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One could say that almost any Asian "ethnic enclave" in the continental U.S. has a more "traditional" Asian influence than the entire state of Hawaiʻi. However, if one compares the state of Hawaiʻi to any other state, there's a much stronger Asian influence in Hawaiʻi. Most folks (especially in the American business community), know how to make a simple "like to like" comparison.
More Asians as a percentage of population doesn't necessarily mean a higher Asian influence. For instance, it isn't common to have first generation Asian immigrants to Hawaii in 2013 but it is still common in places like the West Coast - and first generation immigrants are always going to have a stronger influence that second, third, and so on generations.
@PaliPatty I totally agree! Of course different areas of the country have unique cultures. The biggest thing I disagree with on this thread is a certain person who claims there is absolutely nothing unique about Hawaii's culture and that everywhere in the country is the same just because there is fast food, department stores, traffic, and English speakers.
I definitely did not say "absolutely nothing". I've said mostly the same. And it is. Just as their are variations in the South, Midwest, Northwest, etc - they are mostly the same with some outlier traditions. It isn't like you come to Hawaii and get blown away by its uniqueness - it isn't terribly much different than the mainland, especially the West Coast with a bit more diversity. Anything else is just a romanticized thought of Hawaii.
More Asians as a percentage of population doesn't necessarily mean a higher Asian influence. For instance, it isn't common to have first generation Asian immigrants to Hawaii in 2013 but it is still common in places like the West Coast - and first generation immigrants are always going to have a stronger influence that second, third, and so on generations.
However, the cultural and social influence of first-generation Asian immigrants to the West Coast tends to be limited only to their particular "ethnic enclaves", not the entire state. Compare states to states, cities to cities, and neighborhoods to neighborhoods and you might see what folks in this thread have been trying to tell you. For instance, one would be correct in stating that the "Asian influence" is greater in the Chinatown section of San Francisco, California than it is in Kailua, Hawaʻi. Unfortunately, that conclusion can't (and shouldn't) be extrapolated to conclude that "California has a higher degree of 'Asian influence' than Hawaiʻi."
So now we are on 'Asian influence' - I thought it was 'Hawaii Culture' - I don't know, I go to each island at least every other month - including Molokai for work - I've lived in Europe, Asia, Australia, Chicago, San Francisco - been to most countries in Europe, somewhat less in Asia - been to most of the '52' States (yes, I typed that right, anyone following the thread would know what I mean) - and I don't see much 'Asian influence' here (except more restaurants and tourists) - it is predominately West coast influenced - after everyone gets back from the beach tonight - or watching football (not terribly Asian is that) - or running errands, just about everyone will do the same as their West coast counterparts.
You want it to be so different - but it isn't that different.
I'll do this - I get the impression many of the posters here haven't lived around the world or travel as much as I have - perhaps because of this - Hawaii just seems so different to them because they haven't experienced much else.
Following the theme of "uniqueness," one can babble on eternally.
Texas has a culture that is unique as compared to New York (which has internal cultures which vary according to individual NY locales---metro, LI, Upstate, Downstate) as compared to Michigan as compared to Louisiana as compared to Maine as compared to California-SF/California-LA/California-Humboldt as compared to yada yada ad nauseum. There are many many areas of the country that can boast unique cultures. Some are extremely localized, such as the culture and unique language of those who live in the Sea Islands in the southern coastal region of the US.
Pidgin is no more unique, as a language variation, to Hawaii than mangos are. Pidgin languages exist in many areas of the United States, and creole is, simplified, evolved pidgin. Louisiana Creole/Cajun, Sea Island Gullah, Hawaiian Pidgin, Valley French in Maine. Go to Kiryas Joel in NY and you'll be surrounded by people speaking Yiddish as their native tongue.
Hawaii is just one more area of the US that can claim a bit of uniqueness as its very own.
Isn't it nice that we have such diversity as a country?
Yes, I think so too.
Embrace all of it. Perpetuate that which is important to you, enjoy what others can bring to the table, rejoice in our diversity as a planet.
No need to fall into the ugly trap of provincialism.
Very well said! I wish it would let me give you another Rep point.
Reading this brought to mind a kind of funny story from when I was in the Air Force and stationed at Shemya Island Alaska. I am not very good at understanding strong accents. There was a very nice civilian gentle man named Charlie working with us there and he was from Louisiana. He had a VERY strong creole/cajun accent. Trying to understand him while at work was extremely difficult for me. Luckily he was very kind and didn't take offense to me asking him over and over what he was trying to say. One night I went to the base bar and Charlie was there. He had been drinking for quite a while. I walked over to him and said hello and to my surprise, while drunk, Charlie would speak PERFECT english!
The next day at work he was back to his normal heavy creole/cajun accent. So I said to him, "Charlie, are just trying to get me to buy you drink?" He had no clue what I was talking about. I explained it to him and he thought I was crazy and got a huge laugh out of it. Oh how I wish we would have had smart phones back then so I could have video taped him!
I can't see how you can argue that Hawaii does not have a unique culture, so do a lot of locations/cities.
I think the self love of the culture here prevents improvement and lowers expectations. "Lucky you live Hawaii" justifies poor schools, poor infrastructure, poor government and high prices.
Hawaii seems to want to rest on it's laurels of Polynesians, beaches and good weather.
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I can't see how you can argue that Hawaii does not have a unique culture, so do a lot of locations/cities.
I think the self love of the culture here prevents improvement and lowers expectations. "Lucky you live Hawaii" justifies poor schools, poor infrastructure, poor government and high prices.
Hawaii seems to want to rest on it's laurels of Polynesians, beaches and good weather.
So in your opinion? What is the solution if Mikala was queen for the day? lol
So in your opinion? What is the solution if Mikala was queen for the day? lol
Yeah, it's easy to complain.
I think it's hopeless. I worked in politics and saw why nothing happens here, and completely gave up.
And yeah, we are moving back to the mainland in about 5 years.
What I see is a huge complacency issue. In polling data from the Advertiser quite a few years ago, the Leg had a 15% approval rating, but when asked how THEIR legislator was doing is was closed to an approval rating in the mid-70s. That is hugely significant and representative of the mind sets here, and I kinda mentally gave up.
It's the same outside of politics....everyone accepts poor services (school, infrastructure, etc.). The general population will make huge excuses why it is acceptable. Kinda like the ultimate sheeple.
Don't get me wrong, I love the culture, the sense of family, knowing people (small town feeling), but that no longer is enough.
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What I see is a huge complacency issue. In polling data from the Advertiser quite a few years ago, the Leg had a 15% approval rating, but when asked how THEIR legislator was doing is was closed to an approval rating in the mid-70s. That is hugely significant and representative of the mind sets here, and I kinda mentally gave up.
Sounds very familiar to what is happening across the United States. Everyone hates Congress and yet they keep electing their Senator and House Representative.
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