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It's kind of ironic that Gypsy brought up tripadvisor. I look at that site every few months and just a few days ago, I saw this post:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g2...awaii.html
The 2 women he mentions are still at it.
I keep trying to post a link to this tripadvisor page about things to do in Pahoa and my posting gets deleted.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_R...awaii.html
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I stopped reading that stuff, it made my blood boil. I don't think it has a meaningful impact on Puna tourism anyway, it's so transparent.
And we get plenty of tourists anyway. Amazing how much time they dedicate to trashing this area.
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I talked to a couple of tourists who drove over from Kona. Because of what they read on tripadvisor they didn't bring their snorkel gear and they were mad !
You're right that it doesn't matter.The parking area sometimes has over 50 cars.
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If Shea & Kathy find Puna and Kapoho dangerous, disgusting, with bacteria and turd laden waters, why would they drive down here? If as they say, there's nothing to do or see here, most likely they haven't been down to the Red Road area for awhile, certainly not to every snorkeling or swimming area that they would not snorkel or swim in. What would be the point?
Shouldn't they then allow someone who does live here, and has recent up to date information to post it, even if it contradicts their "Destination Expert" status?
“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
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I made a thread awhile back about how I posted a positive review for the Hilton Naniloa on Tripadvisor. Those 2 had posted negative reviews, despite never having stepped foot inside the hotel (they wrote that in their review). They said I was making it up and my review was deleted. It still bugs the hell out of me. Now TripAdvisor has been in the news for deleting reviews of folks who had posted reviews for hotels were they were assaulted.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/c...story.html
Anyone have any ideas what to do about them?
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There probably isn't much you can do about it other than sending a complaint to Tripadvisor, but I doubt that'll make any difference. Best thing to do is just not use the site. I stopped using it a few years ago since it was obvious valid reviews were being deleted - plus I couldn't stand all their popups. Yelp seems a much better option to me and much faster to use.
My own experience is that these two were determined to tell people things that were simply not true, in this case visiting Mauna Kea and not being able to visit after sunset. The road is open to all after sunset unless weather conditions are bad but they insisted it wasn't.
I've worked on Mauna Kea, both day and night, for over twenty years, yet they made it clear my own personal knowledge, and the evidence I presented, was deemed nonsense.
Anyone can verify this for themselves. Just visit
http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions/
where you can see the current status of the road which is continuously updated by the MK rangers. At the time of posting (well after sunset), the road is open to everyone.
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I complained to TripAdvisor, back when I gave a hoot, and they told me that there are no facts, only opinions. To hell with them.
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Well, I guess this sums things up since even opinions get deleted.
https://i.imgflip.com/yro0j.jpg
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People will weigh and consider the positive reviews along with the negatives and come to their own conclusions.
Obviously if many people are using the tide pools on a daily basis without issue then it stands to reason that the concerns shared on TripAdvisor are overblown, if not just irrational.
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People will weigh and consider the positive reviews along with the negatives and come to their own conclusions.
It would be good if readers could do that.
The problem is that the Destination Experts on the Big Island section of TripAdvisor censure other peoples comments. If you post something that contradicts what they wrote, they make it disappear.
“Facts fall from the poetic observer as ripe seeds.” -Henry Thoreau
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
