Community

Growing Pains

Monday, September 24th, 2007

Making sense of Molokai’s water woes, angry hunters, conservationists, genetically modified organisms, La`au activists and land developers can be exhausting. Molokai sure has its share of issues for being such a small place.

But keeping up with it all can be easier when we know that we are not alone in our problems.

Everywhere in Hawaii, and throughout the world, the fight is the same – small communities are struggling to perpetuate their culture and fighting to keep hold of their unique identities.

On the Big Island, Punalu`u is threatened by a giant development which includes two resorts, a mall, golf course and over 1,000 houses. In Kona they’re fighting to keep Ahu`ena Heiau out of corporate hands.

Our neighbors on Maui are busy fending off the newly proposed Honua`ula development. They are also securing Honolua Bay from being developed by Maui Land and Pine.
 
Fighting alongside Maui, Kauai activists are trying to keep the Superferry from arriving on their shores. In Wailua, DHHL is considering giving up homestead land to timeshare developers who promise to build affordable housing.

Nature Conservancy VS. Molokai Hunters

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

It’s time to put down your guns

By now, mostly everyone has heard about that Molokai Hunters are battling the Nature Conservancy from bring professional hunters to Molokai.

The conservationists are arguing that the outside hunting group, Pro Hunt, will provide the technological sophistication needed to thin the island’s rampant goat and pig population. The Nature Conservancy is set on moving ahead with the project.

The local hunters who have worked side-by-side with the conservancy for almost 15 years, mostly unpaid, say the move is a slap in their face.

In a recent protest on Oahu, one person held up a sign proclaiming that the Nature Conservancy had a “missionary attitude.” That’s harsh, but not totally incorrect. “Missionary attitude” describes the idea that a person or group knows better than their indigenous host culture.

Adventures of the Not-So-Superferry

Friday, August 31st, 2007

“Wanna be Hawaiian”

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

I have a favorite picture on the living room wall of our house. It’s actually a photocopy from a magazine of a rare portrait done by Herb Kane in which he depicts Kamehameha on his death bed holding both hands out to his beloved and aged haole friend John Young. In this portrait John Young is dressed in western style clothes, however he is sitting in a uniquely Hawaiian style displaying humility and reverence to his king and dear friend.  The portrait gives evidence of two warriors who have faced death and life together. The deep sense of aloha that is portrayed between these two men is impossible to ignore.

While the history of Hawaii is full of stories of the treachery of American and European Business men and of the manipulation and steeling of lands from the descendants of missionary families, history fails to recognize the many haoles and other foreigners who became a part of Hawaii, who spoke the language, and lived the culture. Some were maka‘āinana and some ‘ali‘i. This is what made Hawaiian culture so unique. The culture of this ‘āina was not exclusive.  It’s arms were open wide to the stranger. Everyone was taken care of.

Farewell Molokai `Opio

Friday, August 24th, 2007

It’s that time of the year when Molokai’s youth head off to the outer islands and the mainland. Some of them are fresh 2007 grads while others have just come back during the summer break. While many of these proud Molokai-born will return to visit, very few will return to stay.

It is a heart wrenching reality for the families whose children leave the nest. It is an accepted truth that in order to make a go in life our young must move on to the outside world where experience and a wider perspective await.

Unfortunately it is also widely believed that by returning to Molokai our youth forfeit their opportunity of having a good job, owning a home or supporting a family. Thus many of our youth remain away.

And it’s not just Molokai’s children. In fact, there are more native Hawaiians who live outside of Hawaii than there are who remain. While it makes economical sense – a four bedroom home in Las Vegas for $150,000 versus a $500,000 3 bedroom shack on Molokai – it doesn’t mean that there is no option for returning.

Editorial Cartoon

Thursday, August 16th, 2007