I asked the guy behind the counter–James Blanton a Caucasian from Florida, if they sold many “Grown here not Flown here” stickers to tourists. The mottos “Maui Built,” “Respect the Culture,” “Up Country Built,” “Samoan” and “Portuguese” lined the walls. When I first walked into Maui Tropix on Front Street, I found slogans, trinkets, shirts and stickers that directly related to my culture. Of course, we ‘locals’ are also good at selling our own culture, though to a far lesser degree than those who cater to tourists. “Even in the whaling days, I bet the business here catered to the visitors, the guys coming off the boats. “But this is what Front Street is,” he said. All this crap has nothing to do with the real Hawai‘i.
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These tourists are being fed a delusion, I told my husband. The shirts and trinkets sold there are flashy and vibrant, but also friendly and non-controversial. Everything is for sale, if you can afford the price.įor tourists, Front Street is understandably popular. If you have money, you can buy anything in America: goods, services and, yes, even respectability.
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And that’s what bothered me.Īmerican free market capitalism has a way of putting everything up for sale-even culture and traditions.
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In his mind, apparently only haole American tourists buy stuff at the Wharf, so that made me a tourist. He thought I was at the Wharf buying stuff. Not so much that he’s a well-known eccentric but because he mistook me for an American. Then he began lecturing me about the folly of my consumer, corporate ways. And he does a good job at it, too.Īnyway, I was standing downstairs by the Wharf Cinema Center when the bearded preacher with the Bible who’s something of a Westside institution shouted at me. He’s a sales representative for a distributor of Hawaiiana products like calendars, magnets, books, music, stationary, shot glasses, beach towels, post cards, key chains, beach toys, photo albums, tote bags, aloha print pet supplies, bedding and vintage art prints.īasically, my husband-a local boy with blood ties tracing back to Kaumuali‘i, the Ali‘i Nui of Kauai and Ni‘ihau from 1794 to 1810, sells Hawai‘i to tourists. #mauibuilt #mauibuilthawaii #mauitropix #mauitropixsurfco #aloha #mauinokaoi #nokaoi #maui #hawaii #hawaiian #alohastate #culture #alohaalways #surf #surfing #fishing #skate #islandlife #tshirt #shorts #local #localbrand #localbusiness #supportlocal #trending #drip #swag #fishingshirt #onaga #snapperLast Thursday my husband and I made the Grand Trek from Upcountry to Lahaina. Sold only on Maui at Maui Tropix Surf Co. Cooling, moisture wicking sun protection. New Maui Built Premium Hawaiian Salt Onaga Hooded Fishing Shirts. #mauibuilt #mauibuilthawaii #mauitropix #mauitropixsurfco #aloha #mauinokaoi #nokaoi #maui #hawaii #hawaiian #alohastate #represent #culture #alohaalways #surf #surfing #fishing #skate #islandlife #tshirt #shorts #local #localbrand #localbusiness #supportlocal #trending #drip #swag #fishingshirt #hoodie #octopus
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