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Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

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  • Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

    There are people who come to Hawaii. They roll in the white sands and they dive through the oceanic blue waves. And they think that they love Hawaii.

    No, you don't love Hawaii. You don't even know Hawaii enough to love Hawaii. So don't tell me that you love Hawaii. You insult the words 'love' and 'Hawaii' in the same sentence by telling me that you love Hawaii. It's not that you shouldn't utter these words. Do so, by all means. Just know that you will never love Hawaii as much as I do.

    Hawaiians feel violated when tourists came to only enjoy but are not doing their part to invest and preserve what we have held sacred for centuries. People visiting Hawaii can’t just assume that Hawaii belongs to them just because they can pay for it financially. You cannot afford the Aloha spirit, my friend. We give it to you despite you being able to afford it, because my Hawaiian heart is so big. Never forget that. You cannot demand the Aloha Spirit bow down to you just because you swiped your plastic off the of the ass-crack of the credit-card machine. No, I don't care how much you pronounce love for Hawaii, you don't have equal rights to it as much as Hawaiin natives do, as I do.

    Many come as conservationists to further their own careers. You want to preach your sermons and tell me how I should love my Hawaii. You may know all that about environmental science, but don't assume that you love Hawaii as much as I do. Don't go there, my friend. You don't want to go there.

    Generations of my ancestors died in Hawaii. The Hawaiian spirit was a part of their blood. It was a part of their spirit. It was who they were. How could you, who has just come in your air-conditioned jet-liner on your two week vacation understand how they felt? How my people feel. How I feel? How dare you assume that you love Hawaii the way I do? How dare you insult what I feel for my Hawaii by daring to assume that you feel the same as I do about my Hawaii?

    Please don't.

    Here is what you may do:

    Come. Respect. Even enjoy Hawaii. Respectfully. Be willing to invest back in at least what you took out. You are welcome to. Don't disturb the peace and leave this sacred space as you have found it, in the minimum. Invest in sustainable development of this sacred land and the spirit that makes it Hawaii. That spirit goes a lot deeper than you will see with the most expensive polarised glasses.

    But never assume that you are one of us. You will never be.
    Don't be foolish enough to imagine and assume that the spirit of my ancestors will haunt you as they haunt me. Do you remain awake, troubled at night because of feeling their ache and pain of what Hawaii has become? Do you feel the guilt churning in your blood stream? Do you feel the responsibility grip you in your bones?
    If you don't feel all those things, my friend, don't assume that you feel for Hawaii as I do.

    So come and visit this beautiful land. Come to Hawaii, my friend. You are welcome to. Welcome to come and enjoy and be tourists. Wash yourselves in the waterfalls. Bathe yourself in the sands. Heal your hearts and go home to where ever you came from. Take Hawaii and the Aloha Spirit back in your hearts. Us Hawaiians over-flow with the Aloha Spirit. We have so much that we give it away with a smile on our face. Such is our culture. Such is the heart of our people.
    But you will never be one of us untill your family and your ancestors give many many lifetimes of their labor and love and blood to this sacred land called Hawaii. Know that! Never forget that. It is not that cheap to call yourself a true Hawaiian--one that loves this land and it's people and the culture with his heart and soul.
    Last edited by brah; November 7, 2011, 01:22 PM.

  • #2
    Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

    Brah, most of what you say is right on, but you'll never win with the old 'come to Hawaii, and then leave' attitude. Those days are over.
    https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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    • #3
      Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

      Explain what you mean, Ron.

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      • #4
        Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

        So brah, should native mainlanders feel the same way about Hawaiians who now call some State on the mainland their home? Should the original prehistoric inhabitants of what is now called Hawai'i feel the same way about those who displaced them and now call themselves "native Hawaiians"? Your statement and these are deep philosophical questions with no easy answers.

        Blessed Be, Brah.
        Peace, Love, and Local Grindz

        People who form FIRM opinions with so little knowledge only pretend to be open-minded. They select their facts like food from a buffet. David R. Dow

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        • #5
          Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

          Originally posted by brah View Post
          Explain what you mean, Ron.
          Hawaii isn't Hawaiian much any more. We whities came here and screwed you over like we do everywhere we've gone, it's what we do. Along the way many Hawaiian's lost much of what made them awesome and now it's blended into a shallow minded mess.
          See, you shouldn't have asked me to explain.
          But we're all here now, nobody much but Hawaiians are leaving, Hawaii has been reduced to merely a fun $ place, most Hawaiians I know are OK (not delirious) with modern benefits vs old isolated ways and would rather make the best of an unfortunate situation. Overall, it seems Hawaiians want the wrongs at least acknowledged, beyond that, most will move on with life.

          Or...
          https://www.facebook.com/Bobby-Ingan...5875444640256/

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          • #6
            Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

            I wish things could have been different. If it were up to me Hawai'i would still be an independent kingdom. But thats not the way it turned out. After the sugar revolution there was some serious effort to return sovereignty to the Islands. It didn't happen. Things should have been better. They could have been a lot worse. Russia had a historic "claim" with their ancient fort on Kaua'i. Obviously things would have worked out a lot worse if Russia had annexed Hawai'i.

            So if you could write the ideal history of contact, what would it have been? The haoles have brought some good things. Computers, electricity, western medicine has a lot to be said for it, some aspects of Christianity are pretty good especially if you believe the Christian Bible identifies God correctly. At this point in my life I seriously question if democracy is really so hot considering the leaders voters have been manipulated into voting for of late, so I don't see anything inherently wonderful in democracy or inherently evil in a monarchy like the Hawaiian monarchy. No contact at all? No, it had to happen. The native Americans got it worse, including across Latin America. But I do wish things could have been better for everyone, especially the Hawaiians. I can't apologize for being a haole. If it makes any difference, I express regret at what America and haoles did to Hawaiians. If it makes any sense to apologize for what my race did, I do. Sincerely. Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You, as always, would have been the best guide. Sorry.

            If it makes any difference, native American tribes that own casinos are getting fabulously rich. In San Diego the local tribes now own the sports arena, the classiest hotels downtown, the leading sports radio station in southern California and quite a bit more. So the wheel does turn. All on its own, in its own time, it turns.

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            • #7
              Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

              Originally posted by matapule View Post
              So brah, should native mainlanders feel the same way about Hawaiians who now call some State on the mainland their home? Should the original prehistoric inhabitants of what is now called Hawai'i feel the same way about those who displaced them and now call themselves "native Hawaiians"? Your statement and these are deep philosophical questions with no easy answers.

              Blessed Be, Brah.
              Yes native mainlanders should feel the same way about the land of their people. Yes you are damn right they should. They should feel the pride of their ancestors in their veins as well. Their blood should boil with it.
              They should demand that the land of their ancestors be respected. You're damn right that they demand that this sacred land of theirs where the spirit of their ancestors once hunted and fished and where they grazed their cattle and worshipped be seen as sacred.

              I don't say all this with any animosity to you, friend.

              But I do say the above words with a lot of outrage. Outrage at the pissing away at the sacredness that we the ancient people feel.

              The sacredness of our emotions has been pissed away by theorizing it away. We have been anthropomorphised away. We are painted as barbaric and sub-human. We have been laughed away by "serious thinkers and theologians." This is all bull-shit.

              Why do we all need to be forced to give up our love and the depth of the emotion of what we feel to what we hold sacred? Why should we be forced to be "cool" enough to have to jump on the latest "trendy" bandwagon that is simply making some MTV executive wealthy? Why are we Hawaiians painted as barbarians just because we wish to hold unto what we hold to be sacred...what our parents, grand-parents and our ancestors held unto as sacred for so many years?

              You say that there is no easy answer. Why do you say this? The answer is easy.

              The answer is that we all need to find, search and hold unto our roots. For those who lose their way to their own roots will find themselves lost in the canopy of the jungle where all leaves, twigs and branches mix. And there my friend, you will not know what tree that you, the leaf, belong to. And as much as all the trees, branches, leaves, twigs and buds make up the jungle, remember, that you are but a leaf. You are but one leaf. A specific leaf that is nurtured by a specific branch. That branch is attached and fed by a certain trunk in that jungle. And that trunk is a part of a certain type of a tree. And that tree's roots go deep deep inside the soil to bring nutrients to the trunk. And that trunk feeds the branch. And that branch in turn feeds the specific twig that you the leaf are hanging off of... in the breeze, sunning yourself.

              But in the modern day and age, I realize that I have forgotten all of this. I have gotten so carried away with celebrating the oneness of the jungle...that I, a Hawaiian, have forgotten the specific tree that I belong to that nurtures and sustains the unique individual that I am. It is this tree that has sustained the identity of my parents and grandparents. It is this tree that had fed and nurtured and made my ancestors proud. It was through this tree that the Aloha spirit came to life in the jungle.

              But we have forgotten all of this. Everyone wants us to simply lose our identity and individuality and merge in the blended mushy juice that is MTV culture. And that is bullshit!

              Each individual tree needs to be appreciated and fed on it's own account for us all to enjoy a jungle. I am responsible for my tree. And you are responsible for yours.

              What is the difficulty in understanding that?

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              • #8
                Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                Eh Brah,
                You do have some true points. I myself don't like it when visitors are messy or disrespectful of Hawai'i, but to tell the truth more locals (long or short term) of every ancestry are a problem too. Having an over the top mean attitude never helps.

                As far as the history and eventual take over of Hawai'i, it is truly a sad situation.
                As we all know... Through out history there has been a number of migrations, at times forced, and invasions that result in either new nations being created or loss of territory. Many times it’s not just a transfer of control of territory but an influx of a new culture displacing the prevous one.

                It has been going on from the beginning of mankind and we should all do the best we can to love our spouses, house our kids and follow our dreams. In other words make the best of the life we have.
                Life is either an adventure... or you're not doing it right!!!

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                • #9
                  Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                  Originally posted by Menehune Man View Post
                  Eh Brah,
                  You do have some true points. I myself don't like it when visitors are messy or disrespectful of Hawai'i, but to tell the truth more locals (long or short term) of every ancestry are a problem too.
                  Quoted for truth.

                  You know, all those old refrigerators, tv sets, car batteries and other bulky eye-sores that are dumped in sites around the Leeward side,.... none of that was created by visiting tourists. Many of the culprits are local bruddahs and sistas who have called Hawaii their home from the time they were born. So let's not kid ourselves here by having a discussion about oversimplified stereotypes. Especially the ones that exclusively target tourists or malahini as being the source of all of Hawaii's problems. Sad to say, there are some lifelong residents here of various ethnicities who have failed to do their part to love the land.
                  Last edited by Frankie's Market; November 8, 2011, 10:06 AM.
                  This post may contain an opinion that may conflict with your opinion. Do not take it personal. Polite discussion of difference of opinion is welcome.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                    But that's exactly what I am saying. I'm not proposing that we hate on anyone. I'm saying: First let us begin by loving our own land, culture and having pride in our own people. What is wrong with what I'm saying?

                    Originally posted by Frankie's Market View Post
                    Quoted for truth.

                    You know, all those old refrigerators, tv sets, car batteries and other bulky eye-sores that are dumped in sites around the Leeward side,.... none of that was created by visiting tourists. Many of the culprits are local bruddahs and sistas who have called Hawaii their home from the time they were born. So let's not kid ourselves here by having a discussion about oversimplified stereotypes. Especially the ones that exclusively target tourists or malahini as being the source of all of Hawaii's problems. Sad to say, there are some lifelong residents here of various ethnicities who have failed to do their part to love the land.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                      Originally posted by brah View Post
                      What is wrong with what I'm saying?
                      Simply, the assumption that you speak for all Hawaiians, with the "holier-than-thou" nature of statements like:
                      Originally posted by brah View Post
                      No, you don't love Hawaii. You don't even know Hawaii enough to love Hawaii. So don't tell me that you love Hawaii. You insult the words 'love' and 'Hawaii' in the same sentence by telling me that you love Hawaii. --- Just know that you will never love Hawaii as much as I do. --- I don't care how much you pronounce love for Hawaii, you don't have equal rights to it as much as Hawaiin natives do, as I do. --- don't assume that you love Hawaii as much as I do.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                        Originally posted by Leo Lakio View Post
                        Simply, the assumption that you speak for all Hawaiians, with the "holier-than-thou" nature of statements like:

                        My ancestors and my people have a lot invested across centuries in this land and culture. If you as a Hawaiian don't want to feel pride in your culture and your people, that's your problem. How you manifest that pride or shame is your business. How I manifest my pride in my culture and my people is my business.

                        But I'm sorry, but I'm not ready to be so damned politically correct that I stifle my pride because I need to appeal to everyone and be accepted in all sophisticated circles. I don't need to be accepted by everyone.

                        If you feel the need to reject me because of my stance. Please, feel free to do so. But I will not queit the fire in my heart.

                        Leo,
                        It is too much politically correct abstracted out thinking of arm chair philosophers like you that has watered away the passion of the Hawaiian heart.
                        Last edited by brah; November 8, 2011, 12:30 PM.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                          Brah, your pride and your passion are beautiful and should not be stifled. But you cannot ever assume all kanaka feel the same, nor are you in a position to diminish any who do not express their pride in the same fashion.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                            Originally posted by brah View Post
                            My ancestors and my people have a lot invested across centuries in this land and culture. If you as a Hawaiian don't want to feel pride in your culture and your people, that's your problem. How you manifest that pride or shame is your business. How I manifest my pride in my culture and my people is my business.

                            But I'm sorry, but I'm not ready to be so damned politically correct that I stifle my pride because I need to appeal to everyone and be accepted in all sophisticated circles. I don't need to be accepted by everyone.

                            If you feel the need to reject me because of my stance. Please, feel free to do so. But I will not queit the fire in my heart.

                            Leo,
                            It is too much politically correct abstracted out thinking of arm chair philosophers like you that has watered away the passion of the Hawaiian heart.
                            The one thing I despise more than anything is when anyone tries to "should" all over me.

                            Leo is right. You are acting 'holier-than-thou.' Fine, if that's where you are now, that's cool. You won't get rejection from me, I've been there-done that myself. You do have my sympathy for your naivete - which surprises me because you are obviously well-educated (by both haole and Hawaiians, I perceive).

                            Do as you like. Be yourself, whatever. Welcome to Hawaii Threads. If you want things to change, however, appeal to people's hearts, not to their shame.
                            Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!
                            ~ ~
                            Kaʻonohiʻulaʻokahōkūmiomioʻehiku
                            Spreading the virus of ALOHA.
                            Oh Chu. If only you could have seen what I've seen, with your eyes.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Loving Hawaii is not THAT cheap!

                              with all respect to you "Brah" - before you jumped in here and started attacking everyone, making assumptions about others motives - it would have been nice to have had some sort of thing, like introducing yourself? You know, the way Hawaiians would do when approaching new places or people? Who are you to just start attacking people without knowing who they are or what their backgrounds are? I personally have pretty much gotten worn out by angry Hawaiians always attacking. If you want change - lets see YOU out there on the front lines, demonstrating and protesting - not just posting on here. and don't bother attacking me personally because it just won't wash with me. I've been out there for many years marching & protesting. and so have many others I know.
                              "Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be."
                              – Sydney J. Harris

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