A promise to never return after incident on the beach
A promise to never return after incident on the beach
My family and I have enjoyed many aspects of your beautiful island since the early 1980s and have made many visits before, during, and after the pandemic.
This one afternoon we made a visit to one of your beautiful beaches near Hanalei.
We watched some local boys breach the sand berm releasing the Lumaha’i River into the ocean and enjoy their skill at boogie boarding the resulting waves and current.
We helped rescue some European tourists who were subsequently trapped on the opposite side but were swept out to sea by the current. One of our party lost a cellphone to the surf.
Meanwhile, the presumed mothers of some of these young men (who ironically caused the near-death experience) began hurling verbal insults at us, shouted racial insults, and made it clear in no certainly terms that we, our money, or any tourists are not welcome on the “locals only” beach, in Hanalei, or anywhere on Kauai.
We promised them we would never return.
Thanks for the memories.
P.S. In the unlikely event that any of you ever visit the state of Idaho, you will be warmly welcomed.
Roger Merrill, Idaho
So you gave them want they wanted, and accepted defeat? Always deny the enemy what they want. They offered you insults and defeat in return for your freedom to visit Kauai. You accepted. You should have just smiled and offered them to have a blessed day. They lose in every way. You win in every way. Change your mind, and return to Kauai with a new perspective.
Roger,
Sorry to hear about the lack of aloha you experienced with the locals. Some think they own the whole Island. I guess it will take another hurricane to be appreciated again.
Something is fishy with this account.
WHY did the (presumed) mothers berate you? If it has nothing whatsoever to do with the breach, the boys, or anything else other than the color of your skin or the fact that you were obviously tourists, that is unacceptable, but it is no reason to boycott Kauai. That would be your loss.
If, as a tourist, you encounter “stink eye” or harassment from a local resident, I suggest that you look the other way or find another beach where you are not likely to be harassed. If you are physically attacked or some clown decide to do damage to your car or other property, call the police and make a report. When I visit Idaho, I will do the same.
Or are you saying there is no way I could encounter trouble in Idaho? Try walking into a biker bar and try talking aloha….
Sadly all too common. Just another confused person who thinks being “local” gives her some power to try to intimidate visitors. You also make another valid point. If you are white, you can’t be local. I have owned a home in Princeville for almost 40 years, and I still get the occasional nasty comment and looks from “locals”. I just laugh it off. But I can be called a racial epithet for not being local by someone who has been here for decades less than I. I have been breaking through the sand to ride the river flow there since I was 11. So to that charming representative of The Alhoa Spirit, I say Lady get off my beach if you can’t be civil.
Aloha, So sorry to hear of your experience. We are not all like that. Recently a group of local young men saved some visitors at Kalihiwai Beach. Pls consider visiting only life guarded beaches. And pls come again. Aloha….https://www.facebook.com/healani.sonodapale/videos/514042477231406
I’ve read the many responses to you letter and agree with them. I’m a Haole who moved from the Mainland and am a full-time resident on Kauai. I’m sorry to hear what happened to you, but everyone is correct – to write off Kauai (and it’s 51 miles of white sand beaches) is your loss. No offense, but have you traveled much outside of Idaho? Trust me, you would not be welcomed in thousands of places throughout the US Mainland (from inner city NYC, to the Deep South). For example, did you know there’s a “Gay” section of Waikiki Beach and if you venture into it you’ll get “the sink eye”. That’s just the way it is in ENTIRE US. It’s not a “Kauai” thing, or a “Hawaii thing”. It’s a US thing. Maybe not in Idaho?