Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 9, 1 September 2010 — Talking about 'The Value of Hawaiʻiʻ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Talking about 'The Value of Hawaiʻiʻ

Timed for release just before the elections, a new book asks: What is in Hawai'i's best interest?

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola Lucky we live Hawai'i. The comfortable climate and natural beauty of our island home is without measure. But there's trouble in paradise. If there is only one book you read this year, read The Value of Hawai'i. This thought-provoking publication is for everyday people, just like you and me, who appreciate the significance of this plaee and realize change is inevitable, but would prefer it be for the better. Growing up in Hawai'i was truly the best of both worlds. Living in urban Honolulu, with nearly a million residents ean compare to large metropolises per capita, in conunerce and technology. Yet, just minutes away locals ean take pleasure in the most exquisite sandy beaches or trek mountain trails beyond compare. As a child every summer we would go camping in either Punalu'u, Ka'a'awa or the North Shore. When the sun was up, we were outside exploring the vast green spaces or swimming with the fish. This book is not a repair manual. Although the writers propose solutions large and small ... these essays encourage the entire community to enter into discussions — Cmig Howes Now, it's nearly impossible to get a camping permit. People start waiting in line at 5:30 a.m. in hopes that they ean share with their children what we took for granted. Frustrated by reduced puhlie services, there is a newfound contempt for government workers and teachers. The book points out that instead of targeting the workers who actually took pay cuts, we should revisit the puhlie policy that got Hawai'i into this situation. Furlough Fridays may help the budget and traffic, but at what cost? Some of today's youth live a virtual existence via the Internet with avatars of themselves, gaming and social networking in lieu of real experience. For some it's convenient, fun and safe. Can you hlame them, when they face a reality of fewer school days, homelessness and a struggling economy that may affect whether there is food on the table. Like a coffee table book, The Value o/Hawai'i is inspiring interesting conversations, but that is the only similarity. This easily digestible softcover compilation contains 28 essays, one a day for a month. Some of whieh you may embrace openheartedly, others you may differ with but read on. Some hot topics are the prisons, puhlie education, transportation, alternative energy and domestic violence. Other subjects hit close to home like going green with Hawaiian sustainability, the economy, race and social services. The essays reflect the contributor's most passionate concerns about Hawai'i, describe how the state got to this point and include options for addressing these concerns. Yet there's variety, eaeh essay written in a dif-

ferent style, with a different perspective. The book does cause one to wonder what is important, and what is in the best interest of Hawai'i's residents, whieh is a positive result of this publication. The brainchild of noted island academics Craig Howes, Director of the Center for Biographical Research at the University of Hawai'i, and Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, Ph.D., Professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, the intent of the book was to start the community discussing what is right for Hawai'i - just as voters head to the polls for the 2010 elections. Howes reminds us, "This book is not a repair manual. Although the writers propose solutions large and small . . . these essays encourage the entire conununity to enter into discussions - considerations often lost when people are under the budget-cutting knife." Join the conversation by attending a talk-story session with the book's contributors at the Civil Beat offices or at Chaminade University (see box for details) or there are a few free excerpts online at CivilBeat.com. The Value ofHawai'i is available at Native Books Nā Mea Hawai'i and other bookstores or online at www.uhpress.hawaii.edu. ■

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The Value ofHawai'i Knowing the Past, Shaping the Future Edited by Craig Howes & Jon Osorio University of Hawai'i Press $19.99 softcover 264 pages Read. Listen. Discuss. >"Beatup"/Meetup talk-story sessions Civil Beat headquarters 3465 Waialae Ave., Suite 200 9/23, 10/7 and 10/28 at 5:30 p.m. Email: beatup@civilbeat.com required to RSVP >We Value Hawai'i: Art/Music/Dialogue 9/25 all-day at Fresh Cafe, Queen St. >Discussions at Chaminade Univ. 10/14,11/18,12/9, 1/13 and 2/10 >Panel discussion on Violence Against Women and Hawaiian lssues 11/10 co-sponsored by Girl Fest Hawai'i For details, visit thevalueofhawaii.com.

Jon Osorio, fop, and Craig Howes are the co-editors of The Value ofHawai'i- Phoio: John Matsuzaki