From the Editor...

Rochelle delaCruz

from the editor…

As August brings summer to a full boil, you’ll find some of us (like me) in the Islands. Around this time is when I hele on to Hilo and if you’ve ever been there, you know it’s a good place to kick back with friends and family, wala`au, eat, sleep, holoholo. But returning to the Islands also means replanting my feet on that volcanic soil and readjusting my bearings, so I like to use my time at home to sort through puzzles, like some that have appeared in this issue of NW Hawai`i Times.

Roy Alameida’s story regarding the vote for Hawai`i statehood in 1959 is eye-opening. I always remember the phrases “overwhelming majority” and “93 %” used with that pivotal plebiscite but now there’s more to mull over.

Iosefatu Sua and Darvin Vida, the two young artists protesting Tiki culture make me re-think those familiar statues and tropical settings. When I heard about their exhibit, I grabbed my camera and headed down to the gallery. Not only was I struck by the paintings and stunned by their powerful messages, I was also impressed by the artists’ sincerity and concern about misrepresentation.

In the area of music, I’m glad that Gregg Porter amplified on the controversy surrounding the newest recording of the late Brudda Iz. Count me among those disconcerted by the new version of this beloved Hawaiian icon, his mellow voice now accompanied by a full-blown orchestra. It doesn’t go with the memory of him at the old Hawaiian village of Miloli`i, sitting at the edge of the ocean in his papale lauhala, strumming `ukulele and singing. But Gregg’s report gives me something to think about.

And what of Roger Close’s musings on a Hawaiian word comparable to the Portuguese “sodade”? It’s true we Hawai`i ex-pats seem to share a longing for our islands similar to that of the Cape Verdeans. Surely there must be a word for it and we’re counting on you to tell us what it is.

So many interesting puzzles…lucky thing I’ll be in Hilo for a while. Maybe I’ll come back with some answers? Nah…don’t count on it. I’ll probably just come back with more questions. ~RdC

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