So you want to come to Hawai’i? A dream chain of islands full of lush green mountains, beautiful waterfalls, and white sand beaches. Eight islands each offering something unique and different. From Big Island’s active volcanoes and snow capped Mauna Kea to Kaua’i’s very own Grand Canyon. But what if I told you that there was far more to Hawai’i than the tours and the beautiful places you could see. What if that beyond the hotels and tour guides, there were every day businesses and every day people you can better understand. That there is a true and strong existing Polynesian culture beyond Lu’aus that you can better appreciate and respect?
The Mainland to the perspective of a local here, is the Contiguous 48 States in North America. Apart from endless Japanese, Australians, & Europeans that visit here, Hawai’i is frequented by Mainlanders who have this idea of Hawai’i as this paradise where everyone is drinking Mai Tais (not even a Hawaiian drink), laying on the beach, without a problem in sight. But Hawai’i has it’s share of problems, from homelessness, to drugs, a culture continuously overrun by capitalism and corruption, and extremely high cost of living. I was one of those ignorant mainlanders back in 2017, at least my ignorance was limited to being an already well versed world traveler. I still did come with a high level of ignorance exploring Hawai’i with a mainland idealism that is far from compatible with how things are here. See that’s unfortunately how it is on the daily here, people come with that paradise idealism, and completely miss out of the opportunity of not only experiencing the true Hawai’i but also having the change to give back. Even most well versed travelers only see the surface of this strong hearted tightly knitted community of islands.
I’ve spent the past two years residing in Hawai’i, living day by day learning and trying to better understand every aspect of these islands, cultural appreciation vs appropriation, everyday struggles of Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), local businesses vs American capitalism, and so on. I do this so I can do more than just live here and enjoy the sun and sand, but I feel like its my kuleana (responsibility) to give ho’ihi (respect) and aloha (love) back to where it belongs.
I am putting together 8 WAYS YOU as a tourist in Hawai’i, can give respect and aloha back where it belongs.
Understand the History & Culture
Hawai’i is a Pacific Island
One of the most important things for me to do as a traveler, is to learn, read, and research on a places history before I visit. It not only helps me to understand a place, it’s people, it’s language, and way of life as a whole, but it allows me to appreciate and respect it on a higher level. Hawai’i is a blessing to the world, as it may be eight small islands on a map, yet holds such a strong heart as a Polynesian archipelago. With that being said do keep in mind, this state is indeed rich in Polynesian culture and hold true connectivity to it’s Pacific Island counterparts. Hawai’i is very much related to Tahiti as it is to New Zealand. And Palau and Fiji although different culturally different, share brotherhood as Pacific Islands.
Hawaiian Language
‘Olelo Hawai’i or Hawaiian is a language sadly not widely spoken on these islands, but it is officially a second language and has an increasing number of speakers thanks to colleges, online courses which I’m involved in, as well as social media. (Tiktok’s #foryou page of Hawai’i is king to learn from native speakers.) Hawaiian Pidgin is widely spoken by mostly everyone here and comprised of a combined number of languages thanks to the plantation days where Chinese, Portuguese, Hispanics, Filipinos, and Native Hawaiians worked together long enough to create a dialect/language that is now spoken today. It’s really fascinating to listen to couple or a group of locals. By the way, do not try and speak pidgin to blend in, locals know true pidgin speakers and definitely know non pidgin speakers ;).
Hawai’i is actually ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED
Whether you agree or disagree me on this, it doesn’t matter, the history proves it such. The Hawaiian people were remarkably well educated people and had a chain of royalty that had it’s flaws but still had a remarkable structure for a Pacific Island nation. King Kamehameha the Great was the Kingdom of Hawai’i’s first true king uniting the islands in the early 1800’s and leaving a legacy of Hawaiian rulers for the next century. Sadly in the 1890’s, a chain of events led half blood Hawaiians to overthrown the Queen and instated their own government and constitution against the peoples will. Not long later after several failed attempts, Hawai’i was illegally annexed into the United States as a territory, once again against the wishes of it’s queen and her people. Hawaiian flags were removed and the Hawaiian language was banned. 40 plus years later, Hawai’i was admitted as the 49th state and in all of that time until now, Kanaka (native Hawaiians) have struggled and fought hard to have their voices heard, their identities recognized, their language recognized (returned officially as a language in 1978), consistently losing land, while commercialism & money dominates their economy.
This is why it is ESPECIALLY SO IMPORTANT to understand the history of Hawai’i. Every moment you spend vacationing here, is a new moment of struggle for native Hawaiians. And the more you learn, the more you can respect it’s people.
Education is key!
Don’t Have High Expectations
I have only lived here a few years and still have heard..
“Where are the grass huts?”
“Is this the island of Honolulu?”
“It’s so dirty here!” (O’ahu)
Why is bread so expensive at Wal-mart?
Tourists from the mainland truly and completely lack the comprehension and open mind that, Hawai’i is a place like everywhere else on the mainland, only here the weather is perfect and the beach ain’t far. Just like I mentioned above, Hawai’i has a great deal of issues. There are homeless people everywhere, most of which fly here and inevitably get stuck for various circumstances. You’ll find them on Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki, Waimanalo, to Wai’anae side either camped out or sleeping on what normally would be a bench and table ‘fo talk story’. Another factor to realize is that the drug problem is really bad on the islands. Methamphetamine (Meth) is a severe issue with cocaine, crack, and a slew of other drugs following suit.
Cost of living is incredibly high while minimum wage is low and it will be no suprise to meet an average person working two jobs, even three to get by. It’s a long ways away from the mainland, so be aware that your milk in break is going to be 130% more expensive than you’re used to. Yea, dont expect to go to Walmart and get a good deal, hence why locals make frequent visits to Costco & Sams to stock up in bulk because it’s more cost efficient. Also most people live with their families or a house of four or more people since rent is so high.
And no, no one lives in grass huts here. This isn’t Kiribati or the Solomon islands (Kiribati is amazing by the way) where people still live in traditional thatch built structures. We live in normal homes just like you do, only most of us have the tradewinds as our a/c unlike hotel rooms which have actual a/c. Which by the way, if a storm takes those tradewinds away in Summer, it sucks…..A LOT!
Leave Your Ideaology At Home
Taking a vacation in the mainland usually entails a road trip or flight across the states, could be Tahoe, the Outer Banks, or Florida and blame that on lack of vacation time. But Hawai’i is like the true getaway, as it’s just so far & expensive of a commitment of a trip but it doesn’t involve getting a passport stamp FAR. It’s so contrasting to the rest of the country as far as climate and culture goes which is why people generally have this lazy, lax attitude when they arrive here. People think that because they worked so hard to come here and now that they have made it leaves room for excuses to bring a mainland attitude and ideology here. Like no care of awareness that there is an actual way of life thats different here. And that simply does not work in Hawai’i. Hawai’i is not the mainland and nothing like it. Even if you try it’s simply not welcome! In resorts it may work just fine, but outside at a Long’s Drugs, coffee joint in Hanalei, or with anyone you meet in the street, there is no room for that. Just be your self, learn from everything and everyone around you, and open your heart to a different way of living. It goes a LONG way and it will help show locals, that not all tourists are ‘bad’.
There is more to Waikiki & Resort Areas
It’s simple and easy to say that regardless of where you go, resorts don’t really show you raw culture of everyday people. That goes the same for resorts in Hawai’i. Yea it’s developed here and you are not going to be driving into villages as if you were in Fiji. But there IS a true and strong culture on these islands. O’ahu is the gathering place where just about everyone will be flying into. Chances are you will be staying in Waikiki bound for Waikiki Beach and strolling along Kalakaua Avenue. But please do yourself a favor and realize this: WAIKIKI IS NOT THE REAL HAWAI’I. Waikiki is cool to stroll for all the shops, taking in the fact that you’ve made it here, dip in the ocean, and glance at the infamous Duke Kahanamoku statue. But get out as soon as you could and see the rest of O’ahu, from the Ka’iwi coast to Makapu’u, North Shore, West Side to Ka’ena point and experience the different angles of this one island. Even better if you get a chance to see any one of the outer islands.
Speak to & Listen to Locals
The one thing I couldn’t stress in anyplace I’ve traveled to is connecting with everyday people. If there is any true way to truly connect with a destination, it is speaking to local people. That goes the same for these islands. You won’t come to Hawai’i and find it alike any other state on the mainland, you’re in for a treat. Local people are generally loving and full of aloha and always willing to share anything and everything about livelihood and everything about these islands only if you show care, love and interest to begin with. Working at Longs as long as I have has truly given me that opportunity on a regular basis. And not a day goes by where I am not blessed to live amongst a beautiful community. Please, do not take it for granted when you’re here.
Support Local Businesses
Ask any local from Hawai’i, “What would you recommend for any tourist coming to Hawai’i to do to support the local community”, the first answer would be to support local. Support local meaning supporting local businesses run and operated by LOCAL people. Not a major corporation from the mainland or a tour guide based in California, spend your money with someone who is trying to support their ohana and better yet, the local community. Commercialism with companies based on the mainland already capitalize enough on Hawai’i, where you spend your money goes a long way!
Try to visit heritage & archaeological sites
Hawai’i has a long, deep, and rich history alike it’s Polynesian culture. And one of the things I’ve found to be important as a resident is trying to better understand where I am by visiting a heritage site. There are endless monument and ancient sites scattered across these islands. From petroglyphs, to rock formations, to burial sites. But one of the most fascinating places you can visit across the islands are Hawaiian heiaus, ancient temples and places of worship used in the early days of Hawaiian history, before christianity came. It’s customary to bring a gift such as a lei, food, or even a flower to show respect for visiting. In Kane’ohe, the He’eia fishpond is one of the best preserved ancient fishponds that allows for volunteers to help maintain the site while also partaking in an old ways of life in Hawai’i.
Show Aloha / Receive Aloha … Show Appreciation for culture
And last but not least, one of the most important and life changing mindsets that has made me a better person personally is simply, show aloha & you will receive aloha. This way of thinking stretched all across the Pacific, from New Zealand Maori, Tuvalu, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and into Micronesia. You show true love, compassion, & kindness, and you are bound to receive that back and possibly more. I have shown compassion and care across the Pacific that has opened the door to generosity to even the door into peoples homes. That is the exact same here in Hawai’i. I traveled in Big Island and showed so much aloha that a family took me into their home for two weeks allowing me to learn everything about the way of life here. That understanding of aloha stretched across these islands even amidst mass tourism and capitalism. Aloha is the lifeline of Hawai’i from ancient times to modern times. If there was a top number one way you can show respect for Hawai’i while you are here, is to show genuinity, kindness, care, compassion & aloha (love). Do this, and you shall receive aloha in return. Beleive me when I say, when you open your heart to this simple act of kindness, you will forever be a better person.
You will leave with a full heart of Hawai’i
