New law adds value to aloha

By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Staff Writer

It's hard to imagine anyone not supporting the new law that establishes tougher penalties for hate crimes in Hawai'i.

Yes, a victim is a victim, but the motive behind an act of violence does make a difference.

Sen. Fred Hemmings called the measure "political correctness at its worst."

No. Political correctness at its worst is stridently pretending that no differences or injustices exist so that nothing ever gets done about the real social problems among us. Political correctness at its worst is using the phraseology of "equality" to perpetuate inequality.

What people like Hemmings seem to miss is that this measure will protect all of us in Hawai'i.

Here's what I mean:

A column I wrote somehow found its way to a Web page that discusses race problems in Hawai'i.

The page generally warns about crimes against tourists and newcomers to the Islands, though it includes news articles about other racially motivated crimes.

Because my e-mail address is listed, and because of the content of the site, I've been getting letters from people on the Mainland asking if Hawai'i is safe for them.

This is what I write back:

Hawai'i is a wonderful place, where we do more than give lip service to "aloha spirit." This is a place where people really do care for one another, where we are blessed by the kindness of strangers, where people look beyond differences to the basic brotherhood we all share.

But it's far from perfect. This isn't paradise. That's the next life. This is the real world, and there are bad people and twisted ideas and horrible things that happen right here amidst the swaying palms and golden sunsets and shining beaches.

And no matter who or what you are, there's gonna be somebody out there who hates you.

I've said this to kids in school and the teachers in the audience get all wide-eyed and nervous, like they'd really like me to shut up and please toe the party line that nothing bad or unfair ever happens in this beautiful place. The kids, though, nod in agreement.

They know. They see it.

But you can't fix a problem until you admit there is a problem, and though Hawai'i is a great place, it can be even better. This new law that sets up a system for tracking and analyzing data on hate crimes is an important step to making the real Hawai'i match up to the ideal Hawai'i.

And setting tougher sentences for hate crimes ensures that those who don't live up to our community's treasured aloha spirit will get the message that though we believe in tolerance, we simply won't tolerate violence fueled by hate of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Ê

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Her e-mail address is lcataluna@honoluluadver tiser.com