The following piece was inspired after reading this article: The Hawaii Tourism Association urges the Governor to veto a bill making it impossible to get information about how 88 Million Dollars of promotional money is being managed

“Underfoot”

By Makana

It is my feeling that a large percentage of our tax dollars designated to those responsible for marketing Hawai’i are wasted on fruitless activities that serve to reinforce those tawdry stereotypes that deter visitors rather then generate excitement about Hawai’i as a destination. Many of the PR firms and third party contractors who execute such activities are ones that have longstanding relationships with the State and are long overdue for a keen, independent ROI analysis.

A number of mainland US Hawaiian music promoters have expressed a sincere frustration at having to compete with “free admission” state sponsored events that were scheduled near in time and place to their own events. They each appealed to the firms responsible for the events, to no avail. Rather than merge and work together in support of a common vision, the firms hold steadfast to data garnered from their “seasonal statistics” in planning their pushes, which are more than often lackluster and repetitive, rarely seducing new potential travelers. I know, I’ve participated in them.

In the islands, a cultural renaissance strives to break through marginalization into a larger social presence. The current utilization of Hawai’i’s reputation, as well as its cultural practitioners, artisans, performers, and promoters is unimaginative at best, and new ideas, which often come from new minds, rarely find haven in the established network of old thinking.

As it often is with government, the modus operandi of dispensing funds toward tourist industry marketing, I believe, does not represent the interests of the common good of Hawai’i Nei. HTA leadership’s desire to withhold their spending data only serves to engender further distrust. Confidentiality of “competitively sensitive information” is an excuse employed by the military, not tourism officials. A strategy based on the marketing of the true value of Hawai’i- its cultural, natural, spiritual, aesthetic and healing value- would not require secrecy. Hawai’i innately offers what no other place on this planet can. The world is already in love with her. But greed and progress, from developers, to the Japanese real estate investors of the 1980s, to the present corporations who value branding and image over actual value: these factors have sullied that beautiful romance the world once had with Hawai’i. Now, we must recognize our own acts of self-devaluation and understand that the course of action is clear and imminent: rearrange the guiding principles away from profiteering and toward recreating Paradise.

What I mean is, we must first once again learn to truly love Hawai’i before we can convince the rest of the world that she is worthy of their love.

It is time for a new strategy, one that is not based upon a disingenuous co-optation of cultural mana’o (ideas); nor upon a concealed network of fund-distribution that reflects secret friendships, old alliances, and self-interest.

It is time for a strategy that is guided by respect for this coveted land; a love that holds her well being as the highest principle of our lives. The metaphor that arises as truest is also most painful: We have made our lover into a whore, forcing her to bring us bounty through the prostitution of her body, rather than drinking from the bounty inherent in her flesh. This land was created to give life, not money. Leaders, you fear the truth. You fear the reality that brave decisions must be made. Who of you has the courage to risk your position in society and give platform to the voice of clarity?

If not one of you, then one of the youth. I am not afraid. I love Hawai’i, and I sing her songs as a praise and in joyous gratitude. I respect our visitors, I want them to experience the authentic Hawai’i; I respect our locals, I realize many jobs at present are dependent on tourism, and yet in my respect for them my heart only says to speak the truth: we must shift away from the addiction of other people’s money toward the bounty of our land; and, I respect the ‘aina, for in my deepest perception I realize that it is the ‘aina, the land, that is the first value, and from her, all other things of value issue forth.

It is time for a Revolution of Perception.

E ola mau ka ‘aina o Hawai’i Nei

(Long live the land of Hawai’i)

Makana

I received this wonderful message from one of my fans who works in Oncology, and wanted to share the good news:

Aloha, Makana,
And Happy New Year! Just a quick message to let you know that the beautiful music of “Venus…” is being listened to by some cancer patients while undergoing chemotherapy infusions to help them relax during their treatments, which, as you can imagine, can be full of anxiety and stress. I have given the CD to a couple of oncologists (cancer specialists) who liked it so much that they thought it might be therapeutic for patients, who often listen to music to help calm them and alleviate symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy. While this wasn’t my idea, merely a gift to some doctor friends who are also slack key guitar enthusiasts, I think it’s a great idea and plan to give more Venus CD’s to oncologists and chemotherapy infusion centers with the hope that it might help cancer patients get through a difficult time.

Aloha,
Paul.

Thanks Paul!

Read review here

Mahalo to Lilikoiphotography.com for this great tri-panel, taken in 2009 at my CD release event at HiSAM

This is a very illuminating article:

“If you want to be rich, you need to stop acting like you have money in the bank and start living beneath your means. That’s the message in the most recent book from Thomas J. Stanley, author of “The Millionaire Mind” and the “The Millionaire Next Door.”

Bankrate asked Stanley to explain what’s fueling America’s hyper-consumptive ways and unquenchable thirst for top-shelf brand vodka — among other indulgences.

Q: In your book “Stop Acting Rich…and Start Living like a Real Millionaire,” you say that rich people don’t necessarily act the way that the rest of us might think they do. In fact, millionaires are more likely to be extremely frugal. Why is that?…”

READ ARTICLE HERE