Pack it in, pack it out, visitors and locals alike
Pack it in, pack it out, visitors and locals alike
I’m writing to you regarding our recent visit to the Marriott Waiohai on Poipu Beach and our experience with a local family on the beach directly in front of this property, especially as it relates to your recent article entitled “The Win-Win of Being a Responsible Traveler” since I have always followed the “Holo Holo Pono” pledge no matter where I’ve have traveled in the world.
My family and I have visited this resort for over ten years and love this special location. While there the last two weeks and enjoying the beauty of this special beach, we noticed a couple with their two children located on the beach next to us. They were cutting and eating fresh mangos and papayas, and throwing the peals, etc., onto the beach. We assumed they would pick up their trash when they left but, to our surprise, they started to leave without picking up their trash. When we questioned why they didn’t pick up their trash, they replied that the trash was “biodegradable”…frankly, I was shocked at their response, especially since they are locals!! We told them they were setting a very bad example to everyone on the beach, especially their children. I can’t imagine what your beautiful beaches would look like if everyone disposed on their “biodegradable” trash in this manner.
Obviously, they left without picking up their trash, so we picked up everything they left behind before we left the beach.
Your article was obviously directed at responsible travelers, but I hope you will agree that it should start at home with the locals first, and this is the reason I’m writing this letter.
Anne Marie Pearson, Manhattan Beach, CA
Anne Marie…better get a large truck to pick up the discarded mattresses, refrigerators, engines, etc deposited by the ‘locals’ along the cliffs of this beautiful island. fruit peelings are just the beginning!
Locals are the worst when it comes to trash. They throw everything out their car windows thinking it can’t be seen or someone else will pick it up! I see beer bottles, cans, cig butts all over the road when I am walking. And, don’t get me started on the dumped fish and pig parts! Shame shame!
Anne Marie Pearson, “thank you to you and your family for cleaning up your mess and others one, too on the beach !” Yes I agree with you, “keeping the beaches(and other public place) should start at home with our local families!”
Be careful how you use the term “locals”. Many whom you perceive as “locals” are actually “transplants” from elsewhere who now live here and pass themselves off as “locals”. I like to think that most of us that were born and raised on this island do take some pride on the appearance of our island.
Annnnd here we go again. What is the “time limit” for official “local” designation? Do you have to win the genetic lottery and have been born on the island? What if you were born on Oahu? How about if your parents were born here, and you were born in another country or the Mainland? What about if you are white and two generations were “born and raised”?
“Be careful” because no one cares.
“Local” is anyone that lives here. Only on Kauai would anyone even care if you were “local”. Who cares? SMH.
He or she who is “local” knows what I mean. Actually, you don’t even have to be born here. Obviously you wouldn’t, or couldn’t understand that because the term “local” used here isn’t necessarily about where you are from, but more of what kind of person you are and what’s in your heart. It’s like the word “Aloha”. Many think they know what it means, but they really don’t know what it is. It’s not something that you learn. It’s something with which you are grown and nurtured, so it becomes part of you.
When I used to walk the beach near my house I always took a bag and a cat litter scoop to pick up butts left by yes mostly locals. Always was able to pick up 40 or 50
If you really think that trash is a “local” attributable problem, I really believe that you may be a racist. Like my momma said, “@ssh%les come in all colors”
Careful, you may be the racist. Can’t people of all races and ethnic backgrounds be “locals”? Why would be attributing trash to locals be racist unless you only consider locals to be of one particular race or ethnic background. Are 5th generation Portuguese locals? Same for Philippine, Caucasian, Japanese, 10% Polynesian, etc. I think you have the racist view.
“Locals” yeah right… Probably transplants who got here six months ago…Local/Locals is becoming to broad of a statement these days. Due to the fact that the aforementioned scenario is becoming the new norm… These transplants are coming over by the droves and after being here by some magical amount of time they all of a sudden become “local”… Just use resident instead of local. Because I’m actually local and these people are not my equivalent…
“I’m actually local and these people are not my equivalent…”
Let me see if I can put this in to “Millennial Talk”………..
“Like, you are illiterate, like so what if you, like, were born here, like, you sound, like a 5th Grader,… “I was here first”. Like, maybe, like, you should not be, like afraid, to like, visit any other place, like, on planet Earth, like leave the island, like once…like no one cares if were born and raised, like any where else. Like, am I, like supposed to bow to you, like because you were, like born here? Like, you are special, like because you, like were born here?”
Only on Kauai. SMH.
@jake…i’m sorry did i hurt your feelings….the truth hurts sometimes doesn’t it???
Curious as to how you define “local”. Do you have to have a certain percentage of Hawaiian blood? Would our mayor qualify as a local? How about the Rice family descendants? What about 5th generation people of other ethnic backgrounds? Please clarify for all us curious folks. I’m interested in your reply.
yes exactly a generational thing not so much ethnic. people with an actual affiliation with this island. not “transplants” who relocated and are just simply residing here and may decide to leave one day. if i move to seattle would i consider myself to be a “seattle local”. NO I WOULDN’T!!! I would simply be a seattle “resident”…hint, hint…or you can continue to be referred to as “stupid haoles” either one works for me… you know what they say…”if the shoe fits, wear it” ALOHA ALSO MEANS GOODBYE!!!