Obama: Local — or trying to be?
August 11th, 2008 by CatA khaki-clad Barack Obama greeted a crowd of about 4,000 people at Ke'ehi Lagoon on Friday with more than just a presidential smile.
He said, "Howzit."
And he flashed a shaka.
The Honolulu Advertiser
It's not breaking news the U.S. senator — and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee — has Hawai'i ties. He was born at Kapi'olani Medical Center and graduated from Punahou School.
But I'm sure few of us knew about his affection for all things local.
In his 16-minute speech on Friday, he mentioned plans to get a plate lunch, maybe stop by Zippy's or Rainbow Drive-In, maybe get some shave ice.
He said he wanted to go bodysurfing — then hung out at Lanikai Beach this weekend — and even called his grandma "tutu."
But would you consider Obama — who didn't campaign here at all, by the way — "local"?
Sure, he was born here and returned to the Islands to attend Punahou for seven years. But is that enough for Obama to claim Hawai'i as his home?
I did find it interesting that he dropped so many "local-isms" in his speech. Shave ice, Zip Min, tutu, "howzit." It's obvious he wanted to relate to his audience. But I doubt he uses these words and phrases in his everyday life.
But what do you think about that? What makes him — or anyone — "local"? And do you think his reference to local foods and places was appropriate? Misleading? Cheesy?
You tell me!
***
Special shout-out to Baby Amber (picture with her mom), who celebrated her first birthday this weekend. What a cutie! Both of them!
August 11th, 2008 at 3:14 am
I just saw the movie 'Man of the year' with Robin Williams being elected the President of the USA due to a computer bug in the voting software. If something like that could be a reality.....an independent being voted in, bug or no-bug. I didn't even know Obama was 'local' until I read the Hawaii newspapers online.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Hmm, as a mainlander who frequently visits, I am VERY aware of how I talk when I visit Hawaii because I would never want to be a "poser." I danced hula in California for several years and was constantly surrounded by locals and know how easy it is to slip into the mannerisms that aren't mine. But I think you have a good point. Unless you use those terms in your every day speech, it's kind of ... forced, in a way.
On the flip side, I am one of those folks that know he's from Hawaii (read his book!) so I can kind of understand where he's coming from. And if he DIDN'T make references to things "local", wouldn't people think of him the way people think of Madonna and her Michigan upbringing? Just putting it out there!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Obama is a true politician.....he becomes all things to all people.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:31 am
To Cat,
I would not put anyone under a cultural or ethnic litmus test, because the same could be easily done to you under a different set of circumstances.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Cat, As one who is from here and has spent alot of time on the mainland, I know that when in Rome, speak as the Roman's do. Obama is local and a native son.
I am surprised that you bring it up. What if he were hapa asian wtih a haole grandmother here, would you question him? He is more local that some of the people that have moved away and rarely visit their grandparents here. Pray for surf
August 11th, 2008 at 6:24 am
CAT,
He will only be local if his heart is filled with Aloha! But then again, we have locals with no Aloha in their heart...try and change lanes during rush hour!!?? Which brings up your point, what is the definition of "local"? There is obviously no standard or check list. Just another thing the Legislature will have to vote on just like determining what is the State Fish, State Flower, State Tree, State Bird, State "Local", etc. If Obama is "local" I do not think the rest of the country would vote for him. Most of the country think we are like "country bumpkins" with nothing to contribute. Our local media really makes a big deal about "locals" or those with Hawaii ties participating in the Olympics. The national media rarely, if any, makes mention. The most important thing is I believe Santa is local!!??
August 11th, 2008 at 6:49 am
When you're running for prez, you're a local wherever you happen to be at the moment. If Barry had been at a county fair in Wisconsin he would have been polka-ing and chanting 'cabbage rolls and coffee, ummm, ummm, good!' He's certainly local enough to throw a shaka and maybe he meant bodyfloating when he headed for the beach at Lanikai. Home is where you were in your innocent days. It's where your tutu or nana or devotchka looked over you while you slept and played and dreamed of what you would do when you finally did leave home.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Obama is local enough. He definitely has local connection. Even if he sounded forced with the local stuff, I think his speech is expected to have local references as a presidential candidate. No problem with me.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:30 am
we adopted Colt, we can adopt Obama. Obama can qualify because he went high school here. he can answer the most local question of all..."eh, wat high school you wen go?"
August 11th, 2008 at 7:37 am
If he understands pigin, he's local. I would consider him local.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Barack Obama knows how to relate to people, without having to have it all scripted for him. If he pulled it off at least passably, which it seems he did in this case, the man gets a few points. Those over 70 may have trouble relating to him and his hoops and bodysurfing, but he is working hard to win over those who don't like his policies and voting record. He got my vote when he sent me a personalized response 13 months ago to a letter I sent him about former AG, Alberto Gonzalez. None of the other three senators addressed even bothered to respond. At the time, Barack and his staff were arguably much busier and less directly involved than any of the others who didn't respond.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I think I know what you are saying Cat, so my response is:
Let's just say that he is a lot more "local" than The Rock!!
Obama has roots here. Johnson on the other hand just lived here for awhile, I don't consider him local at all, it mystifies me that a lot of people do.
Of course, being local is not just speaking the lingo or flashing the shaka, it is the acceptance of the local culture, and more importantly, the acceptance of local values, which are different than the mainland.
Does Obama have that as his baseline? Well, that might be going too far although his outlook on life was definitely shaped by growing up here in Hawaii.
You know, he and his wife dropped into 24hr fitness yesterday in Kaneohe to work out. I just missed him, but I saw it on TV. Couldn't he have made an exclusive appointment at the Honolulu Club to be with the "proper" clientele? No, he just became one us regular people. That was admirable. His head has not gone to the ozone yet.
As a contrast, how many of the actors on LOST would do that? Answer: not very many.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Being local is more in the heart than in the speech.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:23 am
whoa brah check out Braddah Obama acting a local. Shootz brah we go cruz.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:23 am
naminori,
I understand what you are talking about. Coming from 'the country' and not being a 'townie', I know that in many 'locals' minds, local as in having Hawaiian blood, that kamaaina Asians can't be really be true members of the locals club. If you one Japanee from Kahalu'u or Waianae you might know by life experience of what I'm speaking.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Nobody says, "I want to get a zip min" unless they're pulling things off of google about Hawaii. I'm just sayin'.
But I'm not mad or offended. He's a politician trying to get votes, so he's just playing the game everyone else does.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I'm born & raised, but in the eyes of most I'm just another f'n haole. If I become famous, I'll be "Hawaii's Native Son". That's how it works.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Frankie ... are you serious?
"Zip min" was code for local, cuz. That ain't no BS.
Everyone knows what a Zip Pac is. THAT you can pull off of Google. But try Google Zip Min like I just did. Yup ... the clips that come up are about Obama's reference to it.
To know what Zip Min is -- that concoction of noodles, local-style won ton, a piece of nori, a piece of shrimp tempura in a metal bowl that's only used for Zip Min -- you had to have actually gone to Zippy's.
AND you would had to have actually ate INSIDE since, as people who actually go to Zippy's would know, they don't serve it on the drive-in side.
Sure he was pandering but at least his knowledge was genuine.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Cat,
I see nothing wrong with Barack speaking and using local mannerisms, afterall he was born and raised there. Also to your point about Barack not campaigning in the islands, he doesnt spend any time here in Illinois either. You know why that is? Because he already won the state, much like he has already won Hawaii. He needs to be spending his time in other parts of the country that could go either way. If I were a hawaiian I would embrace him with all my heart, as it may be the best thing for the islands to have him in office. Maybe for once your needs will be met, and you will get a proper say in the national forum.
As someone not from the islands but who visits frequently, I adapt my speech as well when I am there. As mrko1 said, I also know at the end of the day people will still look at me as another "F___ing Haole" but I still love being part of the culture.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
When he's here, he talks like a local. When he's in San Francisco chiding blue collar workers to his rich friends, he speaks proper English, when he's speaking/preaching at a black church in Atlanta, he definately talks like a black brother. (seriously, youtube some of his speeches, it's ridiculous, my brother)
He's a cameleon, he's slick, he's a politician, and I don't mean any of those in a complementary way.
Obama will tell you exactly what you want to hear and it's disguisting. If you're buying what he's selling, you need to get your head checked.
And, no, I don't like McCain much either.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I'm not sure that Obama is claiming Hawaii to be "home." I do know that he is on record as stating that Hawaii has had a profound impact on his views on life and politics. I can see and appreciate that.
Obama would neither be the first nor the last political candidate to wave the shaka, use local terms, or make reference to and eat a plate lunch and I doubt that Obama had to research them in preparing his speech. Such mannerisms resonate more deeply with some people given the time he spent in Hawaii and his roots here.
Obama is in a profession that rewards people who can move people with words. In this case, in my eyes there is a genuiness to what he said and how he said it. That's all that matters to me.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am
The Zippy's part is genuine. I saw him at Kapahulu Zippy's a couple years ago, looking like a local guy in shorts and slippers and eating plate lunches with his family.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Obama was born here. Went to Punahou. Played hoops for the BuffnBlu. Grandma still lives here. How much more local you need to be? The Rock attended McKinley. Played football on the jayvee. His uncle was Maiava the pro wrestler. How much more local he need to be? Just because you move away doesn't mean Hawaii doesn't stay with you forever. Give these guys a break!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Obama's from here. He went to high school here -- what? The whole "where you went high school" local question doesn't apply to him?
He's more local than Eddie Vedder singing "Hawaii 78"? [a song I can't stand in the first place] -- please; how contrived THAT performance was. Vedder gets to be adopted because he sang that song? Please.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:45 am
No disrespect to anyone. I actually wanted to know what constitutes someone as "local." It's an interesting question that can apply elsewhere, too. Look at New York City, which attracts so many transplants. How do New Yorkers gauge "local-ness"?
I don't have a problem with Obama flashing the shaka or name-dropping his favorite places to eat. I just wondered what some people thought about that. I've heard both sides: "He's a politician, so he'll say whatever he thinks the people want to hear" and "He was born here, he went to school here, that makes him local enough."
Just curious what everyone thought...
Thanks for the input so far!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I'm another haole, born and raised here with ties back to the first Portuguese immigrants to the islands but I don't speak pidgin or use a lot of local references because I feel like people would think I'm a poser. Then again, maybe if I did, people might actually think I'm local-born. So more power to Obama for being able to throw around the howzits and zip min references.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Scott:
August 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Obama will tell you exactly what you want to hear and it’s disguisting. If you’re buying what he’s selling, you need to get your head checked.
And, no, I don’t like McCain much either.--------------
You make lame comments, and cant even spell right. I think you
need to get your head checked
August 11th, 2008 at 10:14 am
home is where the heart is and being local is someone who can call hawaii home. you don't have to live here all your life, but if you feel hawaii is home, then you're local. talking pidgin or eating local plate lunches doesn't make you local, it's got to come from the heart.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Frankie...I agree with you completely on the zip min comments.
I mean Zippys is yesterday already, nobody goes there anymore
Barry should have gone to Rainbows instead
August 11th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I think the fact that you can GIVE an answer that includes the name of a local high school (I think I'm repeating myself here. Ainokea
about that, heh) tells that you're local and that you have the blue ribbon seal of approval for being local.
I mean right or wrong, we've allowed that question to solidify within the foundation of trying to identify locals.
I actually hope those who LOVE the question "where you went high school" and aren't convinced that Obama is a local, I hope those people are conflicted right now.
Obama went to Punahou . . . and there's no taking that away.
And the fact that he can include in his answer to "where you went high school" that he attended a Hawaii high school . . . ta-da, we've MADE it so that someone like that's local, whether they now live in Chicago, on the moon, in the Star Wars universe, wherever. WE made it so that "where you went high school" is part of our local lore (travel the world a bit -- you'll see that that question is no where else emphasized except for Hawaii).
August 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Cat,
Like I said, I feel that being "local" is a value system that we abide by here in Hawaii. What are those values? Well, it gets extensive, but one of the core values is the humility factor that we cherish.
Obama went to 24hr fitness, that's gets points for the humilty factor. He is not pretentious, although he could be.
Another example would be the late Barbara Cox Anthony. At the time of her death, she was estimated to be worth 10 billion. Yet, it was reported that she used to regularly meet her friends at the Keeaumoku public tennis courts for games when she was in her 70s. No offense, but if you have been to that park, you would know that is not the high-class part of town. Yes, Barbara Cox was very rich, but very local too.
I think the "no get beeg head..." philosophy is something we all know about, regardless of our ethnic background. Those that seek to put themselves above, or apart from us, are not looked upon favorably, because that is a "mainland" attitude.
That's not the only core value but I think it's a real big one.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:58 am
There have been many conversations about what it means to be "local" and there has not been a consensus answer. The key however is that Senator Obama understands what most Hawaii local traditions are and how they unite us on some level and how it separates us on others. He may not be "local" anymore, but his experiences growing up here gave him a unique view of Hawaii and it's people perhaps no other candidate for the highest office has ever had. Most local people like to claim someone as being a part of the local family because of these factors and because that person never forgot these "local" roots.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Personally, I love the fact that he did mention Hawaii "isms" and stuff. You know he does actually know them, the zip min, shave ice, Rainbow's and Zippy's. He did do his high school years here, was born here and visits his grandma, who raised him,as much as he can. THAT is awesome. How many people move away and don't care and don't come back at all? I know everytime I would come home, one of the first things on the list was stuff like shave ice and visit the grandparents. Ohana is important right?
I agree with why he didn't campaign here in Hawaii. He has already "won" us over, being a "local boy". I am very glad he bothered to take the time from his vacation to "see" the locals and thank us publicly, go to "normal" places like 24 hour fitness in Kaneohe (and play around about who the handsome guy is on the cover of the newspaper and grab some to sign for employees!) or be willing to wave and say HI to people at Kailua beach. THAT is awesome. He could have just come "home" and ignored us all. THAT would be "unlocal" to me.
August 11th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I think Obama knows when to turn it off and on.
August 11th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I consider localisms and pidgin to be a product of being bilingual. Sometimes when I'm on the mainland and I meet another person from Hawaii, I turn the pidgin on so we get the connection. I think it's totally fine that he does that here!
August 11th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I agree with kuuipo, he knows when to use and when to not use it. I don't think talking pidgin would be considered intelligent in the national spotlight. When I'm on the mainland, I turn my pidgin way down 1) because no one understands me and 2) to many people up here, it sounds crazy/stupid. When I'm at home I let loose!
August 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
This blog is so crazy. What -- do you guys want to kick Obama out of the surf lineup because he's not local? This is insane...
August 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
when you're in the business of feeding the masses, you have to adjust the hoomalimali (smooth talk) to the locality you're in, moreso in the home state. At any rate, Obama should have worn an aloha shirt, not just take off the coat and remove the tie for the Keehi Lagoon rally. Even make due with an Elect Obama T-shirt. Btw, between me and you and Bette Midler, if Obama wasn't from Hawaii, I sure wouldn't be voting for a person with only 2-years political experience in Washington, for prez.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Yes, I'm suprised Cat chose this topic. It's such a tired old discussion and you get the same opinions. For a haole like me, the nice times of living here are when this topic isn't even discussed and we all just live our merry lives.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Ron, you're just voting for Obama because he's from Hawaii?
Oh, lord please tell me those aren't your standards.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I'm baby Amber's daddy.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
yes, Scotty. Such are the bonds (or bondage) of localism.
August 11th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Ron-Hah, that's funny. Thanks for the honest/funny response. This is the case of the lesser-of-two-evils this election year.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I just hope he does all of the things he mentioned. It would be a valuable experience for his kids to see how their Dad grew up and for them to see how locals interact at Rainbows and Zippy's etc.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
wassup rick kane "Haole to you too"
August 11th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
one more... obama fob or joj?
August 11th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
ok last one.....Obama is so haole he dont even know hes haole
August 11th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Cat:
He is local just as you and me are.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
So what if Obama has been away for a while. He was born and raised here so he is a local. Period. When you're from Hawaii, you are always welcome home. Where is your aloha? Enough with the local snobbery. Hawaii people come from all walks of life... Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Black, rich, poor, high school grad, PhD, etc. Let's stop hating on those that moved away but still have connections to home.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:47 am
Hey - at least somebody got the joke! Cat, please tell me you know about the old battles between Rick Kane and Lance Burkhart -- mcb sure gets it!
August 12th, 2008 at 5:46 am
If you don't have a problem, then why even bother to ask the question?
If he were half Asian and half white you wouldn't have even brought up the subject in the first place.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:35 am
"ehh Vince we go pound'um"
"you took his stuff, you pound'um
Local or not NO drop in or fo real you goin get pounded
pray for surf!
August 12th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Wat you mean?
Nobody said nothing about Clinton when he went eat at Zippys.
I've been displaced many times to the mainland. And when I came back to Hawaii, sure, I had a hard time reverting back to pidgen... same with my kids.
But look at the picture. He spoke like a true local. Grinds, family, beach, and no bodda me I'm on vacation.
He could have gotten off the plane with aloha shirt, Muumuu, shorts, and lauhala hat. Or Auwe! How about cutoff sufa shorts, and a tshirt with some goofy Shaka or I got lei'd in Hawaii.
But true to his roots... check out his slippas! Not shoes, or sandels.
He could have just as easly said he was going visit all the sights like a tourist, and campain while he's at it. I'm sure he would meet a lot of mainlanders and scoop a few votes.
He's on vacation, he's not stuckup. He's open, and there. It worked for Fasi!
I don't know your history,
And it really no care. You wanna be local, ok go for it.
But don't tell me that when you go back to your past, a place that you want to keep in your heart. Where it be Hawaii or France. You wouldn't slip back in perfectly, and want to reterive the good stuff.
So far, everything I've seen him doing, is no diffrent than someone comming home for vacation.
Only one hi gala event. Da rest... he's on vacation.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:01 am
No blame me.
I voted for BU!
August 12th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Not so suprised that Cat brought this up. With all due respect Cat is an "Aiona Girl" and not an "Obama girl". Do a google on "Aiona Girl" and you guys can see why.
Obama is was born and raised in Hawaii. He is local. Just be cause he went to Punahou and Mainland college and learned how to speak proper english doesn't mean he is not local.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Here's the link to Cat's "Aiona Girl". Hey Cat I'm sorry to hear that you are a republican
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8988025544901579992
August 12th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Your piece on Obama was clever, funny, cutting. Off came his teflon cape and exposed a slick politician. You are teaching him a lesson not to put on New England accent when there, or slow drawl in South. Phony is natural to him. Next visit, he should wave and say, "hello."
August 12th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Domenicos,
Zippy's is not yesterdays news. In fact Zippys plate lunches actually got better. Their teriyaki meat is way better than rainbows. Before I used to only go to Rainbows or Graces/L&L for plate lunches but now I go to zippy's if I want good TeriBeef. However if I get the greasy cravings I go to Graces or L&L. Oh by the way anyone want to comment on Zippy's hamburger steak plate. Used to be really good in the mid eighties, I haven't tried it in a while my mom says it quality went down hill, but I gotta check it out myself. Oh yeah my favorite during college time was Zippy's chilli burito.
Sorry for diverging from topic but since Zippy's was mentioned I couldn't resist.
And Cat, After thinking about it this was a really good and pertinent topic to get a feel of the locals impression on Obama's vist.
I still like you even though you are an "Aiona Girl". By the way even though I'm a democrat, I have much respect for Aiona. I think he is a good guy with integrity.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am
If you study linguistics, you'll find that using different language or phrases with different audiences is very common. It's called code switching. You do it when you switch between different languages, local dialects, and speaking to different types of people.
Do you speak to your spouse, boss, strangers, and kids all the same way? Watch what and how you speak and you'll find differences when speaking to all of these people. Obama is probably very adept at it because of his multi-cultural background and experience. That's one of the reasons why he would be such a great president, because he would trully understand all the multi-faceted communities that are all an equal part of America and "American."
August 12th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Cat,
Your article is absurd. Being a Punahou graduate and living away from Hawaii for the past eighteen years, I can see what Barrack is going through. When I visit Hawaii, I don't switch to Pidgeon English just to prove I'm local. I also look forward to the Hawaii things I don't get when I'm away, like shave ice, poke , boiled peanuts and Rainbows plate lunch. Imagine if Senator Daniel Inouye, the retired head of the senate, was to go around talking pidgeon english. He graduated from Mckinley, but he doesn't have to prove a thing.
The phrase; "you can take the boy out of Hawaii, but not Hawaii out of the boy", totally applies here.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Thank you Cat for your little "us vs them" racist whine. You know you wouldn't have said this if his name was Barry Lee or if his skin color was a different tone.
So he has a birth certidficate that says Hawai, spent all his formative years in Hawaii, graduated high school in Hawaii, and still has immediate family in Hawaii, but he can't miss the food and beach of Hawaii?
I didn't notice him saying "I am a local". He just told us what he wanted to do here. Even one time tourists can miss aspects of our islands. Barack Obama may no longer live here, but he is no poser.
Jeezzzz. You on the GOP payroll now?
Signed,
I'd never dream of claiming to be a local after 40 yrs in Hawaii, but I love spam and eggs and I'm still --
"Aunty".
August 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am
comment on the local aspect.....I am tired of everyone, especially Lee Cataluna playing the "local" card. It is not "one-size-fits-all." Everyone's experience as a born and raised local is different. I was raised here when there was no freeways and shopping malls. My husband was raised in Kauai in the 30's. Are we more local? As a retired tour bus driver I don't use the shaka because too many people thought it was a gang sign. My generation was of 1 or 2 enthic backgrounds and kept the culture. Today even my own grandchildren have 3-4 and have taken the best of each one. I have felt that the younger generation has copped out and embraced what I call the MTV culture. But we don't live on plantations anymore either. Time marches on. What I think is the best and most enduring part of being "local" is how much we care about our neighbors and family and how much they love us. That is not always taught on the Mainland where there is still pockets of hate. The Golden Rule is alive and well here. Just an old lady's view point.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I love it. The girl asks a simple question about our opinions and everyone gets all up in arms, accusing her of being Dick Cheney in a dress. Lighten up...not everything is a conspiracy about your precious Obama. In case you hadn't noticed, when he went to the beach he wasn't able to walk on water....
August 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Haha, it seems like a lot of people took Cat's questions about how people feel about Obama's actions to be a criticism of Obama when she was merely asking for opinions. I guess it's a good measure of how charged a topic like "is someone local" really is.
Personally, i'm pretty fine with everything he said and did. Obama is just as local (if not more) than the B&B owners on Kailua Beach, Superferry protestors on Kauai, the Anti-Rail people, etc.
People talk about Obama's ability to say the right things and win people over like it's a bad thing. isn't that a good thing? the president is the voice of the country - he/she better be a good communicator and be at least a little persuasive. I believe this enough to where if James Earl Jones were running for president, he'd get my vote in a heartbeat.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Cat is much more mature and professional than Lee Cataluna. Lee is Hawaii's version of a race baiter, she is pretty on the outside but quite ugly on the inside.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Cat,
I am very disappointed in you after reading your blog in today's advertiser. I thought a reporter should be writing from an unbiased point of view.
What kind of question you tried to ask us, the readers?
or, are you just trying to influence us from your "political-biased" point of view?
I do not think Obama is trying to be "local" - when you were born, raised, educated, and lived here for several years, Hawaii would always be a special place in your heart - even if you have moved away from here, even if you cannot call yourself a "local" anymore ...
I am from Taiwan originally, married to a haole, has been living here since '79, and I still have a hard time understanding pidgin...
Do I qualify to be called a "local"? probably not ... does it matter if you are trying to be a "local" or think you are a "local" (despite some of you do not even have "Hawaii" or "Aloha" in your heart)?
August 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
This topic is rotten, and should be avoided at all costs, especially by professional journalists who grew up here. You think they'd know better...
August 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hey Braddah Lance96816:
I voted for BU too -- he was goin' give good edumacation...
But mcb should remember some quotes from Turtle where he says:
"Here on the North Shore we treat friends mo better."
But closes by saying, "Stay loose, haole."
ha ha! Classic!
August 12th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Let's think about this scenario -- A local Asian or Polynesian grows up in Hawaii, and lives his/her whole adult life on the mainland.
Would that person's "local credentials" be questioned in the same manner & tone in which Catherine Toth's questioned Barack Obama's local credentials?
Look, I'll withdraw the race card if Ms Toth questions the local credentials of Norm Chow (Punahou grad who has been coaching college & pro football in the mainland for DECADES), Duane Akina (Punahou grad played college footbal @ Washington and coaches @ Texas) and all those other local Asians & Polynesians who left Hawaii after high school and never moved back!
Some say I don't "look local" ( i'm of Latin American & European ansestry) but I'm born here, I'm more local than most of my high school classmates (McKinley, mostly immigrant school) and I'm a UH grad (making me more local than some local Asians &Polynesians who went to mainland colleges)
August 12th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Hello - Barry is not "local". He went to Punahou, that's it. What has he ever done for Hawaii? I mean actually done. He says "see you at the beach". Exactly who does he expect to see at the beach? We all work for a living.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Can someone explain to the rest of us what's wrong with asking the question? (Excuse my ignorance. I am not local.) I didn't see anything in Ms. Toth's blog posting that hasn't appeared in the editorials or letters to the editor section of your typical Anytown, USA newspaper in regard to Mr. Obama. (I am not a Republican or a Democrat.) I don't understand why folks are beating her up for asking the question. America is asking so, why shouldn't a local journalist ask as well? (Actually, in most of the responses to Ms. Toth, I didn't understand the conclusions or arguments about it being inappropriate.)
As is evident in the National coverage, folks in the rest of the United States, want to know the differences or at least what folks in Hawai'i think these labels mean. "What is the difference between being Hawaiian, Native Hawaiian, native Hawaiian, Kānaka Maoli, Kama'aina, Local, Haole, Polynesians, and Oceanians?" "What defines each?" Folks on the Mainland are definitely very confused.
Haven't heard a single "Hawai'i" expert even attempt to answer the question. (There are many pundits trying.) The line answer seems to be... He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Reporter asked, "So, he is Honoluluvian?") He is not Hawaiian. (Another Reporter asks, "If he isn't Hawaiian, he would be a Haole, right?") He went to Punahou. (Different Reporter asks, "Is he Punahou?") And as for today, "He is Hawai'i's Favorite Native Son." (Reporter asks, "Isn't he Chicago's Favorite Native Son?")
Most Americans are asking all these questions and more because until Senator Obama decided to vacation in Hawai'i, Chicago, Illinois was claiming Obama as their "Favorite Native Son." This has folks in Chicago asking, "is Obama really a Chicago native or local?" What does it mean to be local? If folks in Chicago are asking themselves that question, what's wrong with folks in Hawai'i asking themselves that question as well?
Why be upset about definitions? If you don't like the current one, change it. Nothing is written in stone. Change happens. Declare how you would define "local". No one says you have to tow the party line. If the lifeline call comes to you, what will you say?
So, tell us again, what was wrong with the question? And what is the answer? Apologies for my curiosity. Just confused.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Dear Catherine Toth,
Your main question throughout your article is: "Is Obama local or trying to be?" It seems as though you don't quite buy the fact that Obama is, in fact, from Hawaii. You aren't quite convinced that he enjoys the local things that you and I both do or that he has the right to.
Here are my questions to you: What DID you want him to say in his speech? What if he didn't mention anything about Hawaii? Then you (and I'm sure many others) would be writing blogs about how Obama isn't local. I have a feeling that no matter what he does you'll find fault.
What IS the minimum requirements to be local? Do you have to live here for a minimum number of years to enjoy all Hawaii has to offer? Being born at Kapiolani, going to and graduating from Punahou, and having close relatives as residents is not enough?
As the Illinois Senator, I am positive that he was unable to drop words like "Howzit", "shave ice", "plate lunch", and "tutu" every day. During your time at Northwestern did you use local terms in your everyday vocabulary? Probably not.
Every single person that I have ever known who has spent time away from Hawaii due to work or school has missed the food and the places. Obama seems to be no exception, why do you question him?
In his speech he said that he couldn't campaign here because they wouldn't let him, not that he didn't want to-which has no relevance to whether or not he is local.
Lets remember that pretty much all of us residents came from another country and really have no right to point fingers at anyone else that we judge as 'not local enough'.
It seems as though you had a deadline and absolutely nothing to write about.
Sincerely,
Appalled
August 12th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Definition of local>>>>>>>>
Only your heart can answer that. Did anyone ask Obama does he consider himself a local?
As a true local, my statistics to prove I am local>>>>
Born at Kapiolani Hospital, attended public school all my life in Hawaii, attended business school in Hawaii, born of Native Hawaiian mother, never relocated out, and proud of my Heritage, my roots and my pidgin
August 12th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Good question! I'm sure he doesn't talk pigden like us who been in Hawaii longer on da mainland. I think he trying to be local even though he was born and went high sku here. Heck dats it, nothing else. Wat happen after he was born and came back to attend sku for seven years. Dats werid! We do have our own saying, pigden but he doesn't have to talk like it.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
To all of you,
As a local boy who graduated from a mainland college I know when I was coming home I wanted the same things Barack wanted - Zippy's, Surf, and family. Stop judging him for being "local enough". What he's doing is a breath of fresh air compared to the same old same that comes along with the republican party. Let's stop judging whether Barack is a true local and focus on how he will change our nation for the better. Cat, me, you have NO right to decide who is local enough regardless if they're a presidential canidate or Joe Schmoe at the beach. Spread the Aloha to ALL.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:00 am
I was born and raised in Hawai'i. I lived in Illinois for six years and watched his acceptance speech when he won the Senator seat. He said, "Who would have ever believed that a skinny little black kid from the South Side would get here?" The South Side in Chicago is a notoriously bad area, where he CHOSE to move after graduating from college. I didn't hear any mention of Hawai'i then. He apparently chose to claim his roots in Illinois.
I agree with the poster who said he's a typical politician--he's who you want him to be.
The choice in the election isn't going to be "Who's better?" It's going to be, "Who's not going to make America's situation worse?"
August 13th, 2008 at 1:12 am
What a crock this guy knows how to run game. As a career military man I lived all over the pacific rim my son was born in Japan so if he ever runs for office he should claim he is Japanese? You people need to grow up ANYBODY who trades Hawaii for the South side of Chicago is not local. In an effort to mine votes from blacks who are skeptical of half white blacks he moved to Chi town to give himself some "street" This is why he goes to that Loony church and you can bet when he is around other blacks he speaks Ebonics, maybe even drinks a 40 in a paper bag and wears his pants hanging around his knees and a ball cap sideways?
August 13th, 2008 at 2:48 am
MrDick,
What an appropriate name BTW. First of all, that analogy about your son and Japan is lame. Yours probably lived on a military base and/or spend little time intermingling with the locals anyway. Too typical of the military here, as anyone can tell by the racist and "you Hawaii folks are small time" rants they frequently post. I'm sure you talk like a dumb redneck and hoot and holler 'Yee Haw' just as well as you say Obama speak Ebonics.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:04 am
To all complaining about the topic here: last I checked, this was written in Cat's blog, not as an Advertiser article. I don't think this falls under the normal "journalism" heading and, contrary to what the prevailing opnion seems to be, I do feel that this is a very appropriate topic for this setting. Isn't a blog supposed to be, basically, a public diary of sorts? isn't it supposed to pose the writer's opinions and thoughts and, possibly, stir discussion? looking at the long list of responses here I'd say that Cat touched a nerve in her readership. Since there was so much passionate discussion generated from this entry, it seems like this was a topic that many were thinking about but didn't really have a forum to discuss.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Ok dump the local stuff.
Jus say he came back home for vacation.
Nobody said nothing when he came back before.
He not going to the outa islands, he jus comming home to Oahu for R&R.
Jeeezz, if this is so much ruckus, how come nobody said anything yet about Inoye, Abacrombie, and dem other beeg wigs comes to town.
Oh man can you imagine the riots if, Bette Miller, Jason Scott Lee, or any other person of importance just come back to home and no say nothing about the "Hawaii connection".
Even Jasmine Trias is pushing her filipino connection more than her Hawaii connection.
Its the same whereva, no step on my toes, no bash my roots.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:43 am
I agree with Hekili's and Matt's comment.
Also, here she is, just asking for opinions and you get people accusing her of being racist. Please do read. Because I didn't see any such comments in the blog post. And for those saying things like "you wouldn't have said this is the candidate were white or "insert other race here" etc. Well, when was the last time another person from Hawaii ran for president? How would you know that? Plus... why even bring up the factor of "race" when this article doesn't even mention that. Plus, this is a topic other people were probably wondering about also. Someone had to bring it up for discussion. :/ This is a blog.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:02 am
First of all it's frustrating to read something like this. What difference does it make if he's using our slangs in his speech? Don't we all try to adapt to different surroundings when the situation calls for it? Plus why not just be proud that he is from here & he's running for President?! Come on!!!
August 13th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Well lemme guess Robbie you must be a Brikenstock wearing bald headed ponytail man like your hero Abberscumbie, for your info pocho I lived in Yamato City and my son was born in the naval hospital but we lived in town as I do not enjoy living next to clowns like you and much rather enjoyed living among the Japanese who would not have even let Obammer in their stores? They do not care for the CoCojiin n as much as you PC race card players, back when I lived there young US military blacks would raid their drug stores for Codeine cough syrup to drink wonder if yo man Obammer uses purple drank or lean?
August 13th, 2008 at 10:57 am
No Dick,
I'm neither a haole hippie or Portuguese. Let's just say I've lived here long enough to here more than my share of whining from GI's 'unvoluntarily' stationed here- virtually all white BTW. Most are definitely not the 'best and brightest' from the Mainland either, and their behavior and negative attitudes toward in the locals is all too typical.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Get a grip Skippy I unlike you CHOSE to live here and have done so quite nicely for over 20 years after living all over the Pacific rim and never once in my 21 year career pulling a stateside tour, I am not the one with the negative attitude and you were the one who came out whining as I pointed out the reasons I think Obama is shallow ass if it makes you unhappy deal with it Skippy, I dont make the rules if the truth hurts so be it. And for your info Skippy I originally hail from So Cal and am very familiar with the antics of the bruthas after being around for not one but two race riots and rednecks had nothing to do with either of them,try running from Five O and see what happens to you? Im really happy with the fact that I now live in a state where crackheads can toss babies off freeway overpasses and young women can be beaten to death in public in broad daylight and internet sock puppets like you whine about me for being racist cause I think Obammer sux?Im being negative again and just because I dont fall for the hype I am a racist redneck? The worst DUI ever in the state was by the local boy Bucky Lake who wiped out a crowd yet you Dis the very people who bring the food to your table ask the folks who work at Pearl if they hate the military I was just there yesterday from my island and business was booming I also didnt see any Obama stickers in the parking lot?
August 13th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
If you folks are paying any attention to the bestseller lists and talking heads on TV, you'd realize that most "real" news is asking this very question, who is Barack Obama? Its a legitimate question that far too few journalists have been willing to pose on the candidate-elect for the Democratic Party.
The more interesting question is why asking this question is so offensive to some?
For completeness, I think this question is important because it will inform us to his values, world view, and political philosophies.
Currently, all I know about the man are a handful of affiliations and policy positions. No extensive voting histories, etc.
I doubt anyone is reading this far down anyway...
August 13th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Dick,
The internet sock puppet you refer to was merely pointing out the obvious: you're the one that starting spouting off with all the stuff beginning with no doubt mocking South Side Chicago street fashion and language, then ranting about drug store shoplifting in Japan, followed now by race riots in LA. Its obvious you just don't like 'brothas' in general. This is so self-evident it goes beyond Obama, and you can't seem to disassociate him and the basic thug on the street. Now you're mentioning all the bad stuff some local people have done. Geez, how is it that you're going off on Bucky Lake now?
August 13th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I was expecting MrDick to write about Barack's b-ball experiences... and Nappy Headed Hoes. Yuk Yuk.
August 13th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
You are soooo wrong Skippy I lived ate an worked with the Bruthas for over 20 years and know who is real and who isnt Tiger Woods is real Obama isnt nuff said, an Pocho, Barry caint play no ball he got hurt , he aint got nuff glide in his stride?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:21 am
mr dick. how do you say Tiger is more black than Obama?? Last i remember Tiger said he considered himself not black but "cablinasian" on national TV - because he is caucasian, black, indian and asian - BUT he is half-Thai. are you half anything? if so, what you do you consider yourself besides half a dick? Black people wanted him to denounce his 50% asian status, deny his MOM and her thai heritage and call himself black just because he LOOKS black. As cliche as it sounds, i DO believe that skin color is exactly that.. skin color.
Obama is black. Local people have a hard time accepting a black person as local even though they were born here like he was. Just as how black people have a hard time accepting that Tiger, if anything is an ASIAN person.
i am a local Japanese, born and raised here and i will be the first to admit that local people are the most prejudice against people who aren't "local"in their eyes just because they are not hawaiian, japanese, chinese, filipino etc... I am sure that even at Punahou Barry dealt with all kinds of kids calling him the "N" word, just as most white kids grew up as "f'n haoles" here.
in my eyes, Obama is a local. being born and raised here, he has earned that title. And for the record, unless you are of native hawaiian decent, you are not a "hawaiian"... you are a haole.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:58 am
bh1: I could really care less but I am amazed in the first place this is even an issue what bothers me is that they act as if this guy is already the President before the election when my TV was cut to show his arrival I know the local media is already in the tank for the guy in my eyes Obama is a half black senator from Chicago who wants to be president so where he was born does not apply, he has made his choice. He would rather hang with Reverend Wright than body surf? As far as Tiger goes in my eyes he is waaaay more successful than Barry no matter what his background? You dont see him sayin I have a funny name and my picture aint on the dollar bill? Everybody in the world comes from a dick skippy but you want to pretend otherwise. Typical Democrat
August 14th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Dick,
Do you talk about politics to your bruthas like what you wrote earlier? Being in the military, you had no choice but to work with blacks.
"This is why he goes to that Loony church and you can bet when he is around other blacks he speaks Ebonics, maybe even drinks a 40 in a paper bag and wears his pants hanging around his knees and a ball cap sideways?"
August 14th, 2008 at 8:35 am
You bet I did and the older career military blacks felt the same and we used to have a lot of fun laughing about how the young hood rats would pull the wool over the guilty feeling whites portraying themselves as victims even though there is no more draft? Our young Filipinos here are now even trying to act like Snoop Dawg and it is funny I would like to take some of them to Compton for the day? One of my Filipino friends Sons almost got stabbed at Pearlridge one day by Pinoy Gang bangers who are all from well off families? I always had a choice Skippy as I could have got out every 4 years but I enjoyed all I worked with and I would go back in a heartbeat if my health permitted and I was young again, it was not race that made me decide to retire but the fact Bill Clinton got elected I REFUSED to work for him so since I already had my 20 in I retired.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Cat,
First question? Are you local? Because if you are, makes me wonder why you ask this question (as well as how you phrased it) in the first place. I can understand if your a right-wing Neo-Con (exampled from ur Aiona girl video - nice girl's double small T-shirt by the way) but, can you get your talking points or questions from anyone other than Glen Beck, Shaun Hannity or Rush Limbaugh?
Hawaii and Aloha is a state of mind beyond just a residential address. You either live Aloha or you don't. From all indications, thru campaign, policies and practices, Senator Obama lives Aloha.
Running a higher integrity campaign (not saintly, mind you), talking more about issues that effect us at a local and national level (not all the time, when your opponents sling mud, you either eat the punch or False-Crack Medi-vac time) and the inclusions of all races, religions, viewpoints, rich, poor, etc. to the discussion table for the difficult and complex problems we as a nation have to solve. When's the last time a Washington politician said that and meant it. Sounds pretty "local" to me.
Okay, ok, alot of you guys reading this saying: "Eh, he just one nuther politician, he going say whatever." I agree. He's a politician and a lawyer -- double negative in my book. But IMO, he seems genuine. And as far as being local here in Hawaii, no matter who you are, sensing whether someone is real or phony, is pretty inherent with being "local".
And we as voters, can hold Senator Obama more accountable for his words, then say Senator McCain, who by the way has not been as closely scrutinized. (read Keating Five Scandal, flipflops on his own immigration bill, not even voting for the new GI bill that just passed).
So the old saying of: "When in Rome, do as the Romans" holds true here. And fact: Barrack Obama was born and raised here, thus making him local and better yet taking the Aloha Spirit and sharing it with the rest of the good old U.S. of A. and the world.
Alot of you won't agree, eh, that's cool. You can still vote McCain in November, and it will be same old - same old for another four years, if not worse.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Cat and all of you out there,
I feel this question is totally appropriate, look at the amount of dialogue and opinions it has generated. Maybe these types of questions will help us explore our own perceptions and expectations of being "local." I was not born here, but raised here and the values of Hawaii and this place I consider my home is what I hold as being local. The things we learn and hold on to when growing up is what makes us local. It's all in how we think and behave. Cat, keep asking these questions and making us think..
August 15th, 2008 at 12:40 am
I find a definite bias in the allegations of liberals like Loco Small Kind. Any doubt or suspicion from anyone else, no matter how solid their cred, is a sign of an evil RepubliCON influence.
These words have been said before but still bears repeating: Obama wore slippahs, namedropped Rainbow, and did the shaka because he was coached. He did what everyone wanted him to do, and now the media frenzy has exploded into a total lovefest. I find it blatant that he wore long pants with flipflops. If he wanted a professional look, should have gone Downtown and checked out what the bankers wear. Apparently his handlers overlooked that detail while prepping their stage-managed Photo Op Candidate.
What, me bitter? Speaking truth to power means asking unpopular questions and playing devil's advocate.
August 15th, 2008 at 1:16 am
To me, local is being able to remember HIC, C&P, drive-ins, green buses, Coral Reef restaurant, Leonard's original recipe malasada, etc. Why everybody post bad stuff. Just be glad for good food & nice people in Hawaii (which seems to be disappearing with each new year)
August 15th, 2008 at 5:47 am
"I find it blatant that he wore long pants with flipflops. If he wanted a professional look, should have gone Downtown and checked out what the bankers wear. Apparently his handlers overlooked that detail while prepping their stage-managed Photo Op Candidate."
what, exactly, does this have to do with anything? The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw that look was "reaching back to the high school years". iirc, Punahou had a dress code back then that required long pants and footwear. no shorts and no bare feet. if anything, that look is proof of Hawaii ties reaching back to the 70s, not that he was "trying to fit in". if it was up to his handlers, don't you think you would have seen Barack and Michelle (and the kids, of course) in matching aloha printwear (maybe with bermuda shorts) and crocs/sandals with socks on? Given that he was a child of the 70s, I'm surprised he wasn't wearing angel flights and kamaboko slippers (or maybe kool komfort shoes).
August 15th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Cat,
Obama calls his Tutu that because she didn't like the sound of "grandma" (read his first book - Dreams from my father).
Obama was born and raised here (except for 4 yrs. in S.E. Asia) in his "hana-butta" (informative) years. I think that is pretty much everybody's qualification for calling somewhere home.
Obama is like any local who has been away from Hawaii who can not wait to "grind" at Zippys or Rainbows or have shave ice. The food is the first thing you miss away from the islands.
No, he can not "local-speak" in his everyday life - imagine throwing a shaka in Washinton, D.C. - but in Honolulu its home, and everyone understands these localisms.
Look, he has his Tutu here; his sister lives and works here; his grandfather is buried at Punchbowl; his mother's ashes are scattered off Oahu; he was born at Kapiolani Children's Hospital; he graduated from Punahou. I know a lot of people with far less points who try to pass themselves off as local.
Senator Obama has enough people taking "pot shots" at him relentlessly, he should not have to do so at home on such a "manini" observation. Read his books on more insights on him, his views, his life, and his aspirations.
Have a great vacation Senator, and come home many more times to recharge your spirits.
August 15th, 2008 at 7:09 am
You noticed the Russians were so impressed with his European tour they decided to get moving again.
August 15th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I don't see how some of you can sit there and defend Ms Toth for simply "asking the question." The fact is, she was not simply asking a question, the tone of this blog is insinuating that Obama is not local in her book. The title alone says it all.... what, is he just TRYING to be local by using zip min, tutu, etc? Get real. Just because he doesn't live here now, that means he has to relinquish his local status? She says ".....and even called his grandma “tutu.”" So are you saying that he shouldn't be allowed to call her that or that he said it for the public's benefit as if to say "look at me, I'm Hawaiian. I even call my grandma "tutu"." Like Surfing at fifty said, 'What if he were hapa asian wtih a haole grandmother here, would you question him?" seems like you're being a bit racist here. Whether or not that was your intention, that's how your article came off, miss cherry blossom.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:55 am
This reminds me of when Hawaiian Tel folded and the new nimrods decided to hire James Earl Jones in an Aloha shirt to rumble ALOHA! LOL guess they thought we were all blacks? GTE folded also, just like Obammer will.
August 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Ok you convinced me...
When My kids come back to Hawaii for Vacation...
I'll remind then thay not Local...
No Zippys, No Shaved Ice, No Plate lunch, No Surf,
You went go mainland for college instead of UH. So you not Kanak any more.
August 15th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
They might surprise you and stay there, I was born and raised in So Cal my last trip back was in 2000 I raced in one desert MC race ate a bowl of Menudo and left aint the same no more? I own a home and live here now? If I ever ran for office I wouldnt run around in La Puente saying que paso ese? After having left the place at age 17 for a look around never to come back to live? And I wouldnt insult the locals there by trying to be one of them I gave it up in 1972
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