Window broken at Pohoiki

[Rob Tucker]

Okay. Then you have answered your own question.

[Guest]

So to bring this back to topic somewhat.

I would say that the best idea to keep yourself from getting a broken window in the future is to not leave any valuables in your car and leave your windows down.

Shane - I just read your update. If you have PROOF of who did it, I would contact the police.

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Coming home soon!

Edited by - damon on 12/18/2007 12:37:49

[Carey]

Shane, glad to hear you found out who it was. 1 1/2 years ago I was in a UHH group setting up a marine mammal monitoring station on the Hamakua coast, we came back to 2 out of 3 vehicles with broken windows... turns out that case was a "surfer" with a long board parked between the 2 hit vehicles... dropped the board on the windsheild of 1, bashed the board through the side window of the other! Property owner above had watched the whole thing (and called police) - didn't ever see the police.
Luckily nothing was taken, but the dufess surfer never left a note either!

[Francesca]

I'm happy to hear people talking about this and taking into consideration all "sides" and possible causes. I think what Rob said about the increase in population is definitely a huge factor. The population increase in Puna in the last 5-10 years must be significant, although I don't know the stats.

I know several native Hawaiians who have moved to other islands such as Tahiti. The changes in Puna were too much for them, so they've gone to places that are like Puna used to be. Essentially, what that means is that all of the people from the mainland seeking a better life in what they frequently refer to as "paradise" have in essence and I'm sure unintentionally driven the natives from their home. It isn't that the natives didn't get along with many of the haoles and others from the mainland, many of their friends are haoles/mainlanders. However, they want to live as they did for years and how their families lived for generations. Living off the land, fishing and growing their food. Surfing without a crowd of people. There are so many people in the water now that it can be really dangerous.

Someone mentioned poverty as one of the causes. It bothers me that many newcomers assume that most natives are impoverished. Many of the natives who are unhappy with the changes are quite well off. Just because they live simply don't assume that they don't have a pile of cash in the bank. We have many friends who are multi-millionaires and who look like they don't have two nickels to rub together. You just never know. The assumption that you are better off than the natives reminds me of some negative mainland attitudes one of which is that if you are white, or fit a certain stereotype, you are superior. Not saying that people on this forum believe this necessarily, but there are many mainlanders who do.

The attacks on women that were mentioned are despicable. Angela, what happened to you is disgusting and there is no excuse whatsoever for a group of men to terrorize someone as they did you. I'm very sorry that happened to you. I don't know if these men were natives, or Hawaiian, but in general Hawaiian men treat women with respect and are protective of women.

Many mainlanders who have moved here will move away and many more will come. It's futile to think that things will go back to how they were. As in many places, things have changed for the worse and there is nothing to be done for it. It's a sad reality that we can accept and make the best of, or not. We are all here now, like it, or not. Many newcomers have great attitudes and have much respect for the aina and those who were here before them. They will do well here. They were probably liked where they came from and will be liked wherever they go.

Shane, my understanding is that the guys who live in the bushes at Pohoiki are all trip-wire vets (Vietnam era). These guys are all haoles. The natives have taken care of them for many years. They share their food and help the vets how they can. These vets are in bad shape emotionally/mentally. So, I doubt very much if it has anything to do with you being a haole.

Damon, as for what can be done about the haole versus local thing... I think that having a respectful attitude and not coming here wanting to change things helps. Don't impose your will on others. Try to understand and be sensitive to natives' issues. Just keep smiling and being friendly. My mother used to say when she came across someone with a sour attitude that she would "kill them with kindness". Sure enough, she just aboout always managed to turn them around and make a new friend. So, my best advice is just that. "kill them with kindness". : )

[Nate SC]

Size first( how large of a human you are) and fear matter most to the individuals who "start Sh&t" in Puna. Most of the guys who start trouble are punks. They get fear all built up inside and they want a weak target. If your a big guy or in a group, no worries.
If you know how to carry yourself and your not out looking for trouble you'll be hard pressed to find trouble in Puna.
If you wanna fight? and you have a smart azz mouth?, I'm sure some "local" will "go" with you anytime. Fights, or a challenge to fight, are often said many different way's i.e.
1. "You like beef ?"- This is not asking you if you want a burger off the grill. This is asking if you have some sort of issue you'd like to resolve with your fist. This "may" happen one-on-one but rest assured if his friends or "cuzzins" are there your gonna get "jumped" on by all of them. Also expressed " Like scrap", "call you out" and many others.
Any confrontation is an esclation of events.
I'm saying, when some "idiot" looks at you and say's "What!" thats a challenge to fight, know this, thats either time for you to "put up" or "get out". Saying another word on your part just up's the "anty". After he challenges you with "What!", You get your stuff you pack the car, whatever the fug you need to do, you do, and leave at that point if you don't want to fight.

2. Don't "mad dog" people either. Thats when you stare or look at someone making eye contact without saying anything and not smilling.
If they ain't on fire don't stare at them, unless you know them or recognize them from church or work and they know your car.
3. If you see a group of young men hanging around sucking down beers, leave. I say leave unless you want trouble. Some people want trouble thats cool. I don't.

4. Numbers matter ! go in a group of 4 or 5 or 7, the more the better. Even if "Nate" is a "wimp", in a group of like 7 or 8 I'm "a bad Mo'Fo!" and saying outloud,
'we're leaving now lets go guys all nine of us' means we are all leaving as a group to the bad guys.

The best thing you can do is SMILE AND WAVE.

"Kharma is a bi^ch, but damn she has nice legs"

[Merd]

Such wonderful imformation! Thank you, everyone for your comments.

[Beachboy]

quote:

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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.

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That's just it! I thought the majority of you moved here because you fell in love with Puna the way it is. You know the old cliche," if it isn't broken, don't fix it"! I 'd hope most of you would moved here because you have a love for this rural area known as Puna. If you feel the need for bright lights and loud music,etc, etc, Kona is your place ,not Puna.

Handle every situation like a dog,If you can't eat it or hump it,piss on it and walk away...

[dmbwest]

Yep, this place has a vibe to it, you can feel it when you roll up. I come in, park my 10 year old Subaru without drama, say howzit, smile / nod or acknowlege anyone around and just keep going. If I get something off the cart, and it feels right, I usually ask the guys at the 'table' if they want something. So there I am, taking up space and I am about as haole as one can get but I don't see myself ever having a 'problem' other than possibly being in the wrong place @ the wrong time like Shane's window was between the thrower's hand and the gravity bound ground beyond it. Give love ( respect ) you get love sort of thing .... going down and playing with my hapa two year old doesn't hurt either ... this is my real 'protection' LOL.

I think one just has to feel things out .... as above, if you come in and theres only a bunch of young guys hanging out, you gotta' be pretty naive to think nothing is gonna' happen. Some people just don't 'get it' and they are easy prey. I think some of the worst moves are to come rolling up with your radio blasting, being oblivious to or ignoring ( even if you are scared of them ) people who are already there and settled. Lack of consideration. Having a bunch of tempting stuff in plain view ... ( balance between towels, fins and sand vs. perfectly clean but they know there is a camera or other valuables in there anyway )
And, sorry, a pet peeve of mine, setting your car alarm with the horn that goes off.

[LavaOcean]

UPDATE

Well I have two additional things to now report

First as most of you probably read in the newspaper Chef George who rus a small roadside grill at Pohoiki was attacked and beat with rocks before being robbed for his $250 in his cash pouch.

Next while fishing 2 mornings ago I had 2 dents where I must assume they missed my window and of course one managed to shatter my windshield. This all while theres suppost to be a security guard we pay our taxes for. The longer they wait to open that park up the more troubles we will have, what is the hold up.

Theres at least 5 other incidents in the past month.

Its sad that people who are not willing to take a chance lash out at those do. Pohoiki is a great place where we all can share, nuff already.

Shane Turpin
Lava Ocean Adventures

[Francesca]

quote:

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Its sad that people who are not willing to take a chance lash out at those do.

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What does this mean? Take a chance and do what? Do you even know who did any of these crimes, or are assumptions being made about who it was?