Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 5, 1 May 2004 — Catching cold [ARTICLE]

Catching cold

In the letters section of the March issue, Mr. Kapolei writes that Captain Cook and his crew were responsible for bringing the cold virus to the islands and decimating the population. We know this to be true. But it is also true that, over

time, the entire population of the planet has been exposed to this virus and would not have acquired antibodies had it not been exposed. Short of building a Berlin Wall around the Nation of Hawai'i and forbidding all intercontinental travel, sooner or later the diseases of the world heeome our diseases, and visa versa. The 'Political Dance" between nations is usually about power. In 1779, King Kalani'ōpu'u was waging a bloody war with the island of Maui; it's logical to assume that the king would be looking to Cook to provide him with superior weapons that he could use against his enemies. Cook, on the other hand, was looking at Hawai'i as exploitable real estate and would probably not wish to get involved in what he would perceive as a domestic quarrel. My point is that the dominance of one nation over another is not specifically an English or Hawaiian phenomenon but is (sadly) eommon to all nations at some point in their history. For better or worse, the Hawaiian Nation is now part of the world. Deforestation and uncontrolled growth is a problem the world faces. I don't believe that racist attitudes or bitterness is an effective or unifying force against the destruction of this Nation or this planet. Speaking out plainly is a good way forward. Ma Anand Zana Hilo OHA reserves the right to ed.it all Ietters for Iength, defamatory and IibeIous material, and other objectionab!e content, and reserves the right not to print any submission. AII Ietters must be typed, signed anel not exceed. 200 words. Letters cannot be published unless they are signed anel include a ielephone contact for verificcition. Send Ietters to Ka Wai Ola o OHA, 711 Kapi'olani BIvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813, or email kwo@oha.org. ■