What real Hawaii resort workers think of 'The White Lotus':
On Sunday night, HBO Max’s latest hit “The White Lotus” came to a dramatic close. There was murder, mayhem and, of course, rich white person entitlement.Created and directed by Mike White of “School of Rock” fame, the show follows a group of wealthy tourists on a weeklong vacation to a luxury, high-end Hawaii resort.
SFGATE wanted to understand the veracity of the claims the show makes, so we went to the source: former and current Hawaii resort workers. Lukela sees Hawaii as just a background setting. The show’s internal dramas could have happened anywhere, he said, and they will, as “The White Lotus” was just“It’s just a bunch of rich people on vacation,” he said. “I don’t find it offensive or negative or anything, but it’s not a reflection of Hawaii culture.”
Heather Lukela, David’s wife, also worked in resort hotels as a pastry chef; she recently opened her own dessert shop. She didn’t think the show depicted enough back-of-the-house perspectives. “I just think there could be a lot of comedic value where the employees of the hotel are concerned,” she said. “It would make the show more interesting and not so much about the guests staying there.”