Fern Forest community lot

[David M]

QUOTE from kani-lehua: - "consider ourselves to be nice people"

agree

David

Ninole Resident

[DanielP]

This local/newcomer issue is B.S. It is veiled elitism and/or racism which is divisive and destructive. The notion of having to "walk on eggshells" so as not to offend the "Locals" is nonsense. Sure, it makes sense to observe and respect local customs, but to be held as second class people because you are a newcomer stinks.

Most of the "Locals" are not of pure Hawaiian blood, as if that matters, but many carry a chip on their shoulders towards Haoles.

One of the things that I really enjoy about Hawaii is the cultural diversity, but the overt and the veiled racism really sucks. I can feel how minorities feel when they move to backward and moronic thinking communities on the mainland.

Come on people, now, smile on your Brother,
Dan

[tlboyles1]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Daniel

Is that the place that had several police cars there a few weeks ago and where the self-appointed whatever they call themselves live?

Daniel R Diamond

---

I do not appreciate things like this and there was a lot of it from certain people when we were there last December.... feeding false info in order to suck us into their way of thinking. It actually worked for a while, which I am not happy with myself about.

The "self-appointed whatever they call themselves"??? I believe there was a vote for the Community Center President. Are we talking the same thing? I think I was there during a small "victory celebration". Not self-appointed, unless you are implying that there was election fraud? If so, state it. Otherwise, please don't make statements like this that is just spreading misinformation.

If you don't like the election results, that's fine.... say you don't. But don't make it sound like he's self appointed and just took the place over illegally. Someone may believe you (which I almost fell into) based on false information. The truth works better.

[DanielP]

There are a couple of issues going on there.

There is a small group of people who have taken up residence there on the community lot. It is not legal and they refuse to leave.

The other issue is that there are those who believe that the election of board members was not properly administered.

Compromise seems non-existent.

A Shame

[pslamont]

I have been here six years. When I arrived Fern Forrest was a bit of a scary place. Filled with a lot of homeless squatting on lots, drug dealing open at the community center, many without facilities who let their sewage roll across the land. The police avoided the area whenever possible. THAT HAS ALL CHANGED.

As with all communities begun in poverty, those who see opportunity move in because the prices are good and begin making headway toward a better situation. I am not talking about Haole's who come to "Fix" Hawaiian culture. I am talking about all people... but mostly families, who have bought, built, created good neighborhoods, extended their good cheer to the community and helped it develop into a different place, a better place. This is not about Hawaiian culture or race. It is about homes vs. tents... cesspools ... running water... power.... landscaping... cheerful helpful neighbors.... sharing, quality of life issues.

In my opinion, the "flavor" of Fern Forrest has moved in a wonderful direction. With luck, those few who remain homeless will see opportunities for themselves in the future. If it were you living homeless in the rainforest, I am sure you would learn to take up whatever shelter you could to survive. Don't look on the homeless as bad people. These are people who's life circumstances have reduced them to survival mode. They get by one day at a time. They need a better alternative; maybe you can help be part of figuring out what that is.

In the meantime, if you are a Fern Forrest dweller, continue to develop your community along physical, political and cultural lines. Work together. Everyone will prosper.

I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says

"Oh Crap, She's up!"

[tlboyles1]

Compromise and talking would be AWESOME. It's hard to expect that that will happen when people just spout off and make accusations. The community center should be for everyone, and I really wish everyone would visit and get to know one another better. That's what we attempt to do whenever we are there.

For some though, they have a particular vision of what the place should be like and anything less is not acceptable. Such as, it should close at 5 or 6 PM because "there's smoking and drinking going on", etc. Oh, the horror. I have seen no trouble there. Everyone should feel welcome. I thought it was sad that people had given us the impression that we would not be welcome. Everyone should get along.

If the people who have their preconceived notions about how things have to be to suit them would come, talk, and compromise.... the community center would be better for it. But many don't. They don't like it, they don't visit it, and they spread false info about what's going on so hopefully they can get enough people to see it their way make and get it changed to their liking. The community center should be a place where EVERYONE comes and works out the differences in a civil matter. DON'T BE AFRAID and don't just be hateful. My feeling was that everyone really is welcome. So come! Don't just stay away and try to make it a perfect place for you, to the exclusion of all else. Some people will just not do that.

[DanielP]

Well Pam,

It has not ALL changed. Overall there has been some good momentum, but that gets interupted. It is in transition. Some good, some not so good.

I used to visit the community lot and made friends, met alot of nice folks, made significant contributions, then one group starts to disagree with another and then stink starts. For now, I'm pau there. Like I said, there is a significant lack of compromise. Childish stubborness.

Aloha, Dan

[kani-lehua]

looks like there's a farmers' market set to take place at the community lot on saturdays.

hey, davidm: say hi to sophie for us.



"a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."

w. james

[tlboyles1]

Makes me really wish I was there to check it out. Sounds like a great thing for the community center and an excellent way to get more people out there to mingle, get to know each other better, as well as pick up some good produce. Hope it's a great success!

[aoist]

Thank you for the answer DanielP. My lot is about a mile from there.
tlboyles1, no, like you, I'm not there now but in all likelihood, I'll be there by this summer.
I read about the community lot troubles (perceived or not) on the internet and wondered how close I was to it. Almost seems like there are two differing views on the situation there right now.
I'd just like to say that although I'm not a stranger to homelessness, I'm just hoping these are people of good heart and earnestness; after all, they may become my neighbors.
Tom


Tom