Comments on: Minding Your Manners in Hawaii http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/ Hawaii Travel Guide & Vacation Advice Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:21:36 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Ho'okipa http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-71741 Ho'okipa Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:51:44 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-71741 I know this is a tough one, but all the tourists wearing sunscreen in the ocean is contributing to the death of the reefs near the hotels. All that zinc and aluminum oxide gets washed off into the water. Wear lightweight beach gear (you can get it at the surf shops) instead. Mahalo I know this is a tough one, but all the tourists wearing sunscreen in the ocean is contributing to the death of the reefs near the hotels. All that zinc and aluminum oxide gets washed off into the water. Wear lightweight beach gear (you can get it at the surf shops) instead.

Mahalo

]]> By: Dee http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-30253 Dee Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:28:13 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-30253 Dave thanks for your reply. I'm happy to hear that the people of Hawaii are like people from any other highly visited area. We are looking forward to our visit in May. Dave thanks for your reply. I’m happy to hear that the people of Hawaii are like people from any other highly visited area. We are looking forward to our visit in May.

]]> By: Dave http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-30250 Dave Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:04:19 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-30250 Hi Dee. 99.99% of the locals sincerely appreciate you spending your time and money to visit. The VAST majority of local folks will give visitors the benefit of the doubt. Just about everyone shares a common goal. That goal is for you to have such a great time that you come back over and over and encourage your friends to visit as well. As long as you treat people with respect, don't honk the horn out of anger, don't litter, etc... I doubt you will have any problems. Just be yourself, have fun and don't worry about it. ;) That being said... Unlike Disneyland - Hawaii is a real place with real people. Some of those people have real problems like personality disorders, substance abuse problems, homelessness, etc... We can't exactly vote them off the island like the show Survivor. You may or may not run into a person like that. I hope not. If you do... Please do your best to ignore them and don't take it personally. Don't let it ruin an otherwise great day. Hi Dee. 99.99% of the locals sincerely appreciate you spending your time and money to visit. The VAST majority of local folks will give visitors the benefit of the doubt.

Just about everyone shares a common goal. That goal is for you to have such a great time that you come back over and over and encourage your friends to visit as well.

As long as you treat people with respect, don’t honk the horn out of anger, don’t litter, etc… I doubt you will have any problems. Just be yourself, have fun and don’t worry about it. ;)

That being said… Unlike Disneyland – Hawaii is a real place with real people. Some of those people have real problems like personality disorders, substance abuse problems, homelessness, etc… We can’t exactly vote them off the island like the show Survivor.

You may or may not run into a person like that. I hope not. If you do… Please do your best to ignore them and don’t take it personally. Don’t let it ruin an otherwise great day.

]]> By: Dee http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-30245 Dee Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:27:41 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-30245 Thanks for your reply Jamerdogg. I will be visiting Oahu for the first time in May and was really begining to wonder if I was going to have to walk on egg shells the whole time in order to keep from offending any of the locals. All of the posts that I'm reading talk about how much the locals dislike visitors to the islands. I really hope that it's not true! Thanks for your reply Jamerdogg. I will be visiting Oahu for the first time in May and was really begining to wonder if I was going to have to walk on egg shells the whole time in order to keep from offending any of the locals. All of the posts that I’m reading talk about how much the locals dislike visitors to the islands. I really hope that it’s not true!

]]> By: Carol http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-27747 Carol Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:53:12 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-27747 I am visiting Hawaii 3rd thru 6th. I live on a huge lake in Oklahoma....my husband and I boat after summer holidays to find that people have left trash on all the beaches and islands. It is more damage to the land than people realize and can ruin the nature intended cycle. We bring huge bags with us....bag it up and leave it for lake patrol to pick up after we call them. Its so sad...some folks must not mind filthy flies. I am visiting Hawaii 3rd thru 6th. I live on a huge lake in Oklahoma….my husband and I boat after summer holidays to find that people have left trash on all the beaches and islands. It is more damage to the land than people realize and can ruin the nature intended cycle. We bring huge bags with us….bag it up and leave it for lake patrol to pick up after we call them. Its so sad…some folks must not mind filthy flies.

]]> By: Jamerdogg http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-16098 Jamerdogg Mon, 04 May 2009 14:25:41 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-16098 My Family and I are heading back to Kauai & the Big Island in June. This is my 5th time and my g/f’s 8th time to the islands. My best advice for any newbie is just to be kind and courteous. Treat people how you would want to be treated and you can’t go wrong. There are many suggestions here, and many of them are good rules of thumb, but I think if read by somebody that’s has never been to the islands this could be pretty intimidating. Just have a good time, and be respectful. My Family and I are heading back to Kauai & the Big Island in June. This is my 5th time and my g/f’s 8th time to the islands. My best advice for any newbie is just to be kind and courteous. Treat people how you would want to be treated and you can’t go wrong. There are many suggestions here, and many of them are good rules of thumb, but I think if read by somebody that’s has never been to the islands this could be pretty intimidating. Just have a good time, and be respectful.

]]> By: Dabe http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-13205 Dabe Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:03:53 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-13205 Something to keep in mind is that everyone is welcome. Even the most grouchy and arrogant people will be treated with kindness & respect. Scott Adams (Author of Dilbert) wrote a great blog post a while back titled "The Joy of Righteous Indignation". http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/03/the_joy_of_righ.html "During my college years, I worked two summers as a desk clerk for a resort in the Catskills. That’s where my boss taught me that one of the services we offered was listening to irrational whining. He explained that certain customers enjoy complaining. To them, it’s not so much about getting a solution to the problem as it is the complaining itself. The resort catered to people’s vacation needs, and if complaining was what they needed, it was our job at the front desk to listen to it." "Experts say that the most loyal customers are not the ones who had a flawless experience, but the ones who had a problem that was resolved." It is so true... We aim to please. We sincerely appreciate people who are pleasant to be around... But... If you like to complain, that's not a problem at all. Listening to and sympathizing with people who need to vent about stuff (even irrational stuff) a service that we are more than happy to provide. Anyway... Just come for a visit, be yourself and enjoy. Something to keep in mind is that everyone is welcome. Even the most grouchy and arrogant people will be treated with kindness & respect.

Scott Adams (Author of Dilbert) wrote a great blog post a while back titled “The Joy of Righteous Indignation”.
http://dilbertblog.typepad.com/the_dilbert_blog/2007/03/the_joy_of_righ.html

“During my college years, I worked two summers as a desk clerk for a resort in the Catskills. That’s where my boss taught me that one of the services we offered was listening to irrational whining. He explained that certain customers enjoy complaining. To them, it’s not so much about getting a solution to the problem as it is the complaining itself. The resort catered to people’s vacation needs, and if complaining was what they needed, it was our job at the front desk to listen to it.”

“Experts say that the most loyal customers are not the ones who had a flawless experience, but the ones who had a problem that was resolved.”

It is so true… We aim to please. We sincerely appreciate people who are pleasant to be around… But… If you like to complain, that’s not a problem at all. Listening to and sympathizing with people who need to vent about stuff (even irrational stuff) a service that we are more than happy to provide.

Anyway… Just come for a visit, be yourself and enjoy.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-6953 Sheila Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:17:11 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-6953 I agree Revora. There's no need for anyone to be paranoid. This list was put together by both visitors and local residents, so there's lots of perspectives and insight. Thanks for adding yours. I agree Revora. There’s no need for anyone to be paranoid.

This list was put together by both visitors and local residents, so there’s lots of perspectives and insight. Thanks for adding yours.

]]> By: Revora http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-6952 Revora Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:08:38 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-6952 I did miss spell pigeon though. I did miss spell pigeon though.

]]> By: Revora http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-6951 Revora Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:03:59 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-6951 I've been to Hawaii. Met many locals and had a fabulous time. I never felt like anyone was putting any pressure on me to act a certain way. Many were amused with me when I was inquiring about pigeon. I guess I encountered the happy non- judgmental. I'm sure there have been some extremely annoying tourist and tips about customs are definitely helpful but people just like nice people. Don't make people paranoid. Just be nice and aware of others feelings. I’ve been to Hawaii. Met many locals and had a fabulous time. I never felt like anyone was putting any pressure on me to act a certain way. Many were amused with me when I was inquiring about pigeon. I guess I encountered the happy non- judgmental. I’m sure there have been some extremely annoying tourist and tips about customs are definitely helpful but people just like nice people. Don’t make people paranoid. Just be nice and aware of others feelings.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-3677 Sheila Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:52:52 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-3677 Jim - I'm sure the local folks appreciated that. Did you get a shaka from a local for being considerate? I completely understand the feeling of missing Hawaii. It's only been 4 days since I've been in Hawaii and I'm missing it already! Jim – I’m sure the local folks appreciated that. Did you get a shaka from a local for being considerate?
I completely understand the feeling of missing Hawaii. It’s only been 4 days since I’ve been in Hawaii and I’m missing it already!

]]> By: jim http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-3674 jim Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:14:17 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-3674 When I was in Hawaii, I pulled over so many times to let the locals by because: 1) like you said, they know the roads; 2) I'm on vacation and driving around to enjoy the scenery, why force everyone else to enjoy it too? :) man i miss hawaii :) When I was in Hawaii, I pulled over so many times to let the locals by because:
1) like you said, they know the roads;
2) I’m on vacation and driving around to enjoy the scenery, why force everyone else to enjoy it too? :)

man i miss hawaii :)

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-2792 Sheila Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:18:34 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-2792 KT - Thanks for your question. There is a a local slang/dialect called "pidgin", where for example the term for a guy might be "brah", which is short for brother. That's what you should steer clear off. There's a good chance, you may not even hear pidgin it on your vacation, so you won't even be tempted to repeat it. True Hawaiian words like aloha and mahalo are welcomed by the locals. Don't worry...you'll be fine. Enjoy your first vacation to Hawaii! KT – Thanks for your question.

There is a a local slang/dialect called “pidgin”, where for example the term for a guy might be “brah”, which is short for brother. That’s what you should steer clear off. There’s a good chance, you may not even hear pidgin it on your vacation, so you won’t even be tempted to repeat it.

True Hawaiian words like aloha and mahalo are welcomed by the locals. Don’t worry…you’ll be fine.

Enjoy your first vacation to Hawaii!

]]> By: KT http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-2787 KT Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:38:14 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-2787 I am going to Hawaii soon for the first time and I don't want to offend anybody. I want to experience the culture, but not irritate anybody. Because of this I will respect the suggestions to not try and speak the language or anything. However, one of the rules says to use words like Aloha and Mahalo. Are these the only words that are ok to use? I am going to Hawaii soon for the first time and I don’t want to offend anybody. I want to experience the culture, but not irritate anybody. Because of this I will respect the suggestions to not try and speak the language or anything. However, one of the rules says to use words like Aloha and Mahalo. Are these the only words that are ok to use?

]]> By: Michelle http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-2445 Michelle Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:33:47 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-2445 Thanks for the great tips. One you may want to consider is that in Honolulu, especially near Ala Moana and Waikiki, tourists take the seats on the Bus and don't let elders sit down. This is extremely disrespectful. One antie had to get up and tell the tourists to let an older man sit down. She told me why she did it and said, "In Hawai'i we have a tradition...you get up for those who are older than you..." Also, visitors should realize that in Hawai'i we don't push past one another to get through a door, to enter a store, to get on a bus, or to get where we are going. M We allow the other person to go first...it is just more loving. Isn't that what Aloha is all about anyway??? Thanks for the great tips. One you may want to consider is that in Honolulu, especially near Ala Moana and Waikiki, tourists take the seats on the Bus and don’t let elders sit down. This is extremely disrespectful. One antie had to get up and tell the tourists to let an older man sit down. She told me why she did it and said, “In Hawai’i we have a tradition…you get up for those who are older than you…”

Also, visitors should realize that in Hawai’i we don’t push past one another to get through a door, to enter a store, to get on a bus, or to get where we are going. M We allow the other person to go first…it is just more loving. Isn’t that what Aloha is all about anyway???

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1624 Sheila Tue, 30 Oct 2007 12:54:59 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1624 Hi Dave - Thank you so much for that useful insight! You rock! Hi Dave – Thank you so much for that useful insight! You rock!

]]> By: Dave http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1622 Dave Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:52:30 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1622 Hi Robin, I've lived here for about 10 years and I don't pronounce every Hawaiian word "Properly". Not because I don't know how but because I find it to be a bit irritating. Whenever I hear someone pronounce the word "Hawaii" properly. (Sounds like Havaii with a V sound) it gets on my nerves. It's like fingernails on a chalk-board unless it's obviously being said by a native Hawaiian who pronounces everything like that in a natural way. Friends of mine who have taken Hawaiian Language classes don't even speak like that except for in the classroom environment. I know several native Hawaiians who went to Hawaiian Immersion Schools and are fluent in the language don't speak like that. The only people I see who speak like that are the reporters on the local news. I guess they get in trouble if they say Hawaii without the V sound while on TV. It still comes across as forced and in my opinion, phony. It's always good to know how to properly pronounce the street names which are always Hawaiian but that's about as far as I go. Just be yourself. I'm sure you're a wonderful person with a great personality. Don't change a thing. You may come across as trying too hard. Hi Robin,

I’ve lived here for about 10 years and I don’t pronounce every Hawaiian word “Properly”. Not because I don’t know how but because I find it to be a bit irritating. Whenever I hear someone pronounce the word “Hawaii” properly. (Sounds like Havaii with a V sound) it gets on my nerves.

It’s like fingernails on a chalk-board unless it’s obviously being said by a native Hawaiian who pronounces everything like that in a natural way.

Friends of mine who have taken Hawaiian Language classes don’t even speak like that except for in the classroom environment. I know several native Hawaiians who went to Hawaiian Immersion Schools and are fluent in the language don’t speak like that.

The only people I see who speak like that are the reporters on the local news. I guess they get in trouble if they say Hawaii without the V sound while on TV. It still comes across as forced and in my opinion, phony.

It’s always good to know how to properly pronounce the street names which are always Hawaiian but that’s about as far as I go.

Just be yourself. I’m sure you’re a wonderful person with a great personality. Don’t change a thing. You may come across as trying too hard.

]]> By: Robin http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1621 Robin Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:31:31 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1621 Hawaiian...I am moving in a year and I have been learning some Hawaiian (and correct pronunciation) because I respect the culture. Its one of the things I cherish about Hawaii and want to do my part in helping keep culture intact, not bring my "mainland ways" like many do. I have been visiting every 6 months for the last 10 years and it saddens me to think that others may see an attempt (in my case practice) as a negative thing. I think its better to see a respectful attempt by a haole than to see Hawaiians not learning or practicing their own language. PS ... not talking about pidgin here Hawaiian…I am moving in a year and I have been learning some Hawaiian (and correct pronunciation) because I respect the culture. Its one of the things I cherish about Hawaii and want to do my part in helping keep culture intact, not bring my “mainland ways” like many do. I have been visiting every 6 months for the last 10 years and it saddens me to think that others may see an attempt (in my case practice) as a negative thing. I think its better to see a respectful attempt by a haole than to see Hawaiians not learning or practicing their own language.

PS … not talking about pidgin here

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1618 Sheila Mon, 29 Oct 2007 23:38:08 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1618 Hi Robin - Are you talking about speaking pidgin or Hawaiian? Hi Robin – Are you talking about speaking pidgin or Hawaiian?

]]> By: Robin http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1612 Robin Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:01:55 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/08/20/minding-your-manners-in-hawaii/#comment-1612 What if one is moving to Hawaii in the near future and learning some expressions and pronunciation as a form of respect , however is only visiting at the time and practicing? What are your local thoughts on that? What if one is moving to Hawaii in the near future and learning some expressions and pronunciation as a form of respect , however is only visiting at the time and practicing? What are your local thoughts on that?

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