Legality of Topfree for Women in Hawaii

[OpenD]

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Originally posted by Todd H

Interesting, Open D. I had no idea about Seattle, and my wife and I happen to live about 25 miles from downtown. If you can respond to me "off forum" with your source of information, I would really aprreciate it!

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20 years ago I remember the traditional Nude Bicyclists opening the Fremont Parade, and I'm happy to see that the tradition has not only survived, but expanded. Check local news archives for stories about the legality of toplessness.

Question: Before the missionaries arrived in Hawaii, did the females go topfree? If "yes," was this pretty much the daily norm, or was it the exception (e.g. when bathing)?

Read Mark Twain's "Letters From Hawaii," circa 1865 IIRC, in which he describes going to the beach and seeing groups of native women "bathing" in the nude. Also he says in another place that he saw a hula performed by a group of nude dancers. The missionaries viewed nudity as immoral and invented loose fitting and colorful clothing like mu'u mu'us to try to convince natives to cover up.

I've never seen any photos, sketches, or artworks that would indicate that the Native Hawaiian women were traditionally topfree, so perhaps any vestiges of that attire were discouraged or destroyed. About the closest thing that I have personally seen are the coconut shell bikini tops, but I think that those were invented or exist only for the amusement of mainland tourists[]

The earliest visual representations by Europeans show "Owhyhee" women to be bare breasted. The coconut bra was an invention of show business.

[Todd H]

Hi, Carey: Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed comments. My apologies for the delay in responding, as I've been off-line for several days. Please see my answer/comments below.

That said, in places like the neighborhood I live in, the dress & culture is more formed from the background of my neighbors, many of whom are issei or nisei, and from a culture where modesty, even in ones' laundry, is much more the norm... that is why I would explain again to try to understand that this is a very multicultural place today, and to have respect for the actual areas you are in, if your goal is to promote and gain a worldview.

Good talking points, Carey, and fully in agreement.

If you are just coming here to prove a point...well that is within your right, but then, are you doing it to respect the cultures that live here, or to promote your own idea?

Actually, the trip to Hawaii (and Puna in particular)is for vacation. The topfree experiences will be limited, and definitely in places where it would not seem "way" out of place (e.g. beaches, parks, and other casual outdoor venues).

Added: if your idea is to promote topfree....well wouldn't it be better to get the exposure at home???

Absolutely! In fact, my wife enjoyed topfreedom several times last year, including the Oregon Country Fair and at Seattle's Hempfest. No problems whatsoever. No big deal, actually.

So it would seem that you should be giving a greater exposure to Washington & Seattle, than to come here first (unless you only feel that this is for "other" places, not your home area)????
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Maybe not "more" but perhaps "equal" exposure to Washington (as well as next-door neighbor, Oregon). Keep in mind that it's still very much winter in the northern latitudes[]. Spring is not too far away, but typically the Seattle area does not enjoy warm Summer weather until July, at the earliest.

Todd