Firms cancel tours, luaus in support of protesters

Mauna Kea kia‘i call for peaceful boycott in hospitality industry

Several tourism-related companies chose to cancel activities for hundreds, if not more than a thousand Maui visitors and forgo tens of thousands of dollars Monday in a show of support for those protesting the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea.

The kia'i, or protectors, of Mauna Kea and their supporters called for all hospitality industry employees statewide to stand in a peaceful boycott Monday and not conduct activities such as dancing hula or singing for tourists. They also asked for hospitality employees to call in sick or take time off, among other things, according to widely shared posts on social media. They urged businesses to educate tourists about the culture.

One of the larger closures Monday on Maui was at the Old Lahaina Luau, where Kawika Freitas, director of public and cultural relations, said the show brings in 450 people. Monday's show was sold out.

At $120 each ticket, revenue was lost, but Freitas said the closure was done for the employees, who have been supporting the Mauna Kea movement.

He added that some employees may have heeded the call to not come into work Monday, in a show of solidarity.

"We didn't want to have a show that wasn't the best we were going to put out," Freitas said.

Among the approximately 100 workers per day, Freitas said about 80 went without pay Monday.

As for the guests who found their reservations canceled, Freitas said, "the majority have been understanding and a lot were just disappointed."

He said the luau has worked to accommodate the guests as best as they could at their future shows, but it has been difficult as they are sold out for weeks. Guests of the canceled show have been refunded.

Michael Moore of Na Hoaloha Ekolu, the parent company which owns Old Lahaina Luau along with several popular eateries, said he continued to check in with the reservations department to see how the customer reaction was to the luau being canceled. (Other Na Hoaloha Ekolu businesses remained open).

He said that 99 percent of customers were supportive but also disappointed.

But they understood why the show was being canceled.

"That felt pretty good," he said.

Moore said the Feast of Lele, which they have a half-interest in, also canceled its show Monday. He said that show usually sees around 300 guests and Monday's show was sold out.

Monday morning, Freitas and Luau Operations Manager Jonathan Jennings sat in front of the Old Lahaina Luau grounds to explain to visitors the situation on Mauna Kea.

Although there are no shows during the day, Freitas said visitors do stop by the site along Front Street.

In addition, Freitas said some of the employees organized a Kaanapali Beach rally to also share information with visitors Monday afternoon.

Overall he said: "We are very proud of doing what we did."

Moore said the company, including the eateries that did not close Monday, was also working on perhaps getting food to those atop Mauna Kea.

Tim Lara, owner of five visitor-related activity companies on Maui that suspended tours Monday, said that "it just made sense."

"Our company is called Hawaiian Paddle Sports. We do benefit from sharing our host culture with the guests," Lara said of making his decision to suspend operations, which included surfing lessons, kayak tours and swimming activities.

Lara was late in deciding to suspend operations and made the call Sunday afternoon. But he managed to personally contact all of his customers to explain.

He had up to nine tours that were canceled, but said that 80 percent of the customers were understanding. But at least two were upset, as Monday was their last day on the island. However, Lara said he was able to find the visitors a tour with other companies.

Lara said his companies would have made around $5,000 Monday if they stayed open.

He added that he also offered pay to employees for their missed work Monday, but he said all declined.

Lara's other companies are Hawaii Mermaid Adventures, Maui Surf Lessons, Maui Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Maui Kayak Adventures.

Not every tourism industry worker was happy with the closures Monday. Keith Hunter, a tour guide with Temptation Tours, was upset over the suspension of business.

Hunter said he was told Sunday that there would be no tours Monday, so he wouldn't go to Hana as usual.

He said the suspension "shut down tourism on Maui for an entire day. Took away hours, money from us, (who) struggle to survive here."

"I rely on every fricken hour, every tip, to make it here. I'm not alone," he said.

Hunter estimated he lost $200 Monday.

He said it doesn't help when it hurts the economy.

"You don't make working stiffs suffer for something you believe in," Hunter said.

Officials at Temptation Tours had no comment Monday afternoon.

The Maui Visitors Bureau did not comment on the closures Monday and referred The Maui News to the state's Maunakea Media contact line and email.

But the bureau noted that the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association did send out a notice to its members regarding six businesses that were making a "peaceful stand" by suspending services.

They included Old Lahaina Luau, Feast at Lele, Valley Isle Excursions, Temptation Tours, Mahalo Tours and Transportation and Skyline Eco Adventures.

"It is recommended to advise your guest to check with their activity providers, tour operators, restaurants, etc. prior to arrival," the notice said.

There were reports and social media posts of food trucks suspending services along with other activity companies.

Alexis Eaton, director of public relations and communications for Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, said the resort did not see an abnormal number of sick calls by employees.

But she acknowledged that certain "island partners" have canceled activities for Monday due to vendor staff shortages.

Politicians statewide have also been issuing statements on the TMT standoff, with some calling for Gov. David Ige to rescind his emergency proclamation.

On Monday, Mayor Michael Victorino released a statement on the TMT protests, saying "I defend the right of Native Hawaiians and supporters to take a stand and express their opposition to the Thirty Meter Telescope. I understand that the issues they bring to our attention are difficult ones, and I hope to engage in a productive dialogue about them.

"I also maintain a strong interest in the safety of all the people of our county," Victorino added. "I appreciate that organizers have kept us informed when planning rallies and other activities throughout the county. I commend the collaborative effort of the Maui Police Department to support the safe exercise of our residents' civil rights."

Rallies and marches have taken place in various parts of Maui, Molokai and Lanai over the past week.

Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama also issued a statement Monday afternoon saying she was "troubled by the conflict" and "believes a peaceful resolution is needed."

"As a Native Hawaiian myself, I ask that all parties in this conflict remain open to discussing a compromise," Kama said. "All sides should recognize that in a compromise they may not get everything they want. TMT may not want to wait for a culturally-sensitive solution and na kia'i may need to accept sharing Mauna Kea with scientific pursuits.

Kama added that "historically, Hawaiians have embraced technology from the early voyaging canoe days using the stars, currents and winds to traverse the oceans. The electric street lights installed in Honolulu in 1888 preceded those in Mainland cities.

"TMT represents significant new developments in astronomy," Kama said. "The area of technology is the way to continue the advancement of our people's culture, heritage and legacy."

Meanwhile, 13 elected officials from across Hawaii issued a statement Monday asking Gov. David Ige to rescind his emergency proclamation for Mauna Kea and reestablish access to the mountain for demonstrators and cultural practitioners. Ige signed the emergency proclamation July 17, expanding law enforcement's authority to restrict access on Mauna Kea.

Maui County officials who signed the statement were: Maui state Rep. Tina Wildberger and Council Members Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Shane Sinenci and Tamara Paltin.

Paltin issued a news release July 14 calling for University of Hawaii President David Lassner to put a hold on construction "due to the invalidity of UH's general lease and serious violations of international law." She urged Lassner to look into legal arguments on ceded lands by political science scholar Keanu Sai.

"This is not a political issue, but an issue of the rule of law, which is foundational, and for our communities throughout the islands to have confidence that the state of Hawaii officials, to include the counties, believe in and abide by," Paltin said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.