COMMENTARY
North Shore stereotypes not so far from real life
By Reis Harney
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Great surfing, yes. But in recent years the waves have turned our few miles of beach-front coast from a laid-back surf town into one congested glamour shot.
I tried to take a simple 10-minute drive to the surf one day last winter and it took me about a half-hour just to get to the beach.
Why? Because I could have been an unwanted stray in "a shot."
I remember thinking to myself, "Am I in Hollywood? Because I sure don't see any hill with big letters on it!"
I've grown up on the North Shore and, seriously, between movies and TV series like "Blue Crush," MTV's "Surf Girls," "North Shore Boarding House" and the soon-to-be released "The Big Bounce," it's amazing to me how a small community like the North Shore can be transformed into a mecca where surf legends, silver screen stars and the common surf rat — that being the majority (including me) — can dwell in unison.
It's been a few months since a movie has been shot in our backyard, but my question, with all the attention the North Shore has received, is this:
Is the spotlight glorifying our town, or is it casting a dark shadow of stereotypes upon the people of this neighborhood?
In my opinion, all Hollywood has done is take the entertaining parts of our lives and blow the facts slightly out of proportion.
I'd say there is no harm done, but there is one thing for sure: the North Shore can be a shocking lifestyle by any outside viewer's perspective.
Another sure thing is that TV distorts — or neglects to mention — views of the other side of our lives.
A kid came up to me just a few weeks ago and said, "Hey, do you live here?" I was like, "Yeah, why?" He's all "What am I missing? I thought all you guys did here was surf and party, and when you're not surfing all day you're partying all night. Since I got here, all I have done is be bored."
Somehow, Hollywood missed Average Joe needing to go to school so he can get a job, needing to get a job so he can eat, because you need to eat to surf and you need a job to buy food and you need to go to school to get a job.
It's a not-so-complex equation that applies everywhere else in America — but assumingly skips the North Shore. At least, in the mind of the tourist I talked to.
I guess he thought we eat coconuts and fish, so jobs aren't necessary.
Duke Hartman, a 17-year-old senior at Kahuku High School and longtime North Shore resident who lives literally steps from where "Blue Crush" and "North Shore Boarding House" were filmed, also said movies don't tell the whole story of the North Shore.
"It misrepresents us," he said. "It makes us look so trendy, and life here isn't really all that glorious."
This is true, but apparently shocking to the person who sees our lives from a box or in his or her house in Illinois, or on a movie screen at a local theater.
But the reality is the North Shore really does have its shocking side, something residents of the other side of the island probably don't even know that much about.
A pro surfer is a demigod and yes, there are parties almost every night. Those houses, the beach, and the people; they are all real. The people who beat up the guy in "Blue Crush" have caused more than a few black eyes and missing teeth over the same exact reason the show scripted, and there have been more than a few heads slapped because of minor territorial beefs.
The North Shore is an interesting place.
All Hollywood has done is make it a little more interesting and placed a somewhat true stereotype on the people.
Reis Harney is a senior at Kahuku High School.
This high school commentary is a chance for teens to speak out about issues, trends, pressures and perceptions teens deal with each day.
If you would like to submit an article or suggest a topic for Our Turn, e-mail Island life deputy editor Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com. Contributions may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
