TELLING IT LIKE IT IS ABOUT TOURISM ON VOICES OF TRUTH - ONE-ON-ONE WITH HAWAI`I'S FUTURE
It was November of last year a bomb was dropped in the Hawai`i tourism industry.
Doug Kahikina Chang, the first native Hawaiian ever to be selected as chairperson of the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, was giving his keynote address to the annual gathering of the Hawai`i Visitors and Convention Bureau.
He said “Tourism in Hawai`i is out of balance and needs to be put back in. The host culture is vibrant and exciting but… continually under siege.”
Then he stated, “The result was a distorted representation of Hawai`i and Hawaiians that was, at best, embarrassing and, often, offensive to the Hawaiian host culture.”
Finally he remarked, “It is no wonder then, that there has been a rift between the Native Hawaiian community and the visitor industry.”
Doug speaks from experience.
He rose from a lei greeter at Honolulu Airport to the position now of actually fixing what’s wrong with tourism and changing the future of Hawai`i.
And here’s Doug Kahikina Chang’s first steps for making Hawai`i’s visitor industry more authentic -
Do you have a Hawaiian dictionary at your desk?
Do you have Place Names of Hawai`i by Mary Kawena Pukui?
Do you use them?
Do you know who Mary Kawena Pukui is?
Put traditional Hawaiian music back into your hotels, restaurants and shops. Support our Hawaiian language schools, hula halau and canoe clubs in their fundraising efforts
Volunteer to work on a natural or cultural restoration project. There are many such projects on each island and they all need kokua.
Buy from local practitioners of art and culture even if it costs more.
Identify someone on your staff, or better a group, who has cultural knowledge and use them outside their traditional roles to guide you. But be careful. If you do this, listen to them even if it is not the most popular choice.
Lastly, don’t fabricate experiences, if it is not culturally correct, don’t do it. Just look at your lu`au for a starting point!
In a brand new Voices Of Truth show we sit down with Doug and hear about his vision for the future – and how Hawai`i can and should become a model for all the world to see – one that places Hawaiians and the Hawaiian culture first and primary, and not as an afterthought.
Doug’s one of those who knows Hawai`i and Hawaiians are part of the solution to what ails the world, rather than the problem.
So check out this breath of fresh air this week right here on Voices Of Truth – One-On-One With Hawai`i’s Future.
MONDAY, July 23rd At 7:00 PM & FRIDAY, July 27th At 5:30 PM – Hawai`i Island – Na Leo, Channel 53
“A Journey Of Occupation – A Visit With Andre Perez”
What would it be like to be in the US military for eight years, then find yourself living on the streets?
That’s what happened to Andre Perez who went from one extreme to another.
And from the streets, he found his way into the Kaho`olawe occupation, which, by his own accounts, was a life-changing experience.
It had to be because Andre’s never at a loss for words when it comes to defending his people that led him to the next chapter of his life.
Currently the spokesperson for Hui Pu, as well as a Halau Lokahi teacher, Andre recently found himself in the middle of yet another occupation – the dramatic taking of `Iolani Palace by Hui Pu to publicly oppose the Akaka bill.
As we look to the future of Hawai`i, we’re sure you’ll agree with us that Andre and others like him will play a prominent role in it.
Don’t miss our visit with Andre who’s part of the new generation of warriors who are as fearless as they are articulate. You’ll see why he’s a role model for the `opio (youth) of today as well as a leader for tomorrow.
TUESDAY, July 24th At 6:30 PM & WEDNESDAY, July 25th At 6:30 AM – Maui – Akaku, Channel 53
THURSDAY, July 26th At 8:30 PM & FRIDAY, July 27th At 8:30 AM – Kaua`i – Ho`ike, Channel 52
SATURDAY, July 28th At 8:00 PM – O`ahu - ‘Olelo, Channel 53
“Hands In The Water - A Visit With Doug Kahikina Chang”
In the world of hospitality, blunt speech is seldom heard.
But then along came Doug Kahikina Chang and everything changed.
A student of hula, language and the Hawaiian culture from an early age, Doug is a true trailblazer in one of the places it counts the most – Hawai`i’s tour industry.
The first Native Hawaiian ever to be selected as chairperson of the Hawai`i Tourism Authority, Doug tells it like it is - native culture has been “used and abused for its entertainment value.”
In his younger days, he tells us he was ashamed to talk about his hotel job when he was back home.
Other Hawaiians would accuse him of selling out for the visitor at the expense of Hawai`i’s culture and land.
But no more.
Today Doug is at the helm of a huge paradigm shift at long last finally making native Hawaiians and the real Hawai`i the only, real and primary experience visitors have when they visit.
Be sure and catch our visit with this humble yet extraordinarily talented and brave Hawaiian who literally rose through the ranks from a humble beginning as a hotel dishwasher and airport lei greeter to become the internationally recognized leader of Hawai`i tourism. At long last, when Doug speaks, the powerful now listen.
Voices Of Truth interviews those creating a better future for Hawai`i to discover what made them go from armchair observers to active participants in the hopes of inspiring viewers to do the same.
If you missed a show, want you see your favorites again or you don’t live in Hawai`i, here’s how to view our shows anytime – visit VoicesOfTruthTV.com and simply click on the episodes you wish to view.
