Haole hatred on Maui - how common?

Racisime in the land of the free, on Hawaii, come on you must be kidding…, man, this, that should be ancient “thinking”, is still present in a lot a hollow heads around the globe and how sad it is to have to consider this issue before moving to the mekka of surf.

I live in Helgium (flemish region), a rather racistic country, or actually only that particular part of it, big party for that shady topic and stuff and when I do pass people in the streets, I (imagine?) hear them saying: “Fuckin’ German”…am I crazy ?!

These suckers are still everywhere, somewhere less somewhere more, humans just seem to incapable to learn form their past.

Agree with jeff.
But let me add another consideration.
Maui is getting more and more crowded because it's a wonderful place where to live. Jeff moved here, what 20-25 years ago?, I moved here 7 years ago, Mad russion is about to move here... we can't complaint too much, since we are all part of the problem.
But, dear Andrew, before you move here, be aware that this trend is not going to stop. This island is already overcrowded and it will not get any better.
Traffic and microcriminality are problems we now have to deal with daily. Nothing like that just six years ago...
Still better than downtown Manhattan, of course... but I felt like warning you...

I was much more scared of dark skinned locals on Maui 15 - 20 years ago than today. Yes crime seems to have gone up, but aggressive racism - I'm not sure. Maybe it has just moved, from the payment in Paia outside Oggie's pool room to the dark side of ... I don't know - but when I hear you still can be beaten up at Hookipa, I get both surprised and sad.

If I planned to move to Maui I would have totally different concerns. Will I be able to go to the opera house with my kids enjoying Wagner, just to give one example. What is viewed as avant-garde culture at the Maui film festival is very mid stream commercial culture in Europe. I'd prolly move to San Francisco instead, buying low cost air flights to Maui when I wanted to. On the other hand, living on Maui buying cheap tickets to the mainland could of course be an alternative.. Ooops, lost the subject, sorry.

Back on the subject: I would not let the racism issue be something that stopped me from trying to live on Maui. Just go there, spread aloha, be street smart etc.

Just my 2 cents.

Jesper

Andrew,
I don't remember... have been to Maui yet? Or is it a total "blind" move?
I decided to take a sabbatical year after three windsurfin vacations in Maui.
And decided to live here during my sabbatical year.
What I mean, is... come take a look first, before you ditch everything!

Usually 2 cents doesn't go far, but in this case Jesper, yours made good sense.
Auggie is still there running a shave-ice store and the street (pavement) violence is less than before. Ho'okipa has (and will probably remain) a bad spot if you interact with the guys at Pavilions. Dealing with drunk locals is dangerous anywhere.
The differences are ones that can only be understood with time spent here. Howzit is a greeting that doesn't require an answer other than howzit back. Looking someone in the eyes (considered aggressive by some locals) can get you punched. Learn to understand pidgen but don't try to talk it except to friends. Would you go to Houston and try to add a Texas drawl?
Please don't think anyone uses prolly (for probably). Sorry Giampaolo, but it's a really dumb word.
Many locals have been taught that being from here gives you all rights. It isn't true, but explains a mindset. Don't expect worldliness from the segment of locals that have never traveled and had a lesser education than you. They don't want to learn from you. It is a live and let live society.
Well that's my 2 cents worth and I'll add that windsurfers, though an often maligned group, are way closer to the locals than these rich white people that come from everywhere to buy and live here.
Mad Russian, you'll do alright. Just know that your being from somewhere else (accent/white) and large..., some will test you; look for a fight with you. You must be above it all and pass the test by not being easily prodded.
To you Jesper, no, Maui isn't long on culture of the type you spoke. I'm from Washington, D.C. where you have museums, opera and all kinds of music, amazing food possibities, etc. and yet my last 18 years have been far happier here than there.

Last edited by Mystery Bob (2008-01-24 08:16:04)