A jarring homophobic slur shouted on the way to a Pride parade in Honolulu has prompted a British travel writer to reflect on the complex realities of tourism, culture, and LGBTQ+ rights in Hawaii.
A Shocking Moment on the Path to Pride
Calum McSwiggan, who is documenting Pride celebrations globally, was walking with a friend along a Honolulu beachfront in January 2026, both carrying rainbow flags. A white woman greeted them with a smile and the words, "Oh hey faggots." The incident, which McSwiggan describes as the first direct discrimination he faced during his project spanning 17 destinations, was particularly surprising given its location.
Hawaii is the United States' most ethnically diverse state, with a population predominantly of Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hawaiian descent. McSwiggan notes the visible solidarity between minority groups on the islands, with graffiti supporting Stop Asian Hate and Black Trans Lives Matter often seen side by side. Official data underscores this contrast: in 2023, Hawaii reported just one hate crime motivated by sexual orientation among 1.4 million people. In the same year, New York State recorded 1,089 such incidents from a population of 19.5 million.
The Struggle to Preserve Hawaiian Culture and Queer Heritage
The incident highlighted a deeper tension. McSwiggan suggests the perpetrator was likely a tourist, pointing to a broader issue of Hawaii being "taken over by outsiders," as native activist Walter Ritte has warned. This erosion is acutely felt in LGBTQ+ contexts. Long before colonisation, Hawaiian culture revered gender and sexual diversity through respected roles like the māhū (people embodying both masculine and feminine qualities) and accepted same-sex relationships known as aikāne.
External influence pushed these identities to the margins. Today, with less than 20% of the population of Hawaiian descent, preserving land and traditions is an immense struggle. Irresponsible tourism, described by Ritte as "like a cancer," compounds problems exposed by the 2023 Maui wildfires, where emergency firefighting was hampered by water diverted to golf courses and luxury resorts.
Pride as an Act of Cultural Preservation and Regeneration
In response, Honolulu Pride itself embodies resistance. The 2026 event, themed 'Ho’oamau' (to preserve and persist), centred Native Hawaiian culture. Marchers wore traditional pā’u skirts and lei, while a performer representing the goddess Pele rolled through the streets on a glittering volcano float. The celebrations featured hula, chants, and platforms for Native Hawaiian LGBTQ+ leaders, with proceeds supporting local nonprofits.
Beyond the parade, McSwiggan sought out culturally conscious experiences. He stayed at the queer-owned, locally run Kaimana Beach Hotel and tried pākākā nalu (outrigger canoe surfing) with Kapua Wa’a Experiences, a company dedicated to keeping this dying art form alive. "The experience isn’t just about the thrill of the sport," he writes, noting the deep cultural education about the land and sea that accompanied the activity.
The journey left McSwiggan questioning his footprint as a frequent traveller. With tourism contributing up to 25% of Hawaii's economy, the solution isn't cessation but transformation. Kalani Ka’anā’anā of the Hawaii Tourism Authority advocates for regenerative tourism that remediates and enhances what has been lost. For McSwiggan, the people of Hawaii serve as a powerful reminder that all travellers can strive to be more responsible, supportive, and mindful of the communities they visit.
