It just takes one person to wreck it for others. With some ugly details.
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500 thoughts on “How Some Tourists are Ruining Hawaii Travel for Everyone”
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It just takes one person to wreck it for others. With some ugly details.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
We have visited the Hawaiian Islands six times in the last thirty years. We recently returned from a week in Big and two weeks in Maui. I would not sat that the behaviors described don’t happen, but I can’t say I saw anything like the behaviors described even once on any visit. There have always been jerks and drunken people who don’t know how to behave everywhere, and like in the rest of America, there has been a gradual increase in uncivil and entitled behavior, so this is not a Hawaii problem, it is an American problem. I don’t think it can be solved, but I do think it should be recognized early on and we need to learn the best ways to deal with such behaviors. Generally, recognize it early , get management/police involved early.
In 1982, my wife and I honeymooned in Oahu. I was able to return once, to Maui, for a business trip 20 years ago. This year we celebrate our 40th anniversary and decided to introduce our extended family of 11 to the peacefulness, beauty and friendliness of the Hawaiian islands and its people. We booked a resort, activities, and a visit with relatives living in Maui this September but mostly we want to relax and take a break from the broader troubled world. I’m saddened by the stories about the number of tourist, the attitudes of some, and frustration they bring to those living on the islands. We hope our family can experience more of the true nature of the islands and promise the people there we’ll respect them and their home.
Simply cannot understand these people! I was raised to respect & be polite to others, especially when in ‘their’ home! Had a godmother who was epitome of the Ugly American. Felt all the ‘natives’ were just there to serve her. Made me sick.
I’ve gone on Da Bus instead of renting car, listen to people there talk story, learn so much. Sat in lei stands with ladies, watched & amazed at their craft, told them so. Helped elder aunties across the street, all kinds of silly stuff like that. Feel blessed they liked me & brought me into their various activities. Hoped like heck to show not all ‘haoles’ are crass and rude.
Been told by many that I am truly kamaiaina. Made my soul feel so good. You cherish any country where you are a guest, period.
I totally agree. I flew today from Kauai to Maui. While on the airplane and before it took off, another person tried to shove his bag on top of mine in the overhead compartment. The nice flight attendant asked him to please be conscious of other people’s things and not squish others items. The guy with the luggage then said that whoever had clothes in the bag was very rude and uncalled for to be traveling with clothes?!? (I just had a jean jacket on the top of my bag sticking out.) It was a very strange and abrupt circumstance to witness. The guy who was sitting next to me and I were just shaking our heads!
Yes, I have seen that happen many times, but it had nothing to do with Hawaii. It happened on trips to various locations. This is a general trend of lack of civility and narcissism.
Very true!
We just returned from spending a week on your beautiful island & a couple of days on Oahu. We’ve visited 15+ times and come from Mississippi to enjoy these beautiful islands. We bring our warm southern hospitality and are always welcomed with much Aloha!!! We respect your home, bring reef safe sunscreen & try to leave very little footprint.
We did notice a lot more visitors than we’ve ever seen before and saw some of the behavior you described. I will also add that I was in Vegas in March & witnessed the self righteous behavior several times there as well as on the plane returning home. Some people need to just stay home!
Sorry to say those intensely self righteous traveller people are the same ones that scream Freedom when what we hear is Freedumb
Having been in law enforcement for going on 40 years, I know what your talking about. And it’s only gotten worse as this world grows more woke. We visited Maui three times last year and are scheduled to visit Kauai this July. We’ll bring our spirit of Aloha with us. We love Hawaiians and your website! 🌴
I lived in Hawaii the first 27 years of my life. I have been back only 5 times for weddings and funerals over the last 39 years and not since 2009. I no longer even have a place to stay there. How did my wife and I spend our vacation last year? Two months traveling from Kaliningrad to Tampere with snow still on the ground!
We have been visiting Hawai’i, specifically, Kauai, for 20+ years. I see very few visitors, if any, taking advantage of their vacation location. We are most respectful of the Native Hawai’ian culture, heritage and traditions. We educate ourselves to all the places we travel to. It has been our observation that visitors want a good experience and are not in the mode to create disruption.
To pick and choose a few abusive travelers as examples of the entire visitor experience is wrong.
An example, from BOH data, abuse that is not visitor generated. Number of COVID cases from visitors compared to residents. And the closing of Polihale State Park during COVID. Polihale, one of our favorite places, closed because of resident abuse.
This is a perfect example of entitlement. There’s a world wide pandemic and somebody is unhappy because they can’t go where they want when they want.
I work in the airline industry so passengers believe they are entitled to everything under the sun! I fly frequently back and forth to Honolulu which is my home. Born and raised. Traveling when covid hit was the worst and still is. Under my breath I tell them to stay home and not ruin my island. All the college students on spring break just love to come to Hawaii and act foolish. .
Funny last October on Maui we didn’t experience any of this in fact I felt travelers went out of the way with showing patience for under staffed businesses.
Currently we’re on BI and experiencing same as we saw last October on Maui.
I will say our first dining experience on BI was a disaster with horrible customer service to the point several dinners walked out due to unbelievable wait time to receive your meal, but none made a scene.
I send a few messages earlier and I do not see any of them on here. What is up? I said nothing offensive, or combative. I am sure you will delete this as well. And that’s okay. It just proves that you don’t value the opinions of all on here. Just those that suck up to the narrative!
I knew this kind of thing was bound to happen; I knew it. You raise hotel room prices to north of $1K A NIGHT and eliminate the possibility of short-term home renting, add on sky-high costs for a car and what you get is what you have — rich haoles with a sense of entitlement because they’re the only who can afford to be in the Islands. They push locals around; they push workers around and they push EVERYONE around because they’ve got deep pockets. I wrote this same kind of e-mail to the Auberge about this when they opened up but, like other corporate entities, money talks and they’re listening. Mark my words: wait until the violence escalates.
Pam is exactly right. Hawaiian business greed brings out the jerks in much larger percentages as the true Hawaii loving and deeply responsible visitors are getting pushed out by prices and too many add on fees. This should be part of this discussion
agreed! It is Greed that is destroying the pleasures of life. I am 80 and hope I can somehow afford my last trip to Maui. The changes you mention are my concern more than the people. I can smother the people with kindness and they can digest it or move on. But, I can not open my wallet any further to enjoy some last portion of my life because of greed. That is so very sad since Maui is the most beautiful place on Earth to me!
While it is true there is an increasing amount of rude entitled people everywhere, the issue is there are too many visitors per resident, at least on Maui. The amount of visitors we are experiencing are way over the number allotted per community plan. But I agree that too many of these visitors act as though they are free to do anything they want with no regard for anyone else. I recently visited the mainland and not once did someone stop there car in front of me to take a picture, I wasn’t cut in line by someone at the grocery store or when I was ordering Starbucks, I didn’t have anyone weaving back and forth on mopeds in front of my car waving selfie sticks around. There’s too many visitors period.
Aloha Guys. I appreciate you both. You stated the facts so nice and clear. Hoping all visitors will read and practice good behaviour while there. It’s a privilege for me to visit when I can. Keep up the wonderful work that you do. Mahalo.
Hi Debra.
Thanks! Wet appreciate the input on this important topic and your many other comments.
Aloha.
Daytona Beach receives over 10 Million visitors a year as well. We live near Daytona Beach and do not see anything worse than it has ever been. Are there incidents? Of course! Do the Police handle things? YES! But I do not see any articles like this in any Florida tourism Magazine, or Blog. They don’t want to shoot themselves in the foot! Hawaii, apparently does!
My friend and I met for an early dinner at Ted’s in Honokaa. A group of tourist showed up at closing time and were upset they wouldn’t stay open for them. They gave the staff the bird screaming expletives. 🤪
Hawaii is a beautiful state, unique from others. My daughter and family lived on Lanai and Oahu for several years. I just got back from Oahu and was amazed at the traffic, bad driving and crowds. Good luck
I’m very sorry that Hawaiian Isles have to deal with this behavior.I have noticed it on social media Hawaii sites. It makes me more sad than anything in this tortured world right now. You see, I’m 80.When I was in 6th grade my first magazine was National Geographic. It is where I learned the beauty of Hawaii and started studying EVERYTHING about the island, its land, people, culture. when I made it to Hawaii in early 70’s;I wrote a letter to the Mayor of Maui and said, I vow to never move here and be a part of the destruction of this beautiful paradise. Building was beginning then. But,I visit every 5 years. It’s time for my visit, but I’m afraid; can’t afford it,& sad about the inability to visit a park w/out reservation.
I should not have to feel this way, nor know I will not get to visit a few times more before this dance of life is over. It should not be that those of us who respect the land and were raised with respect have to give up going to an island because of greedy selfish tourists that really dont care about Hawaii, it is just on their twitter goal to post pictures. Its just the saddest thing in my life. Thank you for allowing me to post my feelings.
I have only this to say: A few bad eggs do not make the whole dozen. There will always be people that are going to be less than respectful. We live near Daytona Beach and we have basically the same types of people you get in Hawaii. I have to say I am shocked to read this article. If you are looking to have people shy away from visiting your State, then keep writing pieces like this. Do not act like you are doing anyone a favor by having tourists com to Hawaii. Because you aren’t. Tourism is your number one industry and you should respect those that are willing to come there by not writing pieces like this! I do not mean this in any disrespectful manner but it feels like you are scolding an 8 year old and not talking to mature adults!
Nothing that was said in this article was false people are entitiled rude and obnoxious. If you can’t behave like a decent respectful human being Stay Home!!
Edward you’re so wrong! Daytona is nothing like Hawaii and most travellers are totally different. I think you’re dreaming that Daytona is anything like Hawaii. It aint.
The people the article is talking about aren’t acting like mature adults so why should they be treated as such. If you act like a child, expect to be treated like on.
I totally agree. The attitude about tourists changed since Covid. The locals had the islands to themselves and then didn’t want the tourists back. I have spent thousands and thousands of dollars over the past 50 years visiting the islands. Where would they be without our dollars?
Aloha!”Please join us in treating Hawaii as a jewel and help respect and protect it for all of us and for future generations.” I believe in this. That’s why we are waiting to visit. It seems the islands have been inundated by well meaning people just eager to get out or those that could care less about the culture. I was in Kauai when the last of the cane was being removed…by you-know-who. I experienced spiritual people and places. The advertising I see says “come, come, come”. Yet, I know from your emails now is not the time for us. Hope to see you later.
My heart goes out to you. I too was on the islands when the sugar can fields burned their last cane, the pineapples and the trains were eliminated or reduced. It breaks my heart and to watch the new homes track up the sides of the beautiful valleys. Its just very hard to be alive so long to watch change..not so good change.
Unfortunately, this attitude isn’t all that one-sided and there are issues on both sides. I have lived on Oahu for years, but being a blonde-haired blue-eyed woman I look nothing like a local, so I am automatically considered a tourist by most. One time I was literally pulling a loaf of bread off a shelf at a grocery store, and a local woman passing behind me directed several derogatory words in Hawaiian in my direction. I had never before met, seen nor talked to the particular woman in my life. Another time, my husband (who also does not look like a local) was standing in a parking lot waiting for his food order and a local woman yelled towards him ”Haoles aren’t welcome here!” And these, unfortunately, aren’t isolated incidents.
This is such goofy posting. What you are describing has nothing to do with tourism. It’s just the way the world is in general–and who is “ruining” what for whom is clearly a matter of perspective. I could write a similar–if not much more convincing article about how “a few bad Hawaiians are ruining Hawaii for everyone”–or how “a few bad Hawaiian lawmakers / elected officials are ruining Hawaii for everyone”–or how “outrageously high taxes in Hawaii are ruining Hawaii for everyone”, etc, ad infinitum. And your weak examples are anecdotal at best. You don’t personally know where the Starbucks customers or the beach goers are from: They could be locals. You are assuming certain things (and character traits)–if not simply projecting.
Unfortunately, it only takes one or two bad apples to spoil it for everyone. I work in tourism on Maui and it is hard not to fall into the all-tourists-are-jerks attitude when you see or are on the receiving end of just a couple of the entitled, complaining sort. The reality is that there are a lot more entitled jerks traveling, but they are still a tiny minority. Most, particularly those returning, or coming back year after year, “get it” and are wonderful. They don’t walk around with a drink surgically attached to their hand, or fly drones into people’s lanais, or ride turtles, etc. They are here for what Hawaii has to offer them, not what they think Hawaii must provide them. Don’t try to change Hawaii, let it change you.
Frank P.
Thank you for that thoughtful response. I was relieved to hear that it isn’t a prevalent attitude towards tourists in general. Mahalo!
Thank you for your comment Frank P. It breaks my heart to read that some tourists are not treating the Hawaiian Islands as the treasures that they are and that resident employees are being treated disrespectfully. Our yearly visit to Maui from BC Canada is cherished immensely by me and my husband and we have been treated very respectfully by the Hawaiian resident we have come in contact with and I would hope they would say the same of us. I agree with others that this is not Las Vegas or Disneyland and would encourage those looking for that type of experience to visit those places.
While I totally understand the negative impacts of travel on the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, I also understand the reliance of the islands on the tourism industry. For about the last decade, I have booked about 70% of my travelers to Hawaii. I am very aware of the malama that is so important to Hawaii. As an advisor, I make sure to express things of importance like using reef safe sunscreen or patronizing small family businesses while vacationing there. Please don’t lump all of us into the same category as some bad actors. It’s an unfair characterization.
Mahalo Rob & Jeff for your ongoing vigilance and reporting.
Unfortunately, this behavior isn’t exclusive to Hawaii–it’s pervasive and getting worse.
It’s likely more visible in Hawaii, since this obnoxious attitude is in such contrast to the
beauty and serenity of Hawaii. A lack of manners (no “please’ , “thank you” or even a courteous smile anymore),
coupled with an outrageous sense of entitlement. It appears to be the new standard, and it is very disturbing, indeed.
Hi Dayna.
Thanks. Yes we get that. Maybe it is just more shocking and now more frequent to us here. The restaurant arrest put it over the top.
aloha.
Those types of incidents are the exception, not the rule. I think this article as a whole, totally missed any productive point and will be viewed by many (as is evident in the comments) as a depiction of tourists in general. We visited Hawaii, (Oahu, Kawaii and the Big Island) back in 2007 for our honeymoon. It was the best trip either one of us had ever taken and we will always cherish the memories from it! But if the attitude now is that tourists are a bunch of rude, obnoxious, people, that only come to Hawaii to boss people around, then I am sure you are going to drive many good people away from visiting there. Please examine the content of this article and I hope you will find a way to “tweak it”!
Thanks for listening,
Ed
As a 25 year resident and a service worker I feel that the sheer number of visitors is too high and causes problems. I also have seen for many years that frequently tourists seem unaware that streets, stores, restaurants and the like are used by locals and should not be blocked while they make decisions on what to buy, where to eat, whether to stop in a town. In your own home you do not stand in the middle of a busy road while discussing where to eat, nor do you completely block a grocery aisle for several minutes discussing how much cereal to buy for your stay. It’s a daily occurrence and it’s very inconsiderate of others. Simply being aware that everyone is not on vacation would be an improvement, common courtesy.
Having been a tourist here in Hawaii so many times I always try to make visitors feel welcome. I have never personally experienced a negative tourist in the 2 1/2 years I have lived here. Yes there are always those negative people who are never happy so there is nothing we can do to please them so it is best to just stay clear of them. The best we can do is set an example of the Aloha spirit for everyone and hope the sentiment is returned.
Well said Michelle.
I’m in tourism and I think 5 years of political turmoil and a pandemic of cooped up people has left a mark on us all but there is definitely a difference in visitor’s behavior. Not for the good but it is not all but a small group
There are an equal amout of stories regarding how rude local are towards visitors…
The woman from Massachusetts is just one of a legion of MA residents that act that way at home. There’s actually a theater production here where the hosts just play actual 911 calls to the Brookline police from the most entitled, clueless yet morally superior fools you could imagine. There entire existence revolves around finding something to be outraged about.
Keith, I don’t know if that is sadly funny, funnily sad.
But a good point – those exhibiting bad behavior in Hawaii are just bringing their own home state behavior with them.
I first came to Hawaii in 1965 and have been there too many times to count since. I think I’m respectful to the people and the land. But not because they are special, but because that’s how I am wherever I am.
I learned to surf at Queens when I was 7 years old almost 53 years ago. I have traveled from California to surf and vacation on all of the islands probably over 25 times, but lived on Oahu the most. I drove for The Cab at 18 years old in 1979 in town when Hotel street was downright frightening. I know Hawaii and it’s people. I don’t believe the examples given were anything new. Just newly reported. Rude people are everywhere. Crime and corruption has been rampant for so many years on Oahu. Tourists get robbed in town and usually by car break-in at the Haou every day still. IMO its good to remind tourists how they should behave respectfully. You can have a safe trip to Hawaii but you need to be respectful and careful.
About the aggressive encounters, you have it right, & wrong. As a visitor since 1976, I have seen the change in the attitude. It mimics the change all over America. We have become intolerant, to a point where we now see acts of violence. Experts lay blame on pressures of life, politics, poverty, etc. What has really changed over the years? Respect! We have lost respect for rules, laws & ourselves. During the pandemic, we disregarded cultural mores, drove above the speed limits, & hurt other people. Did that make us happier, safer, wealthier, or better people? Not that I can tell. Aretha Franklin had it right, R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Practice random acts of kindness & you will feel the respect you gave. Perhaps random acts of violence will disappear.
Yes, we all need to be more respectful of one another and love one another!
Just walk down Kalakau and watch so many people jay walking and crossing the street wherever whenever. I don’t remember seeing so many people disregard the traffic lights. Somebody is going to get run over.
I have seen both sides of the aloha on the islands. My husband was born and raised in Hawaii and I was born on the mainland. The way I am treated when he is with me is far different than the way I am treated without him by my side. We return about 4 times a year to see family and consider Hawaii a second home. I have also seen elitist attitude from tourists for many years. However perhaps some of the new rules such as charging “ tourists” for parking at beaches or the high cost of visiting places such as Hanauma bay etc. causes some of the us vs them attitude. Now because my husband has a different driver’s license he has to pay for things he grew up doing all his life… he has become a “them”.
Sorry you can’t find a local coffee shop. Be better to think circular economy and support local instead of chains sucking money out of our state.
Got news for you – this isn’t limited to rude visitors in Hawaii. People are like that everywhere. Civility and good will are hard to find in lots of people these days. We have been going to Hawaii yearly (2020 excepted!) since 2003 and own at Ko Olina. We are amazed at the true aloha spirit we have experienced all the time. We love Hawaii. Don’t let a few bad eggs ruin it for everyone else.
Living in Southern California, I can wholeheartedly echo this – bad behavior is a tourist trademark here, as is the local nasty response.
I lived on Oahu for nearly 3 years late 80s-early 90s as an Army guy, I was lucky enough to connect with some locals and I learned to respect the island and all it stands for. Having returned for visits over the last 30+ years, I still feel a peace and connection to the North Shore of Oahu that I’ve never known any other place on the planet…
Unfortunately, not all make that connection!
My wife and I have been coming to Maui since our honeymoon in 1968, and every time we come, we notice more garbage and obnoxious individuals. Unfortunately, we have experienced the same thing where we live on the Central Coast of California. Maybe it’s happening all over the country? Covid has certainly brought out the worst in some people.
Nothing unique about Hawaii. Traffic laws are ignored, violent crime is skyrocketing, drug and alcohol abuse and deaths are at all-time highs. Housing and food prices are at crisis levels. Mob rule is the new normal.
The US is fighting a proxy war with Russia, a nuclear threat, without even considering the risks. US born citizens are fired and cancelled for rejecting a failed vaccine for a disease with a 99.99% survival rate.
When the president says there will be food shortages maybe we should believe him. He was correct when he said gasoline would reach all-time highs.
Is it any wonder people are acting crazy? In the grand scheme of things rude customers seem pretty trivial.
The pandemic has merely shown a light on just how entitled people believe they are. The idea that wearing a mask or taking a vaccine that might save another’s life is apparently a bridge too far for about a third of the population here in the US. People are appalling.
Sad that you took this into your direction of far political view. Some points take, some I spit out. anyway, this is not the place to pop in politics.
We see it here in the 9th island also!
Having grown up in Hawaii I have often seen bad behavior on the part of tourists and understand the frustration! However, as a TA and Hawaii Specialist, I do not think that the Travel Industry is responsible for the bad behavior of these visitors. Most TA’s do their best to inform their clients and help them learn about and respect the places they visit. There are just a lot of rude people in this world! We who work in the industry are just as disgusted as the residents of Hawaii when we see reports of incidents. Like the fool who was harassing the Monk Seal last year. Come ON! Who does that?! I do try to educate my clients and often post articles about behaviors like that…just in case they might not realize that it is unacceptable.
This is definitely switching the narrative as the bigger problem is the many locals feeling entitled to the Hawaiian land not meaning the native Hawaiian people, but to the local who do not treat the land sacred and leave trash, cars, junk , tarps, etc in their front lawns do not care for their homes that deteriorate. West side of Oahu has been run down for years as you dove through the areas. Tourists and native are respectful their are too many homeless and people who do not take care of the land they live on. They need to crack down and take a holistic approach to fixing areas of Oahu. It definitely looks more like drug houses then families living there
Hmmm. What about the fools who live in Hawaii and killed Monk Seals? Were they ever caught and held accountable?
biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Hawaiian_monk_seal/seal_slayings.html