Both the County of Maui and Hawaiian Airlines have released the first of mulltiple videos designed to instruct Maui visitors on appropriate behavior, aloha, and respect. Is that instruction what’s needed at this time? We’ll ask you.
First videos from Hawaiian Airlines on Travel Pono.
The airline said, “While you’re on Maui, remember to Travel Pono — to travel responsibly and thoughtfully — and show your aloha for our cultures and communities. Respect areas that are healing, support local businesses, and take your time to appreciate this extraordinary place.”
We like the third Hawaiian Airlines Maui travel pono video below the best.
It brings home the idea to support local businesses, visit Farmer’s Markets, dine at local restaurants, and more. In the video, there are some thought-provoking statements from places like Mama’s Fish House, where diners can walk in for lunch without a reservation, while before, it required reserving a table months in advance. And another Paia business saying parking is easy to find in town now whereas before it was not. You realize how much tourism has declined and just how much your vacation dollars can help the local people and economy.
At the same time, we wonder if visitors need to be reminded of the obvious need to act appropriately when traveling near the site of the deadly fire that was at the top of international news headlines for weeks. And how to be Pono and not take selfies with Lahaina in the background. Our sense is that visitors to Hawaii are already largely very respectful. And as for those that are not, they will not be changed by these videos.
The financial need for returning visitors is obvious. Last week, Maui County announced that is already facing a $20 million shortfall since the fire. And that is just the beginning. While the community needs to care for each other, we believe it also needs to care for tourism, which can help the people of Maui survive and move forward.
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