NEW HEAD OF HAWAI`I TOURISM DARES VISITOR INDUSTRY TO BE AUTHENTIC
"...Tourism in Hawai`i is out of balance and needs to be put back," stated Douglas Kahikina Chang.
He spoke from his own perceptions as the first Native Hawaiian to stand in such a position in the industry. "The host culture is vibrant and exciting but is continually under siege," he said.
"I think in the past some in the visitor industry didn't believe that an authentic Hawaiian experience would 'sell.'
"They felt a need to provide a version of Hawaiian culture that was packaged for mass consumption and, frankly, fake- because that's what they thought the customer wanted. The result was a distorted representation of Hawaii and Hawaiians that was, at best, embarrassing and often, offensive to the Hawaiian host culture."
He said, "It is no wonder then, that there has been a rift between the Native Hawaiian community and the visitor industry."
Here's Where To read The Entire Story -
http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/magazine/24/2/douglas_kahikina_chang
