Don’t say aloha to tourism in Hawaii

Hawaii might soon be joining Aloha Airlines and be going out of business. The departure of Aloha from the business scene is what it is, and sad only as it relates to the employees, but there is some serious irony here: Hawaii is losing its aloha spirit!

This is not something to be scoffed at and demands immediate attention. I have many friends who have gone to our islands for what they hoped would be an enjoyable experience of the Hawaiian culture and spirit. But they later said that had it not been for the assistance I rendered, the visit would have been miserable, and even with my help they will never return to Hawaii's shores because, after the expense and long travel distance, they encountered very few true islanders and ultimately the aloha spirit.

Visitors check into hotels with frontdesk clerks from Kentucky, waiters from New York, hotel staff from the Philippines, and not once interact with true island heritage.

Of course, Hawaii has created an exodus of what I call the "costaways," men and women with the island qualities that Hawaii needs the most living abroad due to rising costs. I am proud of being born and raised in Hawaii, but I now encourage friends to visit tourist destinations in Mexico instead. Its oceans are just as blue and clear with matching scenery, Mexico is closer to where I now live in Texas, more cost-effective and, most importantly, abundant in culture. You get to Mexico, you eat Mexican, you listen and dance Mexican and you are surrounded by the Mexican culture. The money you would spend for a week in Hawaii will get you three in Mexico and all the culture one can take in. Make no mistake, our island-bound travelers will overlook the costs if they can experience the culture guaranteed.

I have been beating this drum for some time, and the Aloha Airlines fatality merely adds urgency to the need to focus on what Hawaii needs to survive, and the people it needs to return home to once again make it the No. 1 tourist destination because of who we are and the proud tradition of Hawaiian culture and aloha spirit.

Hawaii, please look to our Valley Island and the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. There is no other hotel property in our chain that perpetuates and, in fact, is adamant about the display and direction of our culture and spirit than this property. Mike White and Lori Sablais are islanders who understand their dual roles in delivering the ultimate guest experience and support of islanders by carrying forward and keeping alive our traditions.