Why?

[Beachboy]

About a week or so ago I was reading an article about a store merchant that was currently having problems here because of his race(hispanic). Why would people go out of their way to make trouble for what is obvious an asset to the community? This is just plan stupid! This person is trying to better his life,and the surrounding neighborhood by offering up a service. You folks better wake up and smell da coffee! Cause it ain't the Mexicans who are bringing down this island.

[HiloHaole]

My experience in conversations with Locals is that many Locals don't like Mexicans. When traveling to California, many are mistaken for Mexicans and don't like it.

[Beachboy]

quote:

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My experience in conversations with Locals is that many Locals don't like Mexicans. When traveling to California, many are mistaken for Mexicans and don't like it.

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I know what you mean. I have had a lot of people start speaking to me in Spanish in Cali, and Texas, but that is no excuse to hate them is it?

If Hawaiians here on the Big Island need a race of people to 'beef' with? They should do like the Hawaiians on Oahu, and give cracks to each and any Micronesian they see. On Oahu "B & E's" has grown because of them, so has rape cases and TB is up tenfold over there because of them. Violent crimes against tourist are often comitted by Micronesians on Oahu, but Hawaiians catch the blame because the tourist can't tell the difference. I can see the heat in Hilo picking up too!

[David D]

What the heck ia a "Micronesian"??? A really small Nesian?

[Nate SC]

People are quick to blame race when it falls into their favor. When people start blaming race it's hard to counter the argument without being labeled a racst. Maybe the store owner is a disrespectfull jerk ? I also think that people need to realize that not everyone is "cool" with everyone in regards to race. If you don't "fit in" you just don't....

[oink]

A Micronesian is someone from the Federated States of Micronesia. A former US protectorate we assumed after WWII. It had be under Japanese rule following WWI. Prior to that it was under Germany. Most of emigrants from there are from the state of Chuuk, more comonly known to Americans as the Truk Lagoon from WWII battle fame and more currently scuba diving popularity due to it's WWII wrecks and protected reefs. It is an impoverished country due to it's lack of natural resources, which are nonexistant other than cocoanuts (copra), fishing, and some tourism. Tourism never took off due to it's distanse from any developed population centers. We recieve large numbers of emigrants froom the FSM due to their continued special relationship with them. They provide us with control of a huge chunk of the Pacific and in turn we provide their national defence and a lot of money. I forget the name this special relationship is called. Free association pact or something like that. Along with it comes what is essentially a free emmigration policy for residents of the FSM.

S. FL Islander to be

Edited by - oink on 02/17/2007 21:00:56

[HiloHaole]

I visited Guam a few years ago and the Locals told me that the Micronesians were ruining their island. Abandoned cars were beginning to appear (similar to BI) and trash was everywhere. Crime had increased. People were living on the beaches in lean-to's. They said that the Micronesians were ruining Guam. Micronesians, because of special treatment by the US, were coming to Guam to leave off the welfare system.

[malolo]

quote:

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If Hawaiians here on the Big Island need a race of people to 'beef' with? They should do like the Hawaiians on Oahu, and give cracks to each and any Micronesian they see.

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Good lord.
Aren't we just brimming with aloha, Beachboy?!
I can't believe you said that.

Perhaps you're unaware of the fact that the percentage of asshloes to decent folks is exactly equivalent in every single ethnic group on the planet.

I happen to have spent a good amount of time over the years in the islands of the Federated States of Micronesia: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap, (as well as the neighboring republics of Kiribati and Palau), and I am not exagerrating in the slightest when I say that not only are the tiny islands of that vast geographical area spectacular, but the people as well.

There was plenty of time and there were plenty of opportunities for people to treat me otherwise, but all I ever experienced (or witnessed) was overwhelming kindness and gentleness and goodness.

And here on the Big Island?

Same deal.
Beautiful, interesting, family-oriented folks.

Getting an education.
Working to provide for their loved ones.
Living life to the fullest. Being good neighbors.

99.99999% of them.

Y'know, I'll be the first to champion your right to free speech here, Beachboy. No question about it. But please, as you indulge in that wonderful right? Think first. Then talk. Be a good neighbor, eh?

Thanks.

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Edited by - malolo on 02/18/2007 06:02:41

[punagirl]

I am curious if everyone is refering to Hawaiians as "real" Hawaiians, you know, those with Hawaiian blood. Or if you are thinking of the mix of ethnicities that make up "local".

I am exposed to Latin Americans of Mexican, Honduran, et al ancestory everyday in Atlanta. I have never confused one as a Hawaiian. I am in So Cal visiting my sister a lot and see people I recognize as Hawaiian or "local" all the time. I never confuse them for some one that is Hispanic. I do not believe that "many" are mistaken as"Mexican".

Is it really that offensive to be mistaken as a Mexican? It happens to me all the time. What is so bad about being Mexican. Sometimes Mexican people confuse me as Mexican. I have never been offended. I have dark hair & an olive completion. I guess for some people that might be all it takes to think you are Latin American. Of course, most idiots here think they are all "Mexicans" not understanding that Latin Americans are from all different countries.

And one other thing, Hispanic isn't a race. It is an ethnicity. Most Mexicans are either of Amerindian background or European.

Being Hawaiian or being Micronesian is being part of an ethnic group as well. Both of the ethnic groups are classified as being of the Polynesian race.

Does anyone have statistics to back up that Micronesians are creating all this crime? Can you prove that TB is up 10 fold? There are plently of ethnic groups that live off welfare, not just Micronesians.

This is a crappy thread. I feel kind of dirty that I even posted on this subject.





Atlanta/Pahoa

[Rob Tucker]

This is a rather crappy thread. I am tempted to delete it but am letting it ride for now. I want Punaweb to be a venue for Puna issues good and bad. Not 100% sure how that applies here.

It is not to good purpose to pretend Hawaii is all aloha all the time but it bothers me to watch people paint whole groups of people with a broad brush of rumor and bad mouthing.

Punaweb moderator