Perhaps because Hawaii is one of the best melting pot in the world, where people of many races and beliefs live in relative harmony with each other and with nature, Hawaii is incredibly open and welcoming to gay and lesbian visitors.
While gay and lesbian travelers will likely find little difficulty visiting the islands and will find many places and areas where they can meet and socialize, it is important to recognize that a large number of Hawaiian people have Asian roots where cultures may be less accepting of styles. alternative lifestyles.
By far the best resource available to gay and lesbian travelers to Hawaii is Matthew Link’s Rainbow Handbook Hawai’i. In fact, the book is “The Best Gay Guide to the Islands” with 226 pages full of valuable information and advice for gay and lesbian visitors. The opening chapters of the book include essential background information as well as a brief history of homosexuality in the culture and history of Hawaii and the Polynesian ancestors of Hawaii.
These chapters are followed by chapters dedicated to each of the Hawaiian islands filled with specific advice on places to stay and eat, as well as places where gays and lesbians can enjoy themselves.
While you will find specific places on each of the islands that are openly welcome to gay and lesbian visitors, there are very few places in paradise that are not open and inclusive. Tourism is the number one industry in Hawaii and almost all places intend to spread the Aloha spirit to all visitors.
As Matthew Link pointed out in an excellent question and answer section on his old website, “Hawaii’s gay scene is not as cultured as its politics would have you believe. Just because same-sex marriage almost became legal here, many people think that Hawaii’s gay community the world is huge and refined.
“Hawaii’s gay community is interesting because it doesn’t function like the anonymous gay cities on the continent. Visitors are terribly disappointed if they expect a Homo Mecca like Key West or Palm Springs. I learned that Hawaii emphasizes the ‘ohana , or family, aspects of the gay community. Gay communities are very popular. On the outer islands especially, I found food and beach gatherings and eco-friendly activities to be the norm. Hawaii’s gay scene is more about camaraderie versus numbers.
Despite the defeat of efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Hawaii, the Hawaiian government is anything but anti-gay. The Reciprocal Beneficiaries Act (Act 383) of 1997 allows two single adults, including same-sex couples, blood relatives, or just friends, to have access to fewer than 60 marital rights statewide.
The center of gay and lesbian activity in Hawaii continues to be Waikiki on the island of Oahu. For many years, Waikiki’s gay hub was along a stretch of Kuhio Avenue between Kalaimoko and Lewers streets. Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand were located here for many years before moving to their new location at 134 Kapahulu Avenue in the second story of the Waikiki Grand Hotel.
While many businesses along Kuhio Avenue have closed in recent years, you will still find several gay and lesbian bars and clubs.
Oahu’s two beaches, which are often considered gay / lesbian beaches, are located nearby, Queen’s Surf Beach on the eastern tip of Waikiki, near the recently renovated Natatorium War Memorial and Diamond Head Beach, at the foot of the most famous landmark in Oahu.
Each of the Hawaiian Islands has many things to offer gay and lesbian visitors. Maui has the second largest gay and lesbian community, particularly in the Kihei area. Maui also has a popular nude beach, although public nudity is officially prohibited in Hawaii. On Maui you will find numerous gay and lesbian friendly bed and breakfasts, as well as many services offering engagement ceremonies.
