As a board member of Hawaii Tourism Authority, it has given me firsthand insight into the economy of our state and the future growth of Kauai. What follows are strictly my opinions, as a resident and employer, on where we are at this troubled time in our world and how Kauai is being affected.
I have been very blessed to call Kauai my home since 1972 and have worked in the visitor industry ever since. It’s an industry that, yes, has been good to me. I was fortunate to also start a family on Kauai and now my three children are raising their own families and creating journeys of their own. They are all living here now and I hope they will be able to stay.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve experienced two hurricanes, numerous floods, and financial events that have influenced the best &worst of our economy. Somehow, through it all, Kauai took on the challenge and our community remained resilient and Kauai came out stronger because of our determination.
COVID 19 is testing us more than any of these past catastrophes and experiences. As with other visitor related businesses, Kilohana has remained closed since mid-March. I fully understand the necessity of keeping our doors closed and we’re trying to mitigate its economic impact on both our employees and business.
There seems to be a growing animosity towards our visitors that concerns me even more than our business’s financial plight. When the last of our visitors were departing our island, they were subjected to protestors. It is unfortunate that we are not able to close Kauai to all our visitors until we are prepared to re-open. Those that do come need to follow our rules and be treated with respect. Those that do not, it is best they to go home.
Is this the time to have a moratorium or freeze on all hotels, timeshares, condos and new vacation rental outlets? I don’t feel there would be as much negative feedback from those in the visitor industry, as there would be from those associated with construction unions &contractors, who employ so many island residents. Would the Planning Commission or County Council be in favor of such a suspension? I have many friends in the construction industry and I would personally not want this industry or any other to experience what the visitor industry is now going through. What we need is a balance.
Can we not work to develop a balance and pace our growth where we can address our community needs, infrastructure and the needs of our industries? When 300 condominiums were built in Poipu, visitors did not support the process. Unfortunately like many recent developments, comes more traffic and visitors but no additional infrastructure improvements.
For some reason, we are still attempting to build a resort at Coco Palms. Why are we not thinking of constructing a Hawaiian Cultural Center and park instead? Why do some Kapaa residents feel the need to detour through Wailua Homesteads in order to get to Lihue? Do we really need more congestion?
Does the individual visitor have any real say in all of this? Our visitors could choose any island in our state, or any destination in the world…but they choose Kauai.
Throughout my career, I’m in contact with visitors on a daily basis. Some have expressed how they’ve saved for years to finally afford their Kauai dream vacation, while others have loyally continued to visit every other year…because they love Kauai. Yes, there is a small percentage who do not respect our lifestyle, but the majority of travelers are drawn to Kauai for its beauty, culture and our aloha spirit. To make visitors the scapegoat for our infrastructure challenges and our overdevelopment is just wrong. When we travel to any destination away from Kauai…isn’t it nice when we’re welcomed &accepted by the host culture instead of being labeled “tourist”?
In 1972, agriculture was Kauai’s number one industry. I agree, it would be nice to find a way to once again strengthen agriculture and technology; take some of the pressure off of the visitor industry. At some point, we will reopen our visitor industry and its success will be determined by our hospitality and ability to welcome travelers back to Kauai. Hopefully, we can do this with genuine aloha. Extending Aloha to a visitor will make their day. It might even put a smile on your face as well.
•••
Fred Atkins Hawaii Tourism Authority board member representing the island of Kauai.
I completely agree. As a “visitor” that has been coming to Kauai nearly every year for over 32 years, staying 3+ weeks, we save thousands of dollars to do so, we consider Kauai our second home. This year we were to arrive March 12, but just 2 days prior is when the world changed. We were sadly forced to cancel our trip. Had we been scheduled a couple of days prior, we would have been on island, and being subjected to the cruelty of residents to “get off OUR island” mentality. In moving forward, we are afraid of the way we might be treated as a visitor. We have always enjoyed the aloha spirit, and respected every aspect of the island and culture. A very concerning side of residents started rearing its ugly head when the north shore opened last summer, with the cruel treatment of visitors, with road blocks and confrontations, and now with the Covid issues. We, at home, as we would have done, had we been on island when the “stay at home orders” were put in place, have completely followed the guidelines completely for the past 9 weeks! Not once have we gone to a store, or left our house, except to check on our elderly parents from a distance only. We would have done exactly the same in Kauai. We understand the island has changed so much over the decades, and would love it to go back to the quiet island of the past, but it is what is it now. Stop persecuting the visitors that have supported your tourism industry.
In response to Fred Atkins article. As a visitor to Kauai for over forty years I have seen the many changes on the island with some sadness. Beginning with the continuous building of hotels. Just how many does the island need? As noted, it brings in tourists, which is important to the island, but enough is enough. And, yes, it causes traffic jams, especially on Kuhio Highway. I believe the beautiful island of Kauai has enough hotels, enough timeshares. Now is the best time to stop and analyze what is needed to benefit the people of Kauai. Such as noted above, infrastructure, focusing back on agriculture as part of a self-sustainable island; and most importantly, building housing for the kuhunas and affordable housing for those with limited income. All of this would bring work on so many levels and especially to the construction workers. As for the Coco Palms, a major eye-sore for so many years now. The idea of a museum and park is a wonderful idea. In the meantime, a fence should be built around it! In closing, tourism is important but so is the tranquility and life of the residents of Kauai.
We are Still a Plantation State!
The Hotels and Resort’s have Replaced the Cane and Pineapple Fields is All?
I understand fully your comment. We had a second home in Kauai for years, sold, and now visit yearly for a month or two at our timeshare and various other locations. This Year’s two months stay was of course cancelled but I receive the local newspaper daily and have been more than surprised and concerned about the animosity toward “visitors”. Yes of course they should be adhering to the current rules but as the lifeblood of Kauai is dependent on visitors, the attitude of some toward them border on threats. This is not the Kauai I have known, love and respect. Many are most vocal and clear we are not wanted and it goes further …. some don’t want visitors back EVER! For those whose very existence depends on visitors dollars, this is so unfair to them and very disturbing to us who love and respect the Hawaiian culture but now are hearing we are not wanted! If this attitude of locals continues, there will NOT be visitors and jobs will suffer. Most of us want to live Hawaiian style when we visit and to feel this resentment and hostility is very disappointing.
Whole heartedly agree with the author of this article and all the comments listed before mine. Kauai and Hawaii as a whole need to be careful what they wish for with no visitors. We all just might stay away for good and take our combined millions of dollars to other places.
Tourism is actively discussed in Hawaii in those moments when we divert our attention from traffic, housing and the current Covid-19 obsession and panic.
Tourism, it seems, is actually a spiritual activity, a search. Hawaiians in particular and humans in general need exploration to grow and to mature. The Christian Golden Rule, and the updated secular Platinum Rule, are found in almost all spiritual traditions.
So we have to ask is tourism good for all of humanity, or just for Hawaiians? Are Hawaiians willing to give up travel for themselves if they deny it to others? We have the good fortune to live in one of the world’s “garden” spots. Are we willing to share it with the rest of humanity?
Animosity is an understatement. It is pure hate. Xenophobia mixed with selfishness, with a slice of ignorance to lively it up.
The visitor industry isn’t something we should even be discussing right now. It’s NO, NO, NO to visitors. Covid-19 is a pandemic disease that doesn’t just kill people. It causes permanent lung and heart damage. It’s not “just the flu” like our orangutan in chief in the White House says it is. Now is the time to BE hostile to visitors. Let them know verbally just how unhappy you are that they are here. Toss a few eggs at rental cars. PROTEST THEIR PRESENCE. And if you make your living fleecing tourists, that’s too bad. Now isn’t the time to be doing it.
Hey Jake, sorry your so sour about visitors but to tell people to throw eggs at them is very sad, You are a disturbed individual, and should seek help right away. If I was a visitor and got hit by one of your eggs you would be in jail. I am sure just by reading your post you have no respect for the law !! I guess your parents were absent when you were growing up, oh yeah you haven’t grown up yet !!!
Orangutang yes, hostile No. What visitors do you have now that you are throwing ignorant eggs at? Do you earn any income not from the USA ?
Fred, when you got here the population, I believe, was in decline. Sugar was almost finished and tourism small. If you needed to rent a house you would simply go to the neighborhood you liked, drive around to find an empty house and try to find the owner.
If Kauai had better roads and parking, and adequate housing for residents the disdain for tourism would simply disappear.
Yea, we shouldn’t blame outsiders for the problems we created ourselves.
Charlie, the problems on Kauai are in significant part due to immigration of mainland transplants. Cost of living, traffic and congestion are byproducts of a residential base that’s more than doubled in 40 years. And yes it’s time to re-create a new visitor industry model that doesn’t force local people like me to arrange my life around traffic jams.
Nice sentiment but no solutions offered. How do you propose we solve these problems since you are on the board of the tourism authority? Give us a specific plan. Give us a timeline. Give us something concrete to blend tourism with overburdened infrastructure. So other than smiles and aloha, how do we fix this problem?
I completely agree. As a “visitor” that has been coming to Kauai nearly every year for over 32 years, staying 3+ weeks, we save thousands of dollars to do so, we consider Kauai our second home. This year we were to arrive March 12, but just 2 days prior is when the world changed. We were sadly forced to cancel our trip. Had we been scheduled a couple of days prior, we would have been on island, and being subjected to the cruelty of residents to “get off OUR island” mentality. In moving forward, we are afraid of the way we might be treated as a visitor. We have always enjoyed the aloha spirit, and respected every aspect of the island and culture. A very concerning side of residents started rearing its ugly head when the north shore opened last summer, with the cruel treatment of visitors, with road blocks and confrontations, and now with the Covid issues. We, at home, as we would have done, had we been on island when the “stay at home orders” were put in place, have completely followed the guidelines completely for the past 9 weeks! Not once have we gone to a store, or left our house, except to check on our elderly parents from a distance only. We would have done exactly the same in Kauai. We understand the island has changed so much over the decades, and would love it to go back to the quiet island of the past, but it is what is it now. Stop persecuting the visitors that have supported your tourism industry
Fred…you seem to be unaware of the economic principles of comparative advantage. Time to break out the econ text books.
RSW
Aloha RSW,
Maybe you could explain the “economic principles of comparative advantage” to all of us?
Yes Cheryl…Mr. Weir knows a whole lot about it.. just keep asking. You will be amazed.
Aloha Fred,
Some of us feel like you about respecting visitors/tourists.
When we go to the Big Box stores and our supermarkets, And even all other retailers, people like us living on remote islands Need to remember that 99.99% of every item sold on island (except for a few fruits, vegetables and air, water, and land animals…) are grown, raised, and produced and manufactured by hardworking people Worldwide, some of whom become visitors here on island. For most of them it is a fulfillment of their dreams.
For example, What visitors from Pennsylvania have to offer the people of Kaua’i is their Harvesting of their natural resources, which in their case is iron and steel that becomes cars and trucks and everything metal you can think of.
Without them we’d be paddling or padding our way to Lihue by foot. No vehicles or bridges.
From around the world, other people in other regions send us their natural resources, especially as finished products.
So when visitors come to Kaua’i, they are coming literally as A natural Resource EXCHANGE. Their Natural Resources for ours.
Our natural resources are technically brought to us for free by Ke Akia, by Mother Nature,
They are of course, a Warm Tropical Climate, not too hot and not to cold (Rap Replinger taught us that), abundant Rivers, Waterfalls, Rainbows, pristine waves, white sand beaches, hiking trails and paths, swaying Palm trees, Soothing Tradewinds Breezes, Hawaiian Music, Fish and Poi, Limu Ko, Hula, canoes, sailing, and surfing and swimming all year round, Luau, and Fishing near and far, restaurants, bars, and hotels, Mountain and Valley Vistas, remote beaches, and boat rides on a prehistoric coastline, over shadowed by exhilarating helicopter tours, or ATV or Horseback adventures, Leis and Muumuu and Hawaiian shirts, Rubbah slippahs, and shell necklaces, Menehune Fish Pond, Queen’s Pond and a Bath, Palm trees of coconut distinction, Mai Tai and a Blue Hawaii, all of these and so much more, our NATURAL RESOURCES, we offer in exchange for their ESSENTIAL Natural Resources (sent here almost without interruption) by the visitors and tourists who come to us from Worldwide, some of whom came from regions with VIRUSES LIKE Eboli, MERS, and SARS, AND others from other places but no one spread fear, paranoia, and hysteria enough to close our economy, and whose deaths should be just called old age while having the flu.
Where would be with out the VISITOR’s Natural Resources? Without the visitors themselves, we could be starving, out of business, bankrupt, foreclosure on our homes, unable to feed or educate our children…oh, yikes, we are experiencing that right now…and for what, the few elderly with end of life diseases who are on end of life drugs…face reality, when it’s end of life time, something Has to take every one somehow over the edge into the pass away, no one gets out alive. We’ll be a 3rd world island…if isolation recklessly continues, and no one would come and appreciate our Natural Resources. We are running out of money, when will the food run out.
Certainly Tourism is a much better way of life than WAR, of which the world has had enough, so be respectful of the Visitor Industry, we need them as much as they need us to Allow them to escape each year after slaving in factories for 50 weeks in frozen winters and sweltering summers (we don’t have that).
Protect the Kapuna as much as can, but only so much can be done at end of life, and all life when it comes to that end needs a catalyst to take us over to the other side where all have gone before. For some, God and Mother Nature has used such a catalyst as the flu of many flavors over the centuries to make the pass away complete.
Sometimes getting over the edge is medical care errors that statistics tell us about their deadly drugs, misdiagnosis, or over treatment, or too much anesthesia.
And for those who did not respect their life while living the amount of decades they had, why should the World have to have an end as we know it, Lockdown, just because it is the end of theirs.
All lives of any age are important, optimal Life Longevity is a form of Wealth, a veritable Health, that needs to be Invested in early and a lot…not taking out WITHDRAWALS a depletion on your health by living a frivolous life of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or Addicted-Habituated-Dependent on prescription drugs, or lowering your quality of life by repetitive use of non-nutritious foods such as junk, fast food, microwaved, Sugars, sodas, processed foods, and chemical additives especially petrochemicals, endless snacks, fake colors, fake flavors, and fake aromas.
Reaching an early end of life by ones own irresponsible life behavior should not require the rest of us to moan your passing by LOCKDOWN ON US, due to your inability to cope with a flu that the majority of us have no problem with, Surviving with NO SYMPTOMS, MILD SYMPTOMS, or some BEDREST.
If you see a horse in the pasture that you know to be very old, and now it is dead in the pasture, but it has flies swarming over it…can you say the flies killed the horse…? No, flies are attracted to dead animals, flies thrive on dead things.
Or if you see an old man lying on the side of the road and you stop to render aid, and you see he has 2 stab wounds, and 3 bullet holes in him, and a mosquito bite on his arm…Would you say the mosquito killed him…? That would be weird…! Maybe the mosquito was a Malarial mosquito and you could apportion a tiny percent to the mosquito…but not all cause.
So if a sick elderly person with Heart Disease, cancer, and diabetes, and for those diseases is taking 11 prescription drugs, and some over the counter medications…and they were exposed and tested positive for CoVid19 virus flu…would you say, or as a doctor or nurse, Would you record on the death certificate that the person died from the CoVid…? Or would it be better to divide up the cause of death By %.
Certainly a sick elderly senior citizen with 3 End of life chronic degenerative diseases, taking 11 prescription drug medications would contribute 90% causation to their passing away or Pre-existing disease situation and only 10% on the virus.
Why are death by flu statistics not honest and thorough…just saying the elderly die with flu is true but it is not the whole cause, and claiming it to be is a lie that spreads, rumors,,fear, paranoia, and hysteria. We need to be told the Pre-existing diseases, the prescription drugs, and any other debilitation they have before we blame a singular entity only a minor Problem or event in others.
Stop the Statistics Lies.
So why are we shutting out tourists who need Hawaii for A few weeks a year for their own Mental, Physical, and Social Health, and at the same time Lockdown our Businesses, Quarantine all of our residents with Stay at Home, an unhealthy thing in itself.
And if you a have a mild dose of the virus, why should you Be made to wear a mask to only rebreathe back in the virus that your body is trying to excrete, not to mention rebreathing another body excretion of carbon dioxide, a human waste product.
Let’s not forget that Health investment should start in Kindergarten through high school with classes every day on subjects like human anatomy, physiology, cell study, biochemistry, and the nervous system…all youth should be provided the info that is their life and precious body, to protect and nourish through life.
All the chronic degenerative diseases are avoidable with knowledge, Like Health Classes in K through 12.
Fell asleep, too long ramble. Take English class; respect your readers. Woof!
For many people on island, as you can see from their exiting the Big Box stores and super markets, some of them would seem to place more value on Toilet Paper than Food.
Well if this financial crisis gets much worse, without FOOD there will be no need for Toilet Paper.
You don’t point out that the visitors who are coming now, the ones whom are arriving during an emergency, obviously do not care about our island and our people. If they did, they wouldn’t be arriving during this time!
When we reopen, at least during the beginning months, it will still just be the most selfish people who will be arriving. The people who just have to get what they want, at all costs. These are the types we don’t need here!
The patient people, those who wait and come at a much later date, that is the type of person who we will welcome here. The people who have the self discipline to wait the whole event out, and come when it is really safe, and all “bugs” have been worked out.
im patiently waiting until locals drop their attitudes, especially transplants living off family riches, is that ever going to happen?
hmmmm “selfish?” given ZERO deaths, is it really “selfish” of someone to visit with the remote chance of even infecting others?
are automobile drivers also “selfish” since they accounted for 108 deaths in Hawaii in 2019, 117 in 2018?
unlike COVID, those are actual fatalities.
why are you so fearful of visitors?
Fearful? no. Sick of traffic? Yes.
I don’t want to see the traffic jams that we had before coronavirus. There has to be a balance for the people who live here.
Maybe an apology from HTA for failing to have guaranteed residents that COVID19 isn’t brought in by visitors, would be suited. And an explanation to why to this day there is only an “honorary system” quarantine by the only people that can bring this disease that has cost residents so many sacrifices. People are suffering, and people aren’t protected after all this time after so many sacrifices. Expectations of protection have been disappointingly met by leaders in the one area where this disease would come from, can you really blame the people for their reactions to this?
How in the world could HTA guarantee prior to lockdown that visitors were not infected with covid-19? As a matter of fact, 5 visitors were indeed infected and 16 returning residents were infected with the flu. If HTA failed in any way it would have been in letting residents return to Kauai. As far as the “honorary system”, of quarantine, there is an extremely strict and restrictive system in place where any “visitors” (or any returning residents) are required to check in online every morning and are monitored 4-5 times a day to make sure they have not left their residence or rental. The government has gone overboard…if people are suffering it is not because of the disease, it is because our freedoms have been taken away from us. It is not the governments job to protect us from disease, it is their job to protect our freedom.
Brush up on the constitution. It seems like there is a huge divide between people who know their rights and people who have been watching too much netflix movies about dictator type governments. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. This is why people migrate to America from all over the world.
I moved to Kauai from Alaska, another high rent district, 40 years ago. Then and now, I always appreciated that people wanted to visit my state and would spend the huge amounts it costs to visit. Alaska, being so big is far less impacted by tourists as is Kauai. I think we need to re-think how we do tourism so that we can enjoy those who visit, rather than be sitting in traffic for hours, as an example. Gary Hooser had some great suggestions along this line. Perhaps the powers that be and you, Fred, could put some of these ideas in place so that when tourists start coming again, we can look forward to their visit rather than wishing it had stayed as it is now. Good Luck, I hope you will be successful! Aloha, Judie
They won’t be hating on visitors when they don’t get their jobs back. Hotel Industry, Rental Cars, Tourist Based Business’.Do these people not realize their income RELIES on these people they are trashing. I’ve lived here my whole life and it’s really unfortunate, even through NOW, on FB if anyone even hints at moving here, they get trashed and verbally assaulted.
This island wouldn’t survive without tourists or government funds. What don’t you get? The ALOHA SPIRIT is only for their own circles. The general Aloha Spirit we experienced even after Iniki is LONG GONE.
As a visitor to Kauai every year since 1986 and spending nearly $10,000 on this past February’s trip, we have been reconsidering future trips to Kauai, or any Hawaiian island. The Aloha Spirit has left the island over the past few years. Too bad. We like to travel US and keep hard earned money in the states but any of the other 49 may need an economic boost after all this. Good luck.
Well Kauai could prohibit tourists and beg Zuckerberg for more cash. I’m sure that will work…
Some of what I read on here is very disappointing. I could sit here and explain how much we contribute to the island the two times a year we visit. Or share with you all how I also live in a tourist area in California where people do not care about or local culture or respect our area. This is why when we visit, we are friendly, courteous, respectful and appreciative for the people of Kauai allowing us to visit their beautiful home. We donate money as well as spend plenty.
One writer suggests throwing eggs at rental cars? I can assure you, that would not have a good result. As a nation, we need to support each other regardless of location. Kauai is not a sovereign nation, it’s a state located in America. Just like Lake Tahoe, we depend on tourism and have to deal with high traffic and all the other issues that come with tourism.
That being said, you live in America and if I want to follow the rules and travel somewhere without violating laws, I will. Is Kauai a community that only cares about Kauai during a Nationwide Pandemic? I didn’t think so but, after reading some of these comments, I’m starting to wonder if the warm Hawaiian Culture is dead in Kauai. Stop being ignorant and scared, as a medical professional, it is likely we will all have this illness in our lifetime. After being in Afghanistan, a few egg tossing protestors will not scare me…. Mahalo
Hawaii and namely Kauai is one of the only places in America and the world where racism is supported by the local government. Whether people want to accept it or not , it is part of America. Everyone happily takes foodstamps and welfare checks that mainland Americans support with their tax dollars. This anti-Haole sentiment isn’t only wrong it’s dangerous. The ending effect of this attitude will be Haoles seizing control of the local government. I get it AMERICA seized this land illegally and have marginalized and subjugated local native people. But we need to rise above this hateful attitude against mainlanders and tourists and realize this place is for everyone that treats the island and it’s people with respect. We need to be open and accepting of tourists and all people. We should be less dependent on tourism but no matter how you slice it , it is a crucial part of our economy. Our remote distance, lack of industry, and uneducated workforce leaves us no choice but to rely on this crucial industry. Of course we’d be better off with less tourists but we will not be better off with no money. The more we take from the government, the more freedoms we give away. Let’s come together and end this anti-Haole attitude. Open tourism back up before we all lose our homes and businesses.
My post didn’t print but we have been coming to Kauai since 1986 to spend our hard-earned vacation time and money and steadily noticing the shifting tides towards visitors. Now might be a good time to check out some of the other 49 states and see if they want tourists, visitors, vacationers, or guests to spend money boosting their economy.
Hawaiian’s reputation for hospitality has been pushed to it’s limits and our country could use a stern education in grace. And history and justice and, how selfish greedy plutocrats rig the system by mollifying the proletariat by giving them a powerless class to subjugate.
It is aggravating that many Americans think that while on vacation they deserve subservience. The spoiled and belligerent customers, or you have the sugar and spice face, constantly badgering and angling for more, having 1 encounter a day with any of these behaviors is too aggravating. I live in an area that has been swamped with migration(USA born and worldwide nationalities) and their angling for the best beaches, parks, fishing etc… crowding out my peace and quiet. Unfortunately, I deeply understand Hawaiians anger with the onslaught but I deeply crave their aloha spirit.
Some people love the sound of their own voices. That was one of the worst attempts to “appear” smart that I have ever seen. If that is how you really talk on a daily basis, I feel really bad for anyone sharing a space with you.
Those residents who support tourism do so because they benefit financially. When a typical vacation rental goes for $300/night at 95% occupancy, do the math. The rest of us sit in traffic.
34 now 35 comments? Did we strike a nerve? Charlie cowden has it right. We have let lifestyles for the residents slip, witness traffic, unaffordable housing exacerbated by air bnb etc. If we take care of our island and it’s residents then tourism will take care of itself. A healthy body, plant or island is necessary to fight if disease. I’m not saying tourism is a disease but overtourism is. Now moving forward is the time, the chance ,to make lemonade out of lemons and welcome back the world searching for fabled aloha spirit.
The problem is not tourism, it’s overtourism. The tourism board is tesponsible for bringing too many people to an island that dies not have the infrastructure to handle it. Residents have a right to be frustrated when they can no longer go to their favorite restaurant or beach. Cruise ships were the topping on the cake. How many rental cars can this island hold?
Several days ago I read with mixed emotions about Anini lagoon’s recovering coral, successful coral spawn and an increase of turtles, seals and rays. Great news!! To say the least, but then I realized my absence was part of the reason Anini is doing better. I’d be willing to bet most of Kauai is.
I also live in a tourist hot spot and we also experience the effect of too many people, jerks not respecting the land or local customs, and we locals also resent tourists, so I get it when some of Kauai’s residents don’t especially want us around. That has not been my personal experience, I have seen and felt the spirit of aloha, and when I’m able to return you can bet I’ll be respecting Kauai’s people, land and water.
Living in a tourist area in the continental US, it CAN get tiresome here too when things get overcrowded during high season. Meanwhile, it seems after forty years’ traveling specifically to Kauai, that me and many acquaintances will be looking elsewhere for the future. We are if anything overprotective the Kauai environment and stellar visiting stewards of the areas we visit. The draconian ‘restrictions’ of the North Shore road and Keé Beach was pretty much the last straw: it’s one of the main reasons we all go. The reservation system may work for some, but clearly not for most. The Keé lifeguards before the flood were way rude and told me to shut up and leave if I didn’t like being kept out of the same normal conditions I’ve always seen, news to my past lifeguarding in the states. Well, Good luck, Kauai. Maybe when the $$$ dry up and the economy seriously falters, cooler heads will prevail and a better system will be put in place for visitors. Right now, it’s not cutting it. Wish it were otherwise.
Well, you won’t need to worry about me coming because all those changes to the North Shore seem completely ridiculous- I mean completely! You can’t just drive anywhere around Hanalei or further north because she must get a shuttle. You must book things in advance. You must pay $35 for them to now very tightly structure your itinerary. It’s just not the way to travel and it is more than a buzz kill. Simply ludicrous. You cannot just drive at will and go to many of these places anymore without doing all of the above??