03-18-2012, 02:48 PM
I agree there is no need to be defensive. It is good to remember that other places can be incredibly enjoyable and that Hawai'i has trade-offs. People come here on vacation high and don't want to leave, and are amazed at the thought they could come back and be here all the time.
What's wrong with a little of the counter? If a place is so great, there is no need to be defensive or to put down those who don't like it.
The worst thing, if you live in the perfect place on earth for you, is to have everyone else on the planet decide to come there, including people who aren't a good fit.
Back in 1969, I moved to Taos when thousands of people had poured into the place looking for a dream. The climate and the culture made quick work of people who weren't cut out for it (I sure wasn't ready for that winter, and left).
Moved to Mendocino in the 70's with many many people looking to live on the land. Again, after 5-10 years, those who were suited for life in the country stayed, while others went back to areas with a bit more going on. The Puna dream is much like what I saw 35 years ago. Only instead of bugs and ratlung and weeds, it was chopping firewood, coastal fog, battling mold and mice, and a two hour drive to real shopping. Instead of stink-eye and ice it was redneck loggers, fishermen, heroin and speed, mean bikers and crotchety old-timers who didn't truck with newcomers. But ... those were great times due to the incredible sense of community.
Speaking of crime, my first intro to local style corruption was in Taos. Some local kids who were related to the police gang-raped a hippy girl at one of the hot springs, and the police would not prosecute it because of who the perps were, and the girl was just a hippy. That's when my dreams of utopia got a reality check ... and it happens here too ... the culture is rather similar except at least here there is the idea of Aloha which presents an ideal towards which we can aim.
What's wrong with a little of the counter? If a place is so great, there is no need to be defensive or to put down those who don't like it.
The worst thing, if you live in the perfect place on earth for you, is to have everyone else on the planet decide to come there, including people who aren't a good fit.
Back in 1969, I moved to Taos when thousands of people had poured into the place looking for a dream. The climate and the culture made quick work of people who weren't cut out for it (I sure wasn't ready for that winter, and left).
Moved to Mendocino in the 70's with many many people looking to live on the land. Again, after 5-10 years, those who were suited for life in the country stayed, while others went back to areas with a bit more going on. The Puna dream is much like what I saw 35 years ago. Only instead of bugs and ratlung and weeds, it was chopping firewood, coastal fog, battling mold and mice, and a two hour drive to real shopping. Instead of stink-eye and ice it was redneck loggers, fishermen, heroin and speed, mean bikers and crotchety old-timers who didn't truck with newcomers. But ... those were great times due to the incredible sense of community.
Speaking of crime, my first intro to local style corruption was in Taos. Some local kids who were related to the police gang-raped a hippy girl at one of the hot springs, and the police would not prosecute it because of who the perps were, and the girl was just a hippy. That's when my dreams of utopia got a reality check ... and it happens here too ... the culture is rather similar except at least here there is the idea of Aloha which presents an ideal towards which we can aim.