Here is al link to a video that was casted on pbs.com that addresses the impact of militarization and tourism on the island of Guam. The clip focuses on the islands delicate infrastructure and the impact on Guam's culture and people. The clip about tourism starts around 7:30 minutes.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/550/
Friday, March 26, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
History of the Topic
When people think about the island of Hawaii, they think of sunny beaches, luaus, and drinks by the pool. However, no one, especially tourists, considers Hawaii’s history and culture. Since Hawaii is part of the United States, it is an island that is not linked to issues like poverty, high housing rates, and the drastic shrinkage of the Native Hawaiians. Hawaii serves as a pillar as to the impacts and consequences of Westernization.
When Captain Cook and his crew landed on Hawaii in 1778, they were welcomed food, fresh water, fire wood, and other goods. At this time there was a reported 800,000 Native Hawaiians. Some of these items were retrieved as gifts or trade. During this time, the people of Hawaii past down their history through long held stories and customs. The arrival of Caption Cook and other European visitors brought about written history and language. Through Caption Cook’s journal and those of his crew, there are small traces of Hawaiian life before European influence. The next inflow of visitors strained some of the Hawaiians resources as a reported 16.8 tons of food was given away to the foreign visitors. Hawaiians were not able to foresee a future in which they would lose control of their small island nation and be allowed to practice their culture freely.
The arrival of Christian missionaries changed some of the customs and beliefs of Hawaiians. Instead of practicing their customs and religions that have been established for generations, many Hawaiians started practicing Christianity. Western clothing, language, and soon even dance were being implemented into their society. Missionaries changed the way which Hawaiians thought about themselves. Western beauty ideals like fair skin were adopted. Missionaries outlawed the ancient Hawaiian form of dance called ‘hula’. This sacred form of dance was performed during special celebrations and also as an offering to the Gods. The dances and chants were passed down from generations and in some cases held historical value. It was not until the Hawaiian royal family, the Kalakaua family, that the ban of hula was lifted (1873) and reestablished as part of the Hawaiian identity starting in.
The art of hula underwent various changes that transformation from the days of Hawaii before European influence. Instead of being performed primarily by men, women were able to take part in the dances. Also, people of lower and middle class were able to dance and perform hula, as it used to be a custom for Hawaiians that had high gene pool or were considered royal. Hula was also used as means for entertainment and the Hawaiian’s way of rediscovering and preserving their culture.
What made Hawaii so lucrative to the United States was its prime location and vast sugar cane fields. Hawaii is a place that is in located along the belt of high trade places like Japan, China Hawaii and the rest of the East. Therefore, the small islands became a place of interest. In 1887, King Kalakau, was forced to sign the '1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii'. To the King and native Hawaiians, the law was nicknamed the "Bayonet Constitution" because violent upheaval it would stir if he refused. This law benefited wealthy white residents and stripped the native Hawaiian's right to vote.
When Captain Cook and his crew landed on Hawaii in 1778, they were welcomed food, fresh water, fire wood, and other goods. At this time there was a reported 800,000 Native Hawaiians. Some of these items were retrieved as gifts or trade. During this time, the people of Hawaii past down their history through long held stories and customs. The arrival of Caption Cook and other European visitors brought about written history and language. Through Caption Cook’s journal and those of his crew, there are small traces of Hawaiian life before European influence. The next inflow of visitors strained some of the Hawaiians resources as a reported 16.8 tons of food was given away to the foreign visitors. Hawaiians were not able to foresee a future in which they would lose control of their small island nation and be allowed to practice their culture freely.
The arrival of Christian missionaries changed some of the customs and beliefs of Hawaiians. Instead of practicing their customs and religions that have been established for generations, many Hawaiians started practicing Christianity. Western clothing, language, and soon even dance were being implemented into their society. Missionaries changed the way which Hawaiians thought about themselves. Western beauty ideals like fair skin were adopted. Missionaries outlawed the ancient Hawaiian form of dance called ‘hula’. This sacred form of dance was performed during special celebrations and also as an offering to the Gods. The dances and chants were passed down from generations and in some cases held historical value. It was not until the Hawaiian royal family, the Kalakaua family, that the ban of hula was lifted (1873) and reestablished as part of the Hawaiian identity starting in.
The art of hula underwent various changes that transformation from the days of Hawaii before European influence. Instead of being performed primarily by men, women were able to take part in the dances. Also, people of lower and middle class were able to dance and perform hula, as it used to be a custom for Hawaiians that had high gene pool or were considered royal. Hula was also used as means for entertainment and the Hawaiian’s way of rediscovering and preserving their culture.
What made Hawaii so lucrative to the United States was its prime location and vast sugar cane fields. Hawaii is a place that is in located along the belt of high trade places like Japan, China Hawaii and the rest of the East. Therefore, the small islands became a place of interest. In 1887, King Kalakau, was forced to sign the '1887 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii'. To the King and native Hawaiians, the law was nicknamed the "Bayonet Constitution" because violent upheaval it would stir if he refused. This law benefited wealthy white residents and stripped the native Hawaiian's right to vote.
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