January

What our readers have to say

SELLING HAWAIIAN LANDS

The rumble through the islands if this land sell off (November 2005) takes place will start in the spirits, hearts, minds and emotions of every Kanaka Maoli and island born Kamaaina.

Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaiian people and culture being attacked from the outside and inside is morally unacceptable.

All peoples who tout a moral value system are lacking the courage to step up and go against this genocide. Religious orders of all denominations are allowing it to happen, turning their heads and making it known that this genocide is not within their vision. Many justify the theft and persistent attack against the Hawaiian. If and when it is completed, then like the American Indian, whole cultures and their peoples will be forgotten to cultureless whites.

And the attack continues. Belsby speaks of the value system of the board and of stewardship. He hasn’t a clue of what that means from the culture. In the culture land stewardship is focused from the belief that the land takes care of us, that it given freely to us to feed and provide shelter. It is part and parcel of haloa. Belsby doesn’t know this. The monetary value that they put on the land is an insult to its true value. This land was given by the gods to the Hawaiian people and not purchased with alien token. It is passed on with out the transfer of that coin. Everything above the Hawaiian, around the Hawaiian and under the Hawaiian was given freely to be used and taken care of as the Hawaiian was taken care of by it.

Selling Hawaiian lands (stolen land) while a single Hawaiian is without a home or land to nurture and be nurtured by reveals not only the ignorance of Belsby, Mailer and the board supports what value system? There are people in prison with this value system aren't there? This consideration, decision and move is unethical, immoral and inciteful.

While the native Hawaiian is trying to restore their culture and cultural practices the haole with their most vital aumakua, the dollar, are swarming over everything vital to the Hawaiian like hoards of insects claiming all that they can sit upon.

I have lived in both cultures Western United States (not a true culture) and was born and raised in the Hawaiian culture. I value it, continue to learn about and practice it. I defend it and will continue to do so not solely by choice or birthright but because my soul was created in it, surrounded by it and accepted in it.

Jerry Ferro
Hilo, Hawaii
Via email

NOTA BENE HITS HOME

Congratulations on the great success of your magazine--Hawaii Business. I started to subscribe to it after having trouble finding it at Border’s Ward--they were always sold out.

My daughter read the November 2005 issue and mentioned that you came from New Jersey. Reading this month’s publisher’s Nota Bene really hit close to home. I grew up in New York City and our family lived in N.J for many years. My husband on the other hand, grew up in Hawaii and went to college in N.Y.. He ended up staying in the N.Y./N.J. area for 34 years. We then uprooted our family to Hawaii in 2002.

What you said about the “insensitivity” the Mainland people tend to be towards Asians is very true. To this day, when in New York City, I cringe while walking past groups of young people--they are a reminder of those who used to call me names when I was growing up in Spanish Harlem.

Living in Hawaii has been refreshing. I am also happy to be living here where “pake” and “haole” are friendly words, not fighting words, and I’d hate to have to change back. Since moving to beautiful Hawaii, my husband and I think we have gone to heaven.

Doreen Young Sue-Ako
Honolulu, Hawaii
Via email

GETTING IT RIGHT

Thanks for a great article on Hamakua (November 2005). Just read it on your Web site (hawaiibusiness.com). It is very balanced and you've talked to all the right people (or at least those that you included in your article are). Very nice job on a not so easy subject. Thanks so much!

Again, please convey my compliments… for an article that is extremely balanced and well written, reflecting good insight from someone like myself, a resident and community worker in that region.

Millie Kim
Hilo, Hawaii
Via email

CORRECTION: This photo of Nicholas C. Dreher, a partner with Cades Schutte LLP, was not included with his biography in the December 2005 Black Book. Hawaii Business regrets this omission.

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