Today my classmates and I joined Professor Jill from PUBA for a visit at Ka’ala Farm on Waianae, West coast of Oahu. After learning more about ahupua’a and reflecting briefly on the relation between culture preservation and Hawai’i’s sovereignty, a friend made the following comment:
“It seems that Hawai’i’s sovereignty movement is less about race and more about cultural preservation. What do you think?”
Dana, I guess you are right. Observing the flow of this issue, I see many no-Hawaiians also vehemently supporting the complete independence of local political decisions from White House’s orders and tax systems. This already large and growing number of activists claim that they need to be recognized as citizens of a Nation-State because Hawaiian history and culture are fairly different from mainland’s.
I believe that an appropriate followed up question to your comment would be: “Does Hawai’i need supremacy over land to preserve indigenous culture? Also, what is culture and how it evolves?”
I understand that complete control over natural resources not necessarily lead to cultural preservation. Stalin had absolute power over agriculture; however, his sanguinary land collectivization program did not succeed in establishing a common set of Russian values, traditions, and beliefs among minority groups. By saying this, I am not implying that Kamehameha Schools plan to rule the islands as the Soviet dictator, but it seems that Hawaiian leaders are engaging in Sisyphus work to pass regulations like the Akaka Bill when the archipelago is nowadays a tremendous melting pot, as Yoko recalled. The main strength of Hawaiian contemporary culture lies exactly in the gray area where it overlaps with other traditions. Butch, our host this morning, and his devotedness for sharing Hawaiian traditions and taro, even though being haole, epitomizes how far transformational cultures can reach and deeply inspire.
As far as culture is concerned, I believe this phenomenon is continuously evolving. To illustrate, I remember vividly how each person in our class introduced him/herself this morning. The foreign students, except Eric from litigious Tibet, spoke up their respective countries' name. The Americans who were not from Hawai'i mentioned home states and sometimes city, like Rachel. And the ones who were born and raised in the islands proudly highlighted the districts where they grew up. These general and specific ways of introducing ourselves depict identity, which is inextricably linked to cultural analyzes, as a concept shaped by contrasting us from the others, by portraying a unique background before apparent similar fellows.
Differentiation is necessary for every culture to thrive. I feel more Canarinho when I am abroad. You certainly see yourself as more American when overseas, Hawaiian when travelling across mainland, Oahu resident when chatting with someone from neighbor islands, and Kaneohe passionate while debating against locals from other districts. These convenient identities we strategically assume depending on the context we are navigating are integral parts of every cultural process. We need to be different to be equal. And we are equals just because you and I have our special - and respectful - ways of perceiving and valuing things and phenomena surrounding us.
Sovereignty itself, therefore, does not preserve or forcefully helps cultures. Diversity does. The more Hawaiians understand that these islands are uncommon worldwide not only because of the fabulous weather and high living standards but mainly because of the various types of cultures that have settled here, the more indicators residents and no-residents alike will find available to compare, reinforce, and re-create their own manners to interact with tradition and modernity. As our friend James expressed on the way back to town: “My parents are Korean, I was born and raised in California, but surprisingly feel more interested in the Hawaiian culture”. This intriguing statement reveals that culture is a matter of choice, not race, that we shape by taking into account the values we have been exposed to and singular personal preferences.
Hawai’i is diverse and diversity is that preserves and appreciates the Aloha spirit within and beyond the Pacific waves.
PS. Once again, thanks for the ride, donuts, and water. Mahalo!
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