John Oliver Last Week Tonight - Hawaii

[randomq]

Ironyak, don't pull a Tom, it doesn't suit you.

And regardless of whether they are a state agency, they have a separate budget and mandate than the rest of the state government. And they are terrible at it.

[ironyak]

Sheesh - assume the best and ask questions?

Agreed - they, HHC/DHHL, are terrible at their mandate, and have been for decades, regardless of if they are under the feds or the state. But they do currently raise money which resides with the state of Hawaii which hasn't been well used for the benefit of actual native Hawaiians as legally required. The fact that they, HHC/DHHL, are now using that money to buy up various properties, instead of developing current homeland parcels, should raise more than a few eyebrows as to what role they actually play on behalf of the state of Hawaii.

[HiloJulie]

Rumor has it that Albert Hee is going to need a job soon. 

I’m sure there is something he could do with DHHL and helping out the “Native Hawaiians” who have been waiting decades for their rightful share. As long as he gets his share first.

[ironyak]

HOTPE - Hey! Rocky! Watch me pull a homeland out of my hat! Nothin’ up my sleeve…

I think Stafford Beer's maxim "The purpose of a system is what it does" and there is "no point in claiming that the purpose of a system is to do what it constantly fails to do" applies here. In HHC/DHHL's case, while tens-of-thousands of native Hawaiians can't manage to access the land legally set aside for their benefit for over a century, commercial projects like Hilo's airport, shopping mall, Target, etc, continue to manage to be completed, historically without much if any compensation to the beneficiaries.

Given that the Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, and only a minority need to have the most minuscule familial connection to the native Hawaiian community who have no say in these appointments, it should be clear whose interests are being represented. HHC/DHHL, appointed by the state, acting on behalf of the state, develops prime real estate that would otherwise be off limits since at least 1920 and are fine appearing like a bumbling moose magician in minimally meeting their mandate if it keeps the process rolling. The purpose of a system is what it does.

[Punatang]

If you've had enough conspiracy theories, Naka Nathaniel chimed in in an article focused on inequality.

 "Starting with knowledge and understanding goes a long way. Being knowledgeable about the history of Hawaii helps. That’s why John Oliver’s history lesson on HBO resonated with so many audiences. His report was entertaining, educational and not laborious."

https://www.civilbeat.org/2024/08/naka-n...nequality/

[ironyak]

You may not see this, but it was an interesting article, thanks. The comments were even more interesting imho as they reflect both the divide in cultural perspectives but also the clear sense that something has got to change. What's the ninth island giving for an over-under on that happening anytime soon?

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

they reflect both the divide in cultural perspectives but also the clear sense that something has got to change. 

The article and comment section make good points, but I would ask, isn’t this true of any nation or culture? If you were a native Hawaiian and had to carry sandalwood logs off the mauna, or work in the adze quarry would you think the ali’i system of government was in your best interest? Or a poor white American living in rural area without job opportunities because a large company recently closed down?

This may be a Hawaiian problem, but ultimately it’s a human problem.  The average native Hawaiian has more in common with the average white resident here than they do with the ali’i of old.  The average white person here has almost nothing in common with Zuckerberg or Ellison.

[MyManao]

If you were a native Hawaiian and had to carry sandalwood logs off the mauna, or work in the adze quarry would you think the ali’i system of government was in your best interest?

Spoken like a true haole. Seriously, Edge, why are you imposing your beliefs on others? Maybe, just maybe, to work in the quarry was a gifted position, highly exalted, open to only a select few, and revered throughout society.. the value of their product sure suggests as much to me..

Sheesh, who knows? Maybe working as part of a ohana doesn't include the selfishness you suggest folks be saddled with. Maybe all that me me me stuff is itself a haole construct..

[kalakoa]

"Gifted" and "exalted" positions are typically offered when there is no "monetary compensation".

[MyManao]

"Gifted" and "exalted" positions are typically offered when there is no "monetary compensation".

Money wasn't introduced in the islands until the mid-1800s

So, yeah, haoles seem to be able to impose their beliefs on others without consideration of the reality.. left right and center. Thanks for adding your's kalakoa.