People of Kauai make the difference
People of Kauai make the difference
Do tourists respect the Hawaiian culture, respect the nature of the islands?
I have been coming to Hawaii since 1962, trying to come once a year. If I was asked why Hawaii so much, it would have to be the people. They have the aloha spirit, smiling and happy. They love their islands and respect the old ways and what nature has given them.
They greet tourists the same way they greet their neighbors. Kauai, Molokai are the best at it. They other islands have lost a lot of the spirit. Too many new people and way too many tourists. I read in The Garden Island news where this bunch of people cleaned up this or that. A group of young people helped on different projects. It makes me smile and be proud of them.
A great example of teaching the arts and cultures is the Smith’s boat trips up the Wailua River. It’s the kindness and courteous doing of the people of Kauai that me and my Mary love to see. I am 80 years old and yes, you guessed it, saving my Hawaiian air miles to come again.
I am looking forward to see people like the ladies who make the coconut pies at the coconut festival. Do we love and respect Hawaii and the culture, yes. And we try and teach it to other mainlanders.
Ted and Mary DeMarce, Wenatchee, Wash.