A most humble apology to those who missed the fun, humorous and
interesting thread circulating earlier this summer that was decimated by
the cold bucket of ice water known an Paul G. of Hawaii. In this and
the next few posts, this historical context will be re-established for
those who missed out on the fun. The implications for the Newton and the
future of the Newton is obvious.
It started out innocently enough, but soon turned ugly...
Paul sent a post about the stupidity of mainlanders because of their
inability to know or understand some small, arcane and insignificant
details about the "Islands" and proceeded to roast them alive. A fellow
named Mark replied. Perhaps he's a Canadian.
> ----------
> From: Paul <pgrothaus@hibiotech.com>
> To: <newtontalk@planetnewton.com>
> Subject: NTLK Re: The Hidden Hawaii diatribe
> Date: Mon, Jun 26, 2000, 5:39 AM
>
> Mark wrote:
> > Now we're talking! Hawaiians believe both US and Canadian mainlanders are
> > staggeringly stupid!
>
> to which good-dog@northshore.net responded with this strident bit of
> vociferous vomit:
> >
> > The reason Hawaiians feel so superior, according to an ex-Hawaiian now
> > living in a witness protection program so that fellow Hawaiians don't find
> > him, is that they have a huge inferiority complex. Virtually out of touch
> > with the rest of the world, they live on a series of isolated islands and
> > are at the mercy of the Tourist Lords, who control the Islands. Granted,
> > paradise is fun, but they become stir crazy and begin to feel inadequate
> > because of the size of their state compared to the cost of living there.
> > Prices are embarrassingly high because they live in the biggest tourist trap
> > in the world. Because the size of the state is an embarrassment, Hawaiians
> > are psychotic, but not as bad as Rhode Islanders. To off set the completely
> > paralyzing depression, the local Hawaiians pump themselves into a frenzy
> > over the slightest real or imagined slight made by tourists in order to have
> > some degree of self esteem. Don't even mention that most locals are
> > transplants from 'somewhere else' unless you want to make them cry or be the
> > main course at the nearest Papau, New Guinea restaurant.
> >
> > Hawaiians are similar to people that live in a college town: they are at
> > constant war with the tourists (students). They can't live with them and
> > they can't live without them. Consequently they MUST feel superior to them
> > or end up on suicidal rampages. The locals see how the rest of the world is
> > progressing in all other areas of life while they must live in complete
> > slavery to the tourist trade. The Hawaiians are also pissed because it costs
> > so much too live there that when other people come to visit and make
> > comments about how a coke is not $3 a can in Iowa, their delusion of living
> > in paradise is shattered into a million pieces. Who wouldn't be edgy,
> > paranoid, superior or twitchy?
> >
> > My source says it took him years to get out of the Hawaiian Mentality, with
> > help of a 39 Step Program and Federal Agents, but now he can live a normal
> > life and pay 60 cents for a coke.
> >
> > Paradise is a tough place.
>
> Wow! What did I say to elicit such a mean-spirited visceral response??
>
> We were having a discussion about the "Ugly American", a term used to refer
> to the lack of cultural understanding of foreign lands by many Americans. I
> was simply pointing out the sad fact that this lack of understanding applies
> to regions of our own country as well. Maybe modern education is to blame,
> maybe they don't teach geography anymore. Hawaii has been a state since 1959
> and last year, during a meeting in Washington DC, a US congressman asked me
> how I was enjoying my visit to the United States!! No American should be
> unable to name all fifty states from memory!!
>
> As to good-dog's comments about my home, his information is just a bit
> erroneous. Feelings of superiority or inferiority to the mainland just don't
> exist in the majority of the population here. We love our island home and
> understand the importance of tourism to the economy, . Animosity towards
> tourists exists in some locals but no more than in other tourist
> destinations. Most local folks are easy going and friendly and enjoy sharing
> our islands with visitors
>
> Contrary to his assertions, the "Tourist Lords" do not control the islands.
> Tourism is certainly the major industry but the single largest employer (of
> civilians) is the US military. We have significant garment, agricultural and
> fishing industries. And believe it or not, science is becoming a major force
> in our economy. We are the world's leader in astronomical research, a major
> player in ocean sciences, and biotechnology and computer companies are
> rapidly establishing a significant presence.
>
> Honolulu has the lowest violent crime rate of any large American city.
> Prices are high but homes cost more in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. I
> have never paid $3 for a can of soda. Machines here charge 0.50 to $1, just
> as on the mainland. And yes, just like every place else in the US, most of
> the people are from somewhere else. I believe this statement applies to all
> who are not pure Native Americans or Hawaiians! In fact, the rest of the
> country (and world) could learn a lot about ethnic relations by studying the
> local population. Racial problems aren't completely absent, but nowhere else
> do so many different groups get along so peacefully. Most marriages here are
> across ethnic lines and most neighborhoods are highly integrated. We've had
> two white (haole), a Japanese, a Hawaiian, and a Filipino Governor. All in
> all, this is the most ethnically integrated place in the world.
>
> We are certainly not embarrassed about the size of our state. Nowhere in the
> world is there such a variety of micro enviroments in such a small area as
> in Hawaii. Snow ski on Mauna Kea in the morning, swim in the warm ocean 1
> hour later, hike in a rain forest in the afternoon! No, Hawaii isn't truly
> paradise but for me it is the closest to paradise of any place I have ever
> lived. But then anywhere can be paradise if you appreciate what it has to
> offer. I spent 4 pleasant years in Omaha, Nebraska, 5 good years in
> Lafayette Indiana, 2 great years in Seattle Washington, and many years in
> Missouri. Each in its own way was paradise for me at that time of my life.
>
> Finally I'll close this too long missive by saying that perhaps we have
> found the true "Ugly American". He goes by the name of
> good-dog@northshore.net!!
>
> Aloha,
> Paul G. Grothaus, Ph.D.
> Hawaii Biotechnology Group, Inc.
***************************************
NewtonTalk brought to you by:
EVOTE.COM -- the ESPN of politics on the Internet! All the players, all the news, and the hottest analysis and features (plus 'toons!) anywhere.... visit http://www.evote.com today!
***************************************
Need Subscribe/Unsubscribe info?
Visit the NewtonTalk section at http://www.planetnewton.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Sep 01 2000 - 00:00:11 CDT