not surf related - just a very sad day..

General Discussion
1

Auwe…Auwe… Auwe…

My heart and the hearts of alot of people I know was broken today.

The nuckleheads at skurfer didn’t help with the sorrow we hawaiians feel either…

http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=786927&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

Somehow none of this sways stuff we argue and banter about here has any meaning to me anymore as the aloha and love for the ocean is being sucked out of my soul with the possible loss of something so dear so core to our cultural being…

And no it isn’t surfing, it’s about being hawaiian…

most if you may never understand.

we grieve and we pray and we will gather and march on saturday to our beloved princess’s grave site to look for hope and for her forgiveness for what is bieng done to her legacy… Their is no one more loved here than Bernice Pauahi. He Inoa No Pauahi

I’m sure Tiger is rolling in his grave as is Duke and all the others who have passed

Auwe…Auwe…Auwe…

2

Howzit oneula, I hear you and totally agree. The school was intended to be for Hawaiins and that’s how it should stay. I read the article in the Advertiser and couldn’t believe it. Another thing that upsets me is when haole kids born in Hawaii call them selves Hawaiin, that’s so much B.S… Don’t they realize that Hawaiians are a race of people and if they have no Hawaiian blood in them then they are just haoles born in the state of hawaii. The whole thing started with the kid from Kauai who’s hanai father was Hawaiian so the mom figures the kid is Hawaiian and should attend Kam school, once again just B.S… I feel the sorrow from the spirits that have passed. Aloha,Kokua

3

I agree! Having a daughter that graduated from Kamehameha two years ago, I am so greatful for the educational opportunity she had. Hawaiians have given the world so much and yet nearly everything was taken away from them. Kamehameha Schools was the only true unique educataional institution that Hawaiian scould proudly lay claim too and now that will be gone too. They lost so much culture, land and lifestyle most of which were stolen.

4

This decision was coming for a long time. Precedents were set in similar cases, in other schools, a long time ago. Further issues will come up (tax status, for one), and I don’t think KS is gonna be the same.

Now, regardless of how a “local haole” such as myself might feel, this is a politically and emotionally sensitive item, and one that a lot of people could make a lot of noise about. Here on Swaylock’s. Some of it would be constructive, some instructive, some quite negative. I’m on several discussion boards about several topics, and this sort of stuff that’s off topic can really, umm, distract from the intended discussion. And worse, to the point where members with a lot to contribute to the topic get disgusted and do not return.

I’m not the moderator. But, gently, I want to suggest that we stay away from politics, and other off-topic divisive issues, including the likely fate of the Akaka Bill. The controversy about offshore boards is more than enough, and that’s actually on-topic. There are other discussion forums populated by less mature, excitable individuals, where this and other “hot topics” can be beaten about.

Charlie

5

True Honolulu…

so I guess it’s time to say good bye for awhile…At least for me

what happened yesterday was a personal wake up call that there really is alot more important things in life to be concerned about than spending your time on than this silly surfboard building past time I’ve kind of got pre-occupied with lately.

Family, culture, heritage … it’s all at stake now and my ohana (four generations of alumni) are rallying to do what they can. I’m sure Uncle D the school and your children will be approaching you as well for some form of support.

It’s time I step out of the silent majority and into a more active role to do what I can where I can to help…

It was a fun and exciting ride…

We’ll see where this all goes… cause as always all you can do is hope for the best…

6

I enjoy your posts, Oneula, about surfing, and would miss them. I sense strongly that you enjoy, what I enjoy, largely. I really like what you’ve said about your KS background imparting to you a hardworking, moral foundation, and I might add that I notice KS more often than not imparts to its students good training of examining the world in a manner of intelligent deliberation, which I respect. Let not this issue sour your soul, let surfing keep it free. We are all just attempting to enjoy life on these little rocks, for the short time we are here.

Share the waves, share the stoke, share the smiles. We can all elevate.

I hope your knee heals and allows you to soon get back to what brings you happiness.

But I agree, this forum is best when it keeps on point and not politics.

7

We will be involved. This one is not for me, but for my children, my children’s children and so on.

Mahalo for your stand and mahalo for the other members for allowing us Hawaiian and Hawaiian’s at heart voice something so dear and important to us. Hawaiians gave us the gift of surfing, what can we do for them in return?

Aloha

8
Quote:

so I guess it’s time to say good bye for awhile…At least for me

You know, now is not the time to fade out. For the most part we are functioning adults around here (age being irrelevant), so mark the subject as “Off Topic - Kamehameha School” and use this forum to keep those from around the world who care informed and put word out inter-island about timely things Hawaii residents can be involved in. If the topic is not of interest, don’t look at it. If someone wants to go bear baiting, well, the moderators may have to chop off some heads. The rest of us should feel free to report anybody way out of line.

The internet is good for a couple of things: selling useless crap and instant access communicating. Trying to fight large battles with local or native blood populations is the hard way. While the Bishop Trust through the years has made some questionable history, the intent of this school has been beyond redoubt. Yes, this is a surfboard design forum, but I bet there isn’t a surfer alive anywhere in the world who hasn’t wished he or she could have gone to that school just for what it signifies.

9

Thanks Nels

I must say to all that Sways has been one of the most pleasant distractions or should I say experiences I’ve had in recent memory in my very hectic life…

Took alot of the edge off of work… and off of who we were screwing or not screwing today in the name of profit for the cause… As Tubedog says surfing can be so pure so cleansing to the soul but you folks all know that already…

And yes, I’m sad to say that Hawaiians in general were terrible terrible people no doubt, murderous, incestous and the most rigidly classed people in Polynesia (This I learned at the University of Washington thru social anthropology)

But there are three icons of our culture who greatness and love for us we could never repay our whole lives and that’s Bernice Pauahi, her cousin Ruth the ugly one, and Queen Liliuokalani. All “educated” Hawaiians hold these three ladies dear to our hearts for their love for us was true, their intent always pure… I owe much of what I am today to what they tried to do for me including who I am (Bernie/Bernice get it…)

So you can see I have no choice now but to answer my princess’s calling in what maybe her people’s darkest hours ahead… I need to make sure that those of native blood who never got the opportunities I got at least get a chance in their lineage sometime in the future, cause the next wave that comes through is gonna be theirs… I’ll be doing my best to make sure that happens just like I do in the lineup for that one hapless soul who always gets cut off…

Aloha Pumehana and as always, fight the good fight (Greg and Bert) I sense your time is near…

10

I can’t speak for others but if this isn’t closer to the heart of surfing than a lot of posts, I don’t know what is.

11

While the topic may not be surf related, it is surf culture related. And in that regard touches all who embrace any form of surfing. It touches all of us. I would support a full airing of the issue on this forum. It would be most fitting. Please continue Gentlemen.

12

I love watching whales. I’ve made some fairly long trips to do nothing but.

That said, I respect the NW Native American tribe (Makah) that has received a permit to hunt an occasional gray whale. For me, it represents an opportunity for the tribe to reconnect with their cultural roots that have been stripped from them over the years since Europeans arrived.

I’m all for Hawaiians to reconnect with their cultural roots as well. A school that facilitates that is OK by me - and I hope you stick around Bernie. You bring a lot of aloha to this site!

13

Oneula

It’s fair to say that we’ve all got your back on this one. You are the man of reason here. Thanks for keeping such a level and steady perspective.

Keep this one going.

14

Howdy Oneula,

Forgive me, but this IS surf related. I for one would rather read what the 9th circuit court has in store for this private cultural school, and would rather read it from your post here than from some other unconnected news forum.

get the word out, start here…

chris

goodsurfinggoodliving

15

Aloha, my friends. Today, I’m sick too. I’ve never been into politics, I’ve never voted for anyone or anything. I most often consider myself an interested bystander to the insane antics of the ‘human race’, and would rather not participate. After today, I swear I’ve had it with the American Way. It’s always been my belief that the Hawaiian people’s business should be handled exclusively by Na Kanaka Maoli, and although it has been my heartfelt belief that I have no right to interfere, I’ve reached the point where it’s time for me to make a change in that attitude. I intend to join the revolution, and do what I can to support the people. It’s the ignorant caucasians that need to hear the message about what’s really up in Hawaii. I find myself constantly preaching the fact that this is not America, this is not ‘back home’, and why change this sacred place to fit an Americanized version of how Hawaii should be. I am immensely blessed to have the opportunity to be a guest of this wonderful nation of Hawaii. I stand with the Hawaiians!!! Aloha…RICK HOLT

16

IMUA HAWAII !!!

Aloha ,

Kala

17

Culture — it must be fought for every inch of the way…where i come from, there are schools where you can be educated primarily in your mother tongue…not english— but children from english/scottish/jamaican/irish/french/whatever backgrounds attend these schools, learn our language, dance, poetry and music. These people take the culture and move with it – adding to it, so our way of life doesn’t become museum culture…

From my point of view, racial purity is neither desirable nor possible…it’s not your genes you’re fighting for … Hawaiian culture should be open to everyone who truly feels an affinity for it and is willing to put the hard work into learning it.

Having said that, I understand Hawaiians grievances at the shocking way their culture and people were treated by invaders

By the way…I like the odd bit of Hawaiian that get’s included in these threads…it proves that the “haole” have not yet won!

18

as another ‘Cymro’ on this site I can only echo what Silverback has said, language, culture, traditions are more important than the genes you may carry. I’m welsh, but I know I have genes which connect me to England, France, Norway, and quite possibly even Hawaii [I come from a long seafaring family]. That is essentially unimportant, but my culture is, and I have worked long and hard to see it stay

" Yma o hyd" - “still here” as they say in my part of the UK, even after 800 years of dominance from over the border. That’s what needs to be fought for.

19

as the sun sets sadness wells up

the sun is coming again

the darkness that engulfs us

can only be shed with a true belief in the coming light

for every thing ,

tangible and not

lost

something

appears

like the disapearing wave in the set

another wave appears behind

the heart break of cultural change

has for centuries has spawned migration

where did they go,those who were here before?

the litigeous nature of our contemporary life

violates every cell of our cultural being

all cultures alike

we are here

more together than ever before in the history of mankind

more and more able to feel each other’s emotional pain

heretofore ignored in arrogance

though ancestors may shed a tear at the loss

hope springs etrnal that the dream of

comunity will prevail

the noble thing would be to refrain from enrolling

and study hawaiian ciriculum independantly

out of respect for the parent culture

if the bloodline was not sufficient

…ambrose…

we wear our nobility

in our actions

the possessor of the golden cape

is no more noble because of it

the spirit of Hawaii does not reside in a document

be it diploma or court ruling

in my minds eye I see an empty set untracked by any

but the pure spirit passed and yet to come.

the wave I rode directly into the wind that barely broke

paddling prone and redirectlng over and over

gave me a great feeling of accomplishment

and comunion with the essence of the wide pacific

I owe this to Hawaiian Polynesia

we are blessed.

the laws of men are ficle and tenuous

aloha from waipouli…

the empty wave is ridden by THE invisible spirits passed

the next wave is yours

20

Rick,

I am not trying to stir the pot here but I need come clarifiction.

Weren’t only the Ali’i allowed to surf?

Didn’t the Ali’i own all the land?

Essentially a cast system, a few owned all the land and only the royalty could surf.

If things were still the same you could not surf or own any land right?

The problem of having todays perspective in your way of life makes it very hard to look back practically to see how things might be now with no change.

Though whitey, ignorant caucasians, missionaries all get the blame for everything.

The way you orient your perspecitve looking back was all affected by those people, who had good and some bad intentions for Hawaii.

All those who are hated for the cause of the problem, I could make example after example how it helped more than hurt.

The school situation: I believe the application process and requirements leaves the most needy Hawaiian blood children out of the loop. That is the cry I have heard from 15 years ago, before this new issue was an issue.