Section A of WHT Aug. 29, reminded me why I sometimes feel as if people really do live in alternate universes. Both Bill Hastings and David Taylor were prompted to respond to Dennis Gregory’s poorly researched opinion piece (“Road to statehood littered with what ifs”) on Aug. 23.
Section A of WHT Aug. 29, reminded me why I sometimes feel as if people really do live in alternate universes. Both Bill Hastings and David Taylor were prompted to respond to Dennis Gregory’s poorly researched opinion piece (“Road to statehood littered with what ifs”) on Aug. 23.
Hastings corrects Gregory’s data regarding the statehood vote in 1859. Then he presents some thought-provoking “what ifs” of his own. What if some other country had colonized Hawaii? What if Polynesians looking for opportunity moved to some other Polynesian island-country rather than to Hawaii or the U.S. mainland?
David Taylor explores the demographics of Hawaii in 1859 and during subsequent years. He supports his historical account with specific facts. The first act of the Territorial Legislature of 1903, whose membership was over 70 percent Polynesian-Hawaiians, was to pass an unanimous vote asking the U.S. Congress for full statehood.
In contrast to Hastings and Taylor are Chuck Jonas and Jen Ruggles, whose beliefs and actions are rooted in mythology and revisionist history. Chuck Jonas (“Higher power pushed away Lane”) maintains that the presence of “a Christian University where people pray” coupled with his personal prayers from the mainland spared Kailua-Kona from the ravages of Hurricane Lane. If he really believes this, then those of us who were harder hit by the wind and rain have to wonder why Jonas didn’t pray for us, too.
As for Jen Ruggles, who has apparently suddenly decided to throw in her lot with the sovereignists, I can only wish she had a deeper understanding of Hawaiian history. She could do worse than to read Hastings’ and Taylor’s pieces as a starter lesson.
I don’t know about you, but I prefer a world where personal and political opinions are supported reasonably with specific facts and concrete details. Certainly the people of Puna deserve a councilwoman who lives in that world rather than in one of imaginary and wistful “what ifs.” Jen Ruggles should resign. Now.
Kerrill J. Kephart is a resident of Kamuela
