moving to hawaii, impending sense of doom

[DDane]

Don't be so dramatic.

[Nea1]

Originally Posted by DDane

Don't be so dramatic.

Exactly why shouldnt we be? Our kids are important to us, and by looks of some of these threads and the bad attitudes we sometimes get, there has been reason to question. So we ask questions and hope to get positive responses, but sometimes not. It is a huge move, not one to take lightly.

[AuntyF]

"Embracing Diversity" is an interesting phrase to use. IMHO, that phrase sounds like "Tolerance" [white ppl tolerating "others" implies a whole host of weirdnesses]----I think altering your internal language a bit may help you enjoy the experience more. From what I have seen, in Hawai'i and all over America, you are not in a position to embrace diversity----the diversity embraces YOU if you are cool about it.

[minnesotanice]

Originally Posted by AuntyF

"Embracing Diversity" is an interesting phrase to use. IMHO, that phrase sounds like "Tolerance" [white ppl tolerating "others" implies a whole host of weirdnesses]----I think altering your internal language a bit may help you enjoy the experience more. From what I have seen, in Hawai'i and all over America, you are not in a position to embrace diversity----the diversity embraces YOU if you are cool about it.

And I find your picking apart of my words interesting. So here is a definition of the word "embrace" and the context i am using it in.

"to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly"

For futher clarification, I do not simply "tolerate" others. I "tolerate" my husband snoring and leaving his socks on the floor, I "tolerate" potholes, I "tolerate" slow drivers, I "tolerate" mosquitos. When it comes to actual people, sure, I may need to tolerate their behavior at times, but I do not "tolerate" them based on their race, ethinicity, sexual orientation, economic status, IQ, education, religion, ability etc.

When I say that I "embrace diversity", I say it to differentiate myself from those who do not. We all know there are plenty of people who do not accept anyone who is not from the same demographic, they are fearful of people who look, speak, believe differently from themselves. They are afraid of change. And they pass that on to their children. I "embrace" change, I "embrace" the opportunity to live in a diverse population, I "embrace" the chance to learn from and about another cultures. What is wrong with that? I say that I "embrace diversity", not in some attempt to sound politically correct, I say it because that is how my parents raised me, that is how I live my life, and that is how I am raising my children.

And I am sorry if I may be sounding dramatic, but I do fear for my son, still. Not only is he moving thousands and thousands of miles away and starting a new school where he may not be accepted because he is a mainlander, he is also gay. So if it is not one thing he may be targeted for, it may be another. And by the way, I do not "tolerate" my gay son, I "embrace" him.

[DDane]

Originally Posted by minnesotanice

And I find your picking apart of my words interesting. So here is a definition of the word "embrace" and the context i am using it in.

"to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly"

For futher clarification, I do not simply "tolerate" others. I "tolerate" my husband snoring and leaving his socks on the floor, I "tolerate" potholes, I "tolerate" slow drivers, I "tolerate" mosquitos. When it comes to actual people, sure, I may need to tolerate their behavior at times, but I do not "tolerate" them based on their race, ethinicity, sexual orientation, economic status, IQ, education, religion, ability etc.

When I say that I "embrace diversity", I say it to differentiate myself from those who do not. We all know there are plenty of people who do not accept anyone who is not from the same demographic, they are fearful of people who look, speak, believe differently from themselves. They are afraid of change. And they pass that on to their children. I "embrace" change, I "embrace" the opportunity to live in a diverse population, I "embrace" the chance to learn from and about another cultures. What is wrong with that? I say that I "embrace diversity", not in some attempt to sound politically correct, I say it because that is how my parents raised me, that is how I live my life, and that is how I am raising my children.

And I am sorry if I may be sounding dramatic, but I do fear for my son, still. Not only is he moving thousands and thousands of miles away and starting a new school where he may not be accepted because he is a mainlander, he is also gay. So if it is not one thing he may be targeted for, it may be another. And by the way, I do not "tolerate" my gay son, I "embrace" him.

When you live in Hawaii in with so many different cultures. There is bound to be something you don't like, somethings you really hate, and somethings that seem untolerable.

But you still need to learn to tolerate them, because somethings simply cannot be embraced.

[AuntyF]

Originally Posted by minnesotanice

And I find your picking apart of my words interesting. So here is a definition of the word "embrace" and the context i am using it in.

"to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly"

For futher clarification, I do not simply "tolerate" others. I "tolerate" my husband snoring and leaving his socks on the floor, I "tolerate" potholes, I "tolerate" slow drivers, I "tolerate" mosquitos. When it comes to actual people, sure, I may need to tolerate their behavior at times, but I do not "tolerate" them based on their race, ethinicity, sexual orientation, economic status, IQ, education, religion, ability etc.

When I say that I "embrace diversity", I say it to differentiate myself from those who do not. We all know there are plenty of people who do not accept anyone who is not from the same demographic, they are fearful of people who look, speak, believe differently from themselves. They are afraid of change. And they pass that on to their children. I "embrace" change, I "embrace" the opportunity to live in a diverse population, I "embrace" the chance to learn from and about another cultures. What is wrong with that? I say that I "embrace diversity", not in some attempt to sound politically correct, I say it because that is how my parents raised me, that is how I live my life, and that is how I am raising my children.

And I am sorry if I may be sounding dramatic, but I do fear for my son, still. Not only is he moving thousands and thousands of miles away and starting a new school where he may not be accepted because he is a mainlander, he is also gay. So if it is not one thing he may be targeted for, it may be another. And by the way, I do not "tolerate" my gay son, I "embrace" him.

All I can say to you is that this phrase has been used, over used, and has become quite hackneyed. It means very little outside of being a term associated with political correctness and using it just sounds silly when you actually mean a lot more, and with a lot more depth, than what that crappy term has come to mean. Sorry to have lit such a firestorm.

[Jungjohann]

I'ld have an impending sense of doom if I had to move to the mainland. What the hell would I do with all my aloha shirts and ono opihi picker board shorts? And don't they have real "seasons" over there, stuff like snow and sub-zero temps? I have a jacket and a sweater over here somewhere, but I couldn't tell you exactly where they are. Oh well, guess I'm stuck!!! The price one must pay.

Aloha and okolemaluna

[Badatta2de]

lol, I was thinking about the things Im going to miss today, and it was my super soft coats and sweaters. I think I might keep one or two though, don't some of those higher sites on the volcanos get chilly? Or at least what will feel chilly to me after being used to 75 degrees every day?

[Jungjohann]

In upper Kula, they actually get frost on the rare occasion, and snowfall higher up. I've seen Haleakala with snow on it a number of times, families will head up there before it melts and put their boogie boards to a different use! If you're moving up there, bring the sweaters and jackets. I'm in Kihei, but did wear a jacket at some point, just don't remember when. Kind of funny, a few years ago the weather was really wierd, and I thought someone was throwing gravel or something up in my parking lot........It was hailing!!! It didn't stick for long, but go figure, hailing in Kihei!

Aloha and okolemaluna

[kani-lehua]

aloha from kailua, o'ahu!

my primary residence is kailua. but, i do have another home in kapolei and was one of the first to move into the a'eloa subdivision. i loved living there but am currently renting it out to my family. my mother is a kupuna at kapolei elementary and teaches hawaiian studies. she looks very haole! if you looked at my brother, sister or me, you wouldn't think that she's our mom. i wouldn't worry too much about your son fitting in. all of you will do just fine!