With all the noise over Kau Inoa and the echo from the racial satire of Cow Inoa, I wonder what the first settlers to Hawaii would think of what has happened to the people who reside in these beautiful islands, regardless of their origin.
Would they be impressed with what many have come to describe as the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii? Would they notice first the racial divides or the racial harmony among the people? Would they be pleased with the spirit of giving and love and trust that exists among Hawaii’s diverse people, or be saddened by the callous selfishness exhibited within all races?
Regardless of background or heritage or culture, our modern lives are full of unceasing change and unrelenting demands. In the face of inescapable pressures and seeming injustice from all around, the invitation and promise of Kau Inoa is understandable. Who among us does not long for a simpler, more pleasant way of life, a way to relieve our burdens, and the ability to control more of our lives?
It could be said that people have an inherent right to stand up, proclaim liberty, to seek a better life for themselves and their children. History tells us that when a people stand up, they often push other people down. History also tells us when that happens, both suffer. The past, however unjust or illegal, cannot be undone. History cannot be repaired. All that can be done is to learn from history, or repeat history.
Racial divisions and oppressions can be considered the cause of movements such as Kau Inoa, and the cause of responses such as Cow Inoa. Has either view really learned from history? Or, are they simply repeating history?
Thanks for your insights on the issue. At Zero Shibai, we didn’t intend to provoke a discussion of race, in and of itself. We hope that people will think about whether dividing people by race and creating a new bloated, racially-exclusive government is the answer. In fact, Kau Inoa’s website makes it clear that the goal is to create a new government with all the same departments that our state and county governments have. There’s no other way to have this debate until the political correctness is stripped away and we can talk about the facts, without fear of being branded a “racist”. Unsurprising, many of the folks who are pushing for Akaka’s “Government Reorganization Act” are big fans of big government anyway. So you have to wonder if this sovereignty issue is being exploited by insiders to create cushy jobs for themselves and their buddies. Hopefully, now that the bubble has somewhat now been burst by this cartoon controversy, we can have the reasoned discussion that you wisely suggest. Mahalo,