Post #326982 by YankeeAirPirate on Tue, Aug 21, 2007 6:48 AM

My family has been in Hawaii since the colonial days. They may have had a part in the move to statehood and the homogenization of Hawaii and I've tried to atone for this by studying and preserving the culture.

The Hawaii we know today is due largely to the mixing and blending of Pacific Rim races and cultures on the plantations of old Hawaii. The races were separated into different camps to discourage clashes, but this just deepened the cultural rift. When the races finally got together, watch out! Each one was desperately trying to hang on to traditions brought from the old country while simultaneously learning the cultures of the people around them. This mix would have happened sooner or later, but the plantations sped things up a bit.

The colonists brought disease and pests, but that happens any time two cultures meet. They brought imperialism, but it just replaced the local flavor of imperialism. Over time, they brought new crops, animals, medicine, schooling, and transportation. The modernized Hawaii with the rest of the world.

I would like to see the culture of Hawaii preserved and studied for future generations. Not just the culture of ancient Hawaii, but "rubbah slippah" Hawaii as well. I want people to see beyond the tourist side of the islands.

As far as statehood goes, follow the money. There are many folks who are supporting the sovereignty movement without thinking about the motives of those in charge. Those in power rarely give it up easily, and those who desire it rarely use it wisely. I don't want to see a bunch of casinos go up in the islands. We need the jobs and the income, but I'm not sure we can take much more crime.

Forgive me for going on, but this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.

Aloha,
Yankee Air Pirate