So my mom wants to take my brother and I to Hawaii this summer for graduating with our master's degree(s).
However, I've just read so much online that Native Hawaiians do not want tourists to come to the island(s). It's been mixed though. Idk it just feels icky (?). As white settlers, I think we need mindful of what Indigenous Peoples want. bunnycat says though that Hawaii needs tourists right now as long as they're respectful.
Also, the timing isn't right as I'll be in the midst of submitting my thesis and I'm not sure when I'll get the feedback (I'm in Canada atm but I'll be moving back to the States in the summer).
What are your thoughts? It's not a for sure thing. My parents got a timeshare in Myrtle Beach and they have a location in Hawaii, so they have to see if it's available in like two weeks.
Comments
I don’t quite understand the concept of “being native” to your.. state? Like I live in florida, I guess I’m a “florida native” but idk how that gives me the right to exile people from traveling to florida. I guess someone has to explain this to my PEA BRAIN!
With that said, I have heard that the natives of Hawaii do not want people there. But, this was more of a well known rumor when COVID-19 was more prominent. I would like to think it’s not as big of a deal now! I’m not sure though..
MikeRORO no I don't mean people from the state, but people who are indigenous to Hawaii. These people have had their land stolen from them. If you look at the history of Hawaii, they were a separate nation (had a Queen and everything) before it became a state. With more people moving to the island and tourism, it has caused inflation and prices to sky rocket including housing which has made it unaffordable for Native Hawaiians to actually live there.
This has happened way before COVID, but it was just worse under COVID.
There will be thousands of tourists in Hawaii at that time regardless of what you do, you’re a drop in the bucket and your decision won’t make a difference
This is not an insult- This is what I’d call being a white savior. Your individual decisions don’t make much of a difference in regards to systemic issues, so the most helpful thing you can do is just recognize what the issues are rather than think you have the capacity to tangibly help solve the issues
coreyants I think you’re making a very broad generalization of Native Hawaiians & not recognizing that there’s nuance with how different people feel about systemic topics
& also not recognizing that many of them may be specifically referring to rude or disrespectful tourists as opposed to people who mind their own business and don’t get in the way of anything
For example, most European criticism of American tourists is criticism of RUDE American tourists specifically, but sometimes you have to peel back the curtain a bit to figure out that’s their point
With that said, I have heard that the natives of Hawaii do not want people there. But, this was more of a well known rumor when COVID-19 was more prominent. I would like to think it’s not as big of a deal now! I’m not sure though..