Posts: 2,481
Threads: 10
Joined: Feb 2008
I don't blame Native Hawaiians for having a few dysfunctional attention whores in their ranks since everybody does. I am beginning to blame them for not speaking out agaist said attention whores, leaving me, a lifelong bleeding heart liberal who would normally automatially support Native Hawaiians because they are underdogs, in a difficult position.
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
quote:
If not, the real leaders should ask them to step aside to prevent further embarrassment, as it does not strengthen any argument for self determination they may wish to present in the future, as legitimate descendants of a pre-1893 political authority.
This is a real problem that the Hawaiians will have going forward, whether these sadly misguided (and not too bright) people block the TMT or not. One of the basic Hawaiian cultural tenets is to talk story as long as it takes to reach a consensus rather than engage in a knock-down, drag out fight that results in the losing side being relegated to a sometimes well-deserved shame and obscurity. While commendable on some levels, that tendency makes it hard to deal with crazy minorities that refuse to give way to reason.
And who are the "real leaders" that HOTPE so hopefully refers to anyway? The folks at OHA/DHHL? The people who organized a race based constitutional convention using state funds when they knew such enterprises were routinely thrown out by the courts? I am absolutely sure there are some great Hawaiians who would make wonderful leaders, but as far as I can tell, they are unfortunately not in leadership positions where they could actually lead.
Posts: 4,248
Threads: 96
Joined: Mar 2014
I am absolutely sure there are some great Hawaiians who would make wonderful leaders, but as far as I can tell, they are unfortunately not in leadership positions where they could actually lead.
---
I personally know several who would be excellent leaders with your scenario. The problem is that they want nothing to do with either a return to a Hawaiian kingdom nor do they want to deny the TMT from being built.
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
Well, leilanidude, as long as those people you mention (and I know some, too) let the lunatic fringe stay in the spotlight and masquerade as leaders, legitimate goals will not be achieved. There is a large number (probably a majority) of Hawaiians who do not want to block the TMT, as well as a large number who do not want a restored kingdom or a fake Indian tribe. They don't make headlines, though, do they?
Posts: 664
Threads: 67
Joined: Mar 2016
Hawaiian navigator Chad Babayan is testifying in favor of TMT today if you want to watch on
http://naleo.tv/
The petitioners are 10x more respectful of him as a witness that it is amazing to watch. So far they constantly thank him and smile and speak softly. Such a contrast to how they have treated the other witnesses.
Posts: 2,481
Threads: 10
Joined: Feb 2008
I recently read about more people on waiting lists for Hawaiian Homelands dying of old age after years of waiting. I know this has been happening all along. Has nobody just decided to occupy Hawaiian Homelands? Just go there and start building. I mean Native Hawaiians of course. There is an act of civil disobedience I could get behind.
Posts: 2,151
Threads: 73
Joined: Mar 2007
MarkP's suggestion to literally occupy Hawaiian Homelands is brilliant. That would require challenging the largest and most entrenched official Hawaiian agency, however, and it's much easier to obstruct the outsider scientists than to reform and rebuild the totally incompetent OHA/DHHL.
Posts: 14,115
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
people on waiting lists for Hawaiian Homelands dying of old age after years of waiting
Somehow this is not "desecration". Go figure.
Posts: 664
Threads: 67
Joined: Mar 2016
Here's just one of the many cross-examinations of Kalepa
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2016/1...-pua-case/
It's an interesting clip to watch to get an idea of how they try to remove his relevance to the TMT yet they still try to claim their desires are more valid.
Posts: 11,022
Threads: 750
Joined: Sep 2012
it's much easier to obstruct the outsider scientists than to reform and rebuild the totally incompetent OHA/DHHL.
It's a time honored deception used by politicians, offer one group of supporters nothing (no telescope) rather than something (a homeland property), so that those with the real power maintain control over as much as possible.
For example and comparison only*, it's as if a major political party exaggerated the idea that the religion which most of their voters followed (the largest most powerful entity in the nation) was somehow threatened, and only that particular political party would protect the rights of the religion's believers.
When in fact there is no real legitimate threat and their votes provide them with protection against nothing, while other members of the same party, a far smaller group, receive enormous monetary rewards by way of special tax legislation unavailable to 99% of the party's members, and the rest of the general population.
*Please, no comments on this example except as it relates to OHA & DHHL
I saw the tracks immediately - they swirled back & forth across the shuffled sand of the path. They seemed the design of indecision, but I am not sure. Mary Oliver
"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