A Hawaii resident slams tourists who are upset that the recent Kona storms have ruined their vacation. The resident educates about how these storms have forced thousands to evacuate. She states that “our lives don’t revolve around you.” She blasts these complaints as insensitive to those who have lost their farms and homes.
Recent storms have hit Hawaii hard. These have forced first responders to evacuate residents in certain areas, such as Maui, due to flooding. A resident has posted a video calling out tourists who she feels are more concerned with their ruined vacation than with the storm damage. The video has been viewed and liked by thousands.
The Hawaii resident states that it is understandable not to want a storm to ruin a vacation. However, she wants it to be clear: “This isn’t about you.” Her anger is specifically directed at tourists who complain. She explains that “thousands of residents had to evacuate.” Many were evacuated early in the morning, “walking shin deep, knee deep, and sometimes even hip deep into muddy waters.” One specific area was near a dam considered at risk of failure. She doesn’t see any excuse for these complaints due to the news coverage.
While it sucks to have cancelled plans, she wants it known, “You have a home to go back to, some of these people don’t.” One detail she highlights is that she blames the Hawaii government and tourism authority. She claims these “have put [tourists] on a pedestal for the past several decades.” She continues, stating that they’re tired of the emphasis placed on tourists’ needs over residents’. Her advice is for tourists to “learn to read the room, stop thinking that everything is about you, and show a little bit of Aloha.”
Many Share Hawaii Resident’s Anger
Many have applauded her for speaking her mind. One doesn’t care if tourists are upset, saying, “People been tellin em for years to stay tf home or go somewhere else.” Another agrees, “people are so tone deaf and out of touch to Hawaiians.” Some think you can be both: “You can be upset about your trip, AND you can have sympathy for the people experiencing a horrible, scary situation.” One says it’s on tourists to “take some responsibility for planning a vacation during the wet/stormy season in Hawaii.” One comment shares about a similar situation in Florida. They say, “I was so angry seeing the tourists posting because so much of what I owned was gone.”
The video has gotten a lot of attention from other Hawaiians, who feel validated by her expressing this anger. She calls out not just flooding but tourism in general, which many residents feel has taken away from helping those who live in Hawaii. She’s drawing attention to anger that many who aren’t native Hawaiians don’t know about, which is why it has gained popularity online. The video has also caught the attention of those who share anger and have faced similar circumstances. Many comments are from those in Florida.
The Hawaii resident has posted a follow-up video for those asking about how to help.
