Last week I was fortunate to go on vacation to Maui Unfortunately I had to take Nickle and Dimed with me to read. Worse still was the fact that it ruined my vacation, because I was obssessed with overtipping of the wait staff and house keeping staff. Through drilling the local people, I learned that all the minimum wage jobs (waitresing in high dollar restaurants, tour guides, retail stores ...) went to the white college kids who were out "finding themselves". The local native islanders were left to work in the pineapple fields and holu shows. How depressing FYI: a worker in the pineapple fields has to plant 6000 pineapples in an 8 hour shift or does not get paid for the entire day. The "pay" is less then minium wage, as most of these workers are paid under the table. Nickle and Dimed ruined my vaccation, because it opened my eyes to the injustice of it all

Hey, Dawn. Isn't it sad to see how the native people in these exotic dream vacation spots live? You would think that the natives would benefit from living in a place that has many tourists but that's seldom, if ever, true.

I know it put a cloud over your vacation but think about how the people you tipped, spoke to, or showed any consideration for must have felt. They probably don't get that kind of respect and concern from the tourists they serve. Just think about how much they must have appreciated you! It may not have been your ideal vacation, but hey, you did your part and I think that's great.

regina

When I went to Hawaii, I was also shocked to hear about the natives. The rich came in and built these high-rise hotels. The property value went up and the locals couldn't afford to pay their property taxes anymore. They were losing their homes. The government is now helping the natives that are at least 1/4 Hawaiian. They can live in their homes for something like a dollar a year. But, if they marry a non-native, their child will not be able to keep the house because they will be less than 1/4 blood. They are also trying to keep their culture. It's been 5 years since I was there, and almost everyone I saw working as tour guides and in hotels was Hawaiian. I hate to hear that this has changed. The Hawaiians were so friendly and proud of their heritage and islands. Power hungry outsiders came in and took over their islands. Now they can no longer afford to live their casual lifestyle. Tourism has raised their cost of living.

Dawn, I found your informative topic interesting, but sad. I think it is unfortunate that the native people of Hawaii are treated like this. I don't think I could plant half that many pineapples in a week.
(By the way, I noticed you had a nice glowing tan. Now I know why!!!!!!)

Cindy

Dawn, I went to a wedding in Georgia a week ago and stayed with another couple that will marry in September. We were discussing places they might go to for their honeymoon. It was so interesting that you brought up Hawaii and the natives because that is the reason she does not want to go there for her honeymoon. She talked about how poorly the majority of the natives are treated and she said after visiting once she didn't want to go back. I was very surprised to hear about this.

Kim