Ke Alahou, Volume I, Number 6, 1 May 1980 — Elusive Destiny [ARTICLE]

Elusive Destiny

The Internationalist Movement in Modern Hawaii by Paul F. Hooper, University Press of Hawaii

Long considered a paradise by outsiders Hawaii has retained such an image even loday. Klong with this Hawaii has also become an important and strategic location for the world. The creation of the belief and the events that have lead to Hāwairs international prominence are the subject of this book. Hooper chronologically presents the events from the time fo the Kamehamehas to the post statehood period to show how the dreams and ambitions of individuals and groups of people brought these islands to the world's attention. This is intermixed with a reconstructiori of intentions, motivations and thoughts that make up the belief whieh to Hooper is as powerful as the events. His research, mueh of it on the less written period of the Territory and pre-statehood era, points to the realization that our desire for world involvement or "internationalism- and the belief of our uniqueness or paradise have greatly molded our present way of living. He argues that as islarids wi3 have done more than promote internationalism and paradisē to the world; we actually have attempted to make it a reality here. .' ■■■■; - - .-■-■ ■■ ''•'V In the halanee, the Hawaiian outcome has been remarkabe in terms if preserving cūltural integrity while maintainin§ socsal accord, and the fundamental ? explanations seems to be simply that the people of Hawaii have vvanted it this way. . . . the practical point remains that Hawaiiān society regārdless of the 'reasons vvhy„ has eome closer to realizing its mythic self-perception than most societies . . . . . many of the same things ean be said fo the internatōnalist movement ltself. . : . Bringing the leading citizens of the Paeific nations together in consultation, expariding opportunities forEast-West scholarship, creating an international uftiversity . . the movement has lpng been doing the things that must be done in an interdependent world. . So great is the influence in this State that Hoopep forecasts an ominous period if islanders do not begin to understand the relationship of iriterdependence with the world and ourselves. Despite persistent efforts at a serious portrayal of Hawaii, people elsewhere continue to vlew the Islands as little more than a glamorous playground. Few are aware of the deeper issues and fewer still care enough to take them seriously. Further, it may well be that even the people of Hawaii are succumbing to this tendency. To cite only the most obvious examples, building ethnic tensions' and a growing inability to translate paradisal rhetoric into meaningfu'l action .... What all of these things actually mean for the future remains to be seen. but, it is clear that they at least pose the threat of less happy times. This book is more than just history. īt is also a book about the deve!opment fo the one most important belief that is part of the religious, social and eeonomie life / 'of this island community. For that reason alone

this book should be read by those interested in the future planning of this State. It shouldbe added that since Hooper has written his story in a narrative style it is more a pleasure than an acadeijiic exercise in history to read. There are also many photographs accompanying the text, and those portraying, development of the idea of paradise are of note. MNC Ua mana k o 'ia he 'aina paradise o Hawai'i nei e like me ka 'aina Paliuli mamua, e na po'e malihini. A e ho'omau no na'e ka i keia manawa. A me neia mana'o'i'o; kaulana no ho'i 'o Hawai'i me he wahi ho'omaha no ka mea he 'aina mawaenakonu o na 'aina puni 'ole 'o Asia ame 'Amelika. Malia, 'o ka ho'omaka o ka mana'o'i'o°ame na hanana iho'ohana ai 'oia ke kumu a'o o keia puka hou i ho'opuka mai ke Kuianui o Hawai'i nei ma Manoa. He kanaka\ mo'oku'auhau no 'o Hooper, kai kakau puke no kana kuhikuhi i na hanana o ka manawa mai ka wa Mo'i o Kamehamehaa i kei'a ao nei. Akai ua ha'i mo'olelo no ho'i -oia i na kanaka ame na 'ahahui i ho'ohuli i ka hana me na 'aina 'e, alaila, ha'i mai no ia i ke kumu o ka lakou mana'o ame Tini i loa'a mailoko o ka lakou leka, palapala ame mea e a'e. 'O ka nui o kana puke e pili n_o ka wa o ke aupuni Panala'au. A 'o ka heluna o kana noi'i 'oia ka 'ikē a ho'omapopo i ke ano o ko kakou nohona nei me ka ho'ololi nui oka kakou hana me na 'aina ame ko kakou hilina'i i ua mana'o'i'o nei no ka paradise. Ua kuhikuhi no ia i keia mea penei: In the balance, the Hawaiian outcome has been remarkable in terms of preserving culturaTintegrity while maintaining social accord. and the funda-

mental explanations. seem to be. simply that the people of Hawaii have wanted it this way. . . . the , practical point remains that,Hawaiian society regardless of the reasons why, has eome closer to realizing its mythic self-perception than most societies . . . . . . many of the same things ean be said of the internationa'list movement itself. . . . Bringing the leading citizens of the Pacific nations together in consultation, expanding opportunities for East-West scHolarship, creating an international university . . . the movement has long been dolng the things that must be done in an iriterdependent world ... Alaila, e wanana ana.no ia ina-'a'ole loa kakou e, ho'omaopopo no ka nui a ka kakou hana a nohona me na 'aiiia 'e a he mea nui ka mana'o'i'o i ko kakou hilina'i mamua ina e loa'a ana he manawa kaumaha me ka hewa. No ka mea, ke noho nei kakou me na 'aina 'e ame na po'e lahui 'e ma keia ao nei. Despite persistent efforts at a serious portrayal of Hawaii, people elsewhere continue tō view the Jslands as little more than a glamorous p!ayground. Few are aware of the deeper issues and fewer still care enough to take them seriously. Further, it may well be thateven the people of Hawaii&re succumbing to this tendency. To cite only the most obvious ■ examples, building eihnie tensions and a growing inability to translate paradisal rhetoric inlo meaningful action . . . What alji of these things actually mean for the future remains to be seen. but. it is clear that they at least the threat of less happy times. A eia no hō'i he puke e pono ke heluhelu ina makemake no 'oe. e ho'ohana ma ke aupuni, ka mea lealai 'aina a ina e hoihōi wale no 'oe no ka hananama hawai*i nei. A 'a'ole he mea pa'akikike heluhelu no ka mea ua kakau 'ia elike me he mo'olelo, a 'a ole he mea palapala 'alualua. Ahe nane'a ika 'ikemaka o na pa'i ki'i, a ahona no ho'i na pa'i ki'i o na mea kaha ki'i no ka ho'ulu o ka mana'o'i'o 'o paradise.