A letter in response to Fred Atkins:
Aloha.
This is a greeting my wife and I have looked forward to hearing/experiencing since we arrived for our honeymoon in 1996.
Prior to our honeymoon, neither of us had been to the islands. The beauty, the aloha spirit and the culture hooked us. We saved all year and returned in 1997 and purchased a timeshare that year, which we used to travel to other destinations and to Maui, Hawai‘i and O‘ahu the following years.
Each one took a year to save for, but we wanted to experience each island. Each island has their own aloha, but nothing compared to Kaua‘i. Since 2005 we have returned each year during the month we spent our honeymoon, July.
We began with only seven days because that is all we could afford (we have five keiki). Over the years we have been blessed to extend our stay to 14 days.
We have brought (at different times) our keiki with us to experience (and respect) Kaua‘i. As guests (malihinis) we have attempted to honor our gift of Kaua‘i and worked not to be haoles.
Over the years we found beaches where tourists were not so present. We recognized that these places of refuge were for many who call Kaua‘i home also there place of refuge.
We read our books, cool off in the ocean, and leave when we felt we were intruding. However, the best gift we have ever received occurred two years ago during one of those beach days.
We were sitting reading when a family came and placed their belongings next to us. We immediately felt we were intruding and began gathering our belongings to leave. The family was celebrating an aunty’s birthday. As we were gathering our things to leave, we were immediately told we did not have to leave, and they invited us to celebrate their aunty’s birthday with them. What an honor. And what a gift.
Yes, we too have experienced the changes in visitors to what we call our second home. More traffic, more hustle, more me, less kokua. Although change must occur, we come each year with our own aloha. For me personally, I need the rejuvenation to help me be centered. If we would not miss our children, and now our five grandchildren, we would have made Kaua‘i our permanent home.
We may not be able to come this year, as we are considered visitors and the 14-day restriction would be all of our vacation. We are both deeply saddened by this occurrence. We will miss our second home. We will miss the aloha. We will miss Kaua‘i.
For those who have the privilege to call Kaua‘i home, I only ask that you remember, not all visitors are haoles, rather, family.
Mahalo.
•••
Scott Sleeman is a resident of Aurora, Oregon.
Aloha Mr Sleeman, my o’hana has the same experience, and now the same situation. We treasure our annual 14 days on the north shore, where it feels we arrive to live for two weeks, rather than just vacation. We know our neighbors there, volunteer at Waipa, help with events at the Hanalei Community Center.
We are sad that we may not be able to live on Kauai for two weeks this year, but remain hopeful.
Stuart ohana
Aloha Kauai
Yes, there are many of us mainland folks who have returned annually to Kauai and feel the same pain Scott expressed so well.
‘haole’ or ‘family’…the Covid 19 does not discriminate. You are doing your part by protecting this beautiful island by sheltering in place this year.
Oh please! Spare us the wannabe groveling and self-deprecation. For one thing the H word is widely regarded as a racial slur, especially since it’s often prefaced by an adjective beginning with the letter F, so your use of it is quite disgusting, especially in the ingratiating way you use it. It’s quite apparent that your only exposure to Kauai has been as a short-term tourist. Were you to actually live here for any length of time, you would discover that locals are not the paragons of aloha you make them out to be. Some of them are as downright racist and prejudiced as any other member of the human race. You’ve obviously bought into the tourist-oriented nonsense that this is a land that somehow has managed to transcend the foibles of the rest of humanity. Give me a break! Try living here for a year and then let us know if you still feel Kauai is the ‘paradise’ you describe in your letter. And if you do, please let the rest of us know what you’re smoking. Sounds like some righteous stuff.
Wassup, Hutch? Have you never had a good experience with a local family?
With over 30 years living full-time on Kauai, I have many local friends who mean more to me than my remaining family members on the mainland.
Sure, any population has its close-minded racists. Just walk away from those sad, hard people, keep a good attitude, and do good works for the community. You will be paid back mightily.
I know plenty, kauaiboy, it’s just that the letter writer seems to think that Kauai is some kind of Puff the Magic Dragonland where everything is peace and love. I merely pointed out that people are people everywhere you go, including the ‘land called Hanalee’.
Maybe you should offer to trade places!
If you have white skin, you are and always will be haole, no matter how many years or generations you’ve been in the islands. Don’t make haole sound like a dirty word.
Nonsense, Jack Custer. It’s potentially a racist slur that should be phased out in the same way that ‘oriental’ and ‘portagee’ have been.
Wow, so much hatred. I would hope that negativity would discontinue on platforms and in person. I have traveled much and have found much love on the island. I hope that the majority will welcome back visitors and part time residences. The people I have encountered in Kauai show such love. I am always meeting new people at the beach. It has been quite upsetting reading how some express hatred in these letters. Many own property and contribute to economics of the island along with the love and respect. It’s not perfect anywhere in the world and the environment is unfortunately not at the top of some peoples minds depending on where they live in the world but have patience and understanding for the ignorant and take the opportunity to teach. I hope when we travel to other placed they will be welcoming as well.