BYTE MARKS
Okinawa gathering shows Hawai'i more than just 50th state
By Burt Lum
Several weeks ago, Hawai'i played host to the Worldwide Uchinanchu Conference. It was a specially timed gathering of Okinawans from around the globe. Business leaders converged to build contacts, foster brotherhood and sisterhood and establish personal bonds to continue beyond the conference.
It was a unique opportunity to not only connect with Okinawan friends from abroad, but to also get a different perspective of Hawai'i.
Perhaps people in the tourism industry already realize it, but Hawai'i has the ability to bring people together in an environment of trust, positive energy and warmth. Within this environment interactions occur that catalyze the beginnings of great things
If the setting is right and the people are primed, the rest will happen naturally. How many meetings have already taken place here that, unbeknownst to the rest of us, resulted in a positive contribution to the world?
All too often, our Hawai'i perspective seems to be one of how we stack up against other cities in the United States. Gas prices, cost of living, education standards, economic drivers — all compare us to our Mainland counterparts.
It is natural for us to be viewed as the 50th state, one among 50 others, instead of a social or cultural hub in the Pacific able to offer something unique to the rest of the world.
During one of the sessions at the Uchinanchu conference, a site called www.oneworld.net was mentioned; that reinforced my perspective.
Here's a Web site that talks of issues relating to sustainability, the plight of small farmers, redistribution of wealth and others. Many of these issues are ones faced particularly by cultures living on islands and in developing countries. Okinawa and Hawai'i are very similar in this regard. Can the lessons learned here be applied elsewhere in an effort to maintain peace, end hunger and build sustainable industries?
I don't expect world-changing events to occur because of the Uchinanchu conference or my interest in oneworld.net, but if in a small way my interactions move these directives forward, I would feel I have contributed toward building a new perspective. ;-)
Burt Lum is one click away at www.brouhaha.net.
