Our Honolulu
Chinese compare worlds
By Bob Krauss
Advertiser Columnist
Peter Yang, head of a delegation of Chinese school teachers studying in Hawai'i, has come up with a superb idea for improving relations between Our Honolulu and China.
He has suggested to the provost at Kapi'olani Community College that he should bring in some chefs from, say, Zhongshon, to teach Chinese cooking.
"Chinese food in Honolulu is not bad but not as good as in Zhongshon," said David Wong, a middle-school English teacher. "We have more variety. Here Chinese restaurants close at 9 o'clock when our restaurants are just starting."
Over a table in the KCC cafeteria, I got the lowdown of what the Chinese teachers think of the United States as they've seen it after three months in Hawai'i.
"Many people in China are opening their eyes to what Americans are thinking and doing," Yang said. "But I've noticed that Americans don't know much about China."
He said his wife's telephone call at midnight from Zhongshon informed him of the Sept. 11 attacks before his friends here heard about it.
The teachers said they think that primary, middle and high schools in China are better than in the United States, where students are poor in math and chemistry. But U.S. colleges are superior to the Chinese. Where U.S. education excels is in creativity.
"I have found people in Hawai'i friendly, generous, hospitable and well-educated," Wong said. "First, when I cross the road people stop and let me go. They wave. That made a deep impression.
"Second, every lavatory is equipped with toilet paper. You don't have to bring your own. I brought a big box from China. Also, the people and the government pay much attention to the attractiveness of their surroundings."
Cara Tang, an English teacher, complained about noise in Waikiki and everybody agreed that it's excessive: sirens, loud motor bikes, rubbish trucks. "It's unbearable," she said. "I can't sleep."
She added, "Before I know Hawai'i (climate) is a paradise. But now I think more important is the aloha of people who get along well together."
The Chinese feel that tourism in Hawai'i lacks a global food center, where foods of Pacific rim countries would be available in a bazaar of fine restaurants. In addition, the United States should make visas easily available to Chinese, many of whom are traveling.
When I brought up civil liberties, Wong answered, "China is like a big ship in the sea. We must turn slowly or we will sink. We must do it step by step." More and more, people in China are voicing criticisms, he said. They watch independent Hong Kong television.
Middle-school teacher William Zheng said teachers in China earn upper-middle-class incomes. Journalists earn more than doctors. The families of the four teachers own 11 motor scooters. Salaries are low by U.S. standards but he paid only $4,000 for his house.
Reach Bob Krauss at 525-8073.
