Tourism in Waikiki Hawaii

Tourism in Waikiki Hawaii
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Tourism in Waikiki Hawaii
The population of Hawaii is roughly 1.4 million and most inhabitants reside in Oahu. About one fifth of the population list at least 2 races, and this makes Hawaii the most varied state in the United States. In this state, 25% of the inhabitants are Caucasian, 9% are Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 9% are Latino, and 40% are Asian American (Craig & Osorio, 2010). In this paper, the purpose is to provide a discussion as to whether when people promote a notion of an authentic, traditional Hawaiian culture they are doing the same thing as the people in Waikiki, that is, producing a notion of Hawaiian culture which ignores political/economic/historical/social context in order to create a positive economic outcome for themselves. The paper also discusses whether this notion of Hawaiian culture is authentic and the reason why.
When people are promoting a notion of a traditional, authentic Hawaiian culture, which could essentially be juxtaposed with capitalist, inauthentic Waikiki Hawaiian culture, they are not just doing the same thing as the people in Waikiki. In other words, they are not producing a notion of Hawaiian culture that ignores social/economic/political/historical context so as to create a positive economic outcome for themselves. The traditional, authentic Hawaiian culture is rather different from the capitalistic and inauthentic Waikiki Hawaiian culture, considering that culture in Waikiki has been greatly impacted by capitalism and it has been significantly diluted by foreigners and settlers. In other words, when people promote a notion of traditional and authentic Hawaiian culture, they are essentially promoting the culture of the Native or pure blood Hawaiians. Conversely, the Waikiki Hawaiian culture produces a notion of Hawaiian culture which disregards historical/political/economic/social context.
Amazing volcanoes, blue-sky waters, glorious sunsets, palm tree-lined shores and sandy beaches are typically some of the things that perhaps come to mind whenever one thinks of the state of Hawaii. Nonetheless, a stunning natural environment is not all that tourists get to enjoy in this group of islands, given that this earth-bound paradise also has people with a varied and rich authentic culture. In essence, the traditions and culture of Hawaii are, in actual fact, reflections of the state’s inherent exquisiteness. What sets Hawaii exceptionally dissimilar from the rest of the world is fundamentally its native culture, the authentic Hawaiian culture. This authentic culture is filled with mesmerizing values, music, traditions, legends and customs. The many interesting art forms, the meaningful and religious songs, as well as the charming Hawaiian dances appear to be created with just a single purpose; to act as instruments through which the mystery and the beauty of the islands is expressed (Cra...