Book Review: Crossings - Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaii - Lessons for Western Planners in Addressing Tourism’s Impacts
By: Maria Kouidi
Book Review: Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaii - Lessons for Western Planners in Addressing Tourism’s Impacts
Written By: Hōkūlani K. Aikau and Vernadette Vicuña Gonzalez
Aikau and Gonzalez's Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaii offers critical insights that resonate far beyond the Hawaiian Islands. This book compels western planners, particularly those working in states grappling with the effects of tourism (for example, Colorado, Utah, Montana, etc.), to examine the profound impact of tourism on local culture, identity, and resource management. The authors connect tourism with the legacy of colonialism, highlighting how cultural preservation, power dynamics, and even cultural survival are linked. The authors offer a vital reminder of aspects often overlooked in our discussions of the costs and benefits of tourism, which are highly relevant to many communities in the Western Planner region.
What is particularly striking for planners is how Detours demonstrates that tourism, even with good intentions, can reinforce old colonial patterns. It is easy to see how a vibrant culture, such as Native Hawaiian culture, can be stereotyped, whereby cultural dimensions become commodified and commercialized. The authors argue that:: " American colonialism uses aloha as an alibi; tourism uses aloha as a commodity; New Age peddlers of Polynesian sorcery use aloha to gloss over settler identity; and politicians use aloha to define our people as ' happy hosts…'" (p. 126). This quotation provides a powerful perspective for states in the Western Planner region, where similar dynamics sometimes play out with Indigenous communities. By prioritizing visitors' experiences without genuine consideration for local communities, the tourism industry risks perpetuating problems and undermining the very qualities that draw tourists in the first place to Hawaii.
The book underscores the importance of education in fostering a deeper understanding of Indigenous knowledge. As Aikau and Gonzalez argue, & quot; Many such organizational and educational efforts will be needed to dispel the fantasies and expose the false promises of the new feudalism & quot; (p. 93). Education about social ecological knowledge is particularly relevant for planners working in states in our region with significant Native American populations. By integrating Indigenous perspectives into tourism planning, we can create opportunities for genuine cultural exchange and empower communities to shape their own destinies. This framework positions tourism as a platform for learning and cultural exchange, but only if we approach tourism planning with respect and a willingness to question our own underlying assumptions. The focus on education supports a really practical step towards addressing the downsides that are often part of the tourism sector.
Aikau and Gonzalez remind us to pay attention to voices that are often marginalized as the tourism industry develops. They argue, for example, "[Women] were key figures in Hawaiian history. The erasure of this history represents the ways in which Hawaiian women’s labor, their politically astute activity, and their loyalty to lāhui is rendered invisible in history and occluded by hotels, hula competitions, and even street names & quot; (p. 70). They show how tourism could be a force for good, letting Hawaiian women lead and shape how their culture is conveyed and represented to tourists. For example, hula dancing holds a special cultural significance, yet to tourists it is often rendered as a cultural display for the purpose of entertainment. This emphasis on women’s roles in culture-based tourism opportunities provides a richer, more complete picture of authentic representation.
Later on, Detours tackles tough issues like land use and ownership that are central to many planning debates in the west. In the case of Hawaii, the authors underscore the urgent need for fairness, respect for existing rights, and redress for past wrongs in all tourism-related development. For western communities, the debate often relates to water, land, and access to nature and recreational opportunities. Tourism development, in the context of the Hawaiian Islands, can result in the displacement of communities and threats to traditional ways of life. By delving into the history of land dispossession in Hawaii and the ongoing fight for land rights, the authors make it clear that tourism needs to be built on fairness and prioritize the needs of locals over profits. Tourism development should respect existing rights and work to fix past wrongs so that tourism actually benefits the people who call these places home.
The authors highlight the complexity of balancing development with environmental and cultural preservation, emphasizing issues such as resource depletion, habitat destruction, and the rights of Indigenous communities (concerns familiar to planners across the Western Planner region). They stress that protecting fragile ecosystems requires active community involvement, especially from local and Indigenous populations that have deep ties to the land. For example, the case of the H-3 freeway in Hawaii exemplifies this tension: despite protests from Native Hawaiians and environmental groups, the project proceeded, threatening water sources and culturally significant sites. As the authors note, “despite a months-long Kanaka ʻŌiwi protest encampment… the freeway was pushed through after politicians exempted the freeway construction from key environmental and cultural protection laws” (p. 253). This quotation highlights the ongoing struggle to prioritize sustainable practices while respecting cultural and environmental concerns. The situation demonstrates that cultural preservation and environmental conservation are intertwined, requiring careful consideration and community engagement to find balanced solutions.
Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaii is more than just a book about tourism in the vibrant and beautiful context of Hawaii. The book is a call to action for planners, community developers, and advocates across the Western Planner region to rethink our approach to the tourism sector and to strive for a future that is more just and sustainable. By exploring cultural preservation, Indigenous knowledge, land rights, and environmental sustainability, the book provides a complete and multifaceted picture of how tourism affects people, landscapes, and the entire planet. It challenges us to dig deeper than the surface of tourism and really consider the ethical questions involved. The lessons from Detours are particularly relevant for planners working to balance economic development with cultural preservation and environmental stewardship in the diverse and rapidly changing landscapes of the Western Planner region.
About the Reviewer
Maria Kouidi is an M.S. candidate in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana, focusing on sustainable tourism in island communities. Her experience includes promoting sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, and addressing environmental injustices. Maria has hands-on experience from a study abroad program in Vietnam, research on food justice, and internships related to ecological agriculture and zero waste. She is committed to contributing innovative solutions through her Master's program and has received scholarships for her civic engagement and climate change studies.
Work Cited
Aikau, Hokulani K., and Vernadette V. Gonzalez. Detours: A Decolonial Guide to Hawaii. Duke University Press, 2018.