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To counter some of the threads dealing with matters of heavier weight, thought it might be a good time to add another perspective to the mix:
Doncha think we're long overdue for a thread that focuses on the POSITIVE aspects of living in Puna? Thought a good starting point might be to list some of the kindnesses that have been extended to me since moving here just less than a year ago. Off the top of my head:
First, I'm happy to report that so far I haven't gotten attacked by any bands of roving haole-bashers (I'm the product of an Irish-German-Norwegian stew of DNA, which means I'm so white you can almost see through me.) And no stink-eye as far as I can tell, but then again, I'm oblivious to this kind of stuff. Haven't experienced any discrimination in the workplace either, although I brought my own job so it's a non-factor. Come to think of it, I seem to be surrounded by a multitude of kind people who have added a new dimension to my world and helped create a sense of place that was completely missing in my former home in Suburbia Chicago.
So here I am in the jungles of Puna, surrounded by notorious "locals"; one neighbor has the gall to bring us delicious homemade meals whenever it strikes his fancy. And before we moved here, our other neighbor used to take it upon himself to cut our grass without asking for our permission (we found out later from other helpful neighbors). Yet another neighbor insists on keeping us stocked with fresh pineapples and avocados. Then we've got those pesky neighbors a couple streets over who make us go kayaking in Hilo Bay with them. Almost makes you want to say something nice about this placec
It's so easy to complain. But isn't it more fun to count our blessings? Although race can be a factor, cultural differences can be even more powerful albeit less visible. All closed cultures/clubs/social groups require you to earn your way in. Island cultures are an even tougher nut to crack. I'm in this for the long-haul, and so far it's been a gas.
Anyone else got a blessing or two to throw into the mix?
Aloha!
Punafish
Edited by - punafish on 05/24/2007 08:34:07
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
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I dunno Punafish, those sound like the kinda neighbors where you have to lock your doors during mango season otherwise you will come home and find bushels of mangos on your kitchen table.
"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson
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I think this is a good opportunity to submit my first posting and introduce myself. I'm a Ha'ole artist/manufacturer living and working in lower puna. Although new to this forum, I've been a resident for 21 years. I can honestly say that in all that time I've probably had only one or two incidents that I would guess were based on race or "localism". Maybe I've been lucky, but I've found that if you greet someone with a smile, that's generally what you get back. If I may offer some advice to newcomers it would be; Thicken up your skin, be humble, smile a lot, and get involved with a local cultural activity. (Your area Canoe Club would be an obvious choice). There really is a lot of Aloha here; Give it.... get it...Mahalo, Greg
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Punafish, You're from the outskirts of Chicago, too? I think that maybe it might be the Chicago reputation, 'cause we've had pretty similar experiences in the 2 years we have been here (either that, or Chicagoans may just be so blinded by the fact that you don't have to drag layers of clothes around that we don't notice all of the 'stink eye' & nasties?)
So many people have acted like I am making up the fact that pretty much everyone has been neighborly & such that I thought we may have been in an alternate Puna...
So, now I think it is something to do being from Chicago....
Carey
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What a great way to show the Aloha spirit is alive and well. We had wonderful neighbors in Orchidland who brought me new flowers for the garden,papaya,and most importantly friendship. I too never got stink eye that I noticed. Made wonderful friendships at the hospital in my job.Will be back when our house here sells even though there are other places we could move to a lot cheaper and just as warm. But Puna becomes a part of you and I think her people are her greatest asset. I cant wait to come home.
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I gotta say that I am with Greg, after 20 years here, the only neighbors who give our neighborhood a hard time are the Non-locals who tried to adapt us to them, make Puna like whatever place they came from, instead of realizing that instead of making Puna side into Seattle, they might adopt the Punatics nature...
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This is not puna related but more Hawaii the State related. When I ws on Kauai after the big blow, in 1991 (Iniki) I spoke with one of the National Guardsman. He said that they had just left Fla. (Homestead I think) where they had to remain heavily armed through their entire diployment, due to vandalism and looting.
They were amazed that after a couple of days on the island they turned in their weapons and had not needed them for the duration of the stay. That always stuck with me. I remember he said "this Aloha thing is pretty cool"
Take care,
dave
Blessings,
dave
"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young
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As a transplanted Seattleite I have to both agree and disagree with Kapohocat. Seattle used to be a wonderful city, the people were friendly and welcoming to strangers. Then the Californians started moving in and changed the city into the place they moved away from. When we were lucky enough to move over here I left a small version of L.A. behind. I hope never to return to Seattle again.
Over here in the work place and at home the only problems I have encountered are with mainlanders who cant adapt to this life style and seem to think they need to change Hawaii to a way that makes them feel more comfortable instead of realizing they may have made a mistake and move to a place they are comfortable with. Every day I here transplants say they wish we had this store or that store here, they cant uderstand how we are out of this and that. Those of you who have been here for years remember the days without the big box stores, the fast food places, and all the traffic on the roads in a hurry to go nowhere. Im sure you all servived quite nicely the way it was.
The friendliest people I know over here are the locals and the mainlanders who have left their mainland ideas behind and adapted to this wonderful Island and its ways. My co-workers who are mostly local are the nicest people I have ever met. The first year I was there they invited me to birthday parties, holiday dinners, and any other gatherings that came up. They have been more then helpful in helping me learn the local ways and teaching me anythings I asked about.
The few transplants I call friends seem to have left the mainland behind and adopted the aloha spirit as well.
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Great thread Punafish.
OK, we aren't really in Puna, but feel entitled to count our blessings anyway. Sophie and I almost daily express (out loud) our thankfulness at being here and all that we enjoy. We have an ever widening circle of people we know, many are transplants. We tend to subdivide those into 2 groups - those that "get it" and those that whine about unimportant things and tend to hang with a "haole like us" crowd.
This isn't a perfect place and we've had our share of challenges, but we could have had those challenges anywhere, but without the rainbows or the aloha. More importantly, we've had people share some of the joy in their lives.
One day, our house will be mostly done and we'll take time to smell the plumeria, perhaps then we'll experience some of what bothers some other posters, but I kinda doubt it. We camed because we like it here, not to change it.
Enjoy
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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Bear and I feel fortunate to live here for too many reasons to list. I think everyone has to bring something positive to the table to get along in any community anywhere. One of the things that drew us to Hawaii was the slower pace, but I have to admit that it took me about a year and a half to slow down my internal engine to a more compatible speed. Now, it seems natural and pleasant to not hustle and bustle all the time.
There is a wonderful opportunity for us here in Puna to adopt the best parts of all the cultures in the mix. This involves give and take all around, and of course there are people who want it all their way. Those are the ones who give and get stink-eye. I guess they just don't get it.
Cheerfully thriving in Puna,
Jerry
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