09-06-2014, 07:02 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 2liveque
Western lens is highly influenced by Christianity and the belief that man claims dominion over just about everything. This has been indoctrinated in the thinking of many folks into believing that man can do anything "HE" puts his mind to. In short, if we can damn a river, fly to the moon, and explore the deepest recesses of the ocean, then by golly, we should be able to "divert" a freek'n lava flow! Arrogance often colors the western lens. And make no mistake about it, many non-westerners, have also subscribed to this ideology.
The Native lens speaks otherwise. While many of you may acknowledge the presence of the "host" culture and be so quick to drop Merrie Monarch reference or the name of Hawaiians who have either befrended you, or impregnated a family member, the truth of it all is that most (and I do emphasize most --if this dont' apply to you, then don't be offended), -- MOST transplanted folks sitting in the lava update meetings show that they could give a rats behind about Hawaiians and their tutu Pele. They may never admit it, but rest assured, body language and the eyes of the beholder tell the true story. Especially when the Hawaiians get on the mic. Kudos to that European lady who went up, made her feelings know about Hawaiians, and got booed off the mic. At least she had courage enough to say her true convictions. Unlike many others who keep their ethnocentric feelings under wraps. The native lens is a land/ocean/wind/sky NATURE based lens. Whether you chose to believe in Pele or not, the native lens allows for one to acknowledge the "godliness" of nature. Two very different ideologies at play in Puna and the rest of our state for that matter. I'm refraining from using the "H" word, as many seem to get too offended by the term. But make no mistake about it, all folks who continue to suggest diversion are in fact H____es. Transplants to Puna who have no true connection to the land beyond their 1-(insert your time in Puna here). As the years go by, many feel like they now have a say (AND A RIGHT!) to pretty much utter what they please. This certainly does not apply to all transplants, so please don't get offended if my observations don't apply to you. Those who I speak of come with an ideology that is very self-centered, based upon their own needs, and their own wants, their own "right," their own attorney, policies, laws, money. Money, which is a western God by the way, allows for folks to feel once again, like they the humans, can do as they please. Many come with continental-centric approaches that have them believing that they are 1) smarter than Hawaiians and locals, and 2) people should listen to them, because they are smart and they know more than these "experts" in Hawaii.
Well my friends, if the shoe fits -- Tutu Pele will remind you of how HOT the ground will get underneath you. 'Eo Tutu. Mahalo for presence.
Do you honestly believe this crap? I know we tend to only remember the good times and down play the bad. I would put most alii as brutal and dominating as any european king.
Look into how the common people were treated and how most of what they produced were taken by the alii. The alii couldn't cut down the sandalwood forests down fast enough so they could live it up at the expenses of the commoners.
I am not defending Europeans they did they share of evil s***, but this romanticized bull**** of native life needs a realty check.
Hawaiian culture, religion and language were killed by the kings and queens of hawaii. Kamehameha's wife and son were the ones who scrapped most of it. Heck, Kamehameha himself was the one who change the old ways to allow women and men to eat together.
The main reason for the Merrie Monarch Fesitval and King Kalakaua was called the Merrie Monarch was based he restored a lot of the cultural traditions.
That is why I laugh and cry on the inside with all the lawsuits about "cultural traditions and sensitivity". The fact is the State of Hawaii has done more to preserve the cultural, language and people of Hawaii then the Kingdom of Hawaii ever has. At least with the state you have a voice and freedom, with the Kingdom of Hawaii you would have been executed for speaking against the monarch.
I really wish you would actually learn the history of hawaii instead of this romanticized noble native lens crap.