108 thoughts on “Polihale Beach Closed Indefinitely and More Troubles Abound”
Hope L
We returned to Hawaii last summer after being away for about 15 years. We were so disappointed with the locals (and now permanent vagrants) and how they have destroyed so many beautiful spots in Hawaii. The islands have changed and it is not for the better, the Hawaiian government has abandoned all respect for the Islands in favor of allowing homelessness and drug use ravage a once beautiful place. We will not be returning any time soon. At least they can no longer blame the tourists for what is self made destruction.
Ron E.
I appreciate your update about Polihale. I’ve visited Kauai nine times since 1986. In 1990, my friend Hunter took me surfing to the west side and Polihale. We packed the cooler with ice, beverages, vegetables for fresh salsa, and shrimp to barbecue. I remember the Hawaiian feel of the verdant hills, cane fields, remote beach with clear water, and view of Niihau! No one was around in November. He said, “Watch out for sharks! If you see me paddling in – get out!” I’ll always remember how special Polihale was! Aloha!
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Ron.
Thanks.
Aloha.
Gerry A.
We have reservations to arrive in Kauai on September 15, planning to stay for 10 days. Can someone please comment on the likelihood of the island being open for visitors? The news about what is happening in Kauai, with vandalism, etc., saddens me deeply!
Thank you!
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Gerry.
We don’t know at this point but should know more no later than August 15.
Aloha.
Kevin
BEAT OF HAWAII RESPONSE TEAM. Please proofread and spell check the response before posting it.
Wow! Responding with a comment that is grammatically incorrect and presented with no punctuation as well as incorrectly spelled is so unprofessional.
Jon D
Gerry we have a trip scheduled for a month later and I think that unfortunately there is almost no chance there is almost no chance we will be able to go. Listen to Lt Gov Green’s Facebook interview from /28 with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. I have become a fan of his through this but his comments about opening up travel to Japan because they are “respectful” tourists vs. mainlanders that come on “cheap” flights to be at best elitist, in extremely poor taste and very generalized. It appears the distaste for us extends to the LG’s office. I would love to hear him respond to these unfortunate events in Polihale and try to defend the locals. I am curious what BOH thinks?
Mahalo
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Jon.
If you’re asking about our thoughts on travel bubbles, we don’t think they will work at multiple levels. First, you really can’t know what Japan’s health situation is, or Australia’s. A news search will show you that both have a resurgence issue. In addition, the impression a travel bubble gives, which we alluded to as a PR nightmare, is something that Hawaii can ill-afford. Unfortunately, there is literally no one at the helm in terms of marketing here in Hawaii, so that voice may well be getting lost. Moreover, there are no easy answers. The return of travel should be met with on-arrival testing, as we’ve mentioned many times before. Hawaii totally missed that necessary component and instead put all of their reliance on some never revealed agreement with CVS for pre-travel testing.
Aloha.
Sarah
I advice you to cancel your trip. We had reservations to arrive on Sept 17th. I cancelled those plans. I’m pretty sure that when it gets close to August 31, Hawaii will extend the quarantine through Sept 30th. So ridiculous.
Tammy W
I’m going October 28th to Big Island and Maui and I feel for you. It’s been driving me bonkers on what to do and I’m in this for over $4,000 with only 50% back if I cancel. It’s madness. I hope we get to go and enjoy ourselves without worry. Take care 🤙🏽
Steve C
We were to arrive on Sept 19 but Hawaii officials knew ahead of time it was impossible for 99.9% of us to get a Covid test and results in 72 hours.They made the policy anyway so they could say the Haoles werent willing to comply. We cancelled and are planning to reschedule for May 2021. We are fairly sure we wont be welcome then either but we have to try.
Gerry C
Aloha. No identifiable state leadership and no law enforcement. When the tourists are away, the “locals” trash paradise. Perfect.
Mike
This comes under the heading of “be careful what you ask for”! Sure it’s nice when the tourists aren’t allowed to travel to Hawaii, but despite some of the negative effects, they provide financial resources and a balance to the islands. As usual, drastic changes, like keeping tourists away, rarely result in a completely positive outcome. There’s always give and take.
Enjoy your islands Hawaiians. I’m headed elsewhere.
Bob L
Perfectly said @Mike! Visitors to Hawaii are like Rodney Dangerfield….never any respect for what they bring!
Mike K
I agree. It will be years before I visit Hawaii again
Terry R
Having visited Kauai regularly for the last 10 years it is finally good to have validation that it is not always the tourists that are disrespectful. Having witnessed many burned out or abandoned cars left all over the island as well as garbage, old tires etc you know that this is not being done by tourists. Its easy to blame the tourists but give your head a shake and assign the blame where it belongs. If the tourists are not going to be made welcome they will not come and then Kauai as well as all the other islands will be in a world of hurt. Clean up your own household before you go criticizing others! As tourism is slowly reopening there are many other vacation destinations that are doing everything they can by offering attractive incentives to attract visitors to their locales. Hawaii should be worried!
JC
I’ve often wondered why there are abandoned cars, trucks, and tires strewn about as a visitor, which clearly is not a result of visitors. Thank you for this post, because lately it seems there are many who complain about visitors, but this is clearly not from visitors. Sad to read about though. Hope people stay healthy there, and safe.
Caroline y
I 100% agree with you. I’ve been visiting Maui almost every year going on 10 years now we always get treated badly by the locals but we still continue to go. After everything going on and all the things locals are saying about tourist I only imagine it will get worse. I don’t know that I will go back. I rather spend my hard earned money where I’m welcomed. I recently visited Florida where they had great deals to bring tourist back and everyone was so nice and welcoming.
Nikki M
I am kind of at that point with Hawaii too…i love seeing the whales in Maui, but i honestly dont know if i cant to continue spending that kind of money in a place that really doesn’t want me. NO”aloha” there
Sheryl B
Terry R…..AMEN to everything you just said. This past February we noticed lots of abandoned cars on the Big Island. We have been coming for over 30 years, but it is looking more and more like we may be forced to change our plans this year. It is sad. Visitors want to come to the beautiful islands but we certainly don’t want to come if we are not welcome, and some of the comments and this kind of behavior from the locals makes me wonder if it is still safe for us to come or if they will take their anger and aggressions out on the tourists, who are easy to spot in our rental cars.
B Warren
Sad but this behavior is not isolated to Hawaii. We escaped California where the liberal government has allowed behavior like this all over the state. San Francisco was a great city not too long ago. Now it’s the laughing stock of the country. We are seeing major cities mayors allowing this kind of activity all over on the mainland. Maybe the solution is to change leadership throughout the country. It’s not too hard to figure out the solution…
I love Hawaii and I hope we can all take better care of the islands so we can all enjoy paradise. Most of the people I know in Hawaii are the best people on earth. Thanks to the Beat of Hawaii for keeping us all informed on what’s happening in Hawaii. I look forward to getting back!
Deb C
@ B. Warren, yes we left CA too- was born and raised there but NOT the same. Liberal governments have destroyed these once beautiful, thriving places and have let the inmates run the asylum so to speak – no law and order. I wonder if that’s part of their plan -keep people poor and down and dependent on government to bail them out so they can keep getting votes. Instead they need to elect leaders that will raise them up to be successful on their own by giving them the tools and opportunities to do so. I’m from a blue collar family – worked hard for everything we have – no handouts.
Maxine
Mahalo for the link to the Census.
Wow.
FYI. I just received notice that my October flight has been cancelled by the airline.
All of these comments are heartwrenching. Even if someone steps forward to try and run for Office they are met with “peaceful” protesters.
Who is willing to put their themselves and their family threw that for a “mail in” fraud election?
Dave S.
Sad to read this as we have visited many of the sites mentioned…especially Polihale. Looking forward to the day when we can return.
Matt D
Brace yourselves, because it’ll get worse before it gets better. Wait until a few hundred thousand Hawaiians don’t get their extra $600/week, all while Incompetent Ige & Friends fumble your visitor “re-opening”. Feel so sorry for all the good Hawaiians that must feel so helpless. For most of us, we can’t help the virus cure, but we can vote. Elections have consequences!!!
SoCal Matt
Karin W
👏🏻
Sarah
Amen!
Dawn Q
I think they should be ostracized and given a one way ticket off the island. Make way for others who will respect, appreciate and care for their surroundings. It’s so sad to see such a beautiful place being destroyed.
Comments are closed.
Aloha!
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We returned to Hawaii last summer after being away for about 15 years. We were so disappointed with the locals (and now permanent vagrants) and how they have destroyed so many beautiful spots in Hawaii. The islands have changed and it is not for the better, the Hawaiian government has abandoned all respect for the Islands in favor of allowing homelessness and drug use ravage a once beautiful place. We will not be returning any time soon. At least they can no longer blame the tourists for what is self made destruction.
I appreciate your update about Polihale. I’ve visited Kauai nine times since 1986. In 1990, my friend Hunter took me surfing to the west side and Polihale. We packed the cooler with ice, beverages, vegetables for fresh salsa, and shrimp to barbecue. I remember the Hawaiian feel of the verdant hills, cane fields, remote beach with clear water, and view of Niihau! No one was around in November. He said, “Watch out for sharks! If you see me paddling in – get out!” I’ll always remember how special Polihale was! Aloha!
Hi Ron.
Thanks.
Aloha.
We have reservations to arrive in Kauai on September 15, planning to stay for 10 days. Can someone please comment on the likelihood of the island being open for visitors? The news about what is happening in Kauai, with vandalism, etc., saddens me deeply!
Thank you!
Hi Gerry.
We don’t know at this point but should know more no later than August 15.
Aloha.
BEAT OF HAWAII RESPONSE TEAM. Please proofread and spell check the response before posting it.
Wow! Responding with a comment that is grammatically incorrect and presented with no punctuation as well as incorrectly spelled is so unprofessional.
Gerry we have a trip scheduled for a month later and I think that unfortunately there is almost no chance there is almost no chance we will be able to go. Listen to Lt Gov Green’s Facebook interview from /28 with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. I have become a fan of his through this but his comments about opening up travel to Japan because they are “respectful” tourists vs. mainlanders that come on “cheap” flights to be at best elitist, in extremely poor taste and very generalized. It appears the distaste for us extends to the LG’s office. I would love to hear him respond to these unfortunate events in Polihale and try to defend the locals. I am curious what BOH thinks?
Mahalo
Hi Jon.
If you’re asking about our thoughts on travel bubbles, we don’t think they will work at multiple levels. First, you really can’t know what Japan’s health situation is, or Australia’s. A news search will show you that both have a resurgence issue. In addition, the impression a travel bubble gives, which we alluded to as a PR nightmare, is something that Hawaii can ill-afford. Unfortunately, there is literally no one at the helm in terms of marketing here in Hawaii, so that voice may well be getting lost. Moreover, there are no easy answers. The return of travel should be met with on-arrival testing, as we’ve mentioned many times before. Hawaii totally missed that necessary component and instead put all of their reliance on some never revealed agreement with CVS for pre-travel testing.
Aloha.
I advice you to cancel your trip. We had reservations to arrive on Sept 17th. I cancelled those plans. I’m pretty sure that when it gets close to August 31, Hawaii will extend the quarantine through Sept 30th. So ridiculous.
I’m going October 28th to Big Island and Maui and I feel for you. It’s been driving me bonkers on what to do and I’m in this for over $4,000 with only 50% back if I cancel. It’s madness. I hope we get to go and enjoy ourselves without worry. Take care 🤙🏽
We were to arrive on Sept 19 but Hawaii officials knew ahead of time it was impossible for 99.9% of us to get a Covid test and results in 72 hours.They made the policy anyway so they could say the Haoles werent willing to comply. We cancelled and are planning to reschedule for May 2021. We are fairly sure we wont be welcome then either but we have to try.
Aloha. No identifiable state leadership and no law enforcement. When the tourists are away, the “locals” trash paradise. Perfect.
This comes under the heading of “be careful what you ask for”! Sure it’s nice when the tourists aren’t allowed to travel to Hawaii, but despite some of the negative effects, they provide financial resources and a balance to the islands. As usual, drastic changes, like keeping tourists away, rarely result in a completely positive outcome. There’s always give and take.
Enjoy your islands Hawaiians. I’m headed elsewhere.
Perfectly said @Mike! Visitors to Hawaii are like Rodney Dangerfield….never any respect for what they bring!
I agree. It will be years before I visit Hawaii again
Having visited Kauai regularly for the last 10 years it is finally good to have validation that it is not always the tourists that are disrespectful. Having witnessed many burned out or abandoned cars left all over the island as well as garbage, old tires etc you know that this is not being done by tourists. Its easy to blame the tourists but give your head a shake and assign the blame where it belongs. If the tourists are not going to be made welcome they will not come and then Kauai as well as all the other islands will be in a world of hurt. Clean up your own household before you go criticizing others! As tourism is slowly reopening there are many other vacation destinations that are doing everything they can by offering attractive incentives to attract visitors to their locales. Hawaii should be worried!
I’ve often wondered why there are abandoned cars, trucks, and tires strewn about as a visitor, which clearly is not a result of visitors. Thank you for this post, because lately it seems there are many who complain about visitors, but this is clearly not from visitors. Sad to read about though. Hope people stay healthy there, and safe.
I 100% agree with you. I’ve been visiting Maui almost every year going on 10 years now we always get treated badly by the locals but we still continue to go. After everything going on and all the things locals are saying about tourist I only imagine it will get worse. I don’t know that I will go back. I rather spend my hard earned money where I’m welcomed. I recently visited Florida where they had great deals to bring tourist back and everyone was so nice and welcoming.
I am kind of at that point with Hawaii too…i love seeing the whales in Maui, but i honestly dont know if i cant to continue spending that kind of money in a place that really doesn’t want me. NO”aloha” there
Terry R…..AMEN to everything you just said. This past February we noticed lots of abandoned cars on the Big Island. We have been coming for over 30 years, but it is looking more and more like we may be forced to change our plans this year. It is sad. Visitors want to come to the beautiful islands but we certainly don’t want to come if we are not welcome, and some of the comments and this kind of behavior from the locals makes me wonder if it is still safe for us to come or if they will take their anger and aggressions out on the tourists, who are easy to spot in our rental cars.
Sad but this behavior is not isolated to Hawaii. We escaped California where the liberal government has allowed behavior like this all over the state. San Francisco was a great city not too long ago. Now it’s the laughing stock of the country. We are seeing major cities mayors allowing this kind of activity all over on the mainland. Maybe the solution is to change leadership throughout the country. It’s not too hard to figure out the solution…
I love Hawaii and I hope we can all take better care of the islands so we can all enjoy paradise. Most of the people I know in Hawaii are the best people on earth. Thanks to the Beat of Hawaii for keeping us all informed on what’s happening in Hawaii. I look forward to getting back!
@ B. Warren, yes we left CA too- was born and raised there but NOT the same. Liberal governments have destroyed these once beautiful, thriving places and have let the inmates run the asylum so to speak – no law and order. I wonder if that’s part of their plan -keep people poor and down and dependent on government to bail them out so they can keep getting votes. Instead they need to elect leaders that will raise them up to be successful on their own by giving them the tools and opportunities to do so. I’m from a blue collar family – worked hard for everything we have – no handouts.
Mahalo for the link to the Census.
Wow.
FYI. I just received notice that my October flight has been cancelled by the airline.
All of these comments are heartwrenching. Even if someone steps forward to try and run for Office they are met with “peaceful” protesters.
Who is willing to put their themselves and their family threw that for a “mail in” fraud election?
Sad to read this as we have visited many of the sites mentioned…especially Polihale. Looking forward to the day when we can return.
Brace yourselves, because it’ll get worse before it gets better. Wait until a few hundred thousand Hawaiians don’t get their extra $600/week, all while Incompetent Ige & Friends fumble your visitor “re-opening”. Feel so sorry for all the good Hawaiians that must feel so helpless. For most of us, we can’t help the virus cure, but we can vote. Elections have consequences!!!
SoCal Matt
👏🏻
Amen!
I think they should be ostracized and given a one way ticket off the island. Make way for others who will respect, appreciate and care for their surroundings. It’s so sad to see such a beautiful place being destroyed.