1,090 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitors and Residents Whipsaw in 1,000 Comments”
Courtney C
Thank you for writing this article. It has helped a bit but I still feel very sad about how much negativity I’ve seen and experienced. My partner and I have just moved to the island of Oahu. My partner is military and this was our first choice when it came to where we would be stationed next. We were so incredibly thankful and excited that the stars aligned and we were able to make this our home for the next few years. We are both very respectful of people, animals and life in general. We are very courteous and considerate. We were so looking forward to learning Hawaii’s language and traditions to better respect the island and the inhabitants. It feels very much that locals are generalizing us. We have had to scrub explicit language off of our car, a truck almost ran us off the road while walking to our car and then proceeded to gas the truck next to us so that the exhaust covered us in black and almost knocked us over. It was a big red truck with a sticker that read “damn kid” on the back. This was at Keawa’ula bay. It feels very much like we are not welcome. And because it takes time to get our tags on our car changed to Hawaii, we have a big target on us. What can we do? The magic and the aloha spirit is becoming so blurred as the days go on.
Courtney, many people come to Hawaii and focus on the beauty and what it has to offer and overlook the negative. Everywhere has both, if what is good about Hawaii resonates with you you’ll blend in, if you want to focus on what is wrong you won’t.
We are currently being swamped with all manor of tourists, by far most of them good people recovering from a difficult year, but it’s quite difficult dealing with the sudden surge in crowding and “discount” tourists. It’s a particularly difficult time for the Aloha spirit, don’t take it personally and it will pass.
Aloha…My husband daughter and myself have visited Maui every year since 2006. We absolutely love the Aloha Spirit over there and look forward to returning every year. We even have went twice in one year!2020 was a sad year because we couldn’t come over. We are leaving this year in the middle of August and looking forward to a little over a week spending time on our favorite place on Earth.
I feel all the precautions the Hawaiian Islands are taking is completely necessary to keep everyone safe. My thought is if you don’t want to comply then don’t come. Mahalo
This is my second trip to Hawaii. In 2018, we had a wonderful experience. We felt no tension and had a great time. This time, I can’t say the same. My favorite thing to do in Maui is the road to Hana. I like the vegetation and the twisty roads. We did it twice this time. We noticed much more signage this time that prevents you from stopping at many places. We pulled into actual approved parking spots a few times to take pictures. Every time we did, we had locals screaming profanities at us. Several times it was the actual tour bus drivers. One family of locals took the opportunity to hit our vehicle as we drove by them. We went on to Black Sands Beach on one trip and the state park workers were beyond rude and one even flipped us the bird as we were leaving. The next worker stood in the middle of the road and refused to let us pass for about ten minutes all the while smirking at us. . We still don’t know what that was about. We were trying to exit the main gates.
Hawaii used to be a wonderful place to visit. I was never felt unwelcome until this trip. June 2021
personally I think your not telling the truth. Had this happened to me I would have documented it with pictures and video. We were just on the Islands and everyone to a fault except for a few drunk locals were very nice and welcoming including 5/0
I have been in Hawaii for a little over a week. I’ve been to both Maui and Kauai and wow! I have never in my entire existence experienced so many rude people in an entire island. I don’t even know if it’s because Tourist aren’t welcomed or simply because they’re too lazy to work. I have no words, as a Canadian who’s an avid traveller and comes from a place where majority of people show kindness I was completely thrown off. From restaurant waiters speaking to me and my group of friends like the scum of the earth, to walmart employees completely ignoring me when asking for help. I mean, as beautiful as the island is, I don’t ever plan on returning. I rather spend my hard earned money where it is appreciated. If they keep this up pretty soon the island will be known for how unwelcoming their people are and they’re gonna be in for a rude awakening. No tourist no money hunny.
Aloha. I am a born and raised hawaiian. Personally when I recently went to Hana I found tourists to be extremely disrespectful so although you personally might not have done anything wrong, the locals have experienced too much disrespect to care which is not your fault. This considered, Hana is our home and one of the only places we have to really connect with our culture and to be surrounded by our people. Many locals find it disrespectful that while the rest of the island is designed for tourists, tourists still choose to come to one of the only places for us. There are many other beautiful places on Maui to visit besides Hana. Not to mention we are still in a pandemic and if Hawai’i gets a bad wave of covid it will spread like wildfire.
Cora, brace yourself for more, it’s called the “SWA effect” they flood a market with intro cheap seats and bring in a lot of passengers from throughout their extensive mainland route structure. It’s just starting as they look to choke all they can out of the market. They are a huge company and all about growth with little concern for the impact. The SWA pax tend to be independent minded tourists that look for places off the beaten path and tend to stay at BNB’s (illegal ones too) and skip the restaurants and opt for cooking on their own…..not saying that is totally wrong but a rush of those tourists and no international tourists will change the feel of Hawaii like never before.
John has nailed the larger issue. I suggested in a post when SWA was issued route authority that Hawaii would suffer from $99 airfares, but it is not exclusive to SWA. It is akin to having a rapid transit line built into your neighborhood…
So true. Be careful what you ask for (cheaper flights), you might get it…and you did. The SWA clientele is not the type that usually fly to Hawaii. They are looking for the cheapest fare and 2 bags free. You think they are going to spend a lot of $$ into the Hawaii economy? I think not. They also are those that tend to disrespect things, such as the land and the people.
After spending 10 days and speaking to a number of Hawaiians they all love the business amd really the only ones they don’t like are the entitled ones who whine here non stop
The Hawaiians you spoke to wanted your money. Your 10 days here does not mean you know about the people and their feelings towards tourists. As a native Hawaiian, I am not entitled to want my aina to be respected and kept sacred.
CORA I know just how you feel because I’m part of the Michigan Malitia and we don’t like strangers either.We also only want to be among people who share our heritage and culture ,all others should respect that and stay away.
Michigan militia … hahaha haha
You obviously know nothing about hawaii. Hawaiians are a real thing and culture. Unlike a bunch of people that live in an a place that want things their way. Educate yourselves to the difference.
We are Floridian Natives, as are my ancestors for hundreds of years. Florida Native culture and Hawaiian culture are similar. Over fishing, pollution, and disrespect of our land decimated our aquatic culture and we can’t depend on the sea for our livelihood, we get ecological impact. Fl is a tourism based economy like HI. Tourists outnumber us 6/1 and outnumber HI residents 7/1. Native Americans are only .79% of Fl population. Floridians get it HI, tourism is rough. Only 36% of Fl residents were born here, 54% of HI residents were born in HI. Every October-May we get northerners who come here to escape the snow for 6-7 months, about a million of them. They bring the flu with them, clog roads and cause accidents. Make getting medical care difficult and reduce supply of goods. Rentals become hard to find among other things. Our summer is filled with tourists like yours. We have to offer them our type of Aloha in southern hospitality and forgive their often rude, entitled behavior and disrespect because we know our economy depends on it. Every few years we come to HI, we just returned from HI. Everyone at the resorts were wonderful. We’re not rich, civil servants, so we save money by cooking on vacation. Residents in grocery stores and other locations were not very nice. We get the tourist issues, we are mindful of residents and try not to be a nuisance or get in the way, but how we were treated this time was uncalled for. It brought up a feeling of wanting to treat residents as we had been treated, which is not us and we will not do. We saved a long for this trip. We all got shots, self quarantined before the trip, wore masks, used wipes, to protect us and HI from Covid, we left feeling that HI didn’t want us there. We took our 17 and 24 sons with us, they felt the hatred also. This was not the HI we love, not the Aloha we told our boys about, it was heartbreaking and undeserved, I don’t know if we will return Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. Has HI lost Aloha?
Florida people are not a race, Hawaiians are! It’s not the same in the least. No one came and took your land and forced you out. Do some research on how Hawaiiana.
Tammy G, if I understand correctly(?) that Paula stated that she is a Native American, then, yes, there would be *some* similarities between her story and one of a Native Hawaiian. To state that “no one came and took your land and forced you out” is laughable at best….
Tammy currently those residents who can claim native Hawaiian heritage only make up a very small percentage of the population the rest that have a problem with tourists are just haters who can vote for change.
Sorry, neither Floridians nor Hawaiians are races. We are all the human race. There are ethnicities and cultural differences that should be respected so, aside from the obvious abuses, it comes down to learning to respect everyone. So many people just want to pick a fight for the fights sake. I guess we need aliens from outer space to make us aware we’re all on the same side…
With respect to travel during the pandemic, many mainlanders did not understand that some areas of the state have minimal medical resources. And while almost all locals were careful to mask up everywhere, I can’t tell you how many tourists came and felt they could walk anywhere without masks on. Also, quite a number broke our quarantine rules. I have lived here for 10 years. I will not deny there is palpable racism against whites. I’m not saying every local feels this way. But it is bad enough that I approach almost every local with some degree of apprehension. I stopped going to church because a local broke my car window and scratched my car with stones in the church parking lot, and children of locals refused to shake my hand during the kiss of peace at Catholic mass, or if they did, would wipe their hands on their pants after touching me. I had Girl Scouts refuse to talk to me when I tried to buy cookies from them. It’s obvious the hatred is continuing through the generations. This is a scenically beautiful place, but the idea of the aloha spirit isn’t nearly as pervasive as travel brochures would like one to think..I think locals whose income depends on tourism will treat mainlanders well, but others, not so likely. I don’t know what it will take to make this attitude change, a greater value placed on education I believe might help. But travelers should be aware when they come here, be prepared to experience less aloha and something not so pleasant.
Unfortunately, lack of Aloha outside of the resorts was our experience. We are not all white, we are a very colorful family, one of us is Native American/white, one black, one triracial and one white, adoption made us colorful but obviously we are not Hawaiian . We just returned from visiting Maui, Kauai, and Oahu and this time the experience was disappointing, hurtful, and disheartening. We are aware of the medical care constraints and because of that we all got our shots as soon as we could, HI government doesn’t acknowledge them even though they were given by the CDC in Fl but that’s a whole different debate. We wore our masks, used our wipes, and even went so far as to self quarantine for 2 weeks prior to the trip just to make sure we were covid safe for us and HI. We got our travel safe account, got our pre travel test in Fl, we allowed HI government to track our every move through the app we had to put on our phones. After 5 days in Maui we had to get another pretravel test so we could go to Kauai (everything we had read and everyone we had asked prior to travel said this would not be necessary and we were told about it the day before leaving for Kauai). That pretravel test was unexpected and cost us 800.00 because none of the Walgreens or CVS on Maui had any appointments and the only travel safe partner with appointments would not accept our insurance even though it’s accepted worldwide. That was 800.00 we did not intend or plan to spend and had we known we would not have visited Kauai. We went to great lengths and jumped through so many seemingly redundant hoops to go on this trip and the additional expenses were unfair and unnecessary since we are fully vaccinated. Then to be mistreated just added insult to injury. We always try to let residents go about their day and try our very best not to get in the way. I hope locals and Hawaiians learn to appreciate the tourists and the major hurdles they go through to visit.
You should claim the interisland COVID test with your insurance for reimbursement. The current administration has strengthened guidance that insurers must cover COVID testing with few limits. We got our tests in Hilo at a place that was direct pay only, I submitted a claim to my insurance, and the check for $450 was in my mailbox before I arrived home.
I agree to most if you say and completely with your thought process. And yes American Indians are the only other people I know that have suffered the same as Native Hawaiians. However the hawaiian people have not been given the same repreations yet that native American Indians have. There are no hawaiian reservations, you can’t register with a tribe and not pay taxes, etc, etc… Hawaiians should be given Aina (land) back. They should pay less taxes, etc… until this happens the healing can’t begin. I agree that racism is bred against whites deep in the culture, and this is not a good thing. I grew up there and my family goes back 6 generations, however the difference is,I respect that being in Hawaii is a privlidge not a right. Just as I would on tribal land. Manny tourist (mostly white) behave like locals owe them something for coming and they behave with entitlement and disrespect. This fuels the hatred. Tourist have made comments about their travels during covid. They did not want you there, so why should they be grateful. They enjoyed way less traffic, non congested beaches, less trash, more resources, they could enjoy stores, restaurants etc, much more comfortably, its was amazing. Who wanted to give that up.
What happened to Kthe aloha spirt??
iI just returned from a three week vacation in Kauai. I was so disappointed and disgusted by the local behavior that I vowed never to go back. we also spent christmas 2018 and 19. I’ve been to Hawaii 13 times in Kauai 5 times. I found out not to drive a Mustang convertible because you will be targeted. Instead of the Hawaii shocka I received the middle finger multiple times just driving by them and theydrive half the speed limit just to annoy you.I never saw so much rudeness and it felt like a Third World country.Face it they don’t like mainlanders. The locals have no problem excepting unemployment and stimulus checks from the mainland and tourism is it’s only lifeline but they don’t get it. I noticed this throughout the island and how it has changed. We stayed in Poipu for three weeks there was no police presence in the park where drugs and alcohol runs rampant. The drug attic‘s plug in their electronic devices and hang out all day and they leave there sleeping gear and live in the park. They’re so bold that they snort lines in the bathroom in the changing areas and sing to rap. I was talking to a local and mentioned how much the island has changed. I asked him about what i witnessed during our visit and he was not surprised. He mentioned that the police are corrupt and that’s why they have such a drug problem. He also confirmed that that the native Hawaiians do not like mainlanders. This reminds me of Paris 30 years ago when we were treated so rudely by the French and we never returned.
Mark my words this is going to happen to Kobe in a matter of time. When departing going to the airport I saw other mainlanders and decided to ask them about their stay what they did what they thought of the island and how they were treated by the locals. They all agreed that the locals were extremely rude. The families that i spoke to all had similar experiences. I can spend $15,000 and go anywhere in the world and it won’t be Kauai!
Im sorry to hear about your negative experience in Hawaii.. that is unacceptable and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. However, why shouldn’t Hawaii residents receive stimulus checks and unemployment if they have earned it? We are a part of America, just like any state. Believing Hawaii should not receive federal relief programs offered to every other state like the stimulus checks makes you sound entitled..maybe you contributed to your experience? Also, while many of the things you described are rude and unacceptable, you should try being a resident here and the disrespect and rudeness tourists bring to Hawaii. It is disgusting at times..a two-way street, especially during the height of COVID and the lack of tourists following state mandates. We have limited resources and are very isolated..tourists were often reckless with their respect of Hawaii residents and our health. Some people have had enough, although I do not agree at all with their behavior. I have experienced many rude, entitled tourists this last year. The impression left is sometimes very unfavorable.
Please consider that Tom is referring to the fact that many hawaiians are perfectly fine at accepting resources from the mainland, but treat mainlanders with scorn and derision, even though it’s the island’s main source of income.
While I agree that our islands have fewer medical resources than other states, opening the islands back to tourism is the only thing that will save it, and if people were willing to jump through as many hoops as Tom and his family were to come spend their money here, the least locals could do is not be horrible towards them.
I mean why would people come if they feel unwanted? So many local eateries and shops have closed since the pandemic. Why did that happen in the islands at an astronomically higher rate than on the mainland? Because we rely on tourists to make money, plain and simple.
Aloha We are planning a trip to the Big Island in a few weeks and this will be our fourth adventure in Hawaii. I can totally understand the hesitancy of the local population when it comes to tourists. We are honored that Hawaii is one of the United States and even more privileged to visit. Sadly, there are people everywhere who feel entitled, are rude, and who do not respect their surroundings. This is a problem in the mainland too. I think all we can do is continue to raise awareness and honor the beauty of Hawaii. Mahalo.
I want to say thank you for bringing up this topic. I am not a native Hawaiian so I do not want to assume any feelings of a specific group, but do we all not remember that Hawaii was stolen from its people to become a US state?!?!?!?
I feel that locals, especially native Hawaiians, have the right to not be the kindest to every tourist especially during these times of the pandemic.
Hello,
May I just say, two wrongs will never make a right. Treating someone badly just because they are a different race, ethnicity, religion, from a different location, a visitor, have a different job, speak a different language, have a different sexual orientation, etc, etc etc…..is just wrong…..no person has the right or should feel they have the right to treat any other person badly especially when absolutely unprovoked. I’m Native American and white, was my ancestors land stolen from them….yes! Does that make it ok for me to treat anyone badly because my ancestors who I have never met had their land stolen from them….absolutely not! History is in the past, in order to move forward you can’t look backward….if you look backward while trying to move forward you will fall and what does that accomplish….just more pain. I pray this retribution/recompense mentality will stop and we as human beings will just treat each other how we would want to be treated, with love, grace, forgiveness, and empathy.
Dear Paula, I agree with you. We are all human who need to treat others with respect,love, forgiveness, etc!! Take care & stay safe! God bless you….Psalms 91:11♡♡♡
Actually it was not stolen to become part of the U.S. If you check the history (it’s not that hard to find) the monarchy was overthrown by European missionaries in the late 1800s and was annexed in the early 1900s and was a US territory. When it became a state in 1959 Hawaii as a whole had been begging to become the next state for decades. They wanted it, and we’re extremely happy and proud when it happend. Maybe they underestimated the affect it would have on the island’s and their culture. But they were not ever forced into statehood. One group of people being overthrown by another group has been happening since the beginning of time and hasn’t only been white people. The Native Americans did it to each other frequently. So let’s not focus on one small section of recent history and be angry about it. Instead since we are all Americans, let’s find a way forward. Being part of the united states means you can’t keep people out of your home state but let’s limit tourism so the people and islands can breath perhaps. Help the islands again find some sort of industry to export so they are not completely reliant on tourism. So they can at least partially support themselves and again feel the pride which comes along with self sufficiently. They seem to be a kind gracious people by nature, they and the island’s themselves, are just tried of having so many guests.
Beat of Hawaii,
You have done a fantastic service for all of us; keeping us informed during this Covid crisis, but I believe this topic has reached
diminishing and even negative returns.
Like many other forms of social media it is being dominated by extreme views.
You can read many posts that would have you to believe that the ‘Locals’ hate all tourists.
You can read other posts that ‘Tourists’ are all rude and disrespectful of the local culture..
Surprise; both types of comments are false. Actually ‘some’ locals hate tourists and ‘some’ tourists are rude and disrespectful.
Another surprise; this is a universal condition and not unique to Hawaii. Try New York, Lake Tahoe, Paris, Bangkok, or any other
visitor destination you name.
I am afraid the danger is that these posts become the equivalent of what we have seen on all of the political sites; all Republicans are labeled Racists and all Democrats are labeled Communists.
Please put an end to this topic. We are learning nothing new and it can only add to the anger, and hurt the island and culture that we all love.
This is the most insightful comment on the situation that exists world wide.
Political, epidemic, forest fires, and the intense desire to visit or live in a place of peace of beauty and peace are desired by everyone. Hawaii definitely comes to mind!
It is my hope that these are rogue waves that are now known scientifically to converge by the union of several waves and sink ships at sea. They are intermittent and can be replaced by normal waves that calm the seas.
This is regarding the hospitality industry on the island.
I just came back from Maui, and was really unpleasantly surprised by how poorly and rudely I was treated by the great majority of people who were working directly with tourists, such as hotels, parking attendants, park rangers, etc. I’m from one of the main tourist destinations in Brazil, and have worked in hospitality, so I fully understand how horrible tourist can be in your home.
However, simple things like stopping at a national park for information, or being rudely treated for no reason whatsoever when handing a reservation ticket without even having the chance of saying a hello really surprised me, or even having a waitress roll her eyes at us at a high scale restaurant for simply asking if they had a drink is beyond me. Assuming every tourist is disrespectful creates a hostile environment to those who aren’t. If you work in this industry, it’s paramount to give visitors a good experience, and from my experience in the business, more often than not, treating an unpleasant tourist with kindness will shift their behavior in a positive way, and you’ll leave them with a good impression of your home. This is hospitality 101.
I travel a lot, and being respectful and mindful of locals is of the utmost importance to me, and I’m aware that culture is different from place to place, some being more welcoming while others colder which is part of the experience and expansion of ones world view. Yet what I experienced throughout the island was baffling and unnecessary compared to any other place I’ve had the opportunity to visit. I save every penny through the year to be able to afford a trip like this, so coming back disappointed from a place I always dreamt of visiting was heartbreaking. I personally would think twice about returning, sadly.
Wow. Just wow. I feel so much tension on this site. It is really quite sad and reaffirms the sadness I feel about the planet today. My beloved & myself, my daughter and her husband, with Auntie and her husband will be arriving in Kauai in the second week of June. All 3 couples are here for our anniversaries. I previously never thought about being unwelcomed at such enchanted places such as these islands. I chose Kauai in hopes to get the least touristy effect(hopes). As a woman whom respects all of Mother Earth, understands respect of the land no matter where I go. She is perfect in her natural state. I think humanity has lost a lot of it’s humanity in todays times. I will go and expect nothing less than magic and wonder. You give what you get. Blessings.
From what I have heard and read I would never go to Hawaii.
It’s nice that some Hawaiians posted on here that they welcome tourists, but there is regular violence against tourists by Hawaiians. It’s under reported by the news, but if you Google it, the results are horrifying. Besides violence, there’s just a lot of rudeness towards strangers.
Add to that the bugs, and the fact that in a way, it’s not really “Hawaii” anymore, because there are few full Hawaiians. It’s really Japan-China-Philipines. So the whole Hawaiian culture thing is fake for the tourists.
This is a huge misrepresentation of Hawaii. You know what, Bonnie? You’ll find “regular violence against tourists” in *every place* with a high volume of tourists! That’s a fact. Hawaii certainly is no different from Paris, London, Orlando in that regard.
Been going to Hawaii for over 20 years…never had a problem with the locals.
We need and welcome the tourist. All we ask is respect for our laws, land, and people. This will give the tourist a wonderful vacation and we ( the islanders) will show our love and respect to them.
Paul c, no, one should or is required to
give up any of thier civil rights unless the emergency is requiring martial law or is truely dire for much more than one half of 1% of the world population, scaling up to 5 percent maybe for older or immune compromised people that would want to avoid exposure to people and definitely not fly!
The cdc and media and state governors are not one of the three branches of govt and there is no amendment being proposed to take away the bill of rights due to a non lethal level pandemic to the vast majority of people. Where is the due process? Hawaii especially seems to not acknowledge this system. People in usa should be able to vote on every mandate, and no one should be using emergency proclamations on an ongoing basis. Fear is no excuse to violate and or damage other peoples lives. Its time for people to stop tolerating this crap 💩
Hawaii is a world destination. Locals made at tourists have misplaced anger. Their local Government allowed massive hotels and set up a system of tourism for what…as usual the almighty dollar. The current system will not change. If you don’t like it, your only real option is to move away from an international tourist destination, because it will never change. Sorry, but this is the reality.
Thanks for your two cents. I think the biggest take away of the article is not necessarily that they don’t want tourists, it’s that they want visitors to respect the local culture, the people, the animals, and the environment. If you knew the history of the state, you would better understand their frustration.
I agree Tim G! If more people took time to read and understand the cultures they are visiting, they would connect with the locals in a more sensitive and repectful manner.
My perspective.
And what I have been told and experienced.
The locals on the tourist beaches you cannot trust. I experienced several things that almost ruined a 7 year friendship and relationship.
However once you are out of the touristy areas ALL locals we met were very kind. Very happy to see us and happy to serve us. WE stopped at several local locations on the way around the island and specifically the N Shore of Oahu. Wonderful caring good people! So I agree one needs to respect the culture they are coming into.
I believe people for the most part will treat you as well or better than you treat them. Treat them like crap or that your entitled yeah you will get some push back but I am guessing that happens everywhere. To all the people of Hawaii. Mahalo for making our trip so wonderful and full of great memories.
We went to several “locals beaches”where only locals were and a couple of neat water falls. I immediately said hello and asked are we ok to swim here? We dont want to cause any problems. In all cases we were met with kind smiling faces. Mainly I would reiterate drunk locals on the tourist beaches are there to cause either strife spread rumors and play around with the touristy people. The rest were all wonderful to us anyway
I clean vacation rentals and am shocked how guests trash places.They check out late and when you have a back to back out at 10 in at 3:00 you have limited time to clean for next arrival..
J R your comments are very disrespectful because this is my home not an international travel destination. By the sound of it you seem to believe your more entitled to Hawaii than me.
Overall these type of insensitivity of people viewing Hawaii the land and Hawaii the people as two separate things they are not. I personally have traveled the world and one thing I got from it is when traveling you are entering someone’s home, it’s no different than going to a friends house. I would hope you have enough sense not to raid the refrigerator or put your feet up on the couch. The people of Hawaii love sharing the culture but like I said respect gets respect.
I live in a place where many tourists visit and I welcome them rather than resent them.
AudreyK
I think the conclusion here is if you don’t act like an idiot, like being obnoxious, littering, being generally disrespectful and rude, you’re going to be fine. The locals are not asking much, just that visitors be respectful. Unfortunately, we are surrounded by people who are entitled idiots all over the world. This isn’t a problem isolated to Hawaii. My family and I are going to Maui in July for the first time and we are not worried because we travel with respect and some knowledge of the culture. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the beauty!
Audrey, take it from someone who has been visiting Hawaii for many years ,the tourists in general are very well behaved it’s some of the locals ( with low self-esteem) who are often transplants themselves who want to complain about tourists just to raise them themselves above them . Enjoy your care free vacation in Hawaii .
I think what he’s trying to say is since the islands have built so many hotels/resorts and made it seem they need to fill them all that it’s the various government agencies that are at fault. If there were less resorts then there would be less tourists, which may or may not be for the better. By allowing these mega resorts they have turned the islands into international destinations. I guess it’s a question of if the egg or chicken came first. Your islands are beautiful and obviously people want to share in the beauty. Hopefully people are respectful of the culture, people and scenery. I have been going to Hawaii and especially Maui for over 35 years and have had nothing but great memories and never had any issues. Treat people with repect, honesty, integrity and friendliness and you will receive the same. People all over the word are the same, they want the aforementioned and you’ll also have many great memories and be able to share your experiences with them as well. Mahal.o
Dude its their HOME. Yes its a tourist destination no doubt but its still their home. How would you like it for someone to tell you to move from your home? Yall act like its part of the mainland and that they should operate the same way.
You have a choice to not go there.
My family and I are making plans to visit Oahu sometime next year, perhaps May of 2022. We want nothing more than to learn, experience, and above all RESPECT the land, culture, and people. It will be our first time traveling there and we are excited and nervous. Is there any tips that any experienced travelers or locals have for us to make our trip one we will never forget, all the while respecting those while we are there?
Hi Dawn,
I’m excited for you! You asked for tips and I will give you some written from a unique standpoint. I sort of have the advantage of being both a tourist and a resident… almost. My sister lives in Honolulu, so I visit OFTEN and that makes me a tourist, but since she is a local I try to fit in and view things from her perspective. Tourists bring income and that is very much welcomed. Unless they are working, locals can avoid the tourists areas for the most part and those that work in the tourist areas are very nice and love to talk about the islands and their culture/history. The problems arise with tourists who have “entitlement” attitudes. Just because a tourist pays thousands of dollars to visit Hawaii does not entitle them to step on the reefs in Hanauma Bay, get too close or touch the honu, throw trash, honk horns, park illegally, or get rip roaring drunk and become disruptive. Lastly, the traffic issue is a little bit irritating with the added rental cars. These are all things that can make locals a little upset, but then most of this is true for any tourist area. If people would just respect each other it would greatly help a lot of these situations.
During the height of the pandemic Waikiki was basically deserted. This was amazing for all locals and a real treat, especially for those going for a swim. Now with the tourists coming back, Waikiki will be lost to locals once again. Having said that, with locals having a tendency to stay away from tourist areas, they really don’t want tourists in their neighborhoods, but if you do go exploring outside of the norm then do so with respect, especially now during the pandemic. Hawaiians take the pandemic very seriously. I am not saying don’t go explore outside of Waikiki, just do so with some common sense and get advice from your hotel or travel agent before you go. Hawaiians love the water and all things nature, so just be respectful of that and you will have a great vacation!
Dawn,
One last thing, if you have not booked your trip yet then consider the Norwegian cruise line that goes around to all the islands. I think it is easiest and cheapest way to see all of Hawaii. Of course, you can pick and choose what excursions you would like, but you can also rent a car at each port and do your own thing. We have done it both ways and there are advantages and disadvantages to both. I’ve also been to all the islands via Hawaiian Airlines or taking a hop. That is fun too, but I like the cruise ship, you have a place to sleep, your food is included, and you are always on the water! Another thing, all seasons are nice there, but if you are going then go during whale season! Hawaii is rich in history and history is my thing, so I recommend reading about it and then picking where to go and what to see. Best Wishes! 🙂
Dear Amy, oh wow I agree with what you said. I will be traveling to Oahu in Aoril 2022 for the 1st time & it has always been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for a beautiful vacation! I definitely want to respect Hawaii, the culture, people, & animals!! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. He survived & I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects♡♡ God bless you….Psalms 91:11🌍🏖✈🌈🐢🐋🐠🌺🥥🍍😍
As a Hawaii resident (oahu) i strongly suggest you don’t stay in Waikiki. There are many homes or condos you can rent in desirable, non-city areas that will give you more of the local feel. Rent a vehicle to take you to the many amazing places on our island. Enjoy!
Dear Dawn, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year….April 2022! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. He survived & I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects!! I’ve been doing my research about Hawaii & learning about the culture. I can’t wait to visit the Bishop Museum, The Palace, go to Polynesian Cultural Center, & more♡♡ Have a fun & safe trip! God bless you….Psalms 91:11♡♡
I want to visit Hawaii but am terrified of being disrespectful or harmful to the people who call Hawaii home. I found an organization called GIVE that claims to be an ethical and sustainable volunteer program. They host trips in Hawaii frequently and I’m wondering what some of the local opinions are on this kind of thing. Do they really help the local community ?
Dear Amy, oh wow I agree with what you said. I will be traveling to Oahu in Aoril 2022 for the 1st time & it has always been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for a beautiful vacation! I definitely want to respect Hawaii, the culture, people, & animals!! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. He survived & I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects♡♡ God bless you….Psalms 91:11🌍🏖✈🌈🐢🐋🐠🌺🥥🍍😍
Dear Hip, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I’m getting very excited & can’t wait!!♡♡ 🌍✈🌈⛱🐢🐋🌺🥥🍍 God bless you, Psalms 91:11
I’ve never personally heard of the “GIVE” organization but I can assure you one thing- as long as you’re nice and respectful, people won’t care if you’re a tourist or not.
Aloha Alex and your concern speaks to who you are. Travel with joy for being in the most beautiful archipelago in the world and let that joy illuminate the aloha you give. Things will be fine on any island. Personal plug. If you want a picture of Hawaii maybe six or so decades ago, visit Hawaii Island, the BI.
Dear Alex ,I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year….April 2022! I’m going to be very respectful♡♡ I’m getting very excited & can’t wait🌍✈🌺🐠🐋🐢🌈🏖🌊 May I offer you some advice? Go with a travel buddy & be respectful to Hawaii♡♡ You only have control over yourself, not others. Follow your heart & go♡♡ You will have a fabulous trip & not regret it. I hope this helps you! God bless you always, Psalms 91:11
Just back from a trip to Kauai in April and previously this past Nov. The people to not seem to want the tourists there…… This may change in 4-6 months after the unemployement checks Peter out and the stimulus packages are gone and spent.
I will not be returning there again anytime soon. There was utter disdain across the board even from what should be more unbiased federal agents such as the Federal TSA agents at the airport when we were trying to get through the TSA pre approved recheck line. They literally scoffed at us.
I have noticed this has become worse over the last 20 years. I will try Florida, Cabo or other next travel opportunities instead. It is important to respect the environment, culture, community there. However, I was expecting after being closed they would be a little happier to have businesses opening again. This was the opposite, and possibly related to federal dollar support currently and not being ready to restart tourism.
I am sorry to hear that you have experienced such treatment. My wife and I are owners on the Garden Isle and have not been back since Mayor Kawakami’s heavy handed shutdown. We have instead taken to traveling to the USVI, just as beautiful and a much shorter flight (11+ hours to Oahu from the East Coast). I will miss the ohana feeling we used to experience and the culture which we had the utmost respect for.
Jenny,
Sorry you had a bad time. I don’t think that the people in Hawaii don’t want tourists, it’s that they are respectful of the pandemic. I am just like everyone else, wanting things to return to normal, but in Hawaii if COVID spreads drastically and jams up the hospitals there is no easy solution for them. After all, they are on an island! It is very expensive for most locals to travel to other islands, even for medical care. Research Lanai or Molokai as an example. I was very worried (still am) about friends on both islands. Hawaii is just like anywhere else you will visit, some people love the tourists and others do not. Having lived in a high tourist area myself I can tell you that just dealing with the traffic will put any normal person in a bad mood, so when traveling I try to remember that. In all honesty, right now, they are very nervous opening back up to tourists and given their situation, who could blame them?
We just returned from Hawaii a week ago. It was the second time for two of us and the first for another. We visited Kauai and Oahu. We do our best to be respectful and to enjoy the less crowded locations rather than Honolulu, etc. We are very low key and considerate visitors. We definitely get that the locals who work in tourism were friendly, but many others were not – mostly on Kauai. We came up from Tunnels Beach to find a distraught couple that had their car pinned in needlessly by 3 other cars. The driver had to search the beach until he found a couple of surfers who were willing to move their cars (there was a hand painted sign that said “locals only”… I was treated rudely 3 times in one afternoon at Poipi Beach. 1) I made the mistake of changing clothes in a toilet stall at the beach when I used the restroom and a lady mouthed off loudly about it. 2) It was hatchling time everywhere. I stopped so that a chicken and her babies could walk across the road with out me running over them. The road was not busy, but a guy on a motorcycle yelled at me as he whipped around our car. The other was car related as well. I felt sick inside. I loved this island when I visited last year. This time I only felt welcomed by people at hotels, shops, and tours – all places that appreciated the tourism money. I almost felt like we had to sneak around to see the island and not interact with people. So sad.
Some of you act like only in Hawaii does this happen. Maybe stay away from where it says locals only? Or maybe try not to look like a tourist? I dont know.
Hi I live in Calgary Alberta we are not even allowed to cross the provincial boarders unless emergency so be happy if you can go to Hawaii at all.
Brian M
To be honest in all the years we have been going we only had experienced bad juju from locals once or twice. We have great respect for nature, the culture and traditions of places we visit. It’s sad to hear this may have escalated in lieu of the pandemic crisis.
Hip M
Brian I think this idea that there is a big problem with tourists disrespecting Hawaii is a MYTH because I’ve been visiting for years and haven’t witnessed it ever .
Brian M
Hip M I would agree with your experiences that mirrored ours. For as long as we are required to wear masks on aircraft though, we will NOT be flying 11 hours with a mask on.
rebecca k
Holy cow, entitled much?? Some of you sound like we should drop on our knees and praise you because you came here with your magical dollars. This is not a mall, nor is every inch of the island your resort. Hawai’i is our family, our home, our land, our blood, and has been since well before your precious feet stepped off the plane.
“Yea it’s your home but we want it so we’re taking some of it whether you like it or not.” <-This is why the world hates american tourists
Just returned from Oahu and Maui, make restaurant reservations as soon as you can, if not you could have up to an hour or more wait to get in. Some restaurants with limited hours you may not be able to get in at all without reservations. The only grumpy people I ran into we’re at the Hertz car drop off’s at the airport in Honolulu and Maui. I feel that most of the businesses that cater to tourists were overwhelmed by the amount of people that came because of spring break. To the wonderful residents of the state of Hawaii who work in the tourist industry be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Just think, if you were not working in the tourist industry what would you be doing. A big shout out to boom boom charters, Captain Tony and his crew were outstanding.
“To the wonderful residents of the state of Hawaii who work in the tourist industry be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Just think, if you were not working in the tourist industry what would you be doing”
Yep better just shut up and not complain and do their jobs. Sheesh
“To the wonderful residents of the state of Hawaii who work in the tourist industry be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Just think, if you were not working in the tourist industry what would you be doing.”
Wow, that is so disrespectful to the residents of Hawaii.
As visitors to Hawaii, you come to enjoy the ocean and all it has to offer, show respect, not much to ask. Don’t wear sunscreen that kills or causes damage to our oceans. Pick up your trash, most do. When you go for a hike, show respect.
If you are staying in a vacation rental, PLEASE show some respect!!! We understand that you are happy to be here. You are loud, just having fun, drinking, playing in the pool etc. What you don’t seem to think about is while you’re having fun, being loud and having a good time. Those of us who live here, aren’t getting any quiet time at our home! You think you’re only here for a short time so it won’t hurt if you’re loud and party all night. What you don’t seem to understand is that the week before you came someone else stayed there with the same attitude. We never get a break from the rude disrespectful visitors they come every week.
We call it Texas-friendly here. But we don’t necessarily love everyone that visits. We get a lot from California too – and they move here. Can be tiring – traffic, etc. But the attitude still remains on balance – even in these divided times. So, I am confident that aloha is still very alive and well in Maui and HI generally. We try to focus on being kind and buying local when we can. It works. With crowds come impatience. Who can blame local folks for getting a bit fed up at times? HI is an expensive place and can be tough living. If Hawaiians and other locals weren’t a little ornery now and again, then I’d be worried for them. They should make their home reflect their wonderful mix of culture and values. The rest of us should appreciate them for it. Thankfully, the two-way street of aloha is a big part of that culture.
I’ve been a travel agent from Canada for 43 years. The way locals in Hawaii (Maui specifically) have been progressively gotten worse in the treatment of tourists from looks of sheer distain just standing in line for a rental car, waiting to get into the ocean Center. I will not recommend anyone to visit Hawaii. My travelers can get treated a whole lot better and spend a whole lot less elsewhere. Aloha, I hope you miss us dirty disrespectful tourists and our hard earned holiday cash.
Gosh Maureen. Had a bad night? Why don’t you tell us how you really feel? Your status as travel agent belies the mostly stereotypical “nice” Canadians? Perhaps you are simply frustrated that you can’t travel with Canada’s sensible restrictions.
These incidents and the consistent comments agreeing with me show otherwise, and occurred well before the virus farce. Nice Canadians, an urban myth. We’re very nice when we are treated nice. When people spend a lot of money to briefly share in the islands beauty is dashed by their sullen natives, I say go elsewhere where you are appreciated and treated as a guest like most tourist destinations do. To then call it the aloha spirit. humph.
To all Hawaiians and locals who have been offended by ill-commenting, poorly communicating, high-n-mighty acting Hoales, …. I offer apologies for the whole lot of them. They are in the minority who feel that their money and self consuming attitudes make the world go round. It doesn’t. It ticks people off. I for one am a Hoale. I love Hawai’i. I love the culture, the people, the history and the aloha spirit that so many Hawaiians have extended to my wife and I. Mahalo nui loa. Ignore the poor spirited visitors. Keep offering the aloha spirit.
Haole. And as one who visits Hawai’i often and while it is true that my wife and I technically are haoles, I prefer to think of us as malahini (visitors) as we respect the customs and rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. Granted, there are always people in any group that are self important ignorant. Just my two cents.
Some additional input on Hawaii issues: What is wrong with this picture?
-What is wrong with the people in Hawaii?? Complacency, among other things. I could go into spam and other unhealthy practices still alive and well in Hawaii…
-Just appeal to sense of family and respect and there isn’t any agenda you can’t force through here in Hawaii!
I have visited Maui 8 times and Molokai once. Molokai was amazing because it was sleepy and quiet. I have spent a few nights in Oahu as well. My brother has lived on Maui for at least 15 years.
Oahu was fun in an Elvis Presley/pineapple/Hawaii 5-0 kind of way.
Molokai was amazing because it was sleepy and quiet.
Maui can be a different story at times (perhaps because I have spent so much time there.)
In Maui, depending on what city you are in and time of year it can be hit or miss with feeling welcomed.
I guess I feel that most people, unless you are of Hawaiian decent are still tourists. Whether you live there or not. I have realized I feel that way, even if it isn’t correct. But I’ve always seen it as different. For the true locals (born and raised in Hawaii) I usually give them a pass on attitude. If I can tell you probably moved to Hawaii on your own accord (accent from another country, new england accent, mid-western accent, etc) then you should be welcoming just as others before you welcomed you.
But that’s just me. I try to fly under the radar as a tourist (which I obviously am-southern accent and so pale I am basically see through) by being nice, not getting bother and not behaving entitled.
Bottom line is if you don’t want to be treated like just a tourist, be nice and treat Hawaii like you would your own neighborhood. Think and act like a local:)
Thanks for sharing your perspective Emily. I feel you hit it right on the head. We love visiting Maui and feel privileged being able to do so. We always try to support local businesses rather than the big corporations while there. As guests, we need to respect their island, their culture, and never think it is our right to do as we please. I have seen Maui change in the last 10 years with the cost of living there exploding. Tourists and people relocating there have driven the housing costs skyward changing the landscape dramatically.
We live in Eastern Washington near the border of Idaho and have experienced the same thing. Big money from out of the area has come in and priced the local citizens out of lake cabins and places their families have been enjoying for generations. Many here have very hard feelings towards people moving from California and the Puget Sound area because they view this area as a bargain and have no problems spending big money and driving up prices and taxes. Sandpoint and McCall Idaho are good examples of this.
I think this is another reason for some of the resentment people feel in Maui. That being said, we have never had a bad experience and have made friendships with many locals attending church, lesser know eating establishments, etc.
This is not ok. I have 5 grandkids on Kauai that I haven’t been able to see in a year. I normally go to Kauai 3-4 times a year to see them. But because we still run a business, we can not go for over 14 days. We bought tickets in November to go in January when they told us all we had to do was take the test and no quarantine…but then Alaska airlines canceled our flight. And told us we have to go to 14 days quarantine. We want to go visit our grandkids🤷♂️
This is a fantastic article! I applaud Beat of Hawaii for opening this important conversation up for discussion! You asked readers to watch both videos and share their views. I found the 1st to be useless. The entire ad was about a local’s Hawaiian history, ending with ONE sentence that stated that tourists help Hawaii! Did they explain why and how tourists specifically help? No. Did they even SHOW a tourist in the video? No. The second video was ok however there were repetitive words reinforced that could be perceived as causing divide: “permission” “ask for permission.” How do you even know who to ask in some situations? And how do you know if that person is going to be kind and/or give you the correct information? Why not just have an app so people can see what’s open rather than ask someone as if they’re a child? It’s as if tourists should walk on eggshells. I just can’t imagine asking and expecting people to ask me what they can and can’t do while visiting the city where I reside or expecting and being put off if someone did not ask about my ancestors when visiting where I live. Just let the tourists swim and go for a hike on a marked trail. Yeesh! The ugly No Trespassing” sign was far from subtle, btw.
Those are great points that you made about the videos! Please understand, and someone correct me if I”m wrong, that “ask for permission” is a literal translation from Hawaiian language/culture that is intended to convey an attitude of humility and respect for Hawaii herself. When visitors show up with an air of expectation it is perceived by the people of Hawaii as arrogance and hostility toward Hawaii and her people. It is a cultural disconnect we, as visitors, must work hard to reconnect. Approach each contact with Hawaii and her people with the respect of a guest and you will be welcomed with open arms. Guest don’t choose their own seat, they wait for the host to offer. Guests don’t throw trash on the floor, pee in the pool or bring their muddy feet into the house. (If they did, would you invite them back?) Guests don’t show up and expect they show up and enjoy the hospitality offered. Hawaiians are all about hospitality! Give them the respect you’d give a host who is sharing their best china laid out with an amazing feast. Give the land respect by learning when, where, and how you can go places. Follow the rules posted. All of them. All the time.
I am a resident of Hawaii, and have also been a tourist in the past. As a tourist, I never had issues with locals, however as a tourist and a local, I had the same frustrations with the tourists that showed no respect to the land and sea. The islands are amazing. How exciting is it to swim with a dolphin or turtle, or to see lava flowing/glowing? It is something that not everyone gets to see. So those of you who have, that is great, and so happy you have had the opportunity to do so. However, in order for many others to do same, we all need to respect all creatures and our land and oceans. Keep your distance from the amazing creatures of the island (How would you like it if we came into your backyard and chased you around while you were trying to nap?), stay off the trails that are closed, and dont sneak in to areas that are marked as sacred or dangerous. All of the restrictions are for your safety as well as safety of the island and all living things on it. So breaking these simple reqests are the habits that are destroying the land and what belongs here. Even your sun screen is killing living things on or near the island. Think smart! Enjoy, but leave behind nothing but footprints, and respect all beautiful creatures, including residents’ space. We all want to share this beautiful place, and so glad you enjoy it, but we just ask for respect.
Completely agree with the comment someone made about their experience being bad 60% of the time. Us too. We went to elope in Kauai in 2019 and stay for a week to hike and experience the local farmers markets, food, etc. We are extremely respectful and quiet people and we were in shock at how rude the locals were. It almost ruined the experience and became a running theme throughout the visit like “here we go again”. We also live in a touristy area in San Diego and would never treat anyone the way we were treated. It was the interactions from those working in the food industry that were the worst and seemed to hate our existence. There was some sort of unspoken tension in the air with the locals that we didn’t quite understand and I’m well travelled so I understand respect and how to treat the land, locals, etc. Not friendly vibes so, like the other commenter, we also hesitate to recommend visiting. Really unfortunate because it is a wonderful place.
I’d be willing to try it again but maybe a different island.
And San Diego people are so welcoming and kind? 🙄
All you guys do is complain about hawaii while you are visiting and that is what is extremely disrespectful.
Hawaii residents seem to think respect is a one way street. Get out of the stone age and realize these issues come with tourism, including in san diego.
Its either you have tourists or you dont. Which is better? Hawaii has chosen to hate the tourist at the local level and apply the hate and judgement unfairly, and now also by policy making.
As i have said in other posts if you have locals that cant handle tourists then Its tough to ever get hawaii out of the stone age. The island doesn’t have high paying jobs or infrastructure and still nothing is planned.
Im not sure how eliminating tourists and tourist industry jobs is going to help anyone survive covid any better in the long run. Instead hawaii has distanced itself from other Americans that wanted to help, many of whom like myself who did nothing to cause problems but were still judged and racially profiled as being white or non local and therefore to blame for all of the ills of hawaii.
I have not been on here in Months and here is CF STILL whining and bitching about the locals. WHY CF are you still here? What is the point? Ever been anywhere else but Hawaii? Guess what everywhere your a jerk people will treat you like a jerk.
Great reply! I agree with everything you have said, especially “many of whom like myself who did nothing to cause problems but were still judged and racially profiled as being white or non local and therefore to blame for all of the ills of hawaii.” I first traveled to Hawaii in 1991. I have been both a tourist and resident. It is a beautiful place with a cosmopolitan Asian/Pacific cultural mix. Unfortunately, racial profiling towards Caucasians and the “H” word used to label them have been a common practice over time. I would hope these forms of bias start to go away, but the fact is with the Corona dilemma currently in place, this certainly doesn’t help alleviate the situation? Another person posted, “Bottom line is if you don’t want to be treated like just a tourist, be nice and treat Hawaii like you would your own neighborhood. Think and act like a local:)” I agree with most of that statement. Tourists should be respectful of local customs and conduct themselves appropriately. On the other hand, where else in the world are tourists expected to become local? In the Philippines no one expected me to act like a “Kababayan”? I live 50 miles outside of NYC and when going to the city I can just be another guy from Southern CT without having to put on a Brooklyn accent! In NYC you can be anything you want to be and still fit in. I wish it was that way in Hawaii? In conclusion, I feel tourists need to be polite and go with the flow while at the same time HI locals would be wise to show tolerance or patience with others who may look or act differently? Respect is a two-way street.
My husband and I travel to the islands 1-2 times a year. It’s our favorite place–our home away from home. We love the beauty, the culture, the food, you name it. Whenever we go, we’ve always had a positive experience–well, I can recall one bartender who was probably having a bad day and one coffee shop employee who probably needed a day off. Otherwise, an enjoyable experience of aloha. My husband and I aren’t loud, obnoxious tourists and we make sure we treat the islands and it’s residents (people, animals, and flora) with the utmost respect and courtesy. Whenever we go to the beach, we pick up any garbage we see on our way back to our car. It makes me sad that there are ill-behaved tourists that are not only giving us all a bad name, but treating the island with such disregard. And I’ve seen it first-hand: people getting too close to honu, being rude and demanding to restaurant workers, leaving trash, etc. We had our yearly anniversary trip scheduled for Kauai this past November, but rescheduled to March. Last week, we rescheduled for this November, 2021. The fact the Kauai is closed/requiring quarantine, which is not practical for tourists is the primary reason we had to cancel. We also would rather visit when we are vaccinated, more things are open, and we can safely enjoy the islands. I just hope the residents who rely on tourism to survive can hang on, and will welcome us back.
We have visited every major Hawaiian island and found the laidback life on Kauai to be our favorite and suits our Aussie attitude. I would like to think that we have been respectful to all Hawaiian.
It boils down to treating people the way you want to be treated with respect and honesty. My only criticism is visitors from the US mainland. Most are rude, loud and don’t like to follow rules, this makes it awkward and uncomfortable for locals and other visitors but they don’t seem to care…sad. Stay safe Hawaii and we’ll be back
January 2021 no tourists no economy for thousands. Thanks a lot tourist haters! Open us up before we all lose our homes. We are not doing well and hate collecting unemployment let me work. The rich keep buying up property and the local keep moving away as the months pass.
Thanks joe b. I get that some tourists are rude but like most others I accepted it as a necessary part of life in hawaii, as it is really hard to expect others to behave how we would like and to police everyone.
In my experience locals were loud too with parties at 3am outside right next to apartment homes in my area. Atleast with tourists the noise is usually confined to waikiki tourist beaches and hotels. For locals to bash tourists to me is ignorant and stupid and two faced. Everyone is trying to have a good time in hawaii and its tough to get along with so many expectations.
100% agree…some visitors think its one of their rights, and they are doing Hawaii a favor by wanting to come here.
Those are the people Hawaii do not ever want here.
Tammy g, hawaii has to deal with the negatives of tourism and locals will need to tone down thier expectations if they want the jobs and money. Its a tough lesson for hawaii to learn to swallow its pride. California and other states have done it, why cant hawaii?
Give me a break are you seriously comparing Calforinia tourism to Hawaiis? Come on CF why dont you take a break and go criticize other islands. Your vitriole is very tired here
Paul C, people can make up their own mind about Hawaii, about me, and about you by now. I think Hawaii is an ongoing crash and burn disaster as they have sabotaged their economy and sacrificed thier culture for what amounts to a handful of peoples lives? Any price for socialism for the rich, but what about the many more homeless that had to leave thier home thier family in hawaii? What sbout them?? Clearly it doesnt matter to you or hawaii what happens to the millions of innocent people that have had thier lives ruined or died as a result of non covid causes due to draconian restrictions that hurt the majority of people and buisnessrs on the island. Yes i sm going to have vitriol about that and idk who in their right mind would blame me for that paul c
1. This is an informational travel site, not a chat room on Parler.
2. You obviously have little desire to visit Hawaii or live there if you are a current resident, so your continued castigation of all things Hawaii adds a bit more puzzlement to your posting habits.
I asked you a question many weeks back to which you had no reply. The question mimicked my baffling observations, but was basically: If you think Hawaii is trashed, as you continually opine, what on God’s green earth makes you attracted to a travel site about Hawaii?
I can only assume that you have nothing better in your life than denigrating an entire state and those who do post here with observations and suggestions about improving Hawaii tourism.
Paul C
exactly and CF has been going on about this well over a year now. Gets very tiresome. He really hates Hawaiians for some reason
patrick m
I sincerely appreciate all you do to make this forum available; however this topic is approaching a state of Diminishing Returns.
The bottom line is that some Locals (a small but vocal minority) do not want tourists to return. I can only assume they have a secure income not based on the economy.
Unfortunately this forum like all other social platforms gives extremists of all types a chance to unduly inflate their positions. This
is certainly causing many potential visitors to think twice about coming to Hawaii.
Among other things this all contributes to labeling people. ‘Tourist’ becomes a code word for Rude, Rich, White,, Disrespectful, etc.
Some tourist (a small minority ) may indeed fit all of those labels, but isn’t that true of all people, including locals.
Like our political situation, I think we need to calm things down.
I would encourage the residents of Kauai especially to hold their elected officials responsible for better planning and proper management of tourism. Blocking all tourism is not possible; controlling it is possible.
I have not weighed in for awhile but good grief already with the bashing of locals. Not once have I felt the need to force myself and family onto Hawaii. Hawaii is a group of Islands with limited resources especially in regards to hospitals. Some of yall seem to want to force Hawaii open for your own selfish reasons. Personally until such time as the virus is under control, vaccines have been administered to the vast majority of Hawaiians I wont even consider trying to go. I know many Hawaiians and yes most tourists who show up are selfish self centered and could care less about what the locals think. Hawaii is hardly excusive to this. Stop thinking only of yourself. The Hawaiians have every right to want to make sure they are safe before throwing the doors wide open to millions of visitors.
And really? “Blocking all tourism is not possible; controlling it is possible.” Actually, Yes it is
Thank you for expressing yourself. All states are struggling to come to a balance between allowing business to continue and protecting the citizenry. In the first days of the pandemic, when nothing was known, it made sense to err on the side of caution. Now that we have a better sense of case fatality rates, transmission, recovery, testing, and vaccine, we are clearly in a place where we need to work to prevent loss of livlihood and disability/deaths caused by social isolation. Have you seen suicide rates in California?
There is a responsibility to protect Hawaiian locals but the best way forward may not be to shut down the airports but rather to increase testing availability and promote re-opening.
Your comments are fair and reasonable. I find people in general fair and reasonable – individually.
However, during these amped up times, the “small minority” seemingly speaks louder than each and every individual collectively. The reasonable individuals are a lower volume voice in discussions and don’t push hot buttons.
I’m afraid there may be a point where it gets easier and easier to be part of the “small minority.”
Good points. I think so much of the problem boils down to what we see throughout our entire country. People have gained a sense of entitlement and want to be able to do whatever they want without thinking about how it effects anyone else. This isn’t unique to Hawaii. If we could all get back to the basics of showing respect to one another, treat people and places how you want to be treated, and work to solve problems rather than simply complain about them the world will be a better place. Somewhere along the way many of US lost ability to understand people can have differing beliefs regarding politics, religion, and anything else and can still respect and be friends with one another. I’m glad the topic has come up and wish it would come up on a national level too.
I am sure I will love Hawaii. I doubt I will have a problem while visiting because my son and I will be kind and respectful in any circumstance. While travelling to other places I have seen visitors to other states and countries who had some pretty bad entitlement issues and treated locals poorly. Understanding is the key and I appreciate your efforts to provide information to all. Thank you
Dear Cheryl, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I’m very excited!!♡♡ My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. I will be going to PH to pay my respects! I will be the best & most respectable visitor Hawaii will ever have!!
Cheryl that is way cool your Grandfather was also in the Navy like mine! The reason I’m waiting to go next year is because I’m still saving $$ & waiting on the vaccine passport. I’m a teacher in daycare so I’m vaccinated already.
Hello! I hope this finds you healthy and safe. I nearly cancelled my trip to Hawaii because of all the hate speech that has been going on from all sides. I want to bring my son to the Islands because he graduated high school in 2020 and travelling to Hawaii has been his dream. I did not want my son exposed to hatred when he has nothing but kindness in him. I also do not make much money, so the trip has taken me years to save for. I would like to see my Grandfather’s name at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. He was in the Navy and died at Iwo Jima. We have rescheduled the trip twice now trying to guess when it will be safe to travel again. I am sorry for the ignorant and self centered people who traveled and spread Covid to the Islands. I also live in a remote, high tourism state and travel into this state caused Covid to spread like wildfire and folks traveling at that time did not care about the 2 week quarantine. I am a wildlife and fisheries biologist in Montana and have nothing but respect and admiration for all living things on this planet, including people. There are always going to good people and bad people whether they are traveling or staying at home. I have experienced both and I can say without hesitation that most people have good intentions. It’s a shame the disrespectful and hateful people are the ones who color our vision the most. I have traveled the world and have always immersed myself in local history and culture. I am intimidated now to do so when visiting Hawaii as many articles I have read indicate that natives do not appreciate outsiders participating in local culture and trying to speak any of the native language. The whole situation makes me sad. I understand why there is anger because I have felt something similar. If we are not wanted on the Islands then I would like to know if this is truly the case so I can change our plans. Thank you for your time and I hope 2021 is a much better year for all.
From our perspective, we think you will find Hawaii welcoming. It has just been a hard stretch with the virus and our limited medical resources, plus Hawaii had a huge amount of tourism before covid. Put those together and it has been somewhat weirder than normal. If you read other comments however you’ll see that people are here and are having a great time.
I can’t speak for anyone but my self, but I say please go see the islands for yourself! I am extremely lucky to say that I had the exact same opportunity as your son as a high school graduation gift from my family. Hawaii was always my dream vacation and I was so unbelievably lucky to have been given that opportunity! It was absolutely gorgeous and straight out of a postcard (minus more metropolitan areas where there are high rises and such). Nonetheless, I have never regretted this trip and it is still my favorite place to this day! (I am also extremely lucky to say that I have traveled all over the world with my family, as my mother worked in the travel industry in the past.) I am extremely biased as Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture has been something I have also had such a high connection, respect and admiration for, but I say please go so you never have to keep wondering if it was worth it! (It definitely is in my eyes!!) I didn’t come across any locals who were rude or disrespectful and the only one that did complain had only complained about people on the island who were making the choice to be homeless. (Like actually choosing it.) That is the only negativity I had the entire trip! Now this was back in 2011. (We were in Maui the day that Steve Jobs had passed away.) And if I were given another opportunity to go back I would go in an instant!! Just ask my boyfriend and my mother who hear nothing else from me but about my love of Hawaii!! Haha
I hope you and your son have a great time!
Sending aloha to you and yours!!
First Hawaii is truly a beautiful place. There seems to be a misplaced dislike with tourists just around the islands because how competently the islands are governed has far more impact than tourists. The failed elevated train project represents more than one major government misstep, it illuminates a mindset that has good intentions which are embedded in political incompetence from excessive development to excessive reliance on the car to lack of planning to ensure diversification of the economy beyond tourism. California is the model of a one party state in failure mode and if Hawaii follows that model it too will reap failure, not success in the public arena.
Thank you Joe. I can completely understand what you are saying. We are muddling through a pandemic and watching political figures making decisions to line their pockets instead of doing what’s needed to help the public. It is a horrible time and the constant bombardment of stressful situations has taken it’s toll on almost everyone. My parents went to Hawaii once about 12 years ago and told us what a remarkable place it was with unmatched beauty. We had lived much of our lives out of the US and have travelled extensively. It was the most praise I have ever heard them give any place they visited.
So you want a republican governor who much like the Dakotas ignored the virus and now its blowing up. No matter which way politicians turn they are in a losing situation. Yep just throw the doors wide open and who cares what happens right? Go somewhere else if you dont like it. California is not in any failure mode. Not sure what you have against Democrats but its really ridiculous.
Um, California certainly IS failing. Check the news.
The only thing the data tells us is that we can’t seem to predict or solve anything. Making it a political issue has only made it worse, with opinions like yours on both sides not helping.
Hawaii has the unique situation of being able to control borders, and not being able to easily send patients elsewhere. They are not doing a very good job of managing it from a point of consistency, but so be it. Other states have their own problems.
Thank you for writing this article. It has helped a bit but I still feel very sad about how much negativity I’ve seen and experienced. My partner and I have just moved to the island of Oahu. My partner is military and this was our first choice when it came to where we would be stationed next. We were so incredibly thankful and excited that the stars aligned and we were able to make this our home for the next few years. We are both very respectful of people, animals and life in general. We are very courteous and considerate. We were so looking forward to learning Hawaii’s language and traditions to better respect the island and the inhabitants. It feels very much that locals are generalizing us. We have had to scrub explicit language off of our car, a truck almost ran us off the road while walking to our car and then proceeded to gas the truck next to us so that the exhaust covered us in black and almost knocked us over. It was a big red truck with a sticker that read “damn kid” on the back. This was at Keawa’ula bay. It feels very much like we are not welcome. And because it takes time to get our tags on our car changed to Hawaii, we have a big target on us. What can we do? The magic and the aloha spirit is becoming so blurred as the days go on.
Courtney, many people come to Hawaii and focus on the beauty and what it has to offer and overlook the negative. Everywhere has both, if what is good about Hawaii resonates with you you’ll blend in, if you want to focus on what is wrong you won’t.
We are currently being swamped with all manor of tourists, by far most of them good people recovering from a difficult year, but it’s quite difficult dealing with the sudden surge in crowding and “discount” tourists. It’s a particularly difficult time for the Aloha spirit, don’t take it personally and it will pass.
That is an evasion.
Aloha…My husband daughter and myself have visited Maui every year since 2006. We absolutely love the Aloha Spirit over there and look forward to returning every year. We even have went twice in one year!2020 was a sad year because we couldn’t come over. We are leaving this year in the middle of August and looking forward to a little over a week spending time on our favorite place on Earth.
I feel all the precautions the Hawaiian Islands are taking is completely necessary to keep everyone safe. My thought is if you don’t want to comply then don’t come. Mahalo
This is my second trip to Hawaii. In 2018, we had a wonderful experience. We felt no tension and had a great time. This time, I can’t say the same. My favorite thing to do in Maui is the road to Hana. I like the vegetation and the twisty roads. We did it twice this time. We noticed much more signage this time that prevents you from stopping at many places. We pulled into actual approved parking spots a few times to take pictures. Every time we did, we had locals screaming profanities at us. Several times it was the actual tour bus drivers. One family of locals took the opportunity to hit our vehicle as we drove by them. We went on to Black Sands Beach on one trip and the state park workers were beyond rude and one even flipped us the bird as we were leaving. The next worker stood in the middle of the road and refused to let us pass for about ten minutes all the while smirking at us. . We still don’t know what that was about. We were trying to exit the main gates.
Hawaii used to be a wonderful place to visit. I was never felt unwelcome until this trip. June 2021
personally I think your not telling the truth. Had this happened to me I would have documented it with pictures and video. We were just on the Islands and everyone to a fault except for a few drunk locals were very nice and welcoming including 5/0
I have been in Hawaii for a little over a week. I’ve been to both Maui and Kauai and wow! I have never in my entire existence experienced so many rude people in an entire island. I don’t even know if it’s because Tourist aren’t welcomed or simply because they’re too lazy to work. I have no words, as a Canadian who’s an avid traveller and comes from a place where majority of people show kindness I was completely thrown off. From restaurant waiters speaking to me and my group of friends like the scum of the earth, to walmart employees completely ignoring me when asking for help. I mean, as beautiful as the island is, I don’t ever plan on returning. I rather spend my hard earned money where it is appreciated. If they keep this up pretty soon the island will be known for how unwelcoming their people are and they’re gonna be in for a rude awakening. No tourist no money hunny.
Aloha. I am a born and raised hawaiian. Personally when I recently went to Hana I found tourists to be extremely disrespectful so although you personally might not have done anything wrong, the locals have experienced too much disrespect to care which is not your fault. This considered, Hana is our home and one of the only places we have to really connect with our culture and to be surrounded by our people. Many locals find it disrespectful that while the rest of the island is designed for tourists, tourists still choose to come to one of the only places for us. There are many other beautiful places on Maui to visit besides Hana. Not to mention we are still in a pandemic and if Hawai’i gets a bad wave of covid it will spread like wildfire.
Cora, brace yourself for more, it’s called the “SWA effect” they flood a market with intro cheap seats and bring in a lot of passengers from throughout their extensive mainland route structure. It’s just starting as they look to choke all they can out of the market. They are a huge company and all about growth with little concern for the impact. The SWA pax tend to be independent minded tourists that look for places off the beaten path and tend to stay at BNB’s (illegal ones too) and skip the restaurants and opt for cooking on their own…..not saying that is totally wrong but a rush of those tourists and no international tourists will change the feel of Hawaii like never before.
John has nailed the larger issue. I suggested in a post when SWA was issued route authority that Hawaii would suffer from $99 airfares, but it is not exclusive to SWA. It is akin to having a rapid transit line built into your neighborhood…
So true. Be careful what you ask for (cheaper flights), you might get it…and you did. The SWA clientele is not the type that usually fly to Hawaii. They are looking for the cheapest fare and 2 bags free. You think they are going to spend a lot of $$ into the Hawaii economy? I think not. They also are those that tend to disrespect things, such as the land and the people.
After spending 10 days and speaking to a number of Hawaiians they all love the business amd really the only ones they don’t like are the entitled ones who whine here non stop
The Hawaiians you spoke to wanted your money. Your 10 days here does not mean you know about the people and their feelings towards tourists. As a native Hawaiian, I am not entitled to want my aina to be respected and kept sacred.
CORA I know just how you feel because I’m part of the Michigan Malitia and we don’t like strangers either.We also only want to be among people who share our heritage and culture ,all others should respect that and stay away.
Michigan militia … hahaha haha
You obviously know nothing about hawaii. Hawaiians are a real thing and culture. Unlike a bunch of people that live in an a place that want things their way. Educate yourselves to the difference.
We are Floridian Natives, as are my ancestors for hundreds of years. Florida Native culture and Hawaiian culture are similar. Over fishing, pollution, and disrespect of our land decimated our aquatic culture and we can’t depend on the sea for our livelihood, we get ecological impact. Fl is a tourism based economy like HI. Tourists outnumber us 6/1 and outnumber HI residents 7/1. Native Americans are only .79% of Fl population. Floridians get it HI, tourism is rough. Only 36% of Fl residents were born here, 54% of HI residents were born in HI. Every October-May we get northerners who come here to escape the snow for 6-7 months, about a million of them. They bring the flu with them, clog roads and cause accidents. Make getting medical care difficult and reduce supply of goods. Rentals become hard to find among other things. Our summer is filled with tourists like yours. We have to offer them our type of Aloha in southern hospitality and forgive their often rude, entitled behavior and disrespect because we know our economy depends on it. Every few years we come to HI, we just returned from HI. Everyone at the resorts were wonderful. We’re not rich, civil servants, so we save money by cooking on vacation. Residents in grocery stores and other locations were not very nice. We get the tourist issues, we are mindful of residents and try not to be a nuisance or get in the way, but how we were treated this time was uncalled for. It brought up a feeling of wanting to treat residents as we had been treated, which is not us and we will not do. We saved a long for this trip. We all got shots, self quarantined before the trip, wore masks, used wipes, to protect us and HI from Covid, we left feeling that HI didn’t want us there. We took our 17 and 24 sons with us, they felt the hatred also. This was not the HI we love, not the Aloha we told our boys about, it was heartbreaking and undeserved, I don’t know if we will return Maui, Kauai, and Oahu. Has HI lost Aloha?
Florida people are not a race, Hawaiians are! It’s not the same in the least. No one came and took your land and forced you out. Do some research on how Hawaiiana.
Tammy G, if I understand correctly(?) that Paula stated that she is a Native American, then, yes, there would be *some* similarities between her story and one of a Native Hawaiian. To state that “no one came and took your land and forced you out” is laughable at best….
Tammy currently those residents who can claim native Hawaiian heritage only make up a very small percentage of the population the rest that have a problem with tourists are just haters who can vote for change.
Sorry, neither Floridians nor Hawaiians are races. We are all the human race. There are ethnicities and cultural differences that should be respected so, aside from the obvious abuses, it comes down to learning to respect everyone. So many people just want to pick a fight for the fights sake. I guess we need aliens from outer space to make us aware we’re all on the same side…
With respect to travel during the pandemic, many mainlanders did not understand that some areas of the state have minimal medical resources. And while almost all locals were careful to mask up everywhere, I can’t tell you how many tourists came and felt they could walk anywhere without masks on. Also, quite a number broke our quarantine rules. I have lived here for 10 years. I will not deny there is palpable racism against whites. I’m not saying every local feels this way. But it is bad enough that I approach almost every local with some degree of apprehension. I stopped going to church because a local broke my car window and scratched my car with stones in the church parking lot, and children of locals refused to shake my hand during the kiss of peace at Catholic mass, or if they did, would wipe their hands on their pants after touching me. I had Girl Scouts refuse to talk to me when I tried to buy cookies from them. It’s obvious the hatred is continuing through the generations. This is a scenically beautiful place, but the idea of the aloha spirit isn’t nearly as pervasive as travel brochures would like one to think..I think locals whose income depends on tourism will treat mainlanders well, but others, not so likely. I don’t know what it will take to make this attitude change, a greater value placed on education I believe might help. But travelers should be aware when they come here, be prepared to experience less aloha and something not so pleasant.
Unfortunately, lack of Aloha outside of the resorts was our experience. We are not all white, we are a very colorful family, one of us is Native American/white, one black, one triracial and one white, adoption made us colorful but obviously we are not Hawaiian . We just returned from visiting Maui, Kauai, and Oahu and this time the experience was disappointing, hurtful, and disheartening. We are aware of the medical care constraints and because of that we all got our shots as soon as we could, HI government doesn’t acknowledge them even though they were given by the CDC in Fl but that’s a whole different debate. We wore our masks, used our wipes, and even went so far as to self quarantine for 2 weeks prior to the trip just to make sure we were covid safe for us and HI. We got our travel safe account, got our pre travel test in Fl, we allowed HI government to track our every move through the app we had to put on our phones. After 5 days in Maui we had to get another pretravel test so we could go to Kauai (everything we had read and everyone we had asked prior to travel said this would not be necessary and we were told about it the day before leaving for Kauai). That pretravel test was unexpected and cost us 800.00 because none of the Walgreens or CVS on Maui had any appointments and the only travel safe partner with appointments would not accept our insurance even though it’s accepted worldwide. That was 800.00 we did not intend or plan to spend and had we known we would not have visited Kauai. We went to great lengths and jumped through so many seemingly redundant hoops to go on this trip and the additional expenses were unfair and unnecessary since we are fully vaccinated. Then to be mistreated just added insult to injury. We always try to let residents go about their day and try our very best not to get in the way. I hope locals and Hawaiians learn to appreciate the tourists and the major hurdles they go through to visit.
You should claim the interisland COVID test with your insurance for reimbursement. The current administration has strengthened guidance that insurers must cover COVID testing with few limits. We got our tests in Hilo at a place that was direct pay only, I submitted a claim to my insurance, and the check for $450 was in my mailbox before I arrived home.
Thank you so much for that info, we will do that!
I agree to most if you say and completely with your thought process. And yes American Indians are the only other people I know that have suffered the same as Native Hawaiians. However the hawaiian people have not been given the same repreations yet that native American Indians have. There are no hawaiian reservations, you can’t register with a tribe and not pay taxes, etc, etc… Hawaiians should be given Aina (land) back. They should pay less taxes, etc… until this happens the healing can’t begin. I agree that racism is bred against whites deep in the culture, and this is not a good thing. I grew up there and my family goes back 6 generations, however the difference is,I respect that being in Hawaii is a privlidge not a right. Just as I would on tribal land. Manny tourist (mostly white) behave like locals owe them something for coming and they behave with entitlement and disrespect. This fuels the hatred. Tourist have made comments about their travels during covid. They did not want you there, so why should they be grateful. They enjoyed way less traffic, non congested beaches, less trash, more resources, they could enjoy stores, restaurants etc, much more comfortably, its was amazing. Who wanted to give that up.
“Mostly White”. The Hawaiian Monarchy, including the last Queen, did not give land to her subjects. Maybe you need to review your history…..
What happened to Kthe aloha spirt??
iI just returned from a three week vacation in Kauai. I was so disappointed and disgusted by the local behavior that I vowed never to go back. we also spent christmas 2018 and 19. I’ve been to Hawaii 13 times in Kauai 5 times. I found out not to drive a Mustang convertible because you will be targeted. Instead of the Hawaii shocka I received the middle finger multiple times just driving by them and theydrive half the speed limit just to annoy you.I never saw so much rudeness and it felt like a Third World country.Face it they don’t like mainlanders. The locals have no problem excepting unemployment and stimulus checks from the mainland and tourism is it’s only lifeline but they don’t get it. I noticed this throughout the island and how it has changed. We stayed in Poipu for three weeks there was no police presence in the park where drugs and alcohol runs rampant. The drug attic‘s plug in their electronic devices and hang out all day and they leave there sleeping gear and live in the park. They’re so bold that they snort lines in the bathroom in the changing areas and sing to rap. I was talking to a local and mentioned how much the island has changed. I asked him about what i witnessed during our visit and he was not surprised. He mentioned that the police are corrupt and that’s why they have such a drug problem. He also confirmed that that the native Hawaiians do not like mainlanders. This reminds me of Paris 30 years ago when we were treated so rudely by the French and we never returned.
Mark my words this is going to happen to Kobe in a matter of time. When departing going to the airport I saw other mainlanders and decided to ask them about their stay what they did what they thought of the island and how they were treated by the locals. They all agreed that the locals were extremely rude. The families that i spoke to all had similar experiences. I can spend $15,000 and go anywhere in the world and it won’t be Kauai!
Im sorry to hear about your negative experience in Hawaii.. that is unacceptable and I don’t blame you for feeling the way you do. However, why shouldn’t Hawaii residents receive stimulus checks and unemployment if they have earned it? We are a part of America, just like any state. Believing Hawaii should not receive federal relief programs offered to every other state like the stimulus checks makes you sound entitled..maybe you contributed to your experience? Also, while many of the things you described are rude and unacceptable, you should try being a resident here and the disrespect and rudeness tourists bring to Hawaii. It is disgusting at times..a two-way street, especially during the height of COVID and the lack of tourists following state mandates. We have limited resources and are very isolated..tourists were often reckless with their respect of Hawaii residents and our health. Some people have had enough, although I do not agree at all with their behavior. I have experienced many rude, entitled tourists this last year. The impression left is sometimes very unfavorable.
Please consider that Tom is referring to the fact that many hawaiians are perfectly fine at accepting resources from the mainland, but treat mainlanders with scorn and derision, even though it’s the island’s main source of income.
While I agree that our islands have fewer medical resources than other states, opening the islands back to tourism is the only thing that will save it, and if people were willing to jump through as many hoops as Tom and his family were to come spend their money here, the least locals could do is not be horrible towards them.
I mean why would people come if they feel unwanted? So many local eateries and shops have closed since the pandemic. Why did that happen in the islands at an astronomically higher rate than on the mainland? Because we rely on tourists to make money, plain and simple.
Aloha We are planning a trip to the Big Island in a few weeks and this will be our fourth adventure in Hawaii. I can totally understand the hesitancy of the local population when it comes to tourists. We are honored that Hawaii is one of the United States and even more privileged to visit. Sadly, there are people everywhere who feel entitled, are rude, and who do not respect their surroundings. This is a problem in the mainland too. I think all we can do is continue to raise awareness and honor the beauty of Hawaii. Mahalo.
Chanelle those tourists didn’t steal anything and tobe disrespectful to them for no reason might get you a whopping.
Hello Beat Hawaii,
I want to say thank you for bringing up this topic. I am not a native Hawaiian so I do not want to assume any feelings of a specific group, but do we all not remember that Hawaii was stolen from its people to become a US state?!?!?!?
I feel that locals, especially native Hawaiians, have the right to not be the kindest to every tourist especially during these times of the pandemic.
Mahalo
Hello,
May I just say, two wrongs will never make a right. Treating someone badly just because they are a different race, ethnicity, religion, from a different location, a visitor, have a different job, speak a different language, have a different sexual orientation, etc, etc etc…..is just wrong…..no person has the right or should feel they have the right to treat any other person badly especially when absolutely unprovoked. I’m Native American and white, was my ancestors land stolen from them….yes! Does that make it ok for me to treat anyone badly because my ancestors who I have never met had their land stolen from them….absolutely not! History is in the past, in order to move forward you can’t look backward….if you look backward while trying to move forward you will fall and what does that accomplish….just more pain. I pray this retribution/recompense mentality will stop and we as human beings will just treat each other how we would want to be treated, with love, grace, forgiveness, and empathy.
Dear Paula, I agree with you. We are all human who need to treat others with respect,love, forgiveness, etc!! Take care & stay safe! God bless you….Psalms 91:11♡♡♡
Actually it was not stolen to become part of the U.S. If you check the history (it’s not that hard to find) the monarchy was overthrown by European missionaries in the late 1800s and was annexed in the early 1900s and was a US territory. When it became a state in 1959 Hawaii as a whole had been begging to become the next state for decades. They wanted it, and we’re extremely happy and proud when it happend. Maybe they underestimated the affect it would have on the island’s and their culture. But they were not ever forced into statehood. One group of people being overthrown by another group has been happening since the beginning of time and hasn’t only been white people. The Native Americans did it to each other frequently. So let’s not focus on one small section of recent history and be angry about it. Instead since we are all Americans, let’s find a way forward. Being part of the united states means you can’t keep people out of your home state but let’s limit tourism so the people and islands can breath perhaps. Help the islands again find some sort of industry to export so they are not completely reliant on tourism. So they can at least partially support themselves and again feel the pride which comes along with self sufficiently. They seem to be a kind gracious people by nature, they and the island’s themselves, are just tried of having so many guests.
Exaclfy! Well stated!
Beat of Hawaii,
You have done a fantastic service for all of us; keeping us informed during this Covid crisis, but I believe this topic has reached
diminishing and even negative returns.
Like many other forms of social media it is being dominated by extreme views.
You can read many posts that would have you to believe that the ‘Locals’ hate all tourists.
You can read other posts that ‘Tourists’ are all rude and disrespectful of the local culture..
Surprise; both types of comments are false. Actually ‘some’ locals hate tourists and ‘some’ tourists are rude and disrespectful.
Another surprise; this is a universal condition and not unique to Hawaii. Try New York, Lake Tahoe, Paris, Bangkok, or any other
visitor destination you name.
I am afraid the danger is that these posts become the equivalent of what we have seen on all of the political sites; all Republicans are labeled Racists and all Democrats are labeled Communists.
Please put an end to this topic. We are learning nothing new and it can only add to the anger, and hurt the island and culture that we all love.
Mahalo
Patrick
Thank you for your comment!
This is the most insightful comment on the situation that exists world wide.
Political, epidemic, forest fires, and the intense desire to visit or live in a place of peace of beauty and peace are desired by everyone. Hawaii definitely comes to mind!
It is my hope that these are rogue waves that are now known scientifically to converge by the union of several waves and sink ships at sea. They are intermittent and can be replaced by normal waves that calm the seas.
This is my hope!
Mahalo
This is regarding the hospitality industry on the island.
I just came back from Maui, and was really unpleasantly surprised by how poorly and rudely I was treated by the great majority of people who were working directly with tourists, such as hotels, parking attendants, park rangers, etc. I’m from one of the main tourist destinations in Brazil, and have worked in hospitality, so I fully understand how horrible tourist can be in your home.
However, simple things like stopping at a national park for information, or being rudely treated for no reason whatsoever when handing a reservation ticket without even having the chance of saying a hello really surprised me, or even having a waitress roll her eyes at us at a high scale restaurant for simply asking if they had a drink is beyond me. Assuming every tourist is disrespectful creates a hostile environment to those who aren’t. If you work in this industry, it’s paramount to give visitors a good experience, and from my experience in the business, more often than not, treating an unpleasant tourist with kindness will shift their behavior in a positive way, and you’ll leave them with a good impression of your home. This is hospitality 101.
I travel a lot, and being respectful and mindful of locals is of the utmost importance to me, and I’m aware that culture is different from place to place, some being more welcoming while others colder which is part of the experience and expansion of ones world view. Yet what I experienced throughout the island was baffling and unnecessary compared to any other place I’ve had the opportunity to visit. I save every penny through the year to be able to afford a trip like this, so coming back disappointed from a place I always dreamt of visiting was heartbreaking. I personally would think twice about returning, sadly.
Good one.. “What you want a drink?” Waitress just rolls her eyes…
Wow. Just wow. I feel so much tension on this site. It is really quite sad and reaffirms the sadness I feel about the planet today. My beloved & myself, my daughter and her husband, with Auntie and her husband will be arriving in Kauai in the second week of June. All 3 couples are here for our anniversaries. I previously never thought about being unwelcomed at such enchanted places such as these islands. I chose Kauai in hopes to get the least touristy effect(hopes). As a woman whom respects all of Mother Earth, understands respect of the land no matter where I go. She is perfect in her natural state. I think humanity has lost a lot of it’s humanity in todays times. I will go and expect nothing less than magic and wonder. You give what you get. Blessings.
From what I have heard and read I would never go to Hawaii.
It’s nice that some Hawaiians posted on here that they welcome tourists, but there is regular violence against tourists by Hawaiians. It’s under reported by the news, but if you Google it, the results are horrifying. Besides violence, there’s just a lot of rudeness towards strangers.
Add to that the bugs, and the fact that in a way, it’s not really “Hawaii” anymore, because there are few full Hawaiians. It’s really Japan-China-Philipines. So the whole Hawaiian culture thing is fake for the tourists.
This is a huge misrepresentation of Hawaii. You know what, Bonnie? You’ll find “regular violence against tourists” in *every place* with a high volume of tourists! That’s a fact. Hawaii certainly is no different from Paris, London, Orlando in that regard.
Been going to Hawaii for over 20 years…never had a problem with the locals.
We need and welcome the tourist. All we ask is respect for our laws, land, and people. This will give the tourist a wonderful vacation and we ( the islanders) will show our love and respect to them.
Paul c, no, one should or is required to
give up any of thier civil rights unless the emergency is requiring martial law or is truely dire for much more than one half of 1% of the world population, scaling up to 5 percent maybe for older or immune compromised people that would want to avoid exposure to people and definitely not fly!
The cdc and media and state governors are not one of the three branches of govt and there is no amendment being proposed to take away the bill of rights due to a non lethal level pandemic to the vast majority of people. Where is the due process? Hawaii especially seems to not acknowledge this system. People in usa should be able to vote on every mandate, and no one should be using emergency proclamations on an ongoing basis. Fear is no excuse to violate and or damage other peoples lives. Its time for people to stop tolerating this crap 💩
In Hawaii you show respect, you get respect no matter the color of your skin and where you come from. Respect gets respect it’s that easy.
I agree! Treat people the way you would like to be treated.
Agreed!! And there are always a few in any culture on both sides of the picture who just don’t show respect to anyone!
Hawaii is a world destination. Locals made at tourists have misplaced anger. Their local Government allowed massive hotels and set up a system of tourism for what…as usual the almighty dollar. The current system will not change. If you don’t like it, your only real option is to move away from an international tourist destination, because it will never change. Sorry, but this is the reality.
J R I agree the tourists are not to blame
Thanks for your two cents. I think the biggest take away of the article is not necessarily that they don’t want tourists, it’s that they want visitors to respect the local culture, the people, the animals, and the environment. If you knew the history of the state, you would better understand their frustration.
I agree Tim G! If more people took time to read and understand the cultures they are visiting, they would connect with the locals in a more sensitive and repectful manner.
My perspective.
And what I have been told and experienced.
The locals on the tourist beaches you cannot trust. I experienced several things that almost ruined a 7 year friendship and relationship.
However once you are out of the touristy areas ALL locals we met were very kind. Very happy to see us and happy to serve us. WE stopped at several local locations on the way around the island and specifically the N Shore of Oahu. Wonderful caring good people! So I agree one needs to respect the culture they are coming into.
I believe people for the most part will treat you as well or better than you treat them. Treat them like crap or that your entitled yeah you will get some push back but I am guessing that happens everywhere. To all the people of Hawaii. Mahalo for making our trip so wonderful and full of great memories.
We went to several “locals beaches”where only locals were and a couple of neat water falls. I immediately said hello and asked are we ok to swim here? We dont want to cause any problems. In all cases we were met with kind smiling faces. Mainly I would reiterate drunk locals on the tourist beaches are there to cause either strife spread rumors and play around with the touristy people. The rest were all wonderful to us anyway
I clean vacation rentals and am shocked how guests trash places.They check out late and when you have a back to back out at 10 in at 3:00 you have limited time to clean for next arrival..
Trex you should be crying to your boss to enforce the check out rules instead of here.
J R your comments are very disrespectful because this is my home not an international travel destination. By the sound of it you seem to believe your more entitled to Hawaii than me.
Daniel don’t blame the tourists it’s not their fault that your unhappy.You should take J R advice
I never once said I blamed anyone , Please clarify?
Overall these type of insensitivity of people viewing Hawaii the land and Hawaii the people as two separate things they are not. I personally have traveled the world and one thing I got from it is when traveling you are entering someone’s home, it’s no different than going to a friends house. I would hope you have enough sense not to raid the refrigerator or put your feet up on the couch. The people of Hawaii love sharing the culture but like I said respect gets respect.
I live in a place where many tourists visit and I welcome them rather than resent them.
I think the conclusion here is if you don’t act like an idiot, like being obnoxious, littering, being generally disrespectful and rude, you’re going to be fine. The locals are not asking much, just that visitors be respectful. Unfortunately, we are surrounded by people who are entitled idiots all over the world. This isn’t a problem isolated to Hawaii. My family and I are going to Maui in July for the first time and we are not worried because we travel with respect and some knowledge of the culture. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves in the beauty!
Audrey, take it from someone who has been visiting Hawaii for many years ,the tourists in general are very well behaved it’s some of the locals ( with low self-esteem) who are often transplants themselves who want to complain about tourists just to raise them themselves above them . Enjoy your care free vacation in Hawaii .
I think what he’s trying to say is since the islands have built so many hotels/resorts and made it seem they need to fill them all that it’s the various government agencies that are at fault. If there were less resorts then there would be less tourists, which may or may not be for the better. By allowing these mega resorts they have turned the islands into international destinations. I guess it’s a question of if the egg or chicken came first. Your islands are beautiful and obviously people want to share in the beauty. Hopefully people are respectful of the culture, people and scenery. I have been going to Hawaii and especially Maui for over 35 years and have had nothing but great memories and never had any issues. Treat people with repect, honesty, integrity and friendliness and you will receive the same. People all over the word are the same, they want the aforementioned and you’ll also have many great memories and be able to share your experiences with them as well. Mahal.o
Sorry pal but you are WRONG the USA stole this land from Hawaiians you need to read up some history.
Dude its their HOME. Yes its a tourist destination no doubt but its still their home. How would you like it for someone to tell you to move from your home? Yall act like its part of the mainland and that they should operate the same way.
You have a choice to not go there.
My family and I are making plans to visit Oahu sometime next year, perhaps May of 2022. We want nothing more than to learn, experience, and above all RESPECT the land, culture, and people. It will be our first time traveling there and we are excited and nervous. Is there any tips that any experienced travelers or locals have for us to make our trip one we will never forget, all the while respecting those while we are there?
Hi Dawn,
I’m excited for you! You asked for tips and I will give you some written from a unique standpoint. I sort of have the advantage of being both a tourist and a resident… almost. My sister lives in Honolulu, so I visit OFTEN and that makes me a tourist, but since she is a local I try to fit in and view things from her perspective. Tourists bring income and that is very much welcomed. Unless they are working, locals can avoid the tourists areas for the most part and those that work in the tourist areas are very nice and love to talk about the islands and their culture/history. The problems arise with tourists who have “entitlement” attitudes. Just because a tourist pays thousands of dollars to visit Hawaii does not entitle them to step on the reefs in Hanauma Bay, get too close or touch the honu, throw trash, honk horns, park illegally, or get rip roaring drunk and become disruptive. Lastly, the traffic issue is a little bit irritating with the added rental cars. These are all things that can make locals a little upset, but then most of this is true for any tourist area. If people would just respect each other it would greatly help a lot of these situations.
During the height of the pandemic Waikiki was basically deserted. This was amazing for all locals and a real treat, especially for those going for a swim. Now with the tourists coming back, Waikiki will be lost to locals once again. Having said that, with locals having a tendency to stay away from tourist areas, they really don’t want tourists in their neighborhoods, but if you do go exploring outside of the norm then do so with respect, especially now during the pandemic. Hawaiians take the pandemic very seriously. I am not saying don’t go explore outside of Waikiki, just do so with some common sense and get advice from your hotel or travel agent before you go. Hawaiians love the water and all things nature, so just be respectful of that and you will have a great vacation!
Dawn,
One last thing, if you have not booked your trip yet then consider the Norwegian cruise line that goes around to all the islands. I think it is easiest and cheapest way to see all of Hawaii. Of course, you can pick and choose what excursions you would like, but you can also rent a car at each port and do your own thing. We have done it both ways and there are advantages and disadvantages to both. I’ve also been to all the islands via Hawaiian Airlines or taking a hop. That is fun too, but I like the cruise ship, you have a place to sleep, your food is included, and you are always on the water! Another thing, all seasons are nice there, but if you are going then go during whale season! Hawaii is rich in history and history is my thing, so I recommend reading about it and then picking where to go and what to see. Best Wishes! 🙂
Dear Amy, oh wow I agree with what you said. I will be traveling to Oahu in Aoril 2022 for the 1st time & it has always been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for a beautiful vacation! I definitely want to respect Hawaii, the culture, people, & animals!! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. He survived & I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects♡♡ God bless you….Psalms 91:11🌍🏖✈🌈🐢🐋🐠🌺🥥🍍😍
As a Hawaii resident (oahu) i strongly suggest you don’t stay in Waikiki. There are many homes or condos you can rent in desirable, non-city areas that will give you more of the local feel. Rent a vehicle to take you to the many amazing places on our island. Enjoy!
how do we find those condo owners?
Dear Dawn, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year….April 2022! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. He survived & I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects!! I’ve been doing my research about Hawaii & learning about the culture. I can’t wait to visit the Bishop Museum, The Palace, go to Polynesian Cultural Center, & more♡♡ Have a fun & safe trip! God bless you….Psalms 91:11♡♡
This will be my 1st time also traveling to Hawaii, Dawn!
I want to visit Hawaii but am terrified of being disrespectful or harmful to the people who call Hawaii home. I found an organization called GIVE that claims to be an ethical and sustainable volunteer program. They host trips in Hawaii frequently and I’m wondering what some of the local opinions are on this kind of thing. Do they really help the local community ?
Alex make sure you check out Oahu at least once in your life. I’ve been there many times and never had problem .
Dear Amy, oh wow I agree with what you said. I will be traveling to Oahu in Aoril 2022 for the 1st time & it has always been my lifelong dream to come to Hawaii for a beautiful vacation! I definitely want to respect Hawaii, the culture, people, & animals!! My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. He survived & I’ve always wanted to go to Pearl Harbor to pay my respects♡♡ God bless you….Psalms 91:11🌍🏖✈🌈🐢🐋🐠🌺🥥🍍😍
Dear Hip, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I’m getting very excited & can’t wait!!♡♡ 🌍✈🌈⛱🐢🐋🌺🥥🍍 God bless you, Psalms 91:11
I’ve never personally heard of the “GIVE” organization but I can assure you one thing- as long as you’re nice and respectful, people won’t care if you’re a tourist or not.
Aloha Alex and your concern speaks to who you are. Travel with joy for being in the most beautiful archipelago in the world and let that joy illuminate the aloha you give. Things will be fine on any island. Personal plug. If you want a picture of Hawaii maybe six or so decades ago, visit Hawaii Island, the BI.
Dear Alex ,I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year….April 2022! I’m going to be very respectful♡♡ I’m getting very excited & can’t wait🌍✈🌺🐠🐋🐢🌈🏖🌊 May I offer you some advice? Go with a travel buddy & be respectful to Hawaii♡♡ You only have control over yourself, not others. Follow your heart & go♡♡ You will have a fabulous trip & not regret it. I hope this helps you! God bless you always, Psalms 91:11
Just back from a trip to Kauai in April and previously this past Nov. The people to not seem to want the tourists there…… This may change in 4-6 months after the unemployement checks Peter out and the stimulus packages are gone and spent.
I will not be returning there again anytime soon. There was utter disdain across the board even from what should be more unbiased federal agents such as the Federal TSA agents at the airport when we were trying to get through the TSA pre approved recheck line. They literally scoffed at us.
I have noticed this has become worse over the last 20 years. I will try Florida, Cabo or other next travel opportunities instead. It is important to respect the environment, culture, community there. However, I was expecting after being closed they would be a little happier to have businesses opening again. This was the opposite, and possibly related to federal dollar support currently and not being ready to restart tourism.
I am sorry to hear that you have experienced such treatment. My wife and I are owners on the Garden Isle and have not been back since Mayor Kawakami’s heavy handed shutdown. We have instead taken to traveling to the USVI, just as beautiful and a much shorter flight (11+ hours to Oahu from the East Coast). I will miss the ohana feeling we used to experience and the culture which we had the utmost respect for.
GOod Jenny go to all those other places so that those of us who appreciate Hawaii can go. Also you must never have been to florida.
Jenny,
Sorry you had a bad time. I don’t think that the people in Hawaii don’t want tourists, it’s that they are respectful of the pandemic. I am just like everyone else, wanting things to return to normal, but in Hawaii if COVID spreads drastically and jams up the hospitals there is no easy solution for them. After all, they are on an island! It is very expensive for most locals to travel to other islands, even for medical care. Research Lanai or Molokai as an example. I was very worried (still am) about friends on both islands. Hawaii is just like anywhere else you will visit, some people love the tourists and others do not. Having lived in a high tourist area myself I can tell you that just dealing with the traffic will put any normal person in a bad mood, so when traveling I try to remember that. In all honesty, right now, they are very nervous opening back up to tourists and given their situation, who could blame them?
We just returned from Hawaii a week ago. It was the second time for two of us and the first for another. We visited Kauai and Oahu. We do our best to be respectful and to enjoy the less crowded locations rather than Honolulu, etc. We are very low key and considerate visitors. We definitely get that the locals who work in tourism were friendly, but many others were not – mostly on Kauai. We came up from Tunnels Beach to find a distraught couple that had their car pinned in needlessly by 3 other cars. The driver had to search the beach until he found a couple of surfers who were willing to move their cars (there was a hand painted sign that said “locals only”… I was treated rudely 3 times in one afternoon at Poipi Beach. 1) I made the mistake of changing clothes in a toilet stall at the beach when I used the restroom and a lady mouthed off loudly about it. 2) It was hatchling time everywhere. I stopped so that a chicken and her babies could walk across the road with out me running over them. The road was not busy, but a guy on a motorcycle yelled at me as he whipped around our car. The other was car related as well. I felt sick inside. I loved this island when I visited last year. This time I only felt welcomed by people at hotels, shops, and tours – all places that appreciated the tourism money. I almost felt like we had to sneak around to see the island and not interact with people. So sad.
Some of you act like only in Hawaii does this happen. Maybe stay away from where it says locals only? Or maybe try not to look like a tourist? I dont know.
Hi I live in Calgary Alberta we are not even allowed to cross the provincial boarders unless emergency so be happy if you can go to Hawaii at all.
To be honest in all the years we have been going we only had experienced bad juju from locals once or twice. We have great respect for nature, the culture and traditions of places we visit. It’s sad to hear this may have escalated in lieu of the pandemic crisis.
Brian I think this idea that there is a big problem with tourists disrespecting Hawaii is a MYTH because I’ve been visiting for years and haven’t witnessed it ever .
Hip M I would agree with your experiences that mirrored ours. For as long as we are required to wear masks on aircraft though, we will NOT be flying 11 hours with a mask on.
Holy cow, entitled much?? Some of you sound like we should drop on our knees and praise you because you came here with your magical dollars. This is not a mall, nor is every inch of the island your resort. Hawai’i is our family, our home, our land, our blood, and has been since well before your precious feet stepped off the plane.
“Yea it’s your home but we want it so we’re taking some of it whether you like it or not.” <-This is why the world hates american tourists
Just returned from Oahu and Maui, make restaurant reservations as soon as you can, if not you could have up to an hour or more wait to get in. Some restaurants with limited hours you may not be able to get in at all without reservations. The only grumpy people I ran into we’re at the Hertz car drop off’s at the airport in Honolulu and Maui. I feel that most of the businesses that cater to tourists were overwhelmed by the amount of people that came because of spring break. To the wonderful residents of the state of Hawaii who work in the tourist industry be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Just think, if you were not working in the tourist industry what would you be doing. A big shout out to boom boom charters, Captain Tony and his crew were outstanding.
“To the wonderful residents of the state of Hawaii who work in the tourist industry be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Just think, if you were not working in the tourist industry what would you be doing”
Yep better just shut up and not complain and do their jobs. Sheesh
“To the wonderful residents of the state of Hawaii who work in the tourist industry be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Just think, if you were not working in the tourist industry what would you be doing.”
Wow, that is so disrespectful to the residents of Hawaii.
As visitors to Hawaii, you come to enjoy the ocean and all it has to offer, show respect, not much to ask. Don’t wear sunscreen that kills or causes damage to our oceans. Pick up your trash, most do. When you go for a hike, show respect.
If you are staying in a vacation rental, PLEASE show some respect!!! We understand that you are happy to be here. You are loud, just having fun, drinking, playing in the pool etc. What you don’t seem to think about is while you’re having fun, being loud and having a good time. Those of us who live here, aren’t getting any quiet time at our home! You think you’re only here for a short time so it won’t hurt if you’re loud and party all night. What you don’t seem to understand is that the week before you came someone else stayed there with the same attitude. We never get a break from the rude disrespectful visitors they come every week.
We call it Texas-friendly here. But we don’t necessarily love everyone that visits. We get a lot from California too – and they move here. Can be tiring – traffic, etc. But the attitude still remains on balance – even in these divided times. So, I am confident that aloha is still very alive and well in Maui and HI generally. We try to focus on being kind and buying local when we can. It works. With crowds come impatience. Who can blame local folks for getting a bit fed up at times? HI is an expensive place and can be tough living. If Hawaiians and other locals weren’t a little ornery now and again, then I’d be worried for them. They should make their home reflect their wonderful mix of culture and values. The rest of us should appreciate them for it. Thankfully, the two-way street of aloha is a big part of that culture.
I’ve been a travel agent from Canada for 43 years. The way locals in Hawaii (Maui specifically) have been progressively gotten worse in the treatment of tourists from looks of sheer distain just standing in line for a rental car, waiting to get into the ocean Center. I will not recommend anyone to visit Hawaii. My travelers can get treated a whole lot better and spend a whole lot less elsewhere. Aloha, I hope you miss us dirty disrespectful tourists and our hard earned holiday cash.
Gosh Maureen. Had a bad night? Why don’t you tell us how you really feel? Your status as travel agent belies the mostly stereotypical “nice” Canadians? Perhaps you are simply frustrated that you can’t travel with Canada’s sensible restrictions.
These incidents and the consistent comments agreeing with me show otherwise, and occurred well before the virus farce. Nice Canadians, an urban myth. We’re very nice when we are treated nice. When people spend a lot of money to briefly share in the islands beauty is dashed by their sullen natives, I say go elsewhere where you are appreciated and treated as a guest like most tourist destinations do. To then call it the aloha spirit. humph.
To all Hawaiians and locals who have been offended by ill-commenting, poorly communicating, high-n-mighty acting Hoales, …. I offer apologies for the whole lot of them. They are in the minority who feel that their money and self consuming attitudes make the world go round. It doesn’t. It ticks people off. I for one am a Hoale. I love Hawai’i. I love the culture, the people, the history and the aloha spirit that so many Hawaiians have extended to my wife and I. Mahalo nui loa. Ignore the poor spirited visitors. Keep offering the aloha spirit.
Haole. And as one who visits Hawai’i often and while it is true that my wife and I technically are haoles, I prefer to think of us as malahini (visitors) as we respect the customs and rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. Granted, there are always people in any group that are self important ignorant. Just my two cents.
Some additional input on Hawaii issues: What is wrong with this picture?
-What is wrong with the people in Hawaii?? Complacency, among other things. I could go into spam and other unhealthy practices still alive and well in Hawaii…
-Just appeal to sense of family and respect and there isn’t any agenda you can’t force through here in Hawaii!
I have visited Maui 8 times and Molokai once. Molokai was amazing because it was sleepy and quiet. I have spent a few nights in Oahu as well. My brother has lived on Maui for at least 15 years.
Oahu was fun in an Elvis Presley/pineapple/Hawaii 5-0 kind of way.
Molokai was amazing because it was sleepy and quiet.
Maui can be a different story at times (perhaps because I have spent so much time there.)
In Maui, depending on what city you are in and time of year it can be hit or miss with feeling welcomed.
I guess I feel that most people, unless you are of Hawaiian decent are still tourists. Whether you live there or not. I have realized I feel that way, even if it isn’t correct. But I’ve always seen it as different. For the true locals (born and raised in Hawaii) I usually give them a pass on attitude. If I can tell you probably moved to Hawaii on your own accord (accent from another country, new england accent, mid-western accent, etc) then you should be welcoming just as others before you welcomed you.
But that’s just me. I try to fly under the radar as a tourist (which I obviously am-southern accent and so pale I am basically see through) by being nice, not getting bother and not behaving entitled.
Bottom line is if you don’t want to be treated like just a tourist, be nice and treat Hawaii like you would your own neighborhood. Think and act like a local:)
Thanks for sharing your perspective Emily. I feel you hit it right on the head. We love visiting Maui and feel privileged being able to do so. We always try to support local businesses rather than the big corporations while there. As guests, we need to respect their island, their culture, and never think it is our right to do as we please. I have seen Maui change in the last 10 years with the cost of living there exploding. Tourists and people relocating there have driven the housing costs skyward changing the landscape dramatically.
We live in Eastern Washington near the border of Idaho and have experienced the same thing. Big money from out of the area has come in and priced the local citizens out of lake cabins and places their families have been enjoying for generations. Many here have very hard feelings towards people moving from California and the Puget Sound area because they view this area as a bargain and have no problems spending big money and driving up prices and taxes. Sandpoint and McCall Idaho are good examples of this.
I think this is another reason for some of the resentment people feel in Maui. That being said, we have never had a bad experience and have made friendships with many locals attending church, lesser know eating establishments, etc.
Thinking and acting like a local still doesn’t get you respect unless you were born there …but that’s a very lovely thought and ideation.
This is not ok. I have 5 grandkids on Kauai that I haven’t been able to see in a year. I normally go to Kauai 3-4 times a year to see them. But because we still run a business, we can not go for over 14 days. We bought tickets in November to go in January when they told us all we had to do was take the test and no quarantine…but then Alaska airlines canceled our flight. And told us we have to go to 14 days quarantine. We want to go visit our grandkids🤷♂️
This is a fantastic article! I applaud Beat of Hawaii for opening this important conversation up for discussion! You asked readers to watch both videos and share their views. I found the 1st to be useless. The entire ad was about a local’s Hawaiian history, ending with ONE sentence that stated that tourists help Hawaii! Did they explain why and how tourists specifically help? No. Did they even SHOW a tourist in the video? No. The second video was ok however there were repetitive words reinforced that could be perceived as causing divide: “permission” “ask for permission.” How do you even know who to ask in some situations? And how do you know if that person is going to be kind and/or give you the correct information? Why not just have an app so people can see what’s open rather than ask someone as if they’re a child? It’s as if tourists should walk on eggshells. I just can’t imagine asking and expecting people to ask me what they can and can’t do while visiting the city where I reside or expecting and being put off if someone did not ask about my ancestors when visiting where I live. Just let the tourists swim and go for a hike on a marked trail. Yeesh! The ugly No Trespassing” sign was far from subtle, btw.
Those are great points that you made about the videos! Please understand, and someone correct me if I”m wrong, that “ask for permission” is a literal translation from Hawaiian language/culture that is intended to convey an attitude of humility and respect for Hawaii herself. When visitors show up with an air of expectation it is perceived by the people of Hawaii as arrogance and hostility toward Hawaii and her people. It is a cultural disconnect we, as visitors, must work hard to reconnect. Approach each contact with Hawaii and her people with the respect of a guest and you will be welcomed with open arms. Guest don’t choose their own seat, they wait for the host to offer. Guests don’t throw trash on the floor, pee in the pool or bring their muddy feet into the house. (If they did, would you invite them back?) Guests don’t show up and expect they show up and enjoy the hospitality offered. Hawaiians are all about hospitality! Give them the respect you’d give a host who is sharing their best china laid out with an amazing feast. Give the land respect by learning when, where, and how you can go places. Follow the rules posted. All of them. All the time.
I am a resident of Hawaii, and have also been a tourist in the past. As a tourist, I never had issues with locals, however as a tourist and a local, I had the same frustrations with the tourists that showed no respect to the land and sea. The islands are amazing. How exciting is it to swim with a dolphin or turtle, or to see lava flowing/glowing? It is something that not everyone gets to see. So those of you who have, that is great, and so happy you have had the opportunity to do so. However, in order for many others to do same, we all need to respect all creatures and our land and oceans. Keep your distance from the amazing creatures of the island (How would you like it if we came into your backyard and chased you around while you were trying to nap?), stay off the trails that are closed, and dont sneak in to areas that are marked as sacred or dangerous. All of the restrictions are for your safety as well as safety of the island and all living things on it. So breaking these simple reqests are the habits that are destroying the land and what belongs here. Even your sun screen is killing living things on or near the island. Think smart! Enjoy, but leave behind nothing but footprints, and respect all beautiful creatures, including residents’ space. We all want to share this beautiful place, and so glad you enjoy it, but we just ask for respect.
Completely agree with the comment someone made about their experience being bad 60% of the time. Us too. We went to elope in Kauai in 2019 and stay for a week to hike and experience the local farmers markets, food, etc. We are extremely respectful and quiet people and we were in shock at how rude the locals were. It almost ruined the experience and became a running theme throughout the visit like “here we go again”. We also live in a touristy area in San Diego and would never treat anyone the way we were treated. It was the interactions from those working in the food industry that were the worst and seemed to hate our existence. There was some sort of unspoken tension in the air with the locals that we didn’t quite understand and I’m well travelled so I understand respect and how to treat the land, locals, etc. Not friendly vibes so, like the other commenter, we also hesitate to recommend visiting. Really unfortunate because it is a wonderful place.
I’d be willing to try it again but maybe a different island.
And San Diego people are so welcoming and kind? 🙄
All you guys do is complain about hawaii while you are visiting and that is what is extremely disrespectful.
Hawaii residents seem to think respect is a one way street. Get out of the stone age and realize these issues come with tourism, including in san diego.
Its either you have tourists or you dont. Which is better? Hawaii has chosen to hate the tourist at the local level and apply the hate and judgement unfairly, and now also by policy making.
As i have said in other posts if you have locals that cant handle tourists then Its tough to ever get hawaii out of the stone age. The island doesn’t have high paying jobs or infrastructure and still nothing is planned.
Im not sure how eliminating tourists and tourist industry jobs is going to help anyone survive covid any better in the long run. Instead hawaii has distanced itself from other Americans that wanted to help, many of whom like myself who did nothing to cause problems but were still judged and racially profiled as being white or non local and therefore to blame for all of the ills of hawaii.
I have not been on here in Months and here is CF STILL whining and bitching about the locals. WHY CF are you still here? What is the point? Ever been anywhere else but Hawaii? Guess what everywhere your a jerk people will treat you like a jerk.
Great reply! I agree with everything you have said, especially “many of whom like myself who did nothing to cause problems but were still judged and racially profiled as being white or non local and therefore to blame for all of the ills of hawaii.” I first traveled to Hawaii in 1991. I have been both a tourist and resident. It is a beautiful place with a cosmopolitan Asian/Pacific cultural mix. Unfortunately, racial profiling towards Caucasians and the “H” word used to label them have been a common practice over time. I would hope these forms of bias start to go away, but the fact is with the Corona dilemma currently in place, this certainly doesn’t help alleviate the situation? Another person posted, “Bottom line is if you don’t want to be treated like just a tourist, be nice and treat Hawaii like you would your own neighborhood. Think and act like a local:)” I agree with most of that statement. Tourists should be respectful of local customs and conduct themselves appropriately. On the other hand, where else in the world are tourists expected to become local? In the Philippines no one expected me to act like a “Kababayan”? I live 50 miles outside of NYC and when going to the city I can just be another guy from Southern CT without having to put on a Brooklyn accent! In NYC you can be anything you want to be and still fit in. I wish it was that way in Hawaii? In conclusion, I feel tourists need to be polite and go with the flow while at the same time HI locals would be wise to show tolerance or patience with others who may look or act differently? Respect is a two-way street.
Aloha,
My husband and I travel to the islands 1-2 times a year. It’s our favorite place–our home away from home. We love the beauty, the culture, the food, you name it. Whenever we go, we’ve always had a positive experience–well, I can recall one bartender who was probably having a bad day and one coffee shop employee who probably needed a day off. Otherwise, an enjoyable experience of aloha. My husband and I aren’t loud, obnoxious tourists and we make sure we treat the islands and it’s residents (people, animals, and flora) with the utmost respect and courtesy. Whenever we go to the beach, we pick up any garbage we see on our way back to our car. It makes me sad that there are ill-behaved tourists that are not only giving us all a bad name, but treating the island with such disregard. And I’ve seen it first-hand: people getting too close to honu, being rude and demanding to restaurant workers, leaving trash, etc. We had our yearly anniversary trip scheduled for Kauai this past November, but rescheduled to March. Last week, we rescheduled for this November, 2021. The fact the Kauai is closed/requiring quarantine, which is not practical for tourists is the primary reason we had to cancel. We also would rather visit when we are vaccinated, more things are open, and we can safely enjoy the islands. I just hope the residents who rely on tourism to survive can hang on, and will welcome us back.
Mahalo.
We have visited every major Hawaiian island and found the laidback life on Kauai to be our favorite and suits our Aussie attitude. I would like to think that we have been respectful to all Hawaiian.
It boils down to treating people the way you want to be treated with respect and honesty. My only criticism is visitors from the US mainland. Most are rude, loud and don’t like to follow rules, this makes it awkward and uncomfortable for locals and other visitors but they don’t seem to care…sad. Stay safe Hawaii and we’ll be back
January 2021 no tourists no economy for thousands. Thanks a lot tourist haters! Open us up before we all lose our homes. We are not doing well and hate collecting unemployment let me work. The rich keep buying up property and the local keep moving away as the months pass.
Thanks joe b. I get that some tourists are rude but like most others I accepted it as a necessary part of life in hawaii, as it is really hard to expect others to behave how we would like and to police everyone.
In my experience locals were loud too with parties at 3am outside right next to apartment homes in my area. Atleast with tourists the noise is usually confined to waikiki tourist beaches and hotels. For locals to bash tourists to me is ignorant and stupid and two faced. Everyone is trying to have a good time in hawaii and its tough to get along with so many expectations.
100% agree…some visitors think its one of their rights, and they are doing Hawaii a favor by wanting to come here.
Those are the people Hawaii do not ever want here.
Tammy g, hawaii has to deal with the negatives of tourism and locals will need to tone down thier expectations if they want the jobs and money. Its a tough lesson for hawaii to learn to swallow its pride. California and other states have done it, why cant hawaii?
Give me a break are you seriously comparing Calforinia tourism to Hawaiis? Come on CF why dont you take a break and go criticize other islands. Your vitriole is very tired here
Paul C, people can make up their own mind about Hawaii, about me, and about you by now. I think Hawaii is an ongoing crash and burn disaster as they have sabotaged their economy and sacrificed thier culture for what amounts to a handful of peoples lives? Any price for socialism for the rich, but what about the many more homeless that had to leave thier home thier family in hawaii? What sbout them?? Clearly it doesnt matter to you or hawaii what happens to the millions of innocent people that have had thier lives ruined or died as a result of non covid causes due to draconian restrictions that hurt the majority of people and buisnessrs on the island. Yes i sm going to have vitriol about that and idk who in their right mind would blame me for that paul c
What baffles me about your continued posting is:
1. This is an informational travel site, not a chat room on Parler.
2. You obviously have little desire to visit Hawaii or live there if you are a current resident, so your continued castigation of all things Hawaii adds a bit more puzzlement to your posting habits.
I asked you a question many weeks back to which you had no reply. The question mimicked my baffling observations, but was basically: If you think Hawaii is trashed, as you continually opine, what on God’s green earth makes you attracted to a travel site about Hawaii?
I can only assume that you have nothing better in your life than denigrating an entire state and those who do post here with observations and suggestions about improving Hawaii tourism.
exactly and CF has been going on about this well over a year now. Gets very tiresome. He really hates Hawaiians for some reason
I sincerely appreciate all you do to make this forum available; however this topic is approaching a state of Diminishing Returns.
The bottom line is that some Locals (a small but vocal minority) do not want tourists to return. I can only assume they have a secure income not based on the economy.
Unfortunately this forum like all other social platforms gives extremists of all types a chance to unduly inflate their positions. This
is certainly causing many potential visitors to think twice about coming to Hawaii.
Among other things this all contributes to labeling people. ‘Tourist’ becomes a code word for Rude, Rich, White,, Disrespectful, etc.
Some tourist (a small minority ) may indeed fit all of those labels, but isn’t that true of all people, including locals.
Like our political situation, I think we need to calm things down.
I would encourage the residents of Kauai especially to hold their elected officials responsible for better planning and proper management of tourism. Blocking all tourism is not possible; controlling it is possible.
Mahalo!
Hi Patrick.
Thanks for all of your comments. We appreciate the good input.
Aloha.
The voice of reason and logic, Mahalo nui loa Patrick!
I have not weighed in for awhile but good grief already with the bashing of locals. Not once have I felt the need to force myself and family onto Hawaii. Hawaii is a group of Islands with limited resources especially in regards to hospitals. Some of yall seem to want to force Hawaii open for your own selfish reasons. Personally until such time as the virus is under control, vaccines have been administered to the vast majority of Hawaiians I wont even consider trying to go. I know many Hawaiians and yes most tourists who show up are selfish self centered and could care less about what the locals think. Hawaii is hardly excusive to this. Stop thinking only of yourself. The Hawaiians have every right to want to make sure they are safe before throwing the doors wide open to millions of visitors.
And really? “Blocking all tourism is not possible; controlling it is possible.” Actually, Yes it is
Thank you for expressing yourself. All states are struggling to come to a balance between allowing business to continue and protecting the citizenry. In the first days of the pandemic, when nothing was known, it made sense to err on the side of caution. Now that we have a better sense of case fatality rates, transmission, recovery, testing, and vaccine, we are clearly in a place where we need to work to prevent loss of livlihood and disability/deaths caused by social isolation. Have you seen suicide rates in California?
There is a responsibility to protect Hawaiian locals but the best way forward may not be to shut down the airports but rather to increase testing availability and promote re-opening.
Your comments are fair and reasonable. I find people in general fair and reasonable – individually.
However, during these amped up times, the “small minority” seemingly speaks louder than each and every individual collectively. The reasonable individuals are a lower volume voice in discussions and don’t push hot buttons.
I’m afraid there may be a point where it gets easier and easier to be part of the “small minority.”
Good points. I think so much of the problem boils down to what we see throughout our entire country. People have gained a sense of entitlement and want to be able to do whatever they want without thinking about how it effects anyone else. This isn’t unique to Hawaii. If we could all get back to the basics of showing respect to one another, treat people and places how you want to be treated, and work to solve problems rather than simply complain about them the world will be a better place. Somewhere along the way many of US lost ability to understand people can have differing beliefs regarding politics, religion, and anything else and can still respect and be friends with one another. I’m glad the topic has come up and wish it would come up on a national level too.
I am sure I will love Hawaii. I doubt I will have a problem while visiting because my son and I will be kind and respectful in any circumstance. While travelling to other places I have seen visitors to other states and countries who had some pretty bad entitlement issues and treated locals poorly. Understanding is the key and I appreciate your efforts to provide information to all. Thank you
Hi Cheryl.
Thanks. We are biased but also suspect you will love Hawaii.
Aloha.
Dear Cheryl, I’m planning my life long dream vacation trip to Oahu next year & I’m very excited!!♡♡ My Grandfather was in the Navy & in Pearl Harbor. I will be going to PH to pay my respects! I will be the best & most respectable visitor Hawaii will ever have!!
Cheryl that is way cool your Grandfather was also in the Navy like mine! The reason I’m waiting to go next year is because I’m still saving $$ & waiting on the vaccine passport. I’m a teacher in daycare so I’m vaccinated already.
Hello! I hope this finds you healthy and safe. I nearly cancelled my trip to Hawaii because of all the hate speech that has been going on from all sides. I want to bring my son to the Islands because he graduated high school in 2020 and travelling to Hawaii has been his dream. I did not want my son exposed to hatred when he has nothing but kindness in him. I also do not make much money, so the trip has taken me years to save for. I would like to see my Grandfather’s name at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. He was in the Navy and died at Iwo Jima. We have rescheduled the trip twice now trying to guess when it will be safe to travel again. I am sorry for the ignorant and self centered people who traveled and spread Covid to the Islands. I also live in a remote, high tourism state and travel into this state caused Covid to spread like wildfire and folks traveling at that time did not care about the 2 week quarantine. I am a wildlife and fisheries biologist in Montana and have nothing but respect and admiration for all living things on this planet, including people. There are always going to good people and bad people whether they are traveling or staying at home. I have experienced both and I can say without hesitation that most people have good intentions. It’s a shame the disrespectful and hateful people are the ones who color our vision the most. I have traveled the world and have always immersed myself in local history and culture. I am intimidated now to do so when visiting Hawaii as many articles I have read indicate that natives do not appreciate outsiders participating in local culture and trying to speak any of the native language. The whole situation makes me sad. I understand why there is anger because I have felt something similar. If we are not wanted on the Islands then I would like to know if this is truly the case so I can change our plans. Thank you for your time and I hope 2021 is a much better year for all.
Hi Cheryl.
From our perspective, we think you will find Hawaii welcoming. It has just been a hard stretch with the virus and our limited medical resources, plus Hawaii had a huge amount of tourism before covid. Put those together and it has been somewhat weirder than normal. If you read other comments however you’ll see that people are here and are having a great time.
Aloha.
I can’t speak for anyone but my self, but I say please go see the islands for yourself! I am extremely lucky to say that I had the exact same opportunity as your son as a high school graduation gift from my family. Hawaii was always my dream vacation and I was so unbelievably lucky to have been given that opportunity! It was absolutely gorgeous and straight out of a postcard (minus more metropolitan areas where there are high rises and such). Nonetheless, I have never regretted this trip and it is still my favorite place to this day! (I am also extremely lucky to say that I have traveled all over the world with my family, as my mother worked in the travel industry in the past.) I am extremely biased as Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture has been something I have also had such a high connection, respect and admiration for, but I say please go so you never have to keep wondering if it was worth it! (It definitely is in my eyes!!) I didn’t come across any locals who were rude or disrespectful and the only one that did complain had only complained about people on the island who were making the choice to be homeless. (Like actually choosing it.) That is the only negativity I had the entire trip! Now this was back in 2011. (We were in Maui the day that Steve Jobs had passed away.) And if I were given another opportunity to go back I would go in an instant!! Just ask my boyfriend and my mother who hear nothing else from me but about my love of Hawaii!! Haha
I hope you and your son have a great time!
Sending aloha to you and yours!!
First Hawaii is truly a beautiful place. There seems to be a misplaced dislike with tourists just around the islands because how competently the islands are governed has far more impact than tourists. The failed elevated train project represents more than one major government misstep, it illuminates a mindset that has good intentions which are embedded in political incompetence from excessive development to excessive reliance on the car to lack of planning to ensure diversification of the economy beyond tourism. California is the model of a one party state in failure mode and if Hawaii follows that model it too will reap failure, not success in the public arena.
Thank you Joe. I can completely understand what you are saying. We are muddling through a pandemic and watching political figures making decisions to line their pockets instead of doing what’s needed to help the public. It is a horrible time and the constant bombardment of stressful situations has taken it’s toll on almost everyone. My parents went to Hawaii once about 12 years ago and told us what a remarkable place it was with unmatched beauty. We had lived much of our lives out of the US and have travelled extensively. It was the most praise I have ever heard them give any place they visited.
So you want a republican governor who much like the Dakotas ignored the virus and now its blowing up. No matter which way politicians turn they are in a losing situation. Yep just throw the doors wide open and who cares what happens right? Go somewhere else if you dont like it. California is not in any failure mode. Not sure what you have against Democrats but its really ridiculous.
Um, California certainly IS failing. Check the news.
The only thing the data tells us is that we can’t seem to predict or solve anything. Making it a political issue has only made it worse, with opinions like yours on both sides not helping.
Hawaii has the unique situation of being able to control borders, and not being able to easily send patients elsewhere. They are not doing a very good job of managing it from a point of consistency, but so be it. Other states have their own problems.