Posted by Kaapuikinaea on September 22, 2009 at 4:30pm
First, my (over) use of the term - Haole. Basically for the most part, a Caucasian but also anyone who is non-Oiwi that has a Western concept. So unless you're Asian & is very westernized, I use that term on them too.Anyway, my coworker Gordon whom I've hinted about before. This time I was able to ask him straight out what "Native American" tribe he was, he claimed "Seneca". This is how the conversation went. First of all, Gordon is the typical, egotistical person who LOVES to hear himself talk.Gordon: So, any word on domestic terrorism?me: Huh? Ok, what do you exactly mean by that? You mean Hawaiians doing things physically that could be marked as that?(he kinda takes the subject in a diff. direction)G: You know, but I really love going to Hawaii, and I get along perfectly with Hawaiians!me: (thinking how would he know he was actually speaking to a Kanaka?) I know a lot of outsiders who do, but...G: see, what will happen if Hawaiians...say what, end tourism, then what? How are you guys suppose to get money?Me: (more irritated now) oh well. Who cares really?G: *laughs* They haven't thought that through obviously.me: Oh, they have. But see, that's what I don't understand is how it affects people like you. I mean, what would it matter to you, how are you affected by it?G: oh no, it doesn't affect me at all.me: exactly!G: I just go there & desecrate your beaches & stuff.me: (holding my tongue ready to say a racial comment)G: See, I'm native american.....me: what tribe?That's when he later explained that he was Seneca. In other words, he's a Haole claiming Native American ancestry (he said Native American to me before rather than mention the tribe simply b/c he is NOT a tribe member!) and feels that he can justify why there should be tourism, as if he's saying he can relate.Facts:1) he grew up Haole style, not Seneca2) he just adores everything about Hawaii & esp. the FOOD which he believes he's a connoisseur & feels a connection b/c his Japanese wife's grandma is from Oahu3) typical Haole who believes that only THEY know what's best for us
See you work with these type of people. I don't have to work with people unless I want to be near them. I can pick and choose who I work for/with. If they are pushy or demanding... next! Some people don't have a choice.
Key words are *when* Haole people like to dictate and not surprisingly they are usually white males. That's why I don't bring my husband with me because I like to focus on the issues and not on the fact that he has blonde hair and blue eyes LOL Like one time we went surfing and lucky I brought my dad with us because whenever my husband goes home with me local people treat him really badly you know.
One of my cop friends did tell me though that he thinks that Hawaiians are incapable of taking control and that is why we are in this predicament. And yes... he is Haole. As long as they don't butt in though... then it's cool because to me there is a difference between having an opinion and trying to tell us what to do. When a white dude tries to dictate to Hawaiians what to do or what not to do then yes I definitely have a problem with that too.... My haole friends mean well though. If they didn't I would not talk to them.
For co-workers it's significantly different. In my experience working with mostly haole people and for haole people not once have they discussed Hawaiian issues with me. They beddah not! LOL
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One of my cop friends did tell me though that he thinks that Hawaiians are incapable of taking control and that is why we are in this predicament. And yes... he is Haole. As long as they don't butt in though... then it's cool because to me there is a difference between having an opinion and trying to tell us what to do. When a white dude tries to dictate to Hawaiians what to do or what not to do then yes I definitely have a problem with that too.... My haole friends mean well though. If they didn't I would not talk to them.
For co-workers it's significantly different. In my experience working with mostly haole people and for haole people not once have they discussed Hawaiian issues with me. They beddah not! LOL