Locals don't want us there?
Nov 27th, 2003, 05:15 AM
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Locals don't want us there?
Hi all, have been so very excited about my
first trip to Hawaii in February, now I am having second thoughts. I read several different message boards about Hawaii, and lately have been seeing a number of posts from people who have recently returned from the islands indicating that the locals do not want tourists there. I don't see how I could enjoy visiting there, knowing we are unwelcome. I certainly live in an area that receives lots of tourists(San Francisco area) and never resented it, but I like to meet new people. Any thoughts on this?
first trip to Hawaii in February, now I am having second thoughts. I read several different message boards about Hawaii, and lately have been seeing a number of posts from people who have recently returned from the islands indicating that the locals do not want tourists there. I don't see how I could enjoy visiting there, knowing we are unwelcome. I certainly live in an area that receives lots of tourists(San Francisco area) and never resented it, but I like to meet new people. Any thoughts on this?
Nov 27th, 2003, 05:32 AM
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I have been to Hawaii six times in the past eight years and I have never had a bad experience with the natives. I have found the Hawaiian people to be friendly, pleasant and glad to see you spend your dollar there!
Nov 27th, 2003, 08:35 AM
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Hey Molly5, ignore the sarcasm, it is the lowest form of wit. We go to Hawaii on a regular basis and each trip is new and different. I think it truly depends on where you are going. We had a couple of bad experiences in Maui last year the likes of which we had never really seen in Hawaii before. Granted we were there during the Iraq invasion and the general mood was sombre everywhere. My very young son was insulted behind his back by teenage shop personnel when he said Mahalo to them. as we exited they said something along the lines of "all the haole knows how to say" etc...There were other specific situations but that one got my motherly ire up! However, it is all what you make it-I do and always will love Hawaii. You will have a good time, it think it is almost impossible not to enjoy the gorgeous paradise that it is. I would not say I feel unwelcomed and again it depends on where you are.
Nov 27th, 2003, 10:32 AM
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I have visited all the Hawaiian islands and have NEVER felt unwelcome. Tourism is the strongest industry supporting their economy. I was there during 911 & the majority of local television coverage was the fear of loosing $$ from the mainland. Tourism is still at pre 911 levels, this year being the strongest since 911.
The only place tourists may feel unwelcome is when taking cruises on large ocean liners to Molokai. For some very strange reason locals picket (from time to time)where the visitors arrive inland. You must realize these people don't have jobs and prefer to collect welfare than work. Their argument is that the "cruise people" come and mess up the island and leave which is simply not true. It is also less than 1% of the Hawaiian population that feels that way. When I visited Molokai and stayed for a week I had no negative experience. So unless you are taking a cruise to Molokai I wouldn't even consider feeling uncomfortable. BTW, would you feel uncomfortable visiting a state on the mainland? They are part of the US, ya know. There is always a chance of running into a backwards person wherever you go. Relax and have a great trip.
The only place tourists may feel unwelcome is when taking cruises on large ocean liners to Molokai. For some very strange reason locals picket (from time to time)where the visitors arrive inland. You must realize these people don't have jobs and prefer to collect welfare than work. Their argument is that the "cruise people" come and mess up the island and leave which is simply not true. It is also less than 1% of the Hawaiian population that feels that way. When I visited Molokai and stayed for a week I had no negative experience. So unless you are taking a cruise to Molokai I wouldn't even consider feeling uncomfortable. BTW, would you feel uncomfortable visiting a state on the mainland? They are part of the US, ya know. There is always a chance of running into a backwards person wherever you go. Relax and have a great trip.
Nov 27th, 2003, 11:21 AM
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Molly, it is certainly possible to experience a negative vibe in Hawai'i. There is a political movement for sovereignty which does not welcome the caucasian/mainland presence at all. Perhaps one can look at attitudes like that expressed above, that people on Molokai prefer welfare to jobs, to see where some resentment might originate. If you are in an area outside of the main tourist areas you may hear comments as Alohamom mentioned. On a typical vacation you are unlikely to have much negative experience.
Nov 27th, 2003, 11:28 AM
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It is not surprising that the people who live in Hawaii do not like tourists because they make ridiculous statements like "You must realize these people don't have jobs and prefer to collect welfare than work."
The cruise people DO come and mess up the island and leave. They surely do not improve the island any while they are there.
The cruise people DO come and mess up the island and leave. They surely do not improve the island any while they are there.
Nov 27th, 2003, 11:33 AM
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Alohaman what is wrong with a Hawaiian person saying "all the haole know how to say is..." ? The statement is both true (since very few haole speak Hawaiian) and inoffensive.
It is like going a french person in France saying all the Americans know how to say is merci. What is wrong with that ?
It is like going a french person in France saying all the Americans know how to say is merci. What is wrong with that ?
Nov 27th, 2003, 11:50 AM
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Rusty, I didn't mean for anyone to get upset by my comment. It is however, true. Unemplyment on the public islands is highest on Molokai. Education is marginal. The Hawaiian government wants the cruise ships to come into Molokai and provide jobs to increase their local economy. A handful of people would rather have unemployment than tourism. The visitors are there for one day, spend money on shore excursions and leave. The tradeoff is much better than any small amount of litter left behind and the politicians agree. I have been to the islands more than 15 times and the only type of animosity was a picket that happened to be occuring on the other side of Molokai when I was visiting. Again, it is a very small percentage and not the norm. There are backwards people everywhere, and the chance of encountering negativity in Hawaii is very slim. Don't let it dussuade you from visiting the beautiful islands.
Nov 27th, 2003, 12:58 PM
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This type of attitude exists among the locals but you have to get off the beaten path to experience it. Most of the locals who are involved in the hospitality industry in Hawaii are friendly and helpful and they know what makes the economy of Hawaii go.
Among some of the lesser-educated locals (and education is not a high priority in the islands) you find a very slight resentment toward outsiders spoiling the peace, quiet and the environment. "Hawaii is for Hawaiians" they say. Least resentment on Oahu, most resentment on Big Island. Maui and Kauai are in between. Don't know about Molokai.
Among some of the lesser-educated locals (and education is not a high priority in the islands) you find a very slight resentment toward outsiders spoiling the peace, quiet and the environment. "Hawaii is for Hawaiians" they say. Least resentment on Oahu, most resentment on Big Island. Maui and Kauai are in between. Don't know about Molokai.
Nov 27th, 2003, 02:04 PM
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Just today I read where a group of American Indians were having the annual "day of mourning" in Plymouth, MA instead of a Thanksgiving Feast. Hillary Clinton visited Afghanistan, the President visited Baghdad. (Hawaii is friendlier than Massachusetts in my experience). Suggest you read "Blue Lattitudes", particularly the Hawaiian chapters for some historical perspective. No place in this world is immune to immigration and it's challenges--living in California you know that.
Nov 27th, 2003, 05:17 PM
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It appears that "backward people" and "negavity" applies to anyone who has an opinion that is different than yours. The fact is that the United States of America annexed Hawaii by force and for some strange reason native Hawaiians tend not to like that. But the poor uneducated people are just expressing "negavity".
Nov 27th, 2003, 06:10 PM
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i remember a hawaii tourism campaighn in the late 80s. native hawaiians protested it because their money was being used to attract tourists, and they wanted no more tourists invading them.
just an observation. imho.
just an observation. imho.
Nov 27th, 2003, 10:37 PM
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Rusty, do you live in Hawaii? I am disappointed that you don't acknowledge that alohamom's experience was uncalled for. Oh well. Just glad that those unfortunate experiences are a rarity in Hawaii.
Nov 28th, 2003, 03:02 AM
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Just could not let TourGuide's comment about education not being a high priority in Hawaii stand. Following is from the state Dept of Business, Economic Development & Tourism website:
"Hawaii ranks fifth in the U.S. for number of adults who have completed college, and 85% of adults have completed high school."
And as for "lesser-educated locals," that's lesser educated than whom?
"Hawaii ranks fifth in the U.S. for number of adults who have completed college, and 85% of adults have completed high school."
And as for "lesser-educated locals," that's lesser educated than whom?
Nov 28th, 2003, 03:06 AM
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Reading the previous posts, it is obvious that the problem is with the tourists and not the native Hawaiians. If I had the same experience as Alohamom I would conclude that the statement made was not only true but also funny. Please explain how it is offensive in any way.
Nov 28th, 2003, 08:12 AM
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Rusty, to answer your question about the comment Alohamom noted: I imagine (based on my own similar experiences) it was the tone of voice more than the words themselves that conveyed negative feelings.
To those who are saying people who live in Hawai'i should be grateful for tourists, I think the history of the islands speaks for itself. As has been noted in this thread already, US business interests took over by force. Why wouldn't there be resentment?
I think many who live in Hawai'i wish there were a more diversified economic base so they and their children had more opportunities to pursue careers other than in the hospitality industry.
To those who are saying people who live in Hawai'i should be grateful for tourists, I think the history of the islands speaks for itself. As has been noted in this thread already, US business interests took over by force. Why wouldn't there be resentment?
I think many who live in Hawai'i wish there were a more diversified economic base so they and their children had more opportunities to pursue careers other than in the hospitality industry.
