02-04-2015, 11:49 AM
quote:
Originally posted by shockwave rider
quote:
Originally posted by 2liveque
.... And white folks will be the dominant group of people who will continue to dictate laws, ordinances, policies, community development plans, etc. Especially in certain regions like Puna, Waikoloa, Ka'u, Kona, Maui, Kailua, Lanikai, Kamuela, Kapaa, etc, etc. etc.
If you think transplants from the mainland of any race or ethnicity have any real influence on "laws, ordinances, community development plans etc." here in Hawaii you are deluding yourself.
Transplants from the mainland are generally marginalized in almost all ways, don't have any important political connections, and have no access to political influence here. Listen to people testify at things like land use hearings and almost always the winning side has lines of people who start out with: I was born and raised here, I went to X school, I graduated from X high school, when they give their testimony. If you don't start out your testimony that way you might as well not even bother to sign up to speak, because your voice doesn't matter to the people making the decisions.
Our mayor with a law degree shows up at public meetings and talks in pidgin because the people he wants to hear him the clearest speak that way, if mainland transplants had any influence or pull he would be using the vernacular of a college educated lawyer in those meetings. Because, if nothing else, Billy knows how to speak the language of power.
Shockwave Rider, why did you not include the very next sentence I listed where it said "make no mistake about it...." I guess I might have hit a nerve. The mayor may speak pidgin, but look at the makeup of these meetings. Look at the makeup of these community groups. Look at the makeup of who is in these forums...in areas like Puna. I rest my case.