Beat of Hawaii's Special Picks for You

1,090 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitors and Residents Whipsaw in 1,000 Comments”

  1. Carol B

    We have gone to Kauai every year for the past 20 yrs. We have always been greeted with friendly people everywhere. As a matter if fact we and our children have developed wonderful relationships with local residents and look forward to seeing them.

  2. mary m

    terrific videos. when I visit, luckily I stay with friends and come for at least 2 weeks. I believe I am aware of the issues and do try to respect the people and the land. it is so important. thanks for your website…it provides a great deal of information. I visit Oahu and stay in kailua and on kauai in priceville area. I am fine with the Hanalei to See Beach restrictions…better for all than the way is used to be. I am on the side of treading lightly wherever I go. thanks you

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Mary.

      Thanks for all your comments and hanging in there with us for the past 8 years.

      Aloha.

  3. Annette D.

    These videos well represent the local/tourist dilemma. We live in a Colorado ski resort so like to think we have an understanding of tourism relations. Yes, we get tired of tourists in our town but are well aware of what happens to our local economy without tourists. A prime example is the recent early shut down of our ski season due to this. When we are in Kauai, we try to be vigilantly aware that we are visitors and must respect the local lands and customs. In the 4 years we’ve been going to Kauai, we have alway felt welcomed by the locals but we can see why they get upset as we have observed how disrespectful other tourists can be. It’s not that hard to coexist – be kind, friendly, respectful, patient and generous. Aloha spirit goes a long way!
    Mahalo!

  4. RM

    I have visited the majority of the Hawaiian islands for years – at least 25, and have felt welcomed at least 90% of the time. The other 10% was us attempting to fit in and join activities that were more aimed towards the locals. We had to cancel our trip in April this year, but are still hoping to get go to Hawaii before the year end. We go every year for at least two weeks.
    Mahalo.

  5. Trudy C

    Thank- you for being brave enough to put this thoughtful question out there. I have been coming to the Islands since 1992. My reason is a love of the people, the culture and the natural beauty. If I were just looking for white sandy beaches and water activities I can find that here on the mainland. The Islands and the people claimed a piece of my heart that first visit and it has always felt like my soul is home. I have on just a few occasions felt the hostility against tourists. It has been very rare. About 97% of the time it is warm genuine aloha. Whether it is someone whose livelihood is tourism or a local Ohana enjoying family day on the beach. Going hey you should go check dis. I have been invited to a Japanese family’s home to spend New Years with them & learn of their hospitality, traditions & culture. Welcomed into local churches as though I was one of their church family etc. I always try to be respectful as well as clean litter at beaches etc. when I am there. I do think some islands there is more of an anger against tourists as they try to preserve the old style ways and we are perceived as a threat to that. I understand that, as I experienced Kauai long before the Kapaa traffic jam etc. With tourism comes growth & progress.
    I do hope though as we are coming out of the first phase of this unknown pan demic that this would be a time that Hawaii can press the reset button. Hopefully there will be a way to develop jobs in the green energy fields, agriculture , craft brew businesses and even tiny home builders. These would be jobs developed in areas where the islands jobs are not totally dependent on the tourist dollars. These are jobs that would benefit locals with a dependable food supply, clean energy jobs that respect the land, and housing that not only employs local tradesmen but gives young people a chance at finding affordable housing so they do not have to leave home to make their way. I will return again someday when it is safe to travel. Thankful for the locals that welcome me and hoping that no one ever feels anger or hated while there. There’s enough aloha to go around.

  6. Emma W.

    I’m originally from’Oahu, currently living in Tucson,AZ AND trying to move to Hilo. I am of Hawaiian descent.
    I’m sorry to hear about anybody having a bad experience about visiting Hawai’i in general. Some of us locals don’t get the fact that ALL the islands NEED tourism and THOSE are the ones who, not only make trouble for the tourists but, the locals as well.
    I believe that, if you’re a tourist who’d like to visit Hawai’i, BEFORE you come you should read about our islands, our culture, our history and anything else that the islands offer. That way, not only will you enjoy the islands, you’ll be more respectful towards them and its people and be humble as well. MOST of the tourists who visit are just interested going to the beach and shopping, I feel like that those ones are the ones who DON’T care about our culture or its people and act ignorant by saying how WE are supposed to be “lucky” that they came TO the islands. THOSE kind of tourists make other tourists look bad, just like when we have ignorant locals telling the tourists to go back to where they came from, they make all the OTHER locals look bad as well.
    So… when you guys want to go and visit, learn ALL you can learn about us AND our culture then, when you come and we SEE that you show respect for us and the ‘aina…THEN, I do believe that you WILL have a WONDERFUL experience!
    Aloha🌺

  7. Kareem Z

    My brother and his family live on the Big Island. We would love to come visit and I understand the fear about the vi rus. I told my brother that Hawaii should open up to all Hawaiian residents. Open up the beaches, the ice cream trucks, the food places. Keep visitors quar antined for the time being, but let the locals keep the economy going and let the locals enjoy Hawaii for themselves while they still can. Visitors will return and for most locals this “quar antine” time may be the most beautiful time they will remember. Like old Hawaii before the tourists. I have so much I want to say, and the one thing is that fear won’t keep you from dying, but fear will keep you from living. Aloha.

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Kareem.

      Thanks. Good to see you. You were one of our first commentors back in 2008.

      Aloha.

      1. Kareem Z

        Aloha, I get most of my info from you guys. A appreciate you. Visited Kauai with my son with Autism back in 2018. It was our first time. My wife and daughter were in New York. Kauai is everything I thought Hawaii would be. I told my wife how great it was and we want to make it part of our next trip. Keep up the great work, BOH. Aloha.

  8. Sam H.

    Have not been to Hawaii in probably 5-6 years, but had intended to last year, but failed to get reservations I wanted. Unfortunately I am not one of those WEALTHY individuals that most natives appear to like better because they have more money to spend. I try and stay at affordable places and those seem to be few and far between. Now I think that the “Powers that be” have put some type of restrictions on individuals and others who own and try to rent out their additional properties that are forcing them to try and rent for longer periods of time, so maybe some blame should be placed there. Either way, my money is GREEN like all others and when the natives are not getting enough of it, maybe they will invite me back. Is it still sought out and visited by a lot of Asians? Maybe they would rather have them!!

  9. Terry H

    I am in awe of Hawaiian lands, people and culture. When I visit, I see it as a gift for my soul. In all my trips since 1975, I have not encountered any negative comments, actions or feelings from locals. This Texan is looking forward to the honor for my next opportunity to embrace the beauty of the people and their islands. Aloha.

Comments are closed.

Home » Blog » Culture and Events » Hawaii Visitors and Residents Whipsaw in 1,000 Comments
Scroll to Top