As things generally happen, an innocent enough gathering of Mainland journalists and local hosts, up in the cool misty reaches of Koke’e, was convened to discuss the not so unique problems of our tropical environment: The losses of native flora
As things generally happen, an innocent enough gathering of Mainland
journalists and local hosts, up in the cool misty reaches of Koke’e, was
convened to discuss the not so unique problems of our tropical environment: The
losses of native flora and fauna and the unique culture that once co-existed
with them.
Somehow the twists and turns of such matter-of-fact
conversation precipitated the following reflections on something Americans are
said to hold dearer than anything – ‘freedom.’
That sometimes vague and
battered ideal for which generations of patriots have at times given their
lives, as a practical construct, seems to be in much too short a supply on this
last little stepping stone of America.
This thought was spawned by a
comment of one the hosts, a Hawaiian friend, who was responding to several
perplexed journalists’ questions about the perceived gaps in leadership and
civic consciousness that have led Hawai’i into an ecological abyss – all during
the same period in which a more general ecological enlightenment has begun
shining around the globe.
My friend and several colleagues tried to protest
by explaining how 100 years of colonialism led to the “plantation mentality.”
It ended with we malahini rocking back in our smug self confidence – our proud
heritage of free thinking individuals – until later we were suddenly overcome
by a wave of self recrimination.
We began to sense our own impotence in
the light of present day institutions. What the plantation was to native people
the World Trade Organization is to many modern workers.
Then again, to
paraphrase my Buddhist friend, “How truly free are we?”
Of late I have
witnessed present day futile lords in our local administrative bodies cut down
and humiliate faithful and idealistic friends – at what cost to freedom of
speech?
I have seen other equally achingly idealistic souls humbled by an
orchestrated regime of petty tyrannies resulting in some very competent (and
dear) people leaving the island in disgust.
I have seen bright and
creative minds, doctors of philosophy, and true problem solvers succumb to the
browbeating and blackballing of inferior men. I have seen seekers of truth and
defenders of public integrity put those noble commodities off to the side in
order to gain temporary favors of the reigning power merchants.
I have
heard in the complaints of still dedicated public servants an abject call to be
sued in order that they might better do the jobs they want to do.
The same
crass commercial system that brings us the World Trade Organization is
responsible for our island’s own system of tyranny over and against true
freedom.
We find ourselves constantly engrossed in such speculation without
ever realizing it. Things we absolutely cannot talk about in public- we can’t
stop talking about in private – the petty corruption, moments of gross
injustice, the lack of accountability, the lack of a human face somewhere here
inside the system.
To the journalist who wondered aloud if Hawai’i wasn’t
closer to being a third world country, the answer depends, tenuously at times,
on the occasional saving grace or vagaries of an unpredictable Judicial
system.
Most certainly it is not to be found in the time dishonored
machine politics of the executive or legislative branches of our state
government. It’s still who you know that matters – a key characteristic in
common with all the “backward” countries around the world.
The sad truth is
that without the effective means – economic independence – few of us can
actually enjoy the benefits of our heritage of freedom, even in America, even
in the 21st century.
Those of us “stuck people,” stuck in all the modern
forms of corporate colonialism, might only celebrate the rare occasions when
some of our fellows make it to full emancipation and show us how we might live
in the full light of freedom.
Finally, my thoughts returned to Native
Hawaiian people. Would it not be ironic if after 100 years of labor upon one of
the world’s greatest civics lessons, a new generation of sorely needed leaders
arose from their ranks and succeeded in guiding us forward to a new and more
thorough going democracy?
One in which the freedom to speak and choose was
as valued as the rich natural diversity of these islands?
R.
Culbertson
Lihu’e
