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Hi Wyatt,
Absolutely no offense taken. I believe we are ever evolving and because of that, Puna is a wonderful community. I'm referring to what has happened to Kona and hoping that never happens in Puna. Sometimes I wonder why people move here? To get away from the mainland or create the mainland here.
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Momi,
We felt compelled to move here. We almost stayed in Waianae.
The people of Waianae taught us much. Most importantly that the structure you live in does not define you. The day that Hawaii become like the mainland it is time for us to move on,.
Wyatt
"Yearn to understand first and to be understood second."
-- Beca Lewis Allen
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Awesomly said...
Mahalo Nui....
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At the same time, and I'm not excusing the scare tactic guy at all for using that manner to stop you from moving to Hawai`i. I do feel it is really important for everyone to see it from a locals or local Hawaiian point of view and if any of you locals out there want to correct me feel free to. Ok, wait... maybe I should just print this slam poem my son wrote before he graduated from Moloka`i High School for his Natural Resource Management last family nights closing statement last year. Please note, I'm not trying to down anyone at all... I'm just trying to give you an example of how it is for a local kid to grow up in Hawai`i today. Some people resort to scare tactics some people resort to education and seeing it from all points of view but staying culturally sensitive.
Poetry by Kawika Subiono
Slam Poem:
It’s our paradise, not theirs. Right now I’m passing by Ali’i Drive, and I wonder. How did it get there? How did it become this way? How could we let this happen? Those foreign to our nation have become the majority in our state. The stench in my nose is salty, and it isn’t from the ocean. I’m distressed. It was our paradise, not theirs. But every one wants their nest. Snowbirds take houses that they only use through the winter while the locals can barely afford to house their families through the year. High rent, cars, buildings, streets, politics. It’s our paradise, not theirs. Not theirs to take, not theirs to keep. And I ask myself again. How could we let this happen? Our culture has become a tourist attraction and my land has become the least in supply and most in demand, globally. "We have to take a stand." She tells me. My mom considers herself to be an activist, but where could we ever begin? I’m holding the thinnest string ever found because the chances of us ever being sovereign again, are slim to none. I want the government in Hawaii to be run by Hawaiians, and I wish that people like Linda Lingle could understand. Behind me is a rental car, in front of me is a rental car, and I am in the middle. Trapped Between the cars of foreigners, slowly closing the gap…on me… Slippers, poi, skin-diving, Uluas, kalua pig, imus, limu, and lois. Someone should have told them. It’s our paradise, not theirs. I want sovereignty, I want freedom, I wish for better days, but rarely do I see them. I remember less cars, I remember clean air, but most of all, I remember when my mom first said, "It’s our paradise, not theirs…"
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That is a very expressive poem. Hawai'i was taken away over a hundred years ago and it cannot be retaken by force. Nor can it be retaken by anger, or by pitting "us" versus "them". There are very few native Hawaiians (as opposed to recent imports) left, and so the numbers for an insurrection are not there. And stinkeye only keeps away the very timid.
However, it may be possible to reclaim Hawai'i through education, through spreading aloha, and through the more tangible and practical measure of coming up with a master plan for Hawai'i that doesn't depend on tourists and development and instead focuses on becoming self-sustaining.
I think the Hawaiian language is very important. To speak a language well, you must understand the culture (I was a French major, I know these things!). The immersion programs are great. I would be shooting toward making the Hawaiian language MANDATORY, with the ultimate goal of restoring the language and possibly making it THE language of the islands, and thus creating an important cultural bulwark. Do as Quebec does. We ridicule Quebec because as English speakers we do not like their resistance to our language and culture. But they are right and Quebec has preserved its cultural independence. Quebec should be the model for Hawaiian independence. It always galls me when shopkeepers say "hello" instead of "aloha" and look at you as if you are from the moon when you say "mahalo". The goal should be to make those who say "hello" seem a little odd (but not unwelcome). The Hawaiian language has survived beautifully in song. Bring back the language, and you will be a good way down the road toward restoring the culture.
Teaching "aloha" is a little harder. And no, it is not just a concept created by haoles to oppress. If you read a little, it is very clear that polynesians of the Hawaiian islands had a strong sense of community, of helping one another, and a gentle, relaxed way of life. This is completely at odds with the American way of life. People need to be reminded of why they are coming to the island in the first place. Personally, I intend to remain a type A+ personality until I get there! Because, to get there I need to be a type A+ personality! I will gear down to type B+ once I arrive and I can put my feet up. I promise.
We need to promote agriculture, and put a few brakes on development. I was blown away by the Hilo Farmers Market. Those people need to be supported because they sustain the island with food that has not been shipped in from Kansas or California.
A lot has been lost (see Brudda Iz, below). But there is still so much to be saved. And Puna would be a great place to start working on it together. That is the only way it is going to happen. You have to co-opt the majority.
"If just for a day our king and queen
would visit all these islands and saw everything
How would they 'bout the changing of our land
Could you just imagine if they were around
and saw highways on their sacred grounds
How would they feel if they 'bout this modern city life
Tears would come from each others eyes as
they would stop to realize
that our people are in great, great danger now
How would they feel
would their smiles be content
rather then cry
cry for the gods, cry for the people
cry for the lands that were taken away
and in it you'll find Hawaii
Could you just imagine if they came back
and saw traffic lights and railroad tracks
How would they feel about this modern city life
Tears would come from each others eyes as
they would stop to realize
that our land is in great, great danger now
All of the fighting that the king had done
to conquer all these islands
now there's condominiums
How would he feel if saw Hawaii now
How would he feel
would his smiles be content
rather then cry
cry for the gods, cry for the people
cry for the lands that were taken away
and in it you'll find Hawaii"
Edited by - glen on 02/26/2007 11:05:27
Edited by - glen on 02/26/2007 11:51:28
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Just in case anyone is interested - I run this forum and "got something to say?" is the way I run it. For everyone it cuts both ways.
Personally I've been enjoying most aspects of this and some other recent threads precisely because there are true elements of communication going on. Good communication requires at least two individuals and a willingness to explore a subject with an open mind and heart.
Keep it up folks.
Punaweb moderator
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Hi Rob, and Glen,
Thanks very much for that understanding. It's not that we don't want new comers, we just want sensitive people who love our land and lifestyle for what it is. It just is a little frustrating sometimes. but I know change is innevitable. You hit it on the nose Glen I'm sure you will be well received here. Thanks Rob alot. To tell you the truth before we left to Puna and I sent my last post before leaving Kona for the weekend, I really thought you would kick me off of this website because (I know) I sound sassy at times. Mahalo for allowing a voice (in all people in this forum) and awareness and no we don't have to all agree but it is great when we can try to see every perspective.
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Glen,
I don't think we want you to change. I like your personality in your posts. Your centipedephobia. I think anyone colorful like you should move here. I just didn't know you were as culturally aware as you are. My son is a Hawaiian immersion student (9 yrs old) and I cry when I hear them chant in the morning cause it is so beautiful. He teaches me a little. He has even helped me write chants that I have taught to other students. I'm very proud of both of my sons.
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Momi- If you knew how milipediphobic I am, you would beg me to rush my move. I also, am culturally aware, and the haole queen also cries when she hears my chant in the morning.
Especially after we've eaten Mexican for dinner. 
Aloha
Richwhiteboy
"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies."-
Groucho Marx
“Sometimes the truth hurts. And sometimes it feels real good.”
- Henry Rollins
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quote:
Just in case anyone is interested - I run this forum and "got something to say?" is the way I run it. For everyone it cuts both ways.
Personally I've been enjoying most aspects of this and some other recent threads precisely because there are true elements of communication going on. Good communication requires at least two individuals and a willingness to explore a subject with an open mind and heart.
Keep it up folks.
Punaweb moderator
Oooops sorry. I hit the reply button before I typed a reply.
Rob I agree 100% with the way you run this board. The fact that you don't interfere with the opinions of people and don't censor the posts and don't force your will upon the posters even if you don't agree is a very good thing. Thank you.
My take on the original poster's comments are more along the line of the difference in the way the two boards are managed and run. Without getting to detailed about how the other board is run I think as long as we can all have an opinion without attacking one another then all opinions should be welcome. JMHO.
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