Will "SNL" Hawaii Skit Turn Off Tourists?

Hawaii's lieutenant governor and some in the U.S. state's tourism industry aren't laughing over a skit on "Saturday Night Live" that they fear could deter people from visiting the islands.

The four-minute skit, an exaggerated portrayal of how annoying and frustrating it can be to deal with tourists, depicts a pair of disgruntled locals who sing and dance for mainland visitors.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said he's worried the skit might hurt the state's biggest industry and plans to send a letter in protest to Lorne Michaels, the NBC program's executive producer.

The skit "went too far in its negative depiction of Hawaii's native people and tourism industry," Aiona said. He added he wouldn't let "such distortions go unchecked" when the economy is doing so poorly.

The sketch features Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who lived in Hawaii for a year in high school, and SNL comedian Fred Armisen as poorly paid entertainers serenading U.S. mainlanders at a restaurant. Wearing grass skirts, the two make the rounds of dinner tables while performing sloppy imitations of Hawaiian music and the hula.

When a woman gushes about being in Hawaii for her honeymoon, telling the entertainers "it must be fun working here," they respond sarcastically.

"Yeah, it's great. They make us wear grass skirts," Armisen says. "We make $7 an hour. It's a dream job."

Johnson tells one visitor: "It's a fun fact about Hawaii. Our biggest export is coffee. And our biggest import is fat white tourists!"

He later deliberately knocks over the drinks of a customer who points to the flower lei around his neck and makes a lame joke about getting "lei-ed."

Broadcast last weekend, the clip has since become one of the most popular clips on Hulu.com, a video site started by NBC Universal and News Corp.

The state's tourism liaison echoed Aiona's protest, telling The Honolulu Advertiser "it's offensive."

"Anything that pokes fun, or puts us in a bad light, our culture, the (Native) Hawaiian culture, that affects all of us," Marsha Wienert said. "It's distasteful, in my opinion. I find it very offensive."

The state is being battered by economic decline in the U.S. and in Asia. Tourism took a big hit in 2008, with a double-digit decline in the number of visitors coming to the islands.

But many others in the islands are laughing, or at least nodding knowingly.

"I thought it was extremely funny," said Augie Tulba, a popular local standup comedian who performs under the name Augie T.

"We think that way but we won't come out and say it," he said.

Jonathan Osorio, a professor at the University of Hawaii's Center for Hawaiian Studies, said the skit accurately addressed how many in the islands work for low wages and how Hawaiian culture is sometimes packaged for tourist consumption without concern for its authenticity. It also accurately showed how many tourists who visit are ignorant of these realities, he said.

"I thought the skit was not uproariously funny but was very much true to life in expressing how many people in Hawaii actually live with tourism," Osorio said.

"Saturday Night Live" has also drawn protest this season from advocates for the disabled for its parodies of New York Gov. David Paterson, who is legally blind.

By Audrey McAvoy

[senrikyu]

Protest all you want. It's 100% true. I've lived in Waikiki for five years and if I made a documentary of what I've seen here, it would make the SNL skit look tame. The police force is by far, hands down, the most unprofessional police force in the world- perhaps with the exception of the Bagdhad Police Department. Recently, I was assaulted and they sent an officer who 1. stated that he had a hard time believing it actually happened; 2. cut me off to flirt with cute Japanese girls who were passing by at least SIX times; 3. flat out said that my report of the assault was a waste of time. These are the guys who ticket you for jaywalking, but say hello to the prostitutes openly soliciting sex in front of them. (Moral: streetwalking is fine, jaywalking is not.) Seriously, it may be a part of the US, but Hawaii remains a third world country in spirit and demeanor. Before protesting to SNL for striking a little too close to the truth, Duke Aiona should protest the sad state of affairs that greets each chump tourist who steps off a plane here. Only a matter of time before the Japanese throw up their hands and find a new Paradise. I don't want to be here for the chaos that will ensue. Sad... Hawaii is very, very sad.

[kkbbei]

I visited Pearl Habor as a young sailor. My first and last impression was overpriced, overpopulated, and overrated. I've never been back and have no desire to ever visit again.

[nakeddork]

"My son was stationed at the K Bay Marine base for three years and left the Marine Corps rather than stay in Hawaii."

Thank god!

I prefer that people that don't want to live in Hawai`i leave. I live walking distance from the MCBH, and I know that some of boots don't like it here. Most complain about it, but they should take after your son and leave.

However, my Marine friends love it because there are plenty of hot chicks, beer, and good weather.

[nakeddork]

I grew up in Hawai`i and love it, and the SNL parody hit it on the money.

Let me get things strait though, we don't dislike tourists--we dislike most mainland Americans. White mainland Americans have a reputation of being racist, disrespectful, ignorant, pushy, loud, and cheap...hence the hostility.

I suggest that tourists avoid going to Hawai`i with a bad attitudes, because you're going to be treated like crap. Frankly, we don't want ****** bags in our home.

I hope that the SNL skit deters "ugly" mainland Americans from coming to Hawai`i, this place would benefit with them gone. I would prefer more Europeans and Asian come, they are much more respectful.

[brolin_1911a]

My son was stationed at the K Bay Marine base for three years and left the Marine Corps rather than stay in Hawaii. Now, in the Army, he is fighting as hard as he can to avoid being stationed again in this "tropical paradise." Rude locals, ridiculously high prices, and socialist policies that better fit the traditions of the Japanese who now own 50% of the island better than those of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights all make that a place he advises anyone to avoid.

[subr0]

Having lived there for 5 years in the Army from 79-84, and taken my family there numerous times since then I know there is nothing the locals hate more than an "Ugly American". Treat people how you would like to be treated and not some under-class of brown skinned servants and you will have a great time. I love Hawaii, and will be retiring there in a couple of years.

The skit was very effective, if not juvenile in delivery. Even Don Ho, back in 86 told me he hated singing "Tiny Bubbles" every night for rude tourists.

[roscoe_5000]

Very funny. This skit is dogging the tourists. Having lived there, it's pretty much right on the money. I lived there for four years, and by the end of year one I wanted to punch anyone who told that lame "leid" joke.

As a PR professional, I'll give you the real scoop. The Lt. Gov, and Tourism board don't really think this skit will "discourage tourists." In fact, they're estatic. It's free advertising. And they're doing the smart thing: making it last by feigning offense, thus making it a multi-day story and getting...yep...more free advertising. What's more is that CBS, and all the other news outlets, realize what they're doing, but they print it because controversy (even fake controversy) sells. Brilliant, Hawaii. Hat's off.

[The___Riddler]

I am Hawaiian, Live in Hawaii and all through my undergrad work I was a high end waiter and a tour guide. I LOVED IT! does the truth hurt? It was the funniest Hawai`i parody I have seen in years.

note to other tourist. This is not complicated. The way you act is the way you get treated.

so if you had a bad time in Hawai`i, or anywhere for that matter its your own fault!

[gwlemons]

Give me a break, my mother, sister and 2 nephews spent over a week there and rude, rude, rude was the motto not to mention the high prices. Then you have the over the top smoking ban that they enforce. WHO in their right mind wants to go on holiday and be treated like crap and pay out the ying yang not to mention the smoking ban thing. nope, never again they all said.

[ubrew12]

rbburnerjr said: "no more of my dollars will be going to Hawaii."

ramos1129 said: "stationed at Hickam AFB. I just went into Honolulu just once. I learned my lesson. No one did anything to help anybody"

With any luck, you people will be a trend. Tourists need not apply... but travelers are ALWAYS welcome.