Some of your comments give us ideas for posts. Like today’s from Rich in England who has been a loyal follower for years. In the past, earlier we wrote about the feelings between Hawaii visitors and residents, which yielded nearly 500 of your comments. Rich is suggesting we take that a step further and look at how visitors see other visitors.
That got us thinking about our own travels too. When your editors travel internationally, we do so independently so as to get to know people and cultures better. Just like we did exactly a year ago when we drove throughout South Africa and Namibia. And that’s a whole different story, and perhaps another website. In any event, years ago we tried a “one and only” bus tour. It was in Thailand. That lasted only a few days. Then Jeff unceremoniously announced to a flabbergasted tour leader that both of us were renting a car and leaving the tour. Once we did that, we got to be closer to people living there, and have a far more authentic experience.
Rich, who is from England, has, since 2014, been a part of Beat of Hawaii’s community and commenting. He said today,
“What do visitors think about other visitors perhaps is a good question. When I see ignorant people disrespecting the culture and not following requests and instructions I do not think much of my fellow visitors (for although I am a regular repeat visitor (4-5 times a year for almost 30 years) I class myself as a visitor. I find there is an inverse correlation between belonging to and being welcoming.” He went on to suggest that long time visitors (Kamaaina) to whom visitors show respect are very welcoming where newcomers to Hawaii (Malahini) “tend not to be and what to tell everyone else what to do.”
So how do you see other visitors in Hawaii and their behavior when you travel here? We came up with a shortlist of questions we’ll ask to get the discussion going.
1). You arrive at a popular destination like Queen’s Bath on Kauai or Haiku Stairs on Oahu and see the trail is closed (Haiku has been closed for decades). Do you respect the sign and look for another trail to hike, or decide to hike the closed trail because other visitors are doing it.
2). You see a visitor talking down to someone working in the service industry. Now what?
3). You hear a visitor complaining because it works differently in Hawaii than it does on the mainland. (And oh boy is that the truth). They offer advice on how it should be done. Does that make you feel uncomfortable or do you see it as helpful?
4). Enter social media. Someone is standing on rocks during high surf to get a photo and not respecting the ocean. Would you do the same?
5). Parking permits and limited access to beaches. One example is Kee Beach on Kauai. Do you see that as protecting Hawaii or a problem?
6). Are you a visitor who thinks Hawaii is all about the beach or are you a visitor wanting to tap into Hawaii culture?
We look forward to your added thoughts and questions?
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Christine G says
I hate ignorant visitors who don’t respect the culture or signs. It is rude and ignorant. Unlived in Germany for 10 years and always hated to see the ugly American. We need to learn from other people and respect their culture and their rules/laws. In Jan ’20 we visited Ohua and Big Island. We had a wonderful time and respected the people and their beautiful islands.
Fronn F says
Please You are a better person than everyone almost. There are a bunch here who maybe respecting cultures a little more than you. I wish you’d come to my neighborhood and respect the cultures of the crack dealers and murderers. I thought I had it bad, but I was wrong. You have it much worse. I am starting to feel superior to you. Thank you.
Trish V. says
I am currently vacationing in big island with my husband and two children. We are respectful and follow all rules, so it is super frustrating to see other tourists being so disrespectful. Seeing their behavior makes me understand why so many locals dislike tourists. I feel like we get judged because of their abhorrent behavior. We witnessed one awful family in volcanoes national park. No one was wearing masks, they took an infant into the sulfer vents, and one of them carried a speaker in his back pocket blaring loud music. Another couple repeatedly shone a bright lazer into the night sky at the Mouna Kea visitors center after being asked by the ranger to stop. I support strong fines and punishments for visitors who break the rules because they are the ones making it harder for travelers like me.
Eva R. says
Follow this saying “When you go to Rome do what Romans do”. When you go to hawaii follow their rules. I live in the main land.
Hen R says
My wife and I have been going to Hawaii for years, and never has it been about hanging out at the beach. It’s the people, culture, and nature. Respect that and you’ll have a great time.
Bob N. says
I really enjoy your posts. My husband and I look forward to visiting Hawaii once all of the COVID restrictions are relaxed. I’ve been wanting to visit your islands my entire adult life and your column has helped me to become a more informed and polite guest. Thank you keep e the good work 😊
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Bob.
Thanks. We look forward to your being able to visit the islands.
Aloha.
Julie N. says
My husband and I are lucky enough to have very dear friends that live in Oahu on the North Shore. When we visit we treat the islands the same way we treat our friends and their home. We are grateful and honored to be welcomed there. We follow the expected rules of our hosts, we are polite and helpful and we are all able to enjoy ourselves. It’s helpful to have locals tell us what places to eat, what time of day is best for certain activities the best museums and cultural sites to see. Don’t overstep your bounds, be respectful and polite and you’ll get the same in return. Our friends have lived in Hawaii for over 30 years,they have a business there but they still consider themselves visitors they honor the true hawaiian people. The Aloha spirit is very real but don’t abuse it.
Louis M. says
Great post….True pono
Vicki Lynn P. says
Listening to KINE and the new method of testing out of state visitors w/a hefty $125 per test! Yet another way to scam your visitors and your economic boosters! Wow. A result of lawsuits or just a way for those who live in Hawaii currently to further scam out of staters. Mainlanders don’t do that. We’re all humans from around the world. From my grad school years in Hilo in ‘75 to the squalor allowed to fester all the way to Makaha is indefensible. Btw, the state of Hawaii was trying to deport homeless to the mainland years ago on one of our numerous surf trips there😂Residents litter, disrespect and trash the state. Tourism should be praised, encouraged and welcomed!!🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸💪🏻
J.S. says
It is funny how you Assume that those testing funds are going to the residents of Hawaii. That you do not stop to think about how many older residents thete are, and how little space the islands have, providing only so much healthcare. Did you ever consider that the increase of visitors with a disease can Actually affect an entire island? A place stolen by the USA to make it a state. Tourism is not Hawaii’s issue, its disrespectful self-entitled people like yourself that cause friction in a place of beauty. Visiting anywhere should require common sense, kindness, respect and morales. People like yourself say tourism should be praised, while also disrespecting the culture and islands. And wonder why you are not wanted!
Judd S says
Your a Trumper. I can tell.
David W. says
Amen
A.L. says
You’re ridiculous. The mainland has been sending it’s homeless to Hawaii with one way tickets for years. Also tourism should only be “praised, encouraged, and welcomed” when the tourists respect the locals. Traveling here during a global pandemic is not showing love for the island. It’s being incredibly selfish and only caring about getting a cheap vacation regardless of the health risks you’re paying by traveling here.
Beth C. says
I have been coming to Hawaii for about 50 years. I also have owed a timeshare for many years. Why all of a sudden are the locals complaining about the tourists? I respect signs at home and in Hawaii. I am kind to service workers wherever I am. The tourists that complain, are rude or disrespectful are just rude people period. I see nothing wrong with enjoying the beautiful beaches. I have been bringing my kids to Hawaii since they were little. On one trip my son bought a book about the Hawaiian language. The locals may not like us there but the fact is they need our vacation dollars. Everyone these days is just too worked up.
Cynthia says
When we first started our travel to the Hawaiian islands 20+ years ago we used each trip to educate our young children to the history and culture of the Hawaiian people. I have not experienced witnessing travelers talking poorly to service people. We always enjoy tours because each individual shared a piece of their personal life on their respective island. We follow posted signs for do not enter because you must respect each state. I do feel the Aloha has dimmed over the last several years, particularly on Kauai.
JamesH says
1. Respect the sign and find another trail or activity. I’m sure there are at least 100 other things available to do.
2. I would feel very uncomfortable, but would not intervene unless I was privy to the entire situation. However, I might ask for the supervisor/manager and ask him/her to intervene.
3. I would internally laugh roll my eyes at the mainlander-splaining.
4. No I would not do the same! That would be extremely foolish.
5. They are a form of protection. We have seen how our national parks get “loved to death” with increasing numbers of visitors, particularly the clueless and careless who leave trash, go off-trail, and other acts that ruin public spaces. Hawaii has the right to protect its landscape and resources.
6. I always “tap into the culture” with each visit. While I love the beach, Hawaii has so much more.
Mike J says
Great idea for a tread topic.
If I see a sign that says KAPU. I will not pass, they mean it. If a trail or site is marked closed or fenced, I assume it is for safety reasons. Hawaii is not Disneyland. Assuming that you can go wherever you like can be fatal.
And never, ever turn your back on the ocean.
Shelley S says
We love Hawaii, but don’t get there as often as we would like. So when we go to a specific place and find it closed we are disappointing but we respect the signs, because there is usually a good reason for a particular area to be closed at any given time.. I find it very upsetting to see anyone treated with disrespect especially people who are working to make my stay comfortable, I try to make my appreciation known with verbal thanks and I do leave tips everyday, not just at the end of my stay. I like to talk to the. And ask them how they are doing. Being from Minnesota and beach acces being limited for me, I love the beach, but I also love the culture , we spend much of our time exploring and love meeting the local population and talking to them. We try to avoid the crowds and would just a soon watching and artisan create something as be in a crowded area.
Dayna R. says
Aloha Rob & Jeff!
I’ve been visiting Hawai’i for over 40 years, and each time I land there it’s like entering a magic kingdom. All of Hawai’i is sacred, as are its native people. My stomach turns when I see tourists disrespecting the land by littering, trampling the exquisite foliage or copping an attitude with the locals. Hawai’i is so much more than the beaches: on Kauai: hiking in the Na Pali mountains, boating down the Wailua river, visiting the several gorgeous botanical gardens, taking a boat out on the sea to witness the sea life, eating at small local eateries & shopping at local Mom & Pop stores, or simply tootling through the countryside —there’s so much to do! And on Maui: going to upcountry (love Makawao!), Hana & just exploring the island—hope to get to Haleakala some day. No, I don’t mind being inconvenienced by limited or restricted parking in order to preserve Hawai’i. I can’t wait to get back— hoping to get to Kauai in May.
And Mahalo for keeping this newsletter going!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Dayna.
Thanks for all your comments. We hope it works out for you to get to Kauai next May. That’s a great time of year here.
Aloha.
Curtis C. says
If you see tourists disrespecting the land, you need to call them out. In my numerous trips to the Islands, I have never seen any of that. What I did see on my last trip to Honolulu was the outskirts littered with piles of trash, tires, box springs, and discarded furniture. I doubt that you can blame that on tourists.
Jordan says
I’ve been a visitor for over seven years now and am still learning what it means to live an aloha lifestyle. As the center of my own world, Its difficult for me to look past my own selfish desires and realize I’m part of an extended ohana that deserves my upmost respect. Also it seems a lot easier to project my shadow onto other visitors and accuse them of not understanding proper etiqite. Its time to leave this all behind me and start showing others the love that ultimately I don’t even show to myself. It starts with love of the self and then is spread throughout the community. Love and understanding is what the world needs and trumps a life of collzcting material objects.
Rachel S says
We are from Canada and have travelled with our family many times over the years to Hawaii and consider it our home away from home. Due to the fact that we have fallen in love with this very special place it is natural for us to respect the land, the ocean and the people and we want to protect it. We pick up garbage we find, obey signs and procedures, have volunteered there while on vacation and feel honoured that the Hawaiian people allow us to share their home with us. We respect the fact that we are visitors and have no right to act otherwise. We love Hawaii and its people and it is because of the wonderful Hawaiian people and their fight to maintain the land, ocean and culture, that Hawaii is such a magical place. If you go as a visitor to Hawaii, remember that you are just a visitor and you are not entitled to treat the land, ocean or people however you please. The Aloha spirit is one of the most precious gifts Hawaii gives…don’t take it for granted!
Jan G says
I consider myself a visitor even though I spend four months a year in Hawaii dispersed through out the seasons and have been doing so for 16 years. I do get angry at people who seem to be using the amenities and the services here rather than respecting them. I don’t normally say anything unless I feel that it is harmful to the environment or two animals and nature. For instance, people who try to climb over a fence to get closer to a sea turtle here my warning about hurting the animal. If I see someone doing something that is obviously dangerous (usually young adults or older teens) I will warn them. Otherwise I don’t confront rule breakers or rude people.
As far as cultural traditions, it has been a pleasure to learn more about them. It’s the visitor’s loss if they don’t recognize the rich culture around them.
Jan
Cf says
Great post. With the trails i dont likevto hike any off limits, it is dangerous. Even the open trails can be dangerous because hawaii tends to poorly maintain them compared to masachusetts trails. So plan accordingly i say haha.
On number 2 it depends. I thought most of service industry workers were really nice snd helpful but i did encounter a few that were really lazy or didnt care. I did have issues with two managers at safeway and foodland. So not tourist industry there. They wanted drug addicts to keep bathroom in kihei messy and in kaneohe one lady didnt like mainlanders.
Number 3 yes everything seems to be back in time 10 to 20 years in hawaii. Sometimes its frustrating for both tourists and residents and sometimes workers themselves. It can take alot longer to get things done in hawaii but usually people worked with me if i was cool about it.
If someone is too close to ocean or at risk i might tell them or atleast watch them for a bit to see if back away. Parking is a problem all over and the bus system sucks and is overcrowded. They over air condition the busses on oahu to where you need a winter coat!
I was personally interested in hawaii for warm weather and beaches but i liked learning about local culture before this year when it was f the tourists mentality. Ive mentioned this many times in my posts as hypocritical and unacceptable.
TammyW says
1. I feel the trail is closed for a reason. Obey it!
2. Whether or not you’re on vacation in Hawaii, or anywhere else, have some respect.
3.uncomfortable
4. Absolutely not! That’s an accident waiting to happen.
5. I would consider it protecting Hawaii. There are other beaches or another time it see that particular beach.
6. I absolutely love the beaches! It’s also great to check out some of the things the islands have to offer. We’ve done tours, gotten advice from locals as to where to go.
Kim M says
Aloha! We will be traveling to Maui at the end of December. I’m wondering if you’ve heard of the best testing sites, of those approved, for receipt of immediate results? My husband and I are very proactive with following C-19 protocols and appreciate the steps being taken to make travel to HI safe. I’m worried about not getting our results in time to be in compliance with the 72-hour mandate. We want to do everything we can to be efficient. Any advice you’re able to provide is greatly appreciated.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kim.
We’ll have to leave it to other visitors with an experience to help. The test comments have most liked is the Vault mail in one.
Aloha.
Cate G says
While I’m still a new visitor to the islands (first trip ever last year) I have several more planned in the future and covid permitting I’ve started booking for May 2021 ❤️
1) Always respect the signage. It’s there for a reason. You don’t have to like it but have some class and respect it.
2) I’m from Texas and I may not quite be tactful enough to wait until that other person is gone before I open my mouth. Where I come from that’s bad manners. Treat everyone with respect. Golden rule.
3) That makes me cringe. you don’t live there you don’t get to make the rules. How would you feel if an outsider came in and tried to be ‘helpful’. You’re a visitor unless you’re being hurt in some form keep your mouth shut.The road to h*** is paved with good intentions. Bad form no matter where you visit.
4) absolutely not. Natural selection. Next question
5) it’s absolutely protection. The islands are finite. You do what you have to take care of your home. At the end of the day you’re only visiting and it’s not the end of the world.
6) the beaches are an absolute upside, but you can’t beat the culture and history. I was very disappointed last trip I didn’t get tickets in advance for a tour of Iolani Palace. I loved the Bishop Museum. There’s more to the island than Pearl Harbor. Lulu’s will forever be my favorite eating spot.