Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

[Amati]

Today State Rep Faye Hanohano issued an apology in response to what was described in a complaint as "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms" while in her capacity as an elected state legislator. Of particular interest was her phrasing in the apology, "I humbly apologize to all of you who may have been offended by sentiments expressed that were taken into the news media.". NOT that she is sorry to said those things, but that she is sorry if someone found the racist remarks offensive.

Here is the apology statement.

Here is the complaint letter that brought to light what she'd said.

Here are two background stories (the SA story will only be a link for about a day):
StarAdvertiser

State Rep. Faye Hanohano apologized today to those offended by racial and ethnic remarks she made earlier this week after being unhappy with artwork installed in her state Capitol office.

Exhibit specialists with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts had complained that Hanohano went on a tirade, which included words such as "haoles," "Japs," and "Pakes," after being disappointed that none of the art being installed in her office was from Native Hawaiian artists.

KITV News

Big Island Rep. Faye Hanohano apologized Thursday on the House floor about racial slurs she made this week about the artwork in her office.

The incident happened while state workers were installing the art on Monday.

A senior exhibit specialist with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts wrote a letter to his boss complaining about Hanohano's behavior.

The letter reads, "... the Representative came out of her personal office and began a tirade on how 'ugly' the artwork was and why weren't artworks being installed in her office done by Native Hawaiian artists."

Is racism alive and strong in Hawaii? Sadly, yes, and it rears its ugly head at unexpected moments. I do not believe someone with such lack of control over her prejudices such as Hanohano can be an effective legislator that represents the best for ALL of Hawaii.

[hawaiiguy]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

agree...how dare she throws her weight around ...cut the funding...she should be suspended or something of that nature...

[Kaonohi]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

Hmmm.An Hawaiian legislator is upset that none of the works being installed in her office are from Hawaiian artists. Legitimate complaint; there are numerous works available, and she has a right to display the artistic works of her people (which are numerous and beautiful.)

That she described the works of other cultures as "ugly" is a cultural determination, and equally valid.

So give her the Hawaiian artworks she desires, remove the other culture's arts. No problem.

I can even donate some, if she likes.

[Amati]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

Hmmm.An Hawaiian legislator is upset that none of the works being installed in her office are from Hawaiian artists. Legitimate complaint; there are numerous works available, and she has a right to display the artistic works of her people (which are numerous and beautiful.)

That she described the works of other cultures as "ugly" is a cultural determination, and equally valid.

So give her the Hawaiian artworks she desires, remove the other culture's arts. No problem.

Kaonohi, you are kidding, right? You think it is appropriate for an elected official to use in a culturally insensitive sentiment "haoles," "Japs," and "Pakes" when showing dissatisfaction [in this case with art selection]? No matter what the complaint she might have, I do not think she is able to control what evidently is racism on her part. I'm surprised that you support her racist mouthiness.

[Walkoff Balk]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

Is she calling other cultures other than hers are garbage? Her majesty thinks she better than everyone in Hawaii.

[Amati]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

Is she calling other cultures other than hers are garbage? Her majesty thinks she better than everyone in Hawaii.

Well, yes, because someone who thought of everyone else as an equal would not spout out the remarks she did.

Or, maybe she thinks she is just better than Caucasians, Japanese, or Chinese.

Yes, we all harbor our own prejudices, but hopefully we keep them in check and not have it affect our work or actions. But it is unacceptable for a State Legislator to burst out verbally in the State Capitol building their own prejudices, showing such a deep seated racial bias that it calls in to question if they can effectively represent the entirety of their constituent and other statewide residents.

[TuNnL]

wth?

Hmmm.An Hawaiian legislator is upset that none of the works being installed in her office are from Hawaiian artists. Legitimate complaint; there are numerous works available, and she has a right to display the artistic works of her people (which are numerous and beautiful.)

That she described the works of other cultures as "ugly" is a cultural determination, and equally valid.

So give her the Hawaiian artworks she desires, remove the other culture's arts. No problem.

Are you serious?! First of all, the office isn’t her office, it belongs to the State of Hawai‘i and its taxpayers. Really, Kaonohi — if you want to make this a cultural issue consider this: in kanaka maoli society, there was no such concept as ownership of land.

I have defended kanaka maoli rights as much as any on HT. But I think you are confusing the rights of a people with what is prudent behavior under our affirmative action and discrimination laws and guidelines. Ultimately, Rep. Hanohano is a state lawmaker which means she has already sold out to U.S. laws, acts and regulations... which bear with them the responsibility to reflect the entirety of her constituents in her words and actions.

[Merely Malihini]

Re: wth?

When I read of this in the web version of the Star Advertiser it was a bit of a shock in that I am due to send in final payments for an upcoming trip back out there in late April. There are many ways these types of attitude manifest themselves and I hope I stay clear of them! My relative told me that she prefers Bermuda because the trip is so far by plane! I wonder if I am just creature of habit now. Would never have imagined saying that last sentence 10 years ago!

[Kaonohi]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

Kaonohi, you are kidding, right? You think it is appropriate for an elected official to use in a culturally insensitive sentiment "haoles," "Japs," and "Pakes" when showing dissatisfaction [in this case with art selection]?

No, I was not kidding, but perhaps I didn't express myself cogently.

I believe Hanohano has the right to have whatever artwork she chooses in her office - in her space. I think it was inappropriate for her to use the terms she did (as an elected official).

However, I don't believe haole, Jap or pake to be racist terms. She may be a racist, but the terms are not derogatory. Nor is her condemnation of their artworks as "ugly;" were she an art critic, nobody would blink an eye.

Consider:

'haole' is a valid Hawaiian word for outsider, although it technically applies to any non-Hawaiian (even Samoans and Tahitians!), mostly it it used to refer to those of European ancestry, since they were the first 'outsiders' to come here.

'Jap' is just a shortened form of Japanese, like Brit is a shortened term for British.

'pake' is an Hawaiian term for someone of Chinese ancestry, the origin is controversial, but is said to come from either a Chinese word or a Chinese name.

These terms by themselves are no more racist than "European," "American," or "Hawaiian" (or Kanaka, for that matter), but are merely identifying terms.

Ms. Hanohano was certainly insensitive in their use of them, and she may be, by herself, racist, but I don't consider her remarks to be racist.

I recognize all of your various concerns and indigence and rationalizations as well, and agree with many of them. Yes our State is racist, more racist than before, and getting worse every year, but sometimes our sensitivity turns a minor incident into a Federal case.

[Ron Whitfield]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

The words haole and Jap were often preceeded with the F word and followed up with a fist, and the offensive woman meant it that way. She talked stupid and should pay a proper price, but as for as art being paid for and placed most anywhere in Hawaiiu, local and primarily Hawaiian artists should be used as often as possible.

[Amati]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

However, I don't believe haole, Jap or pake to be racist terms.

1) She was being racist in her choice of works when expressing a preference for Hawaiian artists' artwork. And context mean everything when calling out one race (or more) is done. She did not use those terms endearingly! [And while "haole" and "pake" are often used in a non-offensive way, there is no excuse to using the word "Jap" due to the negative connotations between that word and WWII. Hanohano certainly knows better than to use that word, especially in the course of her legislative role.]

2) She is a Hawaii State Representative, not an exclusively "Hawaiians Only Representative". How she handled her personal preference for Hawaiian artwork was presented as an insult to some other races.

3) It is reasonable to wonder if her lack of sensitivity and racism will encroach in to other areas of her legislative duties, where levelheadedness and non-partiality is important.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

Good points, Amati.

Let's remember this next election.

[Amati]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

She also tossed in

“Any work by Haoles, Japs, Paranges and Pakes, you can just take away right now,” Hanohano allegedly said.

What's a Paranges?

[GregLee]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

However, I don't believe haole, Jap or pake to be racist terms.

I'm not clear about exactly what makes a term racist, but my intuition is that "Jap" is indeed racist. It has to do with the way it's been used historically (not its etymology). "Haole", I don't think is racist. (If Hanohano had complained about the haole art in her office, no one would have even noticed.) I have no idea about "pake".

[Kaonohi]

Re: Hanohano's "culturally insensitive and racist criticisms"

OK, I'm out of here.

I understand the complaints by people who believe her comments were racist. I also understand her complaint that her office should have Hawaiian art.
I also understand those folk who take offense at her comments.
I'm just not bent that way.

I don't understand why this is such a big deal! Is it not just as racist to decry racism as it is to use it? Do not both perpetuate the idea of racism?

Perhaps I am missing something?

Please,enlighten me.