The island is a case study in contrasts. On one hand, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine voted Kaua‘i their second-favorite island in the world, after Bali. On the other hand is the case of Gordie and Christine Tamm of
The island is a case study in contrasts. On one hand, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine voted Kaua‘i their second-favorite island in the world, after Bali. On the other hand is the case of Gordie and Christine Tamm of Corona, Calif., who honeymooned on Kaua‘i and loved this island until their experience during a visit this year.
“On the whole, I think Kaua‘i still has the aloha spirit in a special way,” said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau. However, increases in crime and the cost of living have “stressed the island, and visitors unfortunately have experienced some of that. It pains me, and it concerns me,” she said.
The “stresses” of jobs, housing, drug abuse and crime have spread to most areas of the island now, “so visitors might run into some disgruntled residents,” Kanoho said. The numbers of visitor complaints Kanoho receives are rising, and she feels that as a combined result of higher-income visitors bringing higher expectations to the island, and a changing resident mix.
“No,” the aloha spirit is not dead, she said. “It still thrives, but it’s being challenged in some areas. We need to remember that the aloha spirit is why people come here,” and what makes Kaua‘i a “wonderful” place to live and visit, the KVB director said.
For this and other reasons, visitor industry leaders like Kanoho are looking at the island holistically, considering what’s best for the island, the residents, and then visitors, she said. And rather than being solely a tourism marketing organization, as the KVB is sometimes considered, Kanoho and other tourism-industry leaders see their roles also as “caretakers” of the island.
Disappointed visitors
The Tamms claim their Kaua‘i vacation turned into a nightmare when they were assaulted, called “scum” and sworn at.
Now they say they’re headed for Tahiti next year.
“For the past four years, my family and I have visited the island five times. We love the island and its matchless beauty,” said Christine Tamm. “Recently my family and I lost something dear to us — the desire to return to Kaua‘i,” she said with more than a hint of sadness.
“We have always been resolute to support the local shops, activities, and restaurants, because we know that most of the locals survive from our tourist dollars. In turn, this past trip we were treated with disdain, coldness, and downright rudeness,” she said.
“Fortunately, the older generation seems to know where the island’s economic health comes from, thus, from them we were welcomed. The younger generation, however, needs some serious lessons about how to treat those who visit ‘their’ island, which by the way, does belong to the United States of America, not just to those who have the privilege to live there,” she continued.
“Do they know that the economy does indeed ebb and flow like the oceans’ tides, and the lack of visitors will ultimately affect their livelihoods? It’s obvious that they don’t care,” she said.
“We’ve spent roughly $40,000 on your local food, shops, activities and beach houses,” she said, “(and) we won’t be missed.”
“See ya Kaua‘i. Hello Tahiti,” she added.
“I do want to reiterate that fact of the kindness of the older generation. I don’t want to offend them,” Christine Tamm said. “There were others like Captain Scott of Lahela Sport Fishing, and Wade of Garden Isle Cottages, who are always wonderful to us each time we visit (but then again, they’re older).
“We pray that there will be a turnaround in the attitudes of the younger people. It’s obvious to us that they are having a crisis of anger, drugs, and animosity,” she said.
The situation the Tamms describe begs the question: Is the aloha spirit dead?
“I don’t think it’s dead,” said Florence Rasay of Hanama‘ulu. “A lot of people have the aloha spirit. It’s wounded,” she said. “It depends on the individual.” When visitors return to the island, oftentimes its because they met some nice residents on earlier visits, Rasay said.
Paul C. Curtis, associate editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or pcurtis@pulitzer.net.
