So the Cultural Resources Commission has denied permits for the Lahaina Halloween bash, citing cases of public drunkenness, lewd behavior and risque costumes, which insult the legacy of the town. Well let’s see—what was LahainaTown noted for? Whaling ships, lots of whisky, brawls, lots of loose behavior and saloons. Exactly which legacy does this self-righteous commission want to deny existed? Seems the revelers are actually a serious copy of Lahaina’s real past. Who placed these people on the Cultural Commission? In a time of extraordinary economic turndown, we are seeing yet another bunch of folks maim the tourist goose at a time we can ill afford to do so.
Congratulations, Cultural Resources Commissioners, on making a statement of some sort to fulfill your own ego needs, and costing local businesses a whole lot of money. There is shame in doing things without true thought when you impact others as this decision has done.
Sean Lester
Ha‘iku