Luau and Soapbox

We didn't do the obligatory Luau for a few reasons: kids wouldn't eat 72$ worth of food and although it's a fun spectacle, it seems to be overplayed. I can appreciate the tradition and culture without having to sit around with a bunch of haole gawking at the "exotic dancers". Having spent enough time with Kama'aina I know some of what the tradition and culture of Hawai'i is, the issues they face, and how tourism affects the islands (positively and negatively). Nevertheless, it's hard to find the vivid culture in an authentic setting, and for a moment I felt it ok to hang out with the tourist crowd. (I prefer to separate myself from the tourists by calling myself a visitor) With the caveat that I feel I'm well-traveled enough to know how to be a responsible and respectful visitor: understand the culture and respect it, when in Rome...., learn the language (even if it's just a few words), follow their customs, don't draw attention to yourself, be educated, educated, educated about where you are and what you're doing there. And do you have the right or the privilege of being there in the first place? You're not just there to sightsee or vacation.....you can do that in your hometown......you're there to live in their world, even for just a moment.

In regards to Hawai'i, part of me loved the HWV, yet part of me was not thrilled at contributing to the megalopolises taking over Hawai'ian lands, which have caused the cost of living to go so off the charts the Hawai'ian people have a hard time making ends meet. Many of them work in splendor and live in squalor. The Aloha spirit is usually present in tourist areas, but it works well when you demonstrate that you are a respectful, knowledgable visitor, appreciative of their way of doing things. You show a bit of that, then these big-hearted people really show you the beauty of their islands. Off soapbox.....

Hence, I watched this luau (which was at the Marriott at A-Bay) from afar for about 10 minutes, then proceded to take the following pics while walking around A-Bay......