57 thoughts on “Stopping Toxic Talk: Hawaii Visitors + Locals Find A Path Forward”
Sheila M
My husband and I have been to the islands numerous times. Each island is unique. We respect your land and culture. There have only been a couple of times we felt the locals did not want us “invading their space”; especially on the weekends when they were with their families and friends. We learned to respect that. Hawaiians work hard all week and want to spend time with each other without tourists all over them. There has to be understanding from both visitors and locals alike. Respect is what we need for each other and the land and culture. We can coincide together…..if we truly practice the Aloha Spirit. Looking forward to coming back next year.
Thank you for the comments on both sides of the issue. We have visited for 13 consecutive years with the exception of covid. We are so looking forward to returning again. We are hopeful that all visitors will show appreciation and respect to the residents as we have always done, and we are hopeful that they will welcome us back cordially. We love our state of Hawaii and its residents. Aloha.
I personally do not blame the locals at all. I saw so much disrespect of Hawaii when I was there last.
Personally I try Not to look like a tourist when I am in Hawaii or anywhere else I travel. I show respect and always get respect back and usually a smile as well. So many feel entitled because they spent money to come to Hawaii.
We love Kauai and were so grateful to make our annual visit this year. Have things changed? Of course, just like everywhere else. We definitely went with lower expectations this year and that helped. Our Ohana were the same warm and caring people but the crowds were absurd! We did see many more angry and entitled tourists than usual but hey, that is their issue not ours! We had a wonderful time and will be back next year hoping for fewer tourists!❤️
We come to Kauai every year. We have always been treated with respect and kindness. We went in Oct. 20 and while shopping at Foodland we were stopped by a Hawaiian gentleman who thanked us for coming. Everywhere we went we were appreciated and treated in the Aloha way. We return in July and can’t wait to go to paradise. Aloha!!
It seems the horse is out of the barn. The “me” mindset of some visitors clashes with the “we” ethic Hawaii has been known for. Nothing stays the same but maybe some return to more positivity will prevail, I hope so.
Aloha! We visited in April from Clearwater FL,(which has a lot of tourists) and I was extremely pleased with our Oahu experience. Everyone we met was friendly, didn’t get upset, and made us feel welcome. At home, we sometimes meet the entitled tourist, but they need to park the attitude at home. They may be well known somewhere, but they are unknown here. I met many people in Hawaii just by saying Aloha or hello. I’ve found many are a bit shy to speak unless addressed first. Make the first move people, it can be great. I’ve taken many a photo for tourists so everyone can be in the picture both home and in Hawaii and it’s an icebreaker that opens people up. Both sides just need to follow the golden rule. Mahala and Aloha
Thank you for this article. As a visitor who has loved coming to Hawaii for many years, I have a great appreciation for all who live on the Islands and all they work hard to do to make our visits as enjoyable as possible. We are all readjusting after these really bad last few years.
I hope we may all take time to express our appreciation and Mahalos to each other.
One of the most beautiful places on earth. It should always be treasured and well taken care of and never abused by any one living or traveling to there. Magical people and Islands. We love it
“It’ll take a concerted effort to find workable ways to mitigate those issues, including the sheer number of visitors, their impacts on daily life and on the environment, and the lack of appropriate infrastructure that supports us all.”
Let’s look at the “lack of appropriate infrastructure”. Whos fault is that? Who shoulders the blame for not making things better as far as infrastructure is concerned? The Government, of course. Having been to Hawaii, I can attest that the Taxes on everything are sky high! Isn’t it justifiable, from a Locals standpoint, that a good portion of those Taxes taken should go towards infrastructure? If they aren’t, then ask yourself; “why aren’t they”? Maybe it is time to hold your elected Officials accountable.
(Cont. from above)
Start electing those people that will have your best interest at heart when it comes to tourism and how it affects the Local population. Unless the residents of the Islands begin to push for the infrastructure that is needed, it won’t happen. Hawaii is a truly beautiful place and the Government should spend whatever it takes to help the Local population cope with all of the stress that comes with the huge tourist numbers. Aloha!
My husband and I have been to the islands numerous times. Each island is unique. We respect your land and culture. There have only been a couple of times we felt the locals did not want us “invading their space”; especially on the weekends when they were with their families and friends. We learned to respect that. Hawaiians work hard all week and want to spend time with each other without tourists all over them. There has to be understanding from both visitors and locals alike. Respect is what we need for each other and the land and culture. We can coincide together…..if we truly practice the Aloha Spirit. Looking forward to coming back next year.
Thank you for the comments on both sides of the issue. We have visited for 13 consecutive years with the exception of covid. We are so looking forward to returning again. We are hopeful that all visitors will show appreciation and respect to the residents as we have always done, and we are hopeful that they will welcome us back cordially. We love our state of Hawaii and its residents. Aloha.
I personally do not blame the locals at all. I saw so much disrespect of Hawaii when I was there last.
Personally I try Not to look like a tourist when I am in Hawaii or anywhere else I travel. I show respect and always get respect back and usually a smile as well. So many feel entitled because they spent money to come to Hawaii.
We love Kauai and were so grateful to make our annual visit this year. Have things changed? Of course, just like everywhere else. We definitely went with lower expectations this year and that helped. Our Ohana were the same warm and caring people but the crowds were absurd! We did see many more angry and entitled tourists than usual but hey, that is their issue not ours! We had a wonderful time and will be back next year hoping for fewer tourists!❤️
We come to Kauai every year. We have always been treated with respect and kindness. We went in Oct. 20 and while shopping at Foodland we were stopped by a Hawaiian gentleman who thanked us for coming. Everywhere we went we were appreciated and treated in the Aloha way. We return in July and can’t wait to go to paradise. Aloha!!
It seems the horse is out of the barn. The “me” mindset of some visitors clashes with the “we” ethic Hawaii has been known for. Nothing stays the same but maybe some return to more positivity will prevail, I hope so.
Aloha! We visited in April from Clearwater FL,(which has a lot of tourists) and I was extremely pleased with our Oahu experience. Everyone we met was friendly, didn’t get upset, and made us feel welcome. At home, we sometimes meet the entitled tourist, but they need to park the attitude at home. They may be well known somewhere, but they are unknown here. I met many people in Hawaii just by saying Aloha or hello. I’ve found many are a bit shy to speak unless addressed first. Make the first move people, it can be great. I’ve taken many a photo for tourists so everyone can be in the picture both home and in Hawaii and it’s an icebreaker that opens people up. Both sides just need to follow the golden rule. Mahala and Aloha
Thank you for this article. As a visitor who has loved coming to Hawaii for many years, I have a great appreciation for all who live on the Islands and all they work hard to do to make our visits as enjoyable as possible. We are all readjusting after these really bad last few years.
I hope we may all take time to express our appreciation and Mahalos to each other.
One of the most beautiful places on earth. It should always be treasured and well taken care of and never abused by any one living or traveling to there. Magical people and Islands. We love it
“It’ll take a concerted effort to find workable ways to mitigate those issues, including the sheer number of visitors, their impacts on daily life and on the environment, and the lack of appropriate infrastructure that supports us all.”
Let’s look at the “lack of appropriate infrastructure”. Whos fault is that? Who shoulders the blame for not making things better as far as infrastructure is concerned? The Government, of course. Having been to Hawaii, I can attest that the Taxes on everything are sky high! Isn’t it justifiable, from a Locals standpoint, that a good portion of those Taxes taken should go towards infrastructure? If they aren’t, then ask yourself; “why aren’t they”? Maybe it is time to hold your elected Officials accountable.
(Cont. from above)
Start electing those people that will have your best interest at heart when it comes to tourism and how it affects the Local population. Unless the residents of the Islands begin to push for the infrastructure that is needed, it won’t happen. Hawaii is a truly beautiful place and the Government should spend whatever it takes to help the Local population cope with all of the stress that comes with the huge tourist numbers. Aloha!