ISLAND VOICES
Surviving culture shock here
By Seanee Mazone
Student at UH-Manoa
As a relative newcomer to the Hawaiian Islands, I have definitely experienced culture shock.
I have heard many refer to Hawai'i as a "melting pot," like New York. During New Student Orientation, I learned that Hawai'i doesn't lack for cultural diversity.
In order to survive here, I must fully understand and appreciate the Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian culture, like most Polynesian cultures, is based on the land. This concept of being one with the land and with nature is pivotal to any understanding of Hawaiian culture and beliefs.
If I do not have an understanding of this concept, then I cannot appreciate the phenomenon of this distinctive and magnificent culture. The Hawaiian customs, language, hula, chants, songs, art, history, geography, religion and even politics embody this love of the land. By embracing these values, I can better adjust to this culture.
While on campus, without generalizing a culture or race, I have experienced hostility and unfriendliness from locals. I find that, in most cases, they appear rude and aloof. For example, when walking in opposite directions, they do not move so we both could fit on the sidewalk. Instead, they expect me to move; it's as if they view me as someone lower in class.
However, by appreciating that their apparent arrogance may be more of a cultural difference than obvious discourtesy, I have become less frustrated and tense when these situations occur.
The fact that Hawai'i is more than just the culture of the Native Hawaiians is manifest daily. The Hawaiian culture has been, and continues to be, influenced greatly by others who have come to these Islands and settled. These immigrants and their cultural idiosyncrasies have also had a profound effect on Hawaiian culture.
Hawaiians live with aloha, which means to share the breath of life. The locals refer to the Westerners as "haole." Despite the fact that the term "haole" is most often used without bias, this difference has resulted in many altercations among those who make Hawai'i their home. In order to avoid such disputes, once again an impartial appreciation of Hawaiian convictions and beliefs is essential for positive living in the Islands.
Another idiosyncrasy one notices about Hawai'i is the prevalent lifestyle.
Some people may be accustomed to a fast pace, always doing something and being rushed, but the Hawaiian mode is quite different. Hawai'i seems to be the complete opposite when it comes to the way of life. Here, things are much more laid back, and of course time is the ever-so-famous "Hawaiian time." Without making stereotypes or assumptions, everyone seems to move a little bit slower than on the Mainland. They don't let things get to them as easily.
Perhaps the last and most profound difference that one needs to understand and appreciate is what makes Hawai'i so special: the language.
I am told that many years ago, Hawaiian was the most widely used language among the general public, which included foreigners. Unfortunately, because Hawai'i was under the rule of the United States, Hawaiian was replaced with English. However, the limited letters in the Hawaiian alphabet are visible everywhere, on the street signs, businesses, recreation areas and on campus.
I obtained a Hawaiian dictionary and a tour book and am learning how to pronounce Hawaiian words. By doing this, I feel at ease, familiar and less embarrassed, and I have thus developed a greater rapport with the people here. I learned that in recent times, Hawaiian has been re-established, and there is also a patient and tolerant awareness of pidgin.
For the six months I have been here, I have learned that in order to get along, I need to not only have an appreciation for the diverse culture, lifestyle and language, but, more importantly, learn that flexibility, observation, listening and asking questions are crucial to surviving culture shock.
