• NJSpradlin@lemmy.world
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    14 days ago

    Have you looked into how native Hawaiians feel about being a US state?

    I don’t want to presume to tell a population with mixed feelings about the future of their island, culture, identity, and government what they should choose or how they should feel.

    Also, I’d be careful to praise the tourism industry, without properly reviewing the impacts on the local community and culture (again, see Hawaii)

    The fact of the matter is that an outsider’s opinion, especially a mainlander’s, doesn’t matter and doesn’t matter to them. The wording for the last referendum didn’t permit a more clear picture of the populations’ feelings, just a simple yes or no without reflecting other options and the nuances that go into every choice.

    I might have agreed, and with similar arguments. But, then I married into the culture and also saw some articles or references to the native Hawaiians’ similar complaints.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
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      14 days ago

      For sure it’s not up to us whether they should pursue statehood, but understanding the objection to tourism is important to being a successful tourist

      • as a tourist I expect to go somewhere and spend way too much money getting at least some exposure to a different culture or spectacle. I expect to be respectful and open minded. I hope to have an authentic experience rather than an Americanized or fast food experience. I expect some locals to earn quite a bit of money off my travels, even if I can’t afford it
      • as someone living in a city that does attract a lot of tourists, I see that it makes a huge contribution our local economy. Some thing’s are tourist traps but local culture thrives and those of us living here are not unduly impacted
      • cruise ships seem like a nightmare in many ways. In this context perhaps it’s a sudden overwhelming flood of tourists that has most impact, plus they wouldn’t be staying so the local benefit is minimized
      • I’ve encountered the occasional rude or disrespectful tourist but not very often

      Actually, no, understanding objections to statehood is also important. I mean it’s their choice but the highest form of patriotism is self-criticism, learning to be better. Regardless of their choice, I want to understand how we can make the US better

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
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      14 days ago

      Have you looked into how native Hawaiians feel about being a US state?

      I’m not sure that’s a good analogy. Given the history of Hawaii with corporate control, natives being pushed off their land and now a minority on their own islands, that more like asking the Sioux how it’s going. Clearly an era we did poorly.