74 thoughts on “How do Hawaii Travelers View Other Visitors and Residents”
Mike J
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.