Predawn Waikiki, Roland Merrill, Waikiki, Hawai’i.................... It’s usually right before sunlight touches the south coast when my parents and I wait by the Duke Statue ‘til what is the right time to get in some sets. I find the darkness refreshing, the moonlight fading, sending its last streaks of white light along the sea to the horizon. With its dive into the sea, it takes the winds with it leaving behind still glassy water. Trees like statues stand along the peaceful shore. The only sound you hear was waves, washing up and down the sand. The sun never wake up yet, it’s soul filling warmth still climbing up the east side cliff faces radiating enough light to change the sky from black to blue. The blue of predawn is the right time. The paddle out is like a dream, I feel weightless, my board gliding across the surface of the sea. My arms reaching down into the water, the ocean resisting my pull, each stroke taking me further and further out. I reach my spot and sit u...
Menlo College's Lit 306: literature of Hawaii & The Pacific is happy to announce the Virtual Island’s November issue, Contemplating Cultural Disruption. Here at the VI, we are deeply appreciative of it’s first video interviews created for the zine, by Chara Higaki and Jadalee Takara. Their pixelated profundity shares the November issue with more student generated works that explore the themes of, conservation, reclamation, preservation and perpetuation.
The Pacific Island Fight Against Eurocentric Hegemony Joseph Kohlhase Auckland, New Zealand Hegemony is defined as: leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, especially among smaller nations, through aggression or expansionism. Hegemony is rooted in ideology and is achieved through those in power who institute and influence the values, norms, ideas, expectations, worldview, and behaviors of their society to reflect the majority and dominant culture. Moving to America from New Zealand three years ago, I have been able to see firsthand the dogma that cultural hegemony breeds. Whilst I have not seen the extremes that many individuals face on a daily basis, I have been subjected to the expectation that my worldly beliefs are wrong, and that I must change the way I dress, speak and act to fit American Eurocentric standards. Although there is hegemonic influence in New Zealand, moving to the United States, opened my eyes wider to the everyday adversi...
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