E.C. Bali Hai Restaurant Tikis? - Collecting Tiki

A AlienTiki Member MAUI No Ka'oi Joined: Jul 08, 2005 Posts: 424	A AlienTiki Posted posted on Wed, May 9, 2007 3:26 PM I was affraid I might bait the Unscrupulous importer.:wink: On 2007-05-09 13:15, Rattiki wrote: Meanwhile to be angry at utilizing these folk's artisan skills is a bit foolhardy as this is a traditional art-form and livelihood for them, with teenage boys being utilized solely as apprentices in this age old craft that is well affixed in their local cultures. Sports shoe making on the other hand is just capitalist exploitation :P You can try and defend your actions all you want. The reason any person would look outside of the U.S for skilled artisans is MONEY, PROFIT and GREED. So the question is did you pay these carvers a living wage? Did you give them nearly what they were worth? 500% profit for the importer isn't exactly fare to the artist and then to pass that work off as being "made in the islands" is just insulting. Give the artists credit for what they have done. Ah yes "capitalist exploitation".:P Now I'm not saying this is your situation. I'm saying I don't agree with these business practices. So call me foolhardy all you like, if it will make you feel better. :lol: On 2007-05-09 13:18, Queen Kamehameha wrote: I am sorry that they have been importing them to Hawaii but How do you know it's an american businessman? You can state an opinion without insulting anyone. What you said above is wrong. Amy [ Edited by: Queen Kamehameha 2007-05-09 13:22 ] Amy my words were not directed at you, but the fact that you took them to heart speaks volumes. I KNOW American businessmen are importing them because I have spoken to them personally and asked them where they got the carvings. They said they get several containers full every couple of months. The guy even told me he makes a killing. They said they fly to Bali pick out the carvings (all Hawaiian themed stuff turtles, whales and tikis) and the hard working carvers even help pack the crates. So I never assumed anything, just stated an opinion and a very valid one. And I'm glad you boast your backyard is 90% filled with TC stuff. That’s fantastic, you are a true patron. What I said was 100% right and for you to think American businessmen never take advantage of indigenous peoples or of the gullibility of the buyer is just naive. I meant no offence to you Amy, and I'm sorry you took insult from my words. Aloha and caveat emptor E

I was affraid I might bait the Unscrupulous importer.:wink:

On 2007-05-09 13:15, Rattiki wrote:

Meanwhile to be angry at utilizing these folk's artisan skills is a bit foolhardy as this is a traditional art-form and livelihood for them, with teenage boys being utilized solely as apprentices in this age old craft that is well affixed in their local cultures. Sports shoe making on the other hand is just capitalist exploitation :P

You can try and defend your actions all you want. The reason any person would look outside of the U.S for skilled artisans is MONEY, PROFIT and GREED. So the question is did you pay these carvers a living wage? Did you give them nearly what they were worth? 500% profit for the importer isn't exactly fare to the artist and then to pass that work off as being "made in the islands" is just insulting. Give the artists credit for what they have done. Ah yes "capitalist exploitation".:P

Now I'm not saying this is your situation. I'm saying I don't agree with these business practices. So call me foolhardy all you like, if it will make you feel better. :lol:

On 2007-05-09 13:18, Queen Kamehameha wrote:

I am sorry that they have been importing them to Hawaii but How do you know it's an american businessman?

You can state an opinion without insulting anyone. What you said above is wrong.

Amy

[ Edited by: Queen Kamehameha 2007-05-09 13:22 ]

Amy my words were not directed at you, but the fact that you took them to heart speaks volumes.

I KNOW American businessmen are importing them because I have spoken to them personally and asked them where they got the carvings. They said they get several containers full every couple of months. The guy even told me he makes a killing. They said they fly to Bali pick out the carvings (all Hawaiian themed stuff turtles, whales and tikis) and the hard working carvers even help pack the crates.

So I never assumed anything, just stated an opinion and a very valid one. And I'm glad you boast your backyard is 90% filled with TC stuff. That’s fantastic, you are a true patron.

What I said was 100% right and for you to think American businessmen never take advantage of indigenous peoples or of the gullibility of the buyer is just naive.

I meant no offence to you Amy, and I'm sorry you took insult from my words.

Aloha and caveat emptor
E

Post #305218 by AlienTiki on Wed, May 9, 2007 3:26 PM