|
Window broken at Pohoiki
|
12-18-2007, 05:38 AM
Is the term "haole" being used to mean "folks from somewhere else" or is it being used to mean "white folks"? There doesn't seem to be much of a color discrimination but there is a LOT of discrimination against newcomers who come in and try to change things.
Kurt Wilson 
12-18-2007, 05:46 AM
What about those that move to the island to simply enjoy what the island has to offer, and not change things? Are there hard feelings towards them, just because they moved there?
12-18-2007, 05:56 AM
I had a haunting experience 3 years ago at Pohoiki, and haven't really talked much about it. I was using the port a potty and some local boys started shaking it and threw a beer bottle through a broken vent that smashed near my feet. They also screamed, "We see your ..... B.tch." I started yelling back even though I was scared to death and they ran off, and I saw no sight of anyone when i came out.I've never felt so violated and scared in my life, and have never returned there since then. I wasn't born here but have lived here for over 15 years and this was the only violent crime I've experienced. Angela
12-18-2007, 06:54 AM
This sort of thing is disturbing, and I think it goes on a lot more than what we hear about in the news or even on this forum. IMO, it all comes down to ignorance and poverty. In most cases like this, the perpetrator does not even know the victim. They just make a judgement based on often-incorrect assumptions about the person's origin, intent, character, and effect on their territory. Those questionable assumptions often start with skin color. Poverty has a tendency to make some people angry, and they sometimes express their anger at the most convenient and easy target. Education, both formal and informal, could make things better, but unfortunately the public schools here are one of the most frequent venues for race bashing. That leaves us with informal, one on one, contact education as our best hope.
When Bear and I moved here, we did something simple that we have done for years before moving here. We walk around our neighborhood every day for exercise. We always wave and say hello to everyone we meet, and people almost always respond favorably. By doing this, we have met every neighbor within at least a mile of our house. We have become close friends with several and get smiles and waves from all but one. These people are of every conceivable race and color and mixture thereof. Some of our Hawaiian and other "local" neighbors have told us things like, "We never knew haoles could be so nice," or "We never met haoles who showed respect for our aina and culture." Maybe we have changed some minds? Not sure. What I am sure of is that we are part of a neighborhood community where people look out for each other, regardless of race or who's been here the longest. I was once told at a beach park near the airport in Hilo, "This beach is for locals." The guy's body language was sort of scary, but he didn't do anything. I was ready to leave anyway since the water wasn't very nice. Once at Kehena, Bear and I saw some guys hassling two women, calling them "haole lesbian bitches." They stopped when Bear walked over that way. These are just ignorant, unhappy people, and they probably abuse people of their own races, too. I call them "equal opportunity a**holes." While I can see where Francesca is coming from, I have to add something. Those people at Pohoiki who do harmful things to people and their property are doing extreme damage to their "cause," that is if they are even smart enough to think in terms of the bigger picture. When this happens, it just reinforces the negative stereotypes the people on the other side of the rock, fist, or whatever may have. How do you educate someone who does not want to be educated? Newcomers and visitors need to be educated about what their presence is doing to locals, and some locals need to learn that not all newcomers or haoles are out to destroy their way of life. But how do we do it? Cheerfully enjoying my neighborhood, but a little worried about the bigger picture, Jerry
12-18-2007, 07:12 AM
Broken windows, locals only beach, rude comments, rude gestures, violence, theft, lack of police enforement.
Everything everyone has seen, experienced, heard or said can apply to the coast of California too.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
12-18-2007, 07:44 AM
UPDATE- I found out who did it and it was told to me that they were looking for valueables so watch it. I know the person have been told that currently hes living in the bushes at Pohoiki.
The local authorities know him well, he beat up a couple tourist Haoles this weekend at Pohoiki again. What can we do about it? well I put this up cause I think enough people are covering the problem up at Pohoiki. Recently there has been a rise in incidents. I had no choice when my family moved here back in 1980, my father and mother moved here so if that makes me some outsider mainlander then I guess I am. I love this place and most of the people dont let a couple bad seeds run us out of Our Park. Park opens Jan 3rd I heard? Shane Turpin Lava Ocean Adventures
12-18-2007, 07:46 AM
quote: I think that's what pisses a lot of people off. Many of us moved to Hawaii to escape the BS that California and/or the mainland was. What happened to the land of "Aloha"? ----------------- Coming home soon!
12-18-2007, 07:51 AM
quote: I guess that's my question.........
12-18-2007, 07:55 AM
What happened?
The population of this planet has doubled, tripled or quadrupled from whatever era you think of nostalgically. The natural resources of this world are in competiton, under stress and in demand. That includes Hawaii. On a good day - Aloha can be found in abundance. On a bad day it is absent.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
12-18-2007, 07:58 AM
quote: Doubled and Tripled in just the last 5-10 years? The violence on the Big Island has been rising at a very drastic rate. Just looking at the police blogs over the last few years you can tell that there has been more and more arrests being made for property crimes. I say the increasing Drug problem and in particular the ice/meth problem has contributed to the lost Aloha more so then the population increase. ----------------- Coming home soon! |
|
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
