Lei controversy on Kauai

mercedes · January 5, 2009

A controversy at the port of Nawiliwili on Kauai has some citing historic Hawaiian customs, and others, traffic concerns.

According to The Garden Island newspaper, a new policy in effect as of Jan. 1 bars "greeters" from the cruise ship pier. Such greeters work for private tour companies and store shuttles, such as the free shuttle to Hilo Hattie. Sometimes, the greeting includes leis.

The newspaper quoted tour firm representatives as saying greeters are an important part of Hawaii, the custom of personally greeting visitors going back to the time of Captain James Cook's arrival in the 18th century. Besides, the greeters offer cruise passengers directions and sightseeing advice, greeter proponents said.

But port officials, in a letter quoted by the newspaper, said traffic congestion was the reason for the ban. The greeters will reportedly be replaced by directional signs at the pier, but can still do their thing outside the fences. Pre-booked tour buses will still be allowed at the pier.

The newspaper quoted a Hawaii Department of Transportation official as defending the port's decision and hinting there's a fine line between greeting and hawking.

JoeyandDavid · January 5, 2009

that is so sad......

mercedes · January 5, 2009

It really is. I have been to Hawaii several times (my daughter and her family lived there for several years), so I visited them every year. Part of the ambiance of going to Hawaii was receiving a lei upon arrival, whether at the airport or the cruise port. It is very disappointing that this will no longer be part of that tradition.

Longboysfan · January 5, 2009

But were they trying to sell you something when you landed?

mercedes · January 5, 2009

No, they never did.

JoeyandDavid · January 5, 2009

its a wonderful tradition that we are losing....

deb1220 · January 6, 2009

That's really too bad. I've never been to Hawaii but I'm sure that's a big part of going there for alot of people!

DebbieandJerry · January 7, 2009

When we landed in Honolulu December 2005, we weren't greeted AT ALL. I was disappointed. I'll let you know what happens this March!

JoeyandDavid · January 7, 2009

When we landed in Honolulu December 2005, we weren't greeted AT ALL. I was disappointed. I'll let you know what happens this March!

we were greated the first time we went.... but it was part of the vacation package we bought

cruiseduo · January 7, 2009

When we landed in Honolulu December 2005, we weren't greeted AT ALL. I was disappointed. I'll let you know what happens this March!

we were greated the first time we went.... but it was part of the vacation package we bought

Don't be upset with me . . . it was my job! Before I retired and moved to Florida I lived in San Francisco and my sales territory from 1997 to 2001 was Northern California, Monterey, Las Vegas, Reno and HAWAII. They made me go to Hawaii once a month for four years. Most of the time their were greeters but the majority were greeting "tour package" groups.