There is a tension that exists on Kauai between the native population and the visitors. Those who live here full-time are a very mixed group that includes the original Polynesian people and then generations of immigrants coming to work in the fields or other industries that have come and gone. The beauty of the island brings both tourists and those wanting to purchase land for various reasons. As has been the case in many beautiful recreation areas throughout the country, these two groups of individuals are put into a strange relationship with the "locals" becoming dependent on the money from tourism and development, but at the same time finding it difficult to afford housing and the price of goods (e.g., gas). I think we kind of fit in the middle sometimes annoyed by both the high prices and short-term tourists.
Attempts have been made to bridge this gap with financial concessions to provide lower cost housing and efforts such as kama'aina which provides a break on some goods, services, and fees if you have a Hawaiian driver's license (I think this is how eligibility is demonstrated if necessary). A related effort involves efforts to both demonstrate and maintain the culture of the original Native people and long-term ethnic groups.
I took a couple of photos yesterday of an effort to refurbish the totems at Kahua O Kaneiolouma (also this source). These sites are rustic but efforts to capture the authentic conditions of the past.
Notice the blindfolded which will be removed at the dedication.
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