I do appreciate this comment. However, I have never removed a post from my blog, ever, which is a diary of my adventures and misadventures through life and travel, in which yes, I have made missteps. This isn’t an SEO-driven site, it’s my personal journal. I do not claim to get everything right. I think it is valid to note this post is from long before I had an Instagram or the app even existed, I believe.

I also never delete comments (with some rare exceptions). So, those who stumble on this post now — who I can see from my side of things are extremely few and far between — will get the balance of your perspective, which as a local today are certainly more up to date and nuanced than mine. I too will heed it when I inevitably return and write fresher content in line with all I have learned since.

Aloha Alex,
Iao has a valid concern. Maybe the delivery is off, but the their point should be considered. Regardless of when you posted this, it is wrong. Please don’t frame your justifications with “it was a long time ago, or I was on a guided tour. Regardless, plastering this kind of content on the internet has destroyed the sanctity of these beautiful islands and shows a blatant disrespect for the locals and sacred native sites.Due to posts such as yours,these beautiful places are being overun with tourists excited to go to some exotic place and get a selfie and post it on their instagram, or their Facebook page. It’s time for YOU to show some aloha and sensitivity and take posts like this off your blog. Provide detail on well known established hikes, but leave the secret and sacred spots off your list. Mahalo nui loa for your consideration.

Hey. This post is from my first trip to Hawaii in 2012 — my blog was barely a business and I don’t even think I had an Instagram. I was just a girl staying at a hostel, thrilled to have the staff show me around for a day. It’s true that today, eight years and much influence and many trips to Hawaii later, I would weigh my words more carefully.

I might even consider going back and editing this post. But honest question, does bullying usually work for you, to get the outcome you want? I feel like approaching me with some human kindness and aloha would be a much better start. I know when I am trying to offer someone a new perspective I start with compassion and education — attacks rarely get me where I want to go.

Your literally telling people to break the law and venture into dangerous,forbidden and culturally sensitive areas. Good for you! ????????????

Hey Kevin, what exactly do the signs say? I don’t want to encourage anyone to break rules, I simply shared my own experience on a guided tour, which granted is several years old at this point.

TAKE THIS DOWN! HOW DARE YOU TELL TOURISTS TO BLATANTLY DISOBEY SIGNS THAT TELL THEM TO KEEP OUT! NO RESPECT AND NO ALOHA BY DOING WHAT YOU DO. I USED TO SEE NO MORE THAN 5 PEOPLE UP THERE IN A SINGLE DAY. NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 50. THINK ABOUT THE EFFECTS YOU HAVE ON PLACES WHERE YOU DONT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES

Thank you so much for the report! Hiking in Hawaii is magical, glad you had this experience!