![]() A visit to Molokai will not let you forget. Many times, this is hard to remember in the churning business of tourism we find in many popular destinations. You need to always keep in mind that you are a visitor, and your agenda does not supersede the lives of the locals around you. You need to ask permission before you do things (Hey Auntie, is it okay if I take a picture of your storefront? Hey Uncle, is it okay if I park in front of your house? Does your family mind if we fish alongside you?). Think about it this way: If you were going over to someone’s house for a visit, there would be certain expectations - and requirements - about your behavior, right? Well, consider the island of Molokai one big house, and that’s how you need to think about your presence. It revolves around the idea that when you are a guest somewhere, you must seek approval and permission before carrying on as you wish. What does that mean in practice? Hawaiians operate on what’s called “protocol,” a system of respect that is deeply rooted in culture. They also want visitors who respect their land and behave accordingly, who ask permission and tread lightly. Balanced visitors, who see this type of immersion as mutually beneficial, are what the island desires. ![]() What they want are people who plan to participate as a part of their visit - they want travelers, not tourists and vacationers.Īccording to Julie Bicoy, Manager of the Destination Molokai Visitors Bureau, the island is most interested in “educational studies” - people who want to come to learn and volunteer as part of their visit, who like the idea of pitching in on a farm or non-profit project, of interacting and connecting with a local family. They don’t want massive cruise ships (only one, small cruise ship called UnCruise is currently permitted to visit Molokai). They don’t want anything that will deplete, or harm, their resources. What Molokai does not want are visitors that come to the island to consume, or “vacation,” as it is often called. It might seem like a startling concept in today’s world, where visitors descend on a destination and consume it as if it’s their own (which, in fairness, is often encouraged by the destination itself), but Molokai expects - and demands - that tourism be of mutual benefit, not just financially for some people, but entirely for all.
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