A Beginning

A Beginning

There have been dozens of local posts and many national posts about the conflicts between locals, visitors, and the environment. This is not only occurring on Maui, where I live, but nationwide.

It has inspired a question. If you keep trying the same thing over and over, and keep getting an undesirable result, what is it called? In the case of this conflict, it is called ineffectual!

Perhaps a different approach should be tried. It should be an approach that benefits the resident, the visitor, and the environment. Since this sounds like a complicated situation, an immediate approach will not dive deep enough to solve the conflict. A long-term resolution will require the cooperation and participation of many. It may take time and a multitude of layered solutions. In other words: There is no quick and easy answer.

One element that will need to be applied is education. Many visitors have been stressed and need to decompress after an extended lockdown, and perhaps personal tragedy. Because of this, it may not be possible that they have the time, will or emotional peace to educate themselves about the limited resources of their destination and the fragility of it. Often the information that they are receiving about their destination is from promotional advertising that is distributed and written by commercial concerns. Is there a biased position there?

The answer to their lack of time, will and emotional peace can come from objective education. “In the moment” needs and cautions about their destination can be provided through easily accessible media and exposure when they are a captive audience on public transportation. In the case of Hawaii, the reality is very specific and immediately critical. The same applies to any destination that is feeling the result of excessive visitors after a Covid lock down. Covid has changed the labor pool, the accessibility rules, and often, resident attitudes. Patience and understanding are a necessity when visiting or maintaining these destinations. This applies to visitors and residents alike.

In Hawaii, we have visitors who have come repeatedly over many years. Things have changed since their first visit, and have changed again due to Covid. Often, they are not happy about the changes. Education in this situation may help mitigate the reactions to the changes.

Yesterday is gone. It is today. Some were lucky enough to visit when there were few people and abundant un-accessed resources. Visiting today requires patience and an understanding of the changes.

Find restaurants are not fully open? Reservations and long wait times have replaced easy on-the-spot access. There may be limits to capacity. What are the possible solutions? Plan? Understand that wait staff and kitchen staff are facing often difficult situations and challenging staffing levels along with economic and personal hardships. The visitors' and residents' cheerful and supportive attitude will surely make everyone’s experience better, and you will be on the receiving end of what you dish out! This is an opportunity for restaurants and other hospitality participants to educate their clients.

Can you pack a lunch, or order a meal to-go ahead of time? Perhaps sharing that meal in a scenic setting with your travel mates will be a meal to remember. Local ingredients can make it even more unique! If you have visited the location before, use your experience to visit a new spot and make the memories even more special.

First time visitors to unique vacation destinations can enhance their experience by doing their research. Learn about the culture and special attractions of the site. Note that reviews may try to prepare you for delays due to excessive visitors and limited resources. Pay attention to them, as they represent someone trying to save you from frustration and disappointment. There may be other locations and activities that are just as unique and less crowded. Take the road less traveled. Remember that often when traveling, the journey itself can be the destination! Each location has specific laws regarding wildlife and things like parking and reservations. Plan ahead for the creation of positive experiences.

We have all been through the gauntlet of the pandemic. Visitors and residents alike, regardless of where you choose to travel, have all suffered in some way. It has touched everyone, somehow. The Hawaiian Islands are no exception. We have had layoffs, food shortages, supply delays and social disruption. Many are hurting. At the same time, the benefits of the pandemic were an increase of family time, peaceful enjoyment of nature, and solitude that had never been experienced before. Many focused on cultural protocols and rehabilitation of natural resources. Appreciate those experiences.

Many who are now visitors have recently experienced an inability to work and the economic stress that accompanies that, lack of opportunity to eat out and relax, and a limited social life. Escape from isolation was difficult or impossible. Islanders shared that experience. Our good luck was to deal with all that in a gorgeous and inspiring place. Many went to the beach and let the sound of the waves and warmth of the winter sun wash over us. It was possible even with Covid restrictions. We woke to luminous pink sunrises, birds singing, and fiery sunsets. Flowers bloomed and breezes cleared the air. There was little sharing with non-residents. When many arrived all at once, like a switch being clicked on, it was overwhelming and shocking for the residents and their environment. Many residents are happy to be back to work, but face the challenges of existing restrictions, and stressed-out visitors. Everyone is seeking release from stress in their own way. Patience and education can help ease that stress.

When visitors to any site have little access or understanding of the fragile and sacred nature of the sites, compounded by sheer numbers and the lingering stresses for residents and visitors alike from long periods of restriction, misunderstandings are sure to follow. Educating ourselves and our visitors about the shared nature of our recent past, the lingering affects of the pandemic, and the need for patience and consideration for each other is a must. We have come through this together, and hopefully it is behind us, and we can strive for improved circumstances. This applies to every hospitality or tourist dependent location.

In the islands, the Hawaii Tourist Association (HTA)is no longer tasked or funded for attracting visitors. It faces a new challenge. The HTA can support the tourist and visitor alike by educating them. It can affect change in the present situation, and guarantee stability in the future. It can make the “new normal” beneficial for all.

The impact of education requires time, legislation, cooperation from corporate entities and the media, but it can happen. We must begin. Educating the visitor and the resident is a beginning. The goal is an improved experience for all. The more we know and understand , the better off we are, and the brighter our future together.

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Discussions on “A Place for the Eye to Rest” are meant to promote thought and discussion, not to provide every answer. Personal conclusions are important. Your thoughts and comments are welcome at karenmac1999@hotmail.com

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For more articles to discuss and consider, visit the BLOG site at https://Karenmac1999.wixsite.com/website-1. Click BLOG. Find discussions of Wealth, Motivation, Monogamy, Love Languages for Business, Vulnerability, Critical Race Theory , Transactional Relationships and Qualified Immunity