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.
I just returned from a Hawaiian vacation. My party relied on locals for their perspective on places to go and where to avoid. We always thanked them for their help and time. On behalf of the tourists that are still respectful and appreciative of Hawaiian people and places thank you for sharing your beauty and grace.
My husband and I visited Oahu in Feb our first and last time. We are both respectful and polite in our regular life and also while on vacation. We quickly became aware that we were not wanted there. It was disappointing to say the least. Our flight home was full of Hawaiian residents visiting my home. I am most certain no one here made you feel unwelcome, you never saw signs refusing service (even to a bathroom), and locals are not allowed to skip lines in front of you for parking or entry. The next time we are looking for beautiful beaches to relax HI will unfortunately not be on the list. But please continue to visit my hometown your tourist dollars keep my taxes down an help boost my local economy with jobs and small businesses.
HL always remember Honolulu is a big city. Try an outer island. If you visit NYC you might find the same big city attitude. (Married to a Brooklynite so feel o.k. saying this)!
If Lake Tahoe officials can stop tourists from inundating their land, Hawaii can too. I am not sure they know what to do.
As sad as this article is, I agree with others that this is not isolated to Hawaii tourism. Just look at any videos from airlines recently, all the entitled “Karen” videos, etc. As a society we have gone far downhill the last few years.
It bums me out that few bad apples are giving visitors to the islands a bad name, as many of us go there to respect the beauty, nature and culture that can only be found there.
Not just “entitled Karen’s!” Alot of entitled people of all different races.
I am very saddened to hear that tourists who visit Hawaii are rude belligerent and unaccepting of the locals who live there. I used to live there 40 years ago and hold Hawaii very near and dear to my heart the Aloha spirit of the local people and residence is amazing and something to be appreciated not trampled
My husband and I have been coming to Maui every year for about 25. I was shocked last year by what I witnessed and even wrote the Mayor. My husband is a free diver and every year retrieves items in the ocean. This past year the evening sailing trips were packed. The following mornings,he picked up soda and beer cans both opened and unopened and platic bottles.We also picked up masks and even a diaper. I went along the beach picking up trash. I saw so many plastic bottles near the shoreline. It was heartbreaking.
I appreciate my recent visit to Molokai more and more, especially when seeing how busy Maui and Oahu are. Tourists know where they stand in Molokai with the “Visit, Spend, Leave” or “Tourists not welcome” signs. Visitors need to chill out. I had a peaceful time in Molokai and totally understand why they want to keep the demanding tourists out.
Leah,
What kind of signs did the visitors you observed have? Any that read, “Hawaiians go Home,” “Hawaiians get off your ….?” I doubt it, but you make excuses for some Hawaiians holding such non-Aloha signs.
Such signs make me think some of those same Hawaiians would prefer: “Visit, Spend, Leave” be replaced with “Stay Home, Send Check.”
Ige again! Sates Unemployment Compensation $500,000,000.00 upside down, he waited for the Federal Subsidies, took the other Counties Hotel Tax Revenue and put it in the General Fund, then awaited his instructions as to Lock-downs, Masks keeping the Service Workers home and living the vida loca!
It’s disappointing to see these entitled fools treating people so poorly. I make it a point to ask how anyone in the service industry is doing before conducting business… They are human too.
I am willing to bet that a couple of the first examples, had the villans simply been polite and kind could have got what they want or needed. Whatever.. we were just here in Oahu and after chatting up the gal at the front desk, asking how she has been doing, etc.. she upgraded us to a suite..
I took note of her name and used my platinum status to give her a great compliment to her manager. We all won.
I do instacart on Maui and the tourists are extremely rude and blame me for stock shortages on the stores. I’ve had numerous people claim they never received their groceries or they were damaged when they received them, when they see the final total. I would say the majority report they didn’t get their Rib-eyes and tenderloin. The entitlement is beyond anything i’ve ever experienced before. I wish everyone would live by the golden rule “do the right thing”.
I’m so sorry. Hawaii should not let tourist come over. You will survive. Most people here in the USA main land are rude vulgar no manners and no compassion for others. Only their needs come first and to heck with anybody else. I should know. I have lived in Florida 57 years. Have traveled to several places inside the US and outside. And every time there is always some tourist making a seine because they are not getting what they want or not fast enough. They think everything should be catered to them and no one else.
This is the USA and we have the right to travel to every state in the union.
We do not have the right to be rude and abusive.
These examples are not unique to Hawaii at all. Some people are idiots whether they’re in Hawaii, or Des Moines!
I’ve been both tourist and resident here. Tourist 1980, 93, 94, 2008, then moved here with the Army (Civ) in 2012. There is much confusion when trying to give help to visitors. Patience isn’t commonly noted. So, advice is the slow down! Listen, repeat, and give respect because we all deserve it.
When I read this article it saddens me to think that type of ugliness is brought over to Hawai’i That’s right; some travelers bring it with them. If you feel your owed something, don’t go to the islands. Aloha spirit is only for those who respect, honor and love the islands and it’s people who live there. That element of selfishness and a disrespectful attitude is not welcomed anywhere, not only in Hawai’i. I love the islands and can do with a lot less morons running around a place of such wonder and awe. Aloha!
This is such a true but sad article. When we are visiting the islands. We prayed to the water n for the native hawaiians every morning. My husband is a mainland native. He felt sad that the lil girl at Wai’anapanapa was confused by us asking the rules there. Which turned out to be very similar to ours regarding the ocean. It was sad the lack of respect that she endured everyday.
I like the term you use travel revenge due to covid. It’s terrible that some folks are unable to act with curiosity and respect towards others and things that do not belong to them. These type of moral actions are not as absorb by some folks, while others embrace a sense of respect for humanity and it’s surroundings. These types of personalities are full of hatred and fear that they will lose out in life, while they develop a sense of entitlement throughout their lives. Anyway, the travel industry will most likely change, not so much to passify visitors or kiss up to them, for huge profits, but to provide a sense of welcoming so that visitors can enjoy their vacation and return home relaxed instead of more stressed.
I have lived and traveled to Hawaii frequently thru the past 30 years and have an affinity for Maui. We traveled to Maui last year and upon leaving I literally told my travel buddy, Maui as we know it will be ruined. Too many people have discovered it and are ruining it’s magic which I feel happened in Oahu. I’ve often said – Hawaiians have life figured out. They understand how we are all connected to the land, ocean, animals and each other and live life with respect for all parts. I admire the Aloha spirit and connectedness they have with one another. Hawaii is more than beautiful scenery, it has beautiful people; I appreciate & cherish this and so hope it doesn’t get ruined. Visitors, please be respectful, kind and embrace the Aloha.
I’m almost intimidated not to travel to Hawaii for my birthday. Thats a shame and embarrassing for those of us who want to experience the culture. I hope there’s nothing but aloha when we arrive
I have seen a lot over the years traveling to Hawaii. I have been to all the islands with the exception of the private island.
I have seen a lot of the described behavior oveca twenty some year period and about fifty trips there.
One of the most blatant incidents I have seen was at Turtle Bay where these two young punk had went and sat on two huge sea turtles. A woman had asked them to get off the turtles and respect the distace of the turtles.
They ignored the women and continued sitting on the turtles. It wasn’t long before these huge Hawaiians came out of nowhere and beat the hell out of the young punks and they were still arrested by the police.
The native Hawaiians are very proud people.
Amen
As a tourist I would have helped the men take care of those punks myself. I cannot believe the nerve of some people… especially when it comes to hurting wildlife.
This is not a Hawaii problem. This is all over the US. I work in retail and during the worst of Covid my customers were so appreciative that we were open and helping them with their needs. Now many of them come in with unreasonable demands and threatening to go to corporate or post a negative Yelp if they don’t get what they want.
I understand this is the sign of the times. There’s always two sides to every story. Hawaii is a beautiful jewel created by God. In His glory we should cherish the beauty and purity Hawaii is. I’m sure the locals know where this beautiful jewel it’ll be if we continue to disrespect each other and Hawaii. In all of this and I’m mean ALL is just a result of our nature. A fallen nature that has silenced us from thi very nature God has created. Because ask yourself from both sides. Would you treat each other and Hawaii in such a way that would be so painful and disrespectful if you were in touch with the very nature of the Holy Spirit God has given you. No I think not. We are fallen from that nature because of the choices of our human desire.
Having recently traveled to HI, I can honestly say that there is not a lot of aloha for tourists, and we aren’t the unruly type. When simply arriving on the island means we’re elitist jerks, and when simple interactions come with a lot of distrust and toxic assumptions, it’s like being set up to fail. We frequently had locals provide conflicting advice, and we realized we could not trust many of them. We were told to drive slow and on at least two occasions were nearly run off the road by locals passing us. Rules for me but not for thee is never appropriate. “If you want aloha, then give aloha” – great advice, but if that does not work in both directions, it does not work at all. Humanity, humans!
That’s surprising to hear. We just arrived home after another lovely visit. We had nothing but friendly interactions. Sorry for your bad luck.
Lol people are jerks everywhere that’s hardly exclusive to Hawaii. I spent 10 days June of last year and had a wonderful time everywhere I went. Sorry your experience wasn’t same
We returned from Maui last Friday, after a wonderful nine days. We drove all over the island, had some great meals, enjoyed the ocean, and found everyone to be friendly and happy. With one exception. After a week at a quiet condo resort in Kihei, an obnoxious group moved into the next door unit. Loud and oblivious to everyone else. Perhaps they were some of the tourists mentioned in the article!
Despite this, our vacation was not spoiled, and we have already booked our return for 2023. Staying at a different resort.
Mahalo.
It just sounds like your were unaware of the cultural and social norms – such as letting local traffic pass- and locals are not obligated to “teach” these social norms. It’s generally the type of information responsible and respectful travelers seek out for themselves before their trip. We all have jobs, kids to pick up at school, school sports, etc etc etc and …and tourists going 13 mph on the highway while holding up traffic to take photos of trees is very entitled (as the article infers).
Anela A,
“letting local traffic pass” What does that even mean?
Mahalo,
Rod
It means that when you are a tourist, sightseeing, and driving slowly either due to not knowing the area or just trying to soak in the local scenery, you pull to the side and let faster traffic pass, just like you would be expected to do on any road in America. It becomes even more critical in areas like ours with limited road options for travel, as opposed to say, Los Angeles, which has zillions of different ways around.
I live in an overrun ski area that’s is rapidly becoming unlivable. When is enough, enough?
This story is so true to the bone! I’m gonna share this with everyone I know. I’m sure they too will agree! Mahaloz 🤙🏽
We lived there for a few years. My son moved back over a yr ago. We love going back when we can but you have to be considerate of the culture around you. We primarily avoid the tourist areas as it can be a bit much. But when I go back, I’m there to relax, see family, sunsets, sunrises, etc. If you enjoy what nature has to offer, pick up after yourself, and keep with the Aloha spirit, generally there aren’t issues. Mahalo!
After the idiot government and governor made restrictions, changed them, reinstated them, cancelled them, made new restrictions, modified them …. I’ll never go there again. I’ve been to every inhabited island except Ni’ihau, enjoyed every minute. But as long as Hawaiians elect idiots to represent them, I’ll never go again. You reap what you sew. Good luck without this tourist, there are 1000 places in the world just as nice, much cheaper, but you need a passport. Mexico is 10 times better.
DJ, agree about the idiots Hawaiians elect. Of course, I can say the same about my neighbors in CA – always electing extreme lefties.
But, I would not say Mexico is 10x better. Here’s the deal – I’ve never been to a tourist area that treats its visitors better than Cancun. But, my wife will no longer travel outside the USA, so it’s off to our 50th state.
Personally, I’m ambivalent – I have visited at least 30, maybe 40 times and would like some different scenery. But, happy wife, happy life.
So anyone you disagree with politically is an “idiot” … nice. It’s exactly people like that that are the subject of the article I suspect…
No not everyone – but the governor of Hawaii clearly is an idiot, perhaps a terrible governor would be a better way of describing him.
On a completely different subject… the saying “Happy wife – Happy life” Does that mean if we don’t make our wives life happy they will make our life miserable?
Do you see us calling your chosen elected officials “idiots”? See how many “thumbs down” your comment got? This is exactly the kind of thing that upsets us. We elect officials to represent the needs of the residents, not the visitors. And when we made a bad choice, it is US that is stuck with the ramifications of that election. You may or may not like our choices. What matters is that we do. And for what it is worth, we have a couple of fantastic Senators, far better than most mainland states have elected.
I live in California and residents of other states have called previous Governor Jerry Brown – Governor Moonbeam. Another name for someone way out there.
So what. Your governor is an idiot just as Jerry Brown and Gov Newsom are idiots.
And, visitors have every right to make political observations – we pay taxes in your beautiful state every time we visit.
I have not called you or other residents names.
Rod, that’s a little rich calling out the Democrat party when the Republicans have morphed into the party of Gaetz, Taylor Green and Trump?? Personally I’m a political centrist but the damage the extremists have done to our country is incalculable. Hawaii is a blue state, if you come with the attitude that Democrats are idiots you will likely miss out on our greatest asset…The Aloha spirit and all it entails.
John,
First, I have been coming to Hawaii since 1965. More frequently over the past 30 years. So, I’m quite comfortable with Hawaii and Hawaiians and fellow visitors.
As to parties – when there is one-party rule, as there is in Hawaii (and CA) you miss out on the rich diversity when both parties are engaged. The parties in power don’t have to listen to the minority party.
I’ll ignore the reference to G, TG, and Trump – the Ds are full of terrible politicians including one of your own US Senators. I happen to like Trump, things were better during his term.
Reading all the posts of dissatisfied folks, I suggest a few more Rs in power in Hawaii would be a good thing.
Rod, I don’t disagree with your premise that no one party should be in power indefinitely. I always thought a mix of the two parties is healthy. Sadly, the Republican Party is now defined by the Election Lie and Jan 6th…you can always find fault with any politicians but nothing comes close to those gifts from the Republican Party and the willingness to undermine American Democracy so easily.
The Republican Party now is mostly extremists that Hawaii would never tolerate, they are the polar opposite of what Aloha is all about.
We had a Republican Governor and she did not do anything! So, it is ok for you not to return to the Hawaiian Islands since it is a Democratic State. You are entitled to love anyone, including trump as much as you want to as well. The Hawaiian Island will survive without your visits 🙂
You can also choose not to visit. Again, elected officials in HI represent local interests, not visitor interests. Your name calling of your own politicians because you dislike Dems is just as bad as your name calling of ours. Your entitlement is showing.
I see so anyone who you dont align with are idiots. Got it. Wow. You pay taxes in hawaii? So that gives you a demanded say in how they govern things? This is for Hawaii and those who want to visit and respect the islands.
I am sure the Hawaiian Islands won’t suffer if you do not come back…..Good luck in Mexico or wherever you choose to visit on your vacation 🙂
We just spent a month on the Big Island, 3 weeks on the East side and a week in Kona. We did see a difference in the visitors and locals. While we met some nice people in Kona, many visitors seemed to be missing the Aloha spirit. In Keaau/Pahoa/ Hilo, things were slower, people super friendly and we learned about the culture. We felt we had a spiritual awakening while we were there. Kona was very much like So California. The tone of some being entitled or so materialistic did take away from our experience there. Honestly, I can understand why locals get tired of some tourists. Mahalo for writing this article.
Hi Chari.
Thanks for your first comment, and for sharing feedback on your recent Big Island experiences.
Aloha.
As a regular visitor to Oahu I agree with most of the article above & sorry that people today seem to have lost common decency. I also wanted to alert you to, as well as readers that all visitors don’t act this way either.
Unfortunately many of Hawaiians have taken up this attitude in heavily traveled tourist areas like Honolulu. My Girlfriend and I were riding bikes in the downtown area near the beach and were harassed, even “pulled over” by a local in a pick up truck with a severely bad attitude flashing a badge from the court system, complaining about where we were riding in the street. There was lack of a sidewalk but we were riding responsibly & obeying all traffic as well as commonly used biking practices. He seemed to just hate us.
Like most cities, Honolulu is not different with lots of traffic with lots of rude drivers. The City and Country has created a lot of bicycle paths for those that want to ride a bicycle, use them so you do not encounter what you did, otherwise, expect attitude from residents getting to places in Honolulu…simple 🙂
I live in Palm Springs and my brother lives in Honolulu. I’ve noticed the same thing with tourists here. Palm Springs required vaccination proof to enter restaurants for a time. The poor hostesses and hosts who had to ask for proof were met with such disdain from tourists. Many tourists also felt that full time residents were merely there to assist in accommodating their vacations. I feel for residents of Hawaii. Bad behavior is on the rise.
My husband and I(FL residents) were in Kona,HI March of 2022,staying at Royal Kona Resort which was beautiful,In your comments you worry about tourists causing problems. you need to look at some of your own residents!At the Green Sand Beach parking area local residents with pickup trucks w/metal bars around the bed of trucks are charging $20 per person to stand up in the back of the truck to be taken to the Green Sand Beach.They are destroying the property!large ruts 3&4 ft.deep throughout the walk.A truck almost overturned with 20 people standing in the back.The HI residents doing this are endangering peoples lives& destroying the ecosystem They are aggressive and rude! Think of the lack of income HI would have without tourists.
I visited in September of 2021 and hiked to the the green sand beach, but I don’t blame the locals at all. If the government doesn’t restrict vehicle access or provide a road, and tourists are too lazy to walk ~3 miles; I don’t blame local entrepreneurs for trying to make a living. None of the drivers we aggressive with us; though we are young, got there at 8 am, and were dressed for a hike, so they didn’t try to sell us on a ride. As for safety, if you are taking your family in the back of a beat up pickup truck, you’ve already signed away your rights to complain about safety.
True! We did the hike too. At least the locals had the 4×4 trucks vs visitors taking a compact rental car and trying to off road it.
Then write to the Governor and let him know instead of wasting your time here. As far as the state losing money because of lack of tourists, Hawaii is more than tourism sweet heart…..maybe you should learn more about Hawaii and realize that residents don’t just depend on tourism…yes, it is easy money for many but Hawaii is more than tourism 🙂
80% of Maui’s Revenue is Tourist driven between Service, Travel and Retail! Oahu, between Pearl Harbor and Tourism, is close to this, 4.7M Tourist Annually, the largest Export of Hawaii is Oil and Coal accounting for $303M against $2.07B in Tourism, “Hawaii’s main source of income.” The Export Floral Industry, Pineapple and Coffee are the other main Exports. Hawaii’s Unemployment Rate topped at 21.9% in May 2020, but with Hotels reporting 31,000 jobs in mid-2021, this excludes the Resteraunt Segment, Airlines, Retail, Transportation, this is the largest single Employment Segment, ahead of Astrel, Kapiolani Medical, Pearl Harbor and Hawaii Health, that combined have 23,400!
what I was most amazed at was Hawaii 50, all of the officers I encountered and saw approaching people on the beech with beer, weed or smoking, were very nice, Patient and very kind in their approach to the entitled offenders. One group had a case of beer and a group. Each had an open beer. The lady officers said nicely, go ahead and finish your open beer then close up your case and take it home. As soon as the officers headed back up towards where I was sitting guy reaches in and starts handing beers to anyone walking by. The officer went back and again was nice and said ok drink it and go. FU says the guy. She says really? Do you want to go to jail while your on vacation? The guy said things to the officer I cannot repeat here. Not cool
Talk about asking for it! I would have been rattl d enough to count my blessings.
I am a canadian retiree, who has worked in the travel industry for 40 yrs. This past winter I had the priviledge of having a hnl condo for a month. I want to say in support of anyone in service industry, the people, specially the transit bus drivers, stores, restaurants, tours couldnt have been more courteous & welcoming. I know how a 8 hr. Shift of standing & dealing with the public can be exhausting.
So please visitors to any of our countries,return the courtesy, & a simple thank you will brighten your day
Well said Karen B…..Unfortunately, many expect Hawaii residents to cater to them and lick their feet because they are tourists….well, respect to be respected and there are many rude, cheap, no classy visitors who come in cheap packages and expect to be treated like 5 Diamond treatment.
Maybe tourists should learn to become better tourists when leaving their homes 🙂 it would be a great start 🙂
I love Hawaii. I was born there… Before it was a state! (yeah I’m kinda old)
The people at Starbucks… how do we know they were “visitors”?
That being said, the people running the state are going to need to take a hard look at what they have “created”. Constant ads to visit the Aloha State, Hawaiian Airlines pushing Hawaii all over Instagram. The state appears to be a victim of it’s own success. On the other hand, when people are jerks where they live, they are probably going to be jerks where they go.
Aloha!
A thought on your comment about Hawaiian Airlines marketing. Blame the hyper competitive entry of SWA jumping into the market . Of course HA has to respond to there so called SWA effect where they try to jump into a market and stimulate it. It’s there business plan. They have flooded the market, ignored the impact and prioritized corporate growth at the expense of the State. They are a prime driver behind the degradation of tourism here
Here’s the problem. Who flies across the ocean to a tropical paradise to visit Starbucks and Moose McGillycuddy’s when they can visit those establishments at home. They should take their business to local merchants serving the local “bill of fare”.
These are the same people that get sucked into buying a luau that is held in a hotel ballroom and give you the phony experience. There are only three authentic luaus that I know of in Hawaii – Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu), Old Lahaina Luau (Maui) and the Smith Family Luau (Kauai). If there is no Imu and Imu ceremony, it is not an authentic luau.
I just got back from a two week visit to Oahu and Kauai, and I am happy I didn’t witness such disrespectful behavior. Fortunately, everyone, tourists and locals, seemed happy with each other in the moment.
I came looking to unwind and enjoy the aloha spirit. Stressing out, being on edge, those are the sorts of things I get away from by visiting Hawaii.
A recommendation to visitors: you will have a heck of a better time if you relax and accept what the islands will give you rather than think you can wrestle it into being what you think will be the “perfect experience” you planned. Relax, adapt to what you find.
And I even speak as a try-hard outdoor activity lover.
Counterpoint: I can only enter certain beach parks with a reservation for a limited time due to my out of state status. I can’t rent a house is local neighborhoods for less than 90 days anymore. Hawaii now is much different than the Hawaii of my youth, mostly due to overtourism and the resulting laws. But that doesn’t make the discrimination any less painful. Ideally I would buy a house in Hawaii and live there half time, but I’m not there financially, and I don’t know if I ever will be given the impending vacancy tax. So this summer, it’s Guam, with a stopover at the Kahala and a trip to Ala Moana.
C’mon man. Please consider the people who *actually* get discriminated against and stop complaining you aren’t *rich* enough to “buy a house in Hawaii and live there half time.” This is the very definition of “first world problems.” If you want to live in Hawaii for cheap, there’s always Ocean View Estates!
Amen! I have been to Hawaii a couple of times now. I find that when I am nice everyone I encounter are nice back to me. I always say please and thank you and try my best to be patient and kind to others.
There is definitely an element of entitlement by some visitors no doubt. I for one love Hawaii. Love its uniqueness and the isolation of being in the middle of the pacific ocean.
There needs to be a balance. It cannot become a place just for the rich to visit.
We enjoyed every minute of our time in Oahu and plan to come back soon! I love Hawaii.
We have vacationed on Oahu many times, were married there 6 years ago, and other than this year have Never experienced any of this. This year a Family,medium Group,of Entitled NY/NJ made many others uncomfortable by their actions and verbage which seemed like normal to them! Unacceptable to the Extreme.
Sadly, the mainland is full of selfish, self important, spoiled adult children fostered by an insanity-coddling government, enabling media & entertainment industry cesspool. Some states & cities are much worse than others.
A bit of a broad brush there…. we are certainly host to a population of boorish people, however more often than not, kindness and consideration prevails. The problem is, kindness and consideration is quiet and not always acknowledged. The boorish behavior will always get more attention.
I’ve been to Hawaii 3 times now and have always found the people of The islands sweet and helpful. I’m sorry to here that some visitors are being so rude and inconsiderate. The beauty of the islands and it’s people are a true treasure and should be treated with respect and the care they deserve. The world in general seems to get crazier everyday and the sense of entitlement seems to grow each day even here on the mainland. I don’t have the answers , I wish I did. Hoping that somehow we return to a more civil way of treating one another. If I could afford it I would move to the islands in a heartbeat to be in that Aloha spirit. Mahalo
Very interesting article.
We just got back fromna week long family vacation and visiting my son station there. It was a wonderful experience, visiting different beaches, local small restaurants, all of the them away from the Waikiki tourist area. We all preferred the small town and local atmosphere, great local food, people were very nice to us. We are sure coming back for another relaxed trip to an island with a very special vibe.