Capitalism Kills Culture

Capitalism Kills Culture- by Ha`alilio

Many factors have contributed to the degradation and loss of Hawaiian Culture since first contact from haoles, or white men in 1776.  The post-contact spread of foreign disease throughout the islands killed over 75% of the native population of Hawai`i, which resulted in the loss of traditional knowledge.  This knowledge includes the ways and customs of the native people that are passed through generations. The arrival of the missionaries forced the indigenous culture underground and hushed the mother tongue, imposing a new, foreign lifestyle onto the kānaka maoli, changing the ways of old.  The overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy in 1893 was another move away from tradition and towards the attempt of coexistence with the new ways enforced by the multiplying invasive peoples, thereby weakening the primitive way. 
       
All of these hardships that kānaka maoli have faced since first contact still persist into present-day, and we, the native population, must endure the burdensome impositions on a daily basis.  In particular, the expansion and mismanagement of the tourism industry has been a main cause of the distress.  This paper will examine the ways in which tourism development in the Waikīkī area poses adverse effects on the native culture of Hawai`i with respect to land, fresh water, and ocean water and marine life.
   
The strip of land known internationally as Waikīkī is a picturesque coastline of white sand beach, superior shopping and dining, exotic nightlife, and much more.  Traditionally speaking, Waikīkī is an `ili, or land section of the land division, `ahupua`a, of Mānoa.  Mānoa is bordered by two ridges, Wa`ahila to the east and `Ualaka`a to the west.  Another `ili of Mānoa is known as Mō`ili`ili, just mauka, upland of Waikīkī.  Legend says that Kāne, the god of fresh water, and Kanaloa, the god of sea and navigation, were wandering throughout the `ili of Mō`ili`ili after a day at Kāhala beach.  To quench their thirst, they sought fresh water to drink of and to bathe in, but their search was unsuccessful.  Kanaloa, vexed, urged Kāne to use his spear to probe the earth in search of water.  Kāne obliged and a fresh water spring burst forth.  This area has since been known as Kānewai, the water of Kāne.  Due to the importance of these mo`olelo for upholding and maintaining the native culture of this `āina, word spread that the land of Kānewai was fertile and lush for growing crops.  And so, the land was “farmed by many `ohana for kalo, )the main staple of Hawai`i’s diet), and lo`i kalo, taro patches, were abundant,” (Moore).  Thus, in accordance with the idea of aloha `āina, care for the land by the people as a younger sibling cares for elder siblings, Kānewai was mālama, cared for because of the sustenance it provided kānaka maoli. 

As contact with the outside world continued and became more prevalent to daily society in Hawai`i, land was needed for other reasons other than that of serving the original purpose in traditional society.  Particularly, Honolulu and areas in its vicinity felt the brunt of this change the most.  Kānewai and the vast area surrounding it, including Waikīkī, was destroyed of many, and eventually all, of the lo`i kalo that had once nourished many `ohana, giving way to room for building hotels, stores and other attractions to serve the needs tourists in the Waikīkī area. 
 
The effects of development mounted as tourist grew and the need for expansion increased.  Water that irrigated lo`i was redirected, now flowing into fabricated plumbing systems buried underground that provided water to new tourist attractions.  The lo`i that did remain at this time were neglected of proper care.  The taro slowly dried up, and the kua `āina that once farmed these fields everyday, hungrily went in search of other jobs to provide food for their families.  Eventually, the overturn of the traditional lifestyle and culture of Hawai`i was so strong that despite efforts otherwise, lo`i were destroyed because their worth steadily dwindled in comparison to the capitalistic, corporate-modeled ways of the ever more dominant haole.  This is how the knowledge of traditional Hawaiian farming vanished due to the ceding of lands for tourism development in the Waikīkī area.

With respect to the sufficiency of fresh water in traditional Hawaiian society, to have enough water was a sign of wealth.  In Hawaiian, wai means “water”, and waiwai means “to be wealthy, fortunate.”  The duplication of the word “wai” to form the meaning of “wealthy” demonstrates the importance of fresh water to kānaka maoli, and when one has much of it, he is prosperous.  This notion can be applied in some way to the same idea that multinational corporations avow to in further developing an enterprise.  In the building of another hotel of a major chain, it is always a primary concern the abundance of water provided to the projected number of guests it is to accommodate. 

The process of building the plumbing systems in the infrastructure of these buildings has led to the change from using `auwai, traditional Hawaiian irrigation systems, to fabricated materials, such as polyvinyl chloride, or PVC piping.  Not only is this type of plumbing “dangerous to our health and environment from start to finish - in the factory, at home, and in the trash - releasing poisonous chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects,” (Sinback), but it has also led to the loss of traditional knowledge of operating `auwai. Because of the non-desecration of land and efficiency of the `auwai system, versus the digging, underground system of modern plumbing systems and the costly repair they necessitate, the `auwai system would seem to be the more favorable option.  However, the `auwai system requires a great knowledge and familiarity with the land: where the water pools naturally, where it flows underground, how often is the water flow replenished, etc.
 
Just like all `ike, knowledge of kanaka maoli, up-keeping an `auwai was learned traditionally and orally, passed down from previous generations, from kūpuna, to makua, to keiki, and being well-informed of this represented one’s loyalty towards aloha `åina, love for the land.  The shift to using modern plumbing techniques to develop Waikīkī, and the majority of modern Hawai`i for that matter, has only furthered the ignorance to land and resource management and has discounted the relationship that Hawaiians, by virtue of birthright, innately share with the land.  Accordingly, the result is the loss of this tradition among many Hawaiians and other residents of Hawai`i today.
   
Development for tourist destinations in Waikīkī has also depleted the island’s marine life.  It is stated that here on O`ahu, “coral makes up 20 to 25 percent of a white Hawaii beach. On the average local beach, however, the number is less than 10 percent,” (Scott).  Waikīkī has been transformed from a naturally serene beach to a man-made serene beach.  Rock walls, walk-ways, waterfalls, mounds of sand to “whiten” the strip of beach have been built and have in turn lured flocks of tourists by the millions to come enjoy the 2 mile stretch.  Leisure activities have been the detriment to coral reefs, that “The damage inflicted by divers and snorkelers consists mostly of breaking fragile, branched corals or causing lesions to massive corals. Most divers and snorkelers cause little damage; only a few cause severe or widespread damage,” (UNEP).  Waikīkī greets more than 7 million tourists every year.  If only half of these tourists, 3.5 million, enter our waters in Waikīkī to snorkel, then the damage is already substantial enough.

There are numerous other factors that the United Nations Environmental Programme state as negatively impactful on marine life.  Marina, resort and hotel construction and operation, as well as artificial beach construction and beach replenishment lead to increased sedimentation from dredging and also pollute the ocean from sewage systems and litter.  Seafood consumption pushes for overfishing by local fishermen, especially of native species and high-priced marine life, lobster, crab, etc., and leads to depletion of marine life in strive for high-profits.  The demand by marine fascination leads to the taking of marine life, especially rare things such as turtles and black coral, and “preserves” them in museums. 
   
The beaches all over the state of Hawai`i, especially in Waikīkī, have experienced all of the above factors.  The exhaustion of our ocean’s resources unfortunately leads directly to the loss of knowledge of particular sea creatures, seaweed, corals, etc.  Hawaiians traditionally had a deep knowledge for the ocean and everything in it, as they did for the land and all that existed there.  This is seen in Hawaiian mele, mo`olelo, oli, hula, and a traditional diet in Hawai`i always included seafood of some sort.  The `ike that was conserved to perform daily tasks like fishing, limu gathering, or fishpond maintenance was continuously taught to following generations.  However, with the lack of resources to utilize this knowledge, it will naturally disappear.  This knowledge has already suffered an extensive lapse because of the inability for this practice to be performed, and in this way, Hawaiians are challenged to maintain the integrity of our culture.
  
The ways of developing Waikīkī into the ultimate paradise tourist destination to appeal to mass numbers of tourists to generate revenue for the state have proven economically beneficial.  However, the reasons stand strongly to show the depletion of the native culture of this land has been caused largely in part by this same tourist development.  The land suffers in the mindless building and resulting neglect by large corporations, fresh water is automatically controlled without an after thought of its abundance, especially to the indigenous people, and the ocean’s precious marine life is constantly harassed by the vast number of spectators.  Gone is the respect for the native people and culture, who once flourished undisturbed in these islands.  The only hope I have in writing this paper is to call forth those with the inherent responsibility- to carry on, despite the countless adversities we face, in all that we do to aloha our `āina, honor our kūpuna, and pave the right path for our mo`opuna.

posted by: Haalilio at 00:06 | link | comments |
essay

Gratefulness

Auhea oukou e o'u mau hoa ala kuluaumoe?

hehe.  I'm in a funny mood.  Oddly happy , giddy for some unknown reason, delirious and lighthearted at the same time.

I can't say I'm completely over Kawai, but I can say that in due time I will be.  I was explaining to Kyle today that it's not necessary that I stop all contact with Kawai in order to get over him and end the pain, because that would be giving him to much importance in my life.  I have come to the realization that much of what I "loved" about him were things I made up in my head, scenarios I imagined us doing, beautiful experiences shared by he and I, hand in hand.  Things that would blossom, would be the result, eventually, of the good that we did share in the beginning.

But then came the light, and truth, with its pain, but at the same time, with its freedom, too.  It set me free, really.  I see what he is truly worth, and with that, I know in my heart that I am able to offer more, and therefore deserve more. Deserve better.  With each day that goes by, I settle and accept more and more, the fact that he is not what I want, and I do finally see an end to this pain.

Jesus CHRIST I thought I would never see this day, but I do know that this WILL end.  This pain, that used to consume me and meet me with sleepless nights, listless days and sobbing moments.  It's over.  The worst has happened and now, I am really just waiting for the dust to settle after the passing of the storm.

Saturday night, we partied.  I consumed so many alcoholic beverages, I shamelessly kissed a man thinking he was into me, but apparently he was kissing every other guy that had come with me to the bar.  Since that night, he has e-mailed me and persisted in spending time together.  Requests which I have ignored.

Presently, there is a very intelligent, good-looking hawaiian/haole guy talking with me and interested in me and wanting to take mer surfing and hiking with him on days we both have free.

I have my birthday party coming up and all those who love me will be there to celebrate this mile stone in my life.  I have a mother that thinks the world of her three sons.  I have a large family with whom I enjoy spending time.  I have friends that I love so so dearly.  I have a great job, and school, despite my absences, keeps me sharp and will eventually get me a degree showing I have mastered the language and culture of the best place on the world.

What, again, do I ever have to worry about?

posted by: Haalilio at 10:40 | link | comments (2) |
ke holomua nei

the straw

My heart is still so heavy.  In some moments, I feel the sadness in my stomach and it wrenches and I want to throw up. 
    Today, I received news of violence occurring in my house, again.  Physical abuse is something I have dealt with since late-childhood. It stopped for awhile when my parents divorced and my father moved out of the house.  To be spared a chilling fear of your own father running after you, as I brace myself for a blow to the body as to not be blind-sided, anticipating a cheap shot, that was the most liberating part of his moving out.  As I grew older, into my mid-teens, it grew infrequent.  But, apparently he ended his 4 year hiatus, and tonight, without warning, another blow-up.
    This time, my youngest brother got the wrath.  The uncontrollable, irrational, unstoppable wrath of my father.  I don't want to say "nothing too serious," because any and all abuse is seriously, gravely wrong and inexcusable.  My brother didn't need any medical attention.  The police weren't called because that probably would have made things worse.  My mom did warn him though, that if he comes around Joey without supervision, she'll enforce a restraining order.
    The fact that my dad still continues to blow up in anger and release it on my family is something that does and will pain me until something is done to ensure it doesn't happen ever again.  This burden used to torment me a few years ago and I thought I was finally free of it.  Tonight, it came back, and the feeling breaks my heart that he is now taking it out on Joey.  When Matt and I grew up, we had each other for strength during those times.  The most pain is to imagine my younger brother, who has not a harmful bone in his body, experiencing this at his age.   
    And in all of this, it would be nice to lie in my love's arms and have him comfort me and console me, but I don't have anyone to do that with.  Today was the last thing I needed.  I am pretty well numb to the pain already.  It's dull, but still there, lulling me, pulling me into the dark.  I am so tired and sick of the sadness and I really am feeling the unhealthiness of its consumption of me.  Praying a lot.  Breathing.  Trusting.  Accepting...

posted by: Haalilio at 09:51 | link | comments (3) |
the dark side

my day... from chaotic to calm

What started out as a horrible day has concluded in peace and progression.
This morning, well, a few minutes to noon, I woke up- checked e-mail and was alarmed.  UH System had sent me an email notifying that my Spring 2008 registration was cancelled.  I didnʻt pay my tuition!!!  Apparently, it was due on the 23rd.  HAHAHA. 
        So I rushed to UH, prayers and good thoughts sent up in haste and desperation.  I couldnʻt afford to NOT attend college, nor would I be happy if this schedule of classes, after coming together in perfect harmony, was dropped and cancelled because of a vital detail that I overlooked.
        Arrival at UH was vexing because I couldnʻt find parking.  It was a mess, like always.  Finally got a stall and walked to student services, where I was immediately whisked off like a 2-day express package, here and there, the different offices necessary to reinstate my classes and fork over the cash.  Youʻd think it can be done in one place, itʻs the UH system, so doesnʻt it work "systematically"??!!
        By the headache and shortness of breath that came over me after running around, I declared to myself the insufficiency of this so-called system.  :)
        Anyway, I got it done.  Relieved.  Then I had lunch with a friend, killed time by window shopping at the bookstore, ordered Moe Kealeʻs CD, which I plan to rock at my birthday party.
        Now Iʻm here... at Starbucks, thinking about the meeting I had with Lynette, and also about the minute, almost untraceable pangs of longing in the memories that remain of my recent past.  But, I swear, Iʻm feeling better and better every day.  Yay, ME!  So this is the part about the meeting I just had:
        I just met with a woman in the board of the company for which i work.  I was very impressed.  I am everyday, less and less intimidated by my current occupation that sometimes seems to stand right in front of me, stare me straight in the eyes, unmoving until I pay it proper attention and focus.  The hardest part it the putting of the concepts and ideas that we call our "eventual intention" for the company into a tangible result and end of means.  The materializing of ideas into material and information for dissemination to the public is a very very difficult, complex, time-consuming process.  It is research, this is research, for which I have a newfound respect.  So I was invited to go on the field trips of this womanʻs class, she is faculty at HPU and takes her students to learn history, culture and values of HI while conveniently making them donate some community service during the trip.  I am excited, more and more contacts, networking, and getting to know people is always good.  It is really teaching me character, too.  Good day.

posted by: Haalilio at 03:24 | link | comments (1) |
ke holomua nei

Kawai called me this morning. I was ok, not met with pain or hurt of any kind. I was so happy about that. The conversation was kept casual. He sounded well. I asked about his daily routine there in China. He returns home tomorrow instead of later. The contract was cut short. At one point, I told him about my job, and I found myself wondering why, in the wake of his reaction, he doesn't seem more interested. Quickly though, I was reminded that I had let go of the way I wanted him to be for me, and there was some thought afforded to the "what could be" fantasy I had lived for a few months but I brought it back realistically and appreciated the worth of it. So anyway, that's it, I got off the phone and was clear-minded enough to go back to sleep. Like in my last post, I am welcoming the change and progression for me in this new time. That's it.

posted by: Haalilio at 22:09 | link | comments |

I gaze and try to make out the words being typed here before me through a haze of tears.  My breath is periodically drawn in with short, quick breaths.  My neck muscles ache from the tightness of suppressing eyelids brimming with tears.  I just had a good cry.  I guess following rightfully in turn, since last night it was my dear MABʻs turn.

The tears help, though.  They help tremendously in the healing process.  These past few days, I have found myself happier than usual, but that progress is met with itss counterpart, the deeper pain and sorrow to match.  Yes, canʻt forget that.  But the intensity of these emotions has put me into a new place.  I actually feel change happening.  The old air clearing for a new wave of freshness to come in and replace it.  The winds are cold, comforting, cleansing.  I am able to feel more forcefully the movements and the workings of the universe. 

I know it sounds cliche, but I swear, if anything, the mental and emotional struggles I have endured in the recent past have dealt me a knew intuition?  Ability?  Awareness?  Observation?  All of the above.  I feel more in touch with everything.  And I know in my naʻau that change is afoot and brighter days are ahead.  I have a knack for these things.  I went through it two times in particular in high school, and other times after that on a smaller scale.  This is a big one though, of great importance, this transition into a stronger individual.  I am rather excited, to tell the truth.

Tonight was very necessary, to the friend that felt guilty for my reacting in such a way, especially.  I thank you, you know who you are.  This, like everything else, has happened for a reason.  Of this I am sure, now more than ever.  And to let these emotions just come, and be released into the universe, and let my tears soak my cheeks and water the earth I sit on, haha, that is, in such an ethereal way, beautiful beyond measure.  Humans were made with emotions for a reason.  I have learned this, and I also have learned to never refuse the emotions that one is overwhelmed by, pained by, made to smile by, moved by, or affected by.

Hereʻs to all of us, enduring, hanging on, moving fearlessly into the abyss...

posted by: Haalilio at 11:37 | link | comments (1) |
getting out of the way, let go-let god, ke holomua nei

a long, cold night

I sit here and I cry as I force myself to listen to a certain collection of songs I used to wake up to regularly when I slept at Kawaiʻs house. He would play them as soon as he woke up, and they would fill my ears as I stirred from my slumber, always later to rise than he. iTunes was on regular sequence selection and I hadnʻt realized that these songs were next until it was too late, and the pain of what is lost and now just a memory is striking me deeply right now. All I can trust on is what my good friend told me, that during times of low and depressing sorrow, when the darkness seems to never let up, are the times that always result in individual growth and the gaining strength and sense of self. I am depending on his words to guide me through this long, cold night.

posted by: Haalilio at 10:59 | link | comments |
the dark side

This kane likes me. And I could easily like him back, well, I do like him back. But he's in a relationship with his boyfriend of 4 years and he says they are committed. The thing is, he contacts me daily, virtually, by either text or some kind of online messenger. And many times throughout the day, too. There are things he says to me that surpass the "just friends" boundary line and it is often obvious flirting. The reasons he maintains contact must mean he thinks about me and that must mean, too that he is unhappy about something in his relationship. He likes me, and that feels good for me right now, we'll leave it at that. I'm not letting this get messy though, that's for sure. Yay, someone's crushing on me. hehe. Aloha all. Good Night.

posted by: Haalilio at 08:36 | link | comments |

a letter... as my heart heals

a draft of the email i might send to him (after he decided to finally contact me)

Kawai, the length at which it took you to finally contact me, and the nonchalance with which you did it proves exactly my point of why I have problems with being your partner.  You do things mindlessly, casually, without ever giving much thought to the consequences.  Everything is so easy for you it's hard not to think that you really don't give much more than 2 shits about anyone or anything except yourself and that which directly affects you.  I am glad you finally thought that communication with me to at least let me know that you are there safely and alive and healthy is important to me.  It's not the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last that it takes someone else to point out your inconsideration.  This is not bitter, nor an angry rant for you to read.  If anything, this provides final closure for me to move on.  Like you said, "one day I will forgive you."  I already have forgiven you, it was never you that had to be forgiven.  It was always me for giving all of myself to you and not foreseeing that my love would be thwarted by the incompatibility of us.  The pain that we went through lingers in small traces, my heart still weeps from time to time, thinking of what we had.   My biggest problem is that I gave you all of me, all of my heart, my time, my effort, and I still don't feel like you gave back in return.  To love someone on the level that I loved you is a true gift someone can give to himself and to another individual.  I can only hope that one day you give yourself the same opportunity by opening up to true, unconditional love.  Only then will you know the depth to which I am feeling this break up.


I haven't sent this yet.  Or, I don't even know if I will send it at all. Does he deserve a response?  Maybe I should copy the email he sent me.  Here...

I saw you online, so I figure I'd say hello...it's not as great as I thought it would be here...the service is bad, no one speaks a bit of english and it's dirty as hell...the only thing good is that the beaches are beautiful and so is the weather...anyways, I know you're still mad at me but I know you will forgive me one day...Im sorry for the hurt I've caused...thinking of you.
love
me

ok... that's it.  All i wanna say to him after i read that is "FUCK YOU!!!  FUCK OFF!!!   U MAKE ME WANT TO RETCH. ugh, get the fuck out of my life."  He thinks that I will forgive him one day?  FUCK HIM!!!  EWWW.  Jesus CHRIST that's low.  FUCK YOU, CYRIL...

  Of course, that's my broken heart and its vengeful tongue.  The one side of me, still attached, is afraid to say that, because if he heeds these words and does stay outta my life, that will hurt.  It will hurt a lot less though, than before, because I have made substantial progress.  But still, this is hard.  So.  What, if anything, to reply, to show that I am OK without him, that he means nothing to me, but at the same time, express the truth of my heart.  I think that latter, he could give a shit about, so, concluding this post, I am most likely not going to send this to him.

posted by: Haalilio at 08:13 | link | comments |

Why do I feel better when it seems like I am wallowing in my self-pity?

My friend said that all the pain is in my head.  It is artificial and self-imposed. It is a mental fabrication - my ego begging "what about me in all of this?"  My sad reality I just can't come around and accept.  It is something I am nonetheless ashamed of, to be still so pained.  I am not "sad," per se, I am just not happy.  Like how I used to be.  My heart is still heavy, dripping with memory of the past, all the recollections slowly fading as my heart line dries in the sun and the pain gradually recedes, replaced, in my sensibility, to progress, no matter what, consoled by the eventual warmth I feel inside.

But it's so fucking DIFFICULT!  My friend, the same one, advises me that it is I who choose to make it this way, and warns me against making it so.

I understand the truth of his words, I just wish it were that easily done as it is said, preached, agreed with, understood.  The doing is the difficult.  I am so affected by this heartbreak.  The time of my mourning still continues, even a month after it has passed.  So I'm lingering in the past, and every arrival of him, or something associated with him, in my head, is accompanied by a tinge of pain and longing and sorrow.  I am constantly reminded, and therefore reliving what was, what used to be.  I know and recognize the unhealth of this.  I do, really.  This, however, no matter how many times I admit it, accept it, try to move on from it, is true heart break.  A broken heart, where the sinking in of this phrase in my mind oddly brings a slight upward curve to my lips in spite of the tears of my heart, there IS light in the midst of this stark and cold darkness.

The reality is that I gave him every last bit of me, in what I thought was a healthy way... in what I thought would mean fruition in the long run for me, in the form of a solid, steady, monogamous love that we'd share together.  I gave him, in every sense of the word, everything I could.  My all.  Until there was nothing left of me, and the lack of myself still remains.  I wake up every morning in a state of confusion, I am befuddled and floundering in the sense that I don't quite know what the hell I'm working towards in this lifetime.  To let go, at this point, is to trust in the unknown, always a scary prospect, but not something I am unfamiliar with, naive about, or new to.  I know that to live in a gloomy mindset with a depressed attitude will surely cultivate identical experiences, but it is so hard when I have to rebuild what I stand for after all of that, by my own faults and denial, has fallen and crumbled and I am on my hands and knees picking up the pieces. 

This is the state where I am at.  I am happy in the company of good friends.  I am happy working on projects for me job at coffee houses with free wireless.  I am happy spending time with my family at my Gramma's house.  For the most part, I am happy.  Just not joyous, and my dread is the idle time I spend in my bed waiting to fall asleep.  In these moments, I am attacked worse than at any other time of my day.

I am slowly, slowly, SLOOOOOOWWLY coming to terms with this and gaining back my joy and confidence I once had, NOT LONG AGO!  lol, hahaha.  I recall the journal entries as I traveled throughout Italy.  I was hard-pressed to find a person cooler other than myself.  HAH. I was so proud of myself, independent, en voyage, adventurous, strong, sensible, and damn did I write some beautiful things in that journal of mine.

This post turned out much longer than I expected.  Not surprised though, I haven't written in a while.  Thanks for reading  :)

posted by: Haalilio at 01:32 | link | comments (1) |
releases, let go-let god, ke holomua nei