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Originally Posted by Griff
Chris do you know a good source of info for avoiding tourist traps in Hawaii? Pete really wants to go someday, but I'm reluctant to fly all that way for a parody of island culture.
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Not really, just do some advanced research and be prepared. We had the advantage of having visited 4 years ago for a project at the Tesoro refinery but they put us up 20 miles away from the refinery in Waikiki which we really did not enjoy as it is very touristy there. One of the big gigs on Oahu and I imagine other islands is the whole Polynesian themed luau show. They have a huge one on the east side of the islands run by the Mormons who have a college there and employ students to dress up and act like aboriginal Hawaiians. It costs a fortune and the feast after dark is more like a casino buffet minus any alcohol! They even allude to how missionaries really helped the natives come out of their backward ignorant ways and be successful! They kind of skip the parts about mass die offs from disease and having their culture forceably subdued. Not only that but it tends to rain a lot on that side of the island and you are advised to bring rain gear!
I think it comes down to the same for any trip or vacation, decide what it is you like to do and then learn about the options. I prefer beaches, things to photograph, hikes, museums, etc.