keep us up all night with loud “party houses”.
Years ago, there were billboards in Oregon that said “Don’t Californicate Oregon.” When I was just out of high school, there were T-shirts that said “Tourist Go Home but Leave Your Daughter” and “Keep California Green and Golden: Bring Money.” So this sort of thing has a long history with different degrees of attitude.
I have to admit that I avoid more and more areas, both in San Diego and in Hawai’i, because they are just too crowded. In the summertime, places like La Jolla and Laguna Beach are so crowded as to be unpleasant. And that’s nothing compared to O’ahu. It’s hard to imagine living in a place that gets hundreds of thousands of tourists every month!
I know that tourism is like the goose that lays golden eggs, but geese can be awfully noisy and messy!
Heath R
I have been to Kauai , Maui and Ohua on different vacations . I could have not been more welcomed by locals . We all way respect there islands and take time to learn the culture and how life is Hawaii . We have been to other islands in the pacific and Hawaii is truly unique with its beauty and residents .
Heath
Comments are closed.
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I am Kanaka, which not only means I am born and raised here but I also have deep genealogical ties to these islands. I have also worked in the tourist industry. Yes, there is a part of our culture that is welcoming and we enjoy sharing what we have (whether that is food, practices or knowledge) but aloha is so much more than that and it goes both ways. We also have a very complicated history with foreigners, especially those that just come to greedily take what they want. I have spent time with many tourists who are interested (and interesting) and respectful. But unfortunately, over the last 5 or so years, the attitudes I have come across are increasingly more entitled with more and more wanting access to everything. With the addition of Airbnb and monster homes, tourists are now in our neighborhoods and it feels as though we have been completely overcome. Nothing is sacred or off limits anymore – especially since it’s all been paid for and everything is for sale. Yes, some tourists are great people and amazing guests. But more and more it’s like we’re drowning, the mountain trails, the ocean and beaches and the people are full to capacity and there is no end in sight.
Now with the pandemic it feels like we can breathe again, the entirety of the islands can breathe again. No offense, but it is a nice break. I don’t mind tourists coming back after things settle down but hopefully not with the overwhelming numbers. I hope this helps give perspective.
Ke aloha nui me ka ha’aha’a.
I can understand you point of view and frustration with the problems you have with tourists because we also are tourists from Oregon. I never thought I would like Hawaii but our daughter wanted to get married on Maui so we went. The weather was horrible and most of our events were canceled, but we decided to come back and have been coming back ever since. Wish I had a answer on how to balance your need for tourists dollars and keeping your culture.
I am originally from New York moved to Kauai in 1979. I am a dark-skinned Italian but my husband was Irish and Italian very fair. I grew up in East Harlem New York and have never experienced as much hate and prejudice as I did on Kauai with my husband’s fair skin. When people used to comment negatively on The “haoles” aka foreigners right in front of me I shot back with “I am haole also, I am not from here” they put their arms next to mine and said you’re not a haole your Italian”! It took many years for them to accept my husband but they always accepted me and my darker skin. They actually do not like white people because white people represent all that was taken from them. White people come with money and buy a properties that they no longer can afford.Their children have to move to the mainland for jobs because they can’t afford a life there. There was a lot of resentment towards Tourists but they put on the “aloha” because they know it helps their economy.Yet they want no part of being part of the United States. My daughter was born there and still treated like a Haole because she had skin like her father. It takes a long time for acceptance there. Once they see you are hard-working as they are, they eventually learn to accept you. The vi rus brought out the hate that most of them feel towards tourists. It was just an excuse to vent their rage that they hold inside. People I know who are white and have been living there for years now hate the vacationers and are glad they are being told to turn away and go home. I had lived in Hawaii for almost 20 years and I still have many friends who live there local people and white people.. Even though my daughter was born on the island when her teachers picked her to be Queen of the islands for May Day one of the local mothers had a fit because she was white skinned and was very vocal about why she should not be Queen. Meanwhile she came from the island of Maui and my daughter was born there on Kauai. You don’t know how it really is until you’ve lived there. [Edited]. They are a bunch of big fish in a very small pond and I am glad I no longer live there!
Hi Joanne.
We normally do not reply to comments without a request and a please, thank you or aloha.
Your editors have a combined total of 60 years of personal experience here on Kauai, and what you are saying is simply not the reality.
Aloha.
This was the reality for her family so please don’t say that it’s simply not reality. You asked for an open discussion from both sides so please don’t try to negatively counteract someone else’s comment just because it’s uncomfortable for you to read it. This does happen. My brother who was white, moved to Oahu with our parents in the seventies and was picked on and bullied at his middle school to the point of being beat up. He was a very shy and quiet kid who just wanted to go to school and make friends and fit in with his peers. It has hurt him and affected him to this day!
The only reason Hawaii relies heavily on tourism is because we made it that way. There are many countries in the world that have created a self sustained lifestyle. Hawaii shouldn’t be any different. We have the best climate in the world for producing food and fresh water but because of money hungry earthlings it’s not happening. Instead we feel like using Hawaii as an amusement park that in part is destroying the land/water. I don’t mind some visitors but 10 per local is way over board. Thank God this pan demic has stopped overtourism not just for Hawaii but all parts of the world. Stay safe-
My family (husband, adult son, his wife & their 2 youn children) were supposed to vacation on Maui the 1st week of April. A little over a week before, we made the decision to postpone our trip. Among the reasons – our son is an emergency room RN and was scheduled to work almost until the date we were scheduled to fly to Maui. We were also beginning to read that those who lived in Maui did not really want visitors from the mainland who could potentially bring this to the island. In retrospect, since restaurants, shops and beaches shut down, we are glad we did not come. I would like to thank the landlord and luau venue for allowing us to postpone our trip until next winter. And I would also say to the citizens of Maui – we understand. We live in a mountain town that is a tourist destination in winter and in summer. We also do not want potentially ill, contagious visitors.
Aloha, I graduated from UH in the mid 80s. I visited many times with my family and eventually I myself returned to make Hawaii my forever home in 2015. I put my skills to work with the DOE.
The island and the Hawaiian people have always made this Black woman feel the aloha.
Tourism during a pan demic is selfish and wrong. There is no other way to say it.
The most residents are abiding our laws and trying desperately to lower the curve.
It breaks me to see tourist wondering around town, climbing over closed signs and doing whatever they can to get away with.
Please right now is not the time to visit. Hawaii is healing and will be fully open again but right now please stay home.
My understanding is very few tourists are arriving on the islands today. Could it be some ‘locals’ are doing whatever they can get away with?
I do feel animosity from SOME on social media, not all. I think the ones that have a hard time understanding are those like me that probably visited, and listened to the advice given prior to arriving such as respect the land, honu, and be courteous on the roads. It seems that there are some visitors that don’t. I just think people shouldn’t lump everyone into the same category. God i love Maui so much. Ive even felt compelled to help clean up beaches or roads on some of my next visit due to wanting to give back in some small way. To take care of it as if it’s my own. I don’t think everyone on Maui hates tourists but it saddened me to learn some aren’t welcoming. I cant say that I blame them. I think if everyone respects each other, and more importantly, the Islands, things will always work out.
My girlfriend and I love Hawaii. I don’t adopt native words because I think it’s a bit disengenuous, but that doesn’t stop me from being courteous and saying thank you when someone shows us hospitality.
We aren’t rich, but we sacrifice some to go to Maui as often as we can manage it. I envy those who live there, who have roots in the place; I do not envy the wealthy transplants in their gated communities. I feel for the descendants of Hawaii and I’m on their side, and my girlfriend and I aren’t that different from them (or you, depending on who’s reading this), so it hurts a little when all some see when they look at me is someone out to exploit them because I’m a white guy in a rental car staying at a vacation rental for the week.
We hope to come back when it is safe. I know we add to the crowdedness of the place, but if it becomes too restrictive Hawaii will only have rich visitors and the locals will be poorer if that is their only clientele. I speak from experience here, I clean residential windows with my son, and my best customers are neither poor nor rich, they’re just like most us and fantasize about living in paradise, if only for a week or two at a time.
Thank you, and peace be with you.
Hi Tony.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I’m a transplant from the mainland and have lived here for 23 years. Upon arriving here the first thing I did was learn as much about the culture and beliefs of the hawaiian people. It was very important for me as I didn’t want to disrespect or interfere with the lives or culture of the local people.
After working here in the islands for a few years I started seeing some of the tourists being less than polite and expecting the local people to cater to their every wants or needs with out showing any appreciation or even saying thank you.
Please understand this is not all visitors but enough to irritate me and sometimes asking the visitor to please be a little more respectful to those that are trying to make your time here enjoyable.
I’ve always tried to greet all people with kindness and respect and by doing so making it a better experience for all. Thanks for your time, Aloha.
Hi Paul.
Thank you.
Aloha.
Sometimes anti-tourist sentiment is based on customs. Here in San Diego, we get a lot of people from elsewhere (I’m not gonna name the states, but you know who you are \;D) who don’t respect the ocean, who tend to seem loud and rude and pushy and now, with AirBnB, keep us up all night with loud “party houses”.
Years ago, there were billboards in Oregon that said “Don’t Californicate Oregon.” When I was just out of high school, there were T-shirts that said “Tourist Go Home but Leave Your Daughter” and “Keep California Green and Golden: Bring Money.” So this sort of thing has a long history with different degrees of attitude.
I have to admit that I avoid more and more areas, both in San Diego and in Hawai’i, because they are just too crowded. In the summertime, places like La Jolla and Laguna Beach are so crowded as to be unpleasant. And that’s nothing compared to O’ahu. It’s hard to imagine living in a place that gets hundreds of thousands of tourists every month!
I know that tourism is like the goose that lays golden eggs, but geese can be awfully noisy and messy!
I have been to Kauai , Maui and Ohua on different vacations . I could have not been more welcomed by locals . We all way respect there islands and take time to learn the culture and how life is Hawaii . We have been to other islands in the pacific and Hawaii is truly unique with its beauty and residents .
Heath