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Re: sending my "haole" children to Hawaii's schools
Posted by Chris on 10/24/05

    On 8/04/05, Nancy wrote:
    > On 7/20/05, aaron bowen wrote:
    >> On 7/16/05, Rachel wrote:
    >>> I have been reading this thread with interest. The racial thing
    >>> gets complicated some times. My husband is an Special Ed
    teacher in
    >>> NY and we are thinking about relocating to Hawaii. He is also
    >>> African American. Is that haole too? I am from Spain, and our
    son
    >>> is mixed.
    >>>
    >>> The comment about traumatized children needing therapy does
    not
    >>> make me very happy because I would not want to have my child
    >>> traumatized that way. Here in New York we have experienced
    racism
    >>> and reverse racism, I have had Black bosses who were racist
    towards
    >>> me and those who weren't, same as White, so it tends to
    balance
    >>> out. We are comfortable with our lives and I don't think my child
    >>> would be traumatized here.
    >>>
    >>> I don't want to discard Hawaii, we first have to visit and feel the
    >>> Aloa and the ocean breeze and see how we fit in the area.:) Do
    you
    >>> have any comment about the African American or non American
    White
    >>> experience in Hawaii?
    >>>
    >>> Your comments will be greatly apreciated.
    >>>
    >>> Rachel


    A couple of things, as a recent immigrant to Hawai`i, and as a
    non-teacher (I teach at a local university), that might be useful for
    newbies to the islands to bear in mind.

    1) You are not in the United States. I don't mean the legal/political
    thing. In cultural terms, its far easier if you think of Hawai`i as
    another country (which it in fact was, and is) with its own language
    (Pidgin) and its own culture. If (as a number of other people have
    pointed out) you come correct and show respect for that you will
    have a far easier time than if you do not.

    2) Some local people are very turf conscious. Again, you are on
    someone else's land so you should conduct yourself as if you were
    a guest in someone else's house -which you are. If you do this, your
    problems will be 1000% less.

    3) Don't expect the same kind of treatment you would get on the
    mainland. As an outsider you will have to prove yourself, and yes, put
    up with abuse from some people. But if you do your best to blend in,
    you will have an easier time of it.

    4) There are some old wounds that go back a long way. I know it's
    not "fair" to ask kids to shoulder the blame for things that they
    personally didnt do, but if you grow up as a minority ANYWHERE you
    know that this is part of the way the world works. It's a tough thing to
    expose your kids to perhaps but some of us don't have a choice
    about that, and I think in the long run, it gives you a sense of
    empathy with what it feels like to be a minority, and that's a good
    lesson, if a little tough at times.

    5) Don't blame the whole community for the actions of a few. When
    you first turn up, it's going to feel like no-one cares about you.
    Remember, from a local perspective, mainlanders come and go like
    the tide. They may not want to make the first move to greet you
    because you might be gone in a few months. So you must make the
    first move. Get to know people. Ask questions. Be interested. If
    possible, get to know the local kids who will be at your kids school.
    Get to know their families. If they know who you are, and they like
    you, they will start watching out for you and yours.

    6) As far as relations with African American folks is concerned, there
    is generally a lot of good will towards black people, but there is also
    some racism particularly from the newer East Asian immigrants.
    Also, (see 5) local culture is not jump-up-and-down wag the tail
    welcoming to the military, and the assumption is that black folks are
    probably military. Again, if you get to know people locally, that will
    disappear. I know a bunch of black people who are married into
    local families, and they are much better situated than people who
    stick to the military and ex military crowd. Again, if you don't go in
    with the assumption that things are going to be like they are on the
    mainland, then you will probably find a good way forward.

    7) Learn how to understand pidgin. This may not be an issue if you
    live in a pretty haolified area, but in Pearl Ridge, Leeward Side,
    Kalihi or Makiki, this is a very good skill to have. Don't try to speak it
    until you can clearly understand 75% of what people are saying
    when they speak in pidgin.

    8) Learn about the history of Hawaii. The real history, not the tourist
    version. Learn about the Overthrow and why Hawaiians and local
    people feel like they are a colony of the Mainland (which they are in
    all practical terms). A couple of suggestions for books to read:
    "Hawaii Looking Back" is a good starting place with lots of good
    illustrations. Then read "To Steal a Kingdom" or, if you want
    something a bit more academic "Colonizing Hawaii" by Sally Merry
    or "Aloha Betrayed" by Noenoe Silva.

    9) As far as warnings about Waianae go, again I think it depends a
    little on exactly where you live. Some places are definitely rougher
    than others, but I would also say that if you make friends with
    people, they will definitely look out for you. Ask local people.

    The biggest problem with Waianae is transportation. It will take you
    a good hour to get into Honolulu by car during OFF PEAK times.
    During rush hour it will be much much longer. The bus can take
    almost twice as long. Anywhere from Waianae through Ewa Beach
    is going to be mad congestion. Too many cars, too many people,
    not enough decent public transport.

    I think Hawai`i is a great place, not without very severe problems,
    and not without a few narrow-minded ignorant people, but with
    some very great people and some great lessons to teach anyone
    who is willing to learn. Be humble, learn from others and you will do
    just fine.

     
     

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