Since Hawaii travel reopened, have you noticed a big difference in the attitude of some visitors? We have. While the majority are among the most thoughtful and considerate, there’s a change for the worse we are definitely seeing more of.
“Revenge travel” (getting revenge on canceled travel plans during COVID) has morphed into an attitude of entitlement for some. It was creeping in long before COVID, and has since become much worse. You may have seen them too. These travelers can be demanding and have higher than reasonable expectations for their Hawaii vacations. In fact, they can ruin Hawaii travel for the rest of us. Read on for some gory, unfortunate details.
(We see it, for example, in aggressive and inappropriate driving behavior.)
Some might say entitled tourists been encouraged by the travel industry itself.
Think about the “us vs. them” situation of upgrades, premium classes, and exclusive features that have become so pervasive throughout travel, whether it be on airlines, or in accommodations and car rentals.
This arose out of the travel businesses’ desires for more income based on elite offerings. The industry has over-indulged those willing to spend more, or who travel more, and in doing so has helped, at least in part, to spawn the entitled tourist phenomenon. Now it has to some degree backfired on them, and those in the industry often resent the very people who they egged on.
When some travelers don’t get the premium service associated with the us-and-them culture in which we find ourselves, they feel free to act out here in Hawaii. We can tell you as residents, that when you see enough of it, it’s even easy to start to think that entitled Hawaii tourists are more pervasive than in fact they really are.
Unrealistic Hawaii vacation expectations.
When some visitors’ expectations aren’t met, there can be problems. It can ruin the entire travel experience, both for the Hawaii visitor, and for those with whom they interact. Case in point.
Your editors were seated inside a Starbucks here in Hawaii this week. One visitor walked in and demanded to know the address of the mall-based Starbucks. When the employee said they didn’t know the physical address of the mall, the visitor huffed off uttering not-so-nice expletives.
Within five minutes, another visitor walked in with several non-Starbucks drinks in their hand and asked for a tray for their beverages. The employee said that they don’t provide trays for non-Starbucks beverages. And in this situation too, the visitor left, irate about how they were accommodated.
Recently at Hanalei, the surf was up with significant undertow, and some young children and their parents were in the ocean. The lifeguard started yelling over the speaker for them to move closer to the pier where conditions were far safer. They refused and the lifeguard became angrier, trying to keep them safe while they disobeyed his warnings. It was as though these visitors were thinking, “we paid for this and will stay where we want to be.” The exasperated lifeguard said he simply wanted them to have a safe vacation.
This incident took the cake, literally.
The examples above are nothing compared with what happened Tuesday on Maui, when a visitor-related issue began at Moose McGillycuddy’s restaurant. Police were called regarding a 38 year-old Massachusetts’ resident who refused to either pay her bill or leave the restaurant. After Maui Police arrived, she agreed to pay the bill, but then still wouldn’t leave Moose McGillycuddys.
The visitor was subsequently arrested for disorderly conduct and refusing to leave, and was being transported to the police station in Kihei. While getting into the vehicle, they bit the police officer. Alcohol may have been a factor.
Charges against the woman, identified by police as Corey Campbell, now include assault on the officer in addition to the prior offenses.
Hawaii air rage incident.
So what comes next? Do they bite a flight attendant on the way home? What airline would want them as a guest? It reminded us of the scary Hawaii air rage incident that happened recently.
Your comments to this point.
“A key issue seems to be that many tourism-reliant businesses market the entire state as a paradisiacal theme park. This leaves tourists disappointed when locals don’t act like theme park employees, and locals are insulted to be treated as such. Hawai’i isn’t Six Flags; it is a unique combination of cultures that over-tourism is killing.” (Robbos)
“As a long-time local, I can tell you that there’s nothing that will make everyone happy. People seem to want to be miserable these days. It breaks my heart to see this lack of Aloha and discord. There’s nowhere on Earth like Hawaii.” (Pam)
“Those that work in the service industry here are seriously over it & mentally exhausted from dealing with that same disrespectful & entitled attitude from visitors. Can you blame them? Travel has changed for the worst unfortunately. More & more travelors are traveling to trample & conquer. Sad!” (GR)
Yes, Hawaii is authentic.
Pam is right. With all of its problems, Hawaii is still unique. It is about the people, aloha, nature, the environment. These remain the isolated islands in the world and we welcome visitors for an incredible journey away from everyday life that’s different than anything you’ll find elsewhere.
No, Hawaii is no amusement park.
You’ve said it many times. People who live and work here aren’t like Disney employees. As an industry, Hawaii travel wants to please visitors, and we hope visitors appreciate who we are and what we have to offer.
Hawaii, unlike the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, isn’t a manufactured experience crafted as a giant park for tourists. If you expect that, you’re in for almost certain disappointment. Hawaii is real, and primarily it is the home of its residents. Step into our real world. Visitors impact the lives of those who live here.
When you ask how Hawaii residents feel about visitors.
We were recently asked “Are visitors really hated by most locals? Are the majority of visitors as horrible and rude as I’m reading on Facebook? There were so many locals making so many claims of how much they hate visitors.”
Visitors can come to feel like they are being lumped in with a bunch of bad eggs. And Hawaii residents can have a similar take.
With the return to peak tourism, it’s easy to see more traffic, crowding and frustration. Hawaii is getting ready to welcome over 10 million annual visitors. That, in relation to our total population of a meager 1.4 million.
Please step into our world, gently. We live here, with Hawaii’s flora and fauna. When you come here to visit, we’re happy to share our ways of life, when you’re open to it. This is the real world, and Hawaii isn’t close to perfect, nor do we try to pretend it is. Hawaii is real. Please join us in treating Hawaii as a jewel and help respect and protect it for all of us and for future generations.
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Jen S. says
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!
PegM says
That’s surprising to hear. We just arrived home after another lovely visit. We had nothing but friendly interactions. Sorry for your bad luck.
Paulc says
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
Kat S says
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.
Anela A says
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).
Rod W says
Anela A,
“letting local traffic pass” What does that even mean?
Mahalo,
Rod
Diana says
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.
Julie says
I live in an overrun ski area that’s is rapidly becoming unlivable. When is enough, enough?
Bozu A. says
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 🤙🏽
Holly says
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!
DJ says
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.
Rod W says
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.
Joerg H. says
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…
Rod W says
No not everyone – but the governor of Hawaii clearly is an idiot, perhaps a terrible governor would be a better way of describing him.
patrick says
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?
Diana says
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.
Rod W says
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.
JohnW says
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.
Rod W says
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.
JohnW says
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.
Xavier S says
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 🙂
Diana says
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.
PaulC says
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.
xavier S says
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 🙂
Charl B says
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.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Chari.
Thanks for your first comment, and for sharing feedback on your recent Big Island experiences.
Aloha.
M P says
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.
Xavier S says
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 🙂
Chris S says
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.
Kim O says
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.
Seth B says
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.
Leah R. says
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.
Xavier S says
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 🙂
Randy R says
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!
PaulC says
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
Ian w. says
Talk about asking for it! I would have been rattl d enough to count my blessings.
KAREN B. says
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
Xavier S says
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 🙂
patrick says
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!
John says
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
Steve says
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.
Ian W. says
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.
Steven says
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.
Seth B says
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!
PaulC says
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.
Ernie S. says
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.
Sheila W. says
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.
Roberta says
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.
Linda M says
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
Christina C. says
Very interesting article.
Carlos T says
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.