In terms of education, the author addresses the way in which the education system functions at the basic level to achieve outcomes that are far below the economic needs growth of the state. School children receive a substandard education, for example, which results in poor job prospects and low university admission numbers. At the same time, those students that do graduate with University degrees, do not have work opportunities that offer compensation worthy of their qualifications. This situation is ascribed to a failure of education policies to encourage educators to provide students with the best opportunities to learn well. Moreover, the problem lies in the failure of policymakers to understand the underlying effects of policy changes, which are neither thoroughly discussed nor investigated.
The same is true, according to La Croix of Hawai'i's legal and regulatory framework, which, in many cases, is outdated and not reflective of the current economic and social realities in the state. One specifically important aspect is the lack of regulatory framework for the conservation and management of the state's many natural resources. In this, La Croix echoes Osorio, who notes the basic lack of land management resulting from a lack of understanding in how to manage such land. Whereas Osorio suggests that this would necessitate a paradigm of integrated work with the native community and U.S. policy makers, La Croix furthermore suggests that modern systems of regulation and management are vital to support such integration. Indeed, it is in the best interest of both Hawai'i and the United States as a whole that the longevity of land use in the state be promoted and prolonged.
According to Ramsay Remigius Mahealani Taum, tourism is a vital industry that supports the economy of Hawai'i. The author addresses this in his essay that is titled, aptly, "Tourism." The essay then focuses specifically upon how the tourist industry has affected and has been affected by the local culture and economy of the state. According to Taum, the current situation...
Indeed, the author claims that, although the state's rich native culture is used as a major attracting factor for tourists, those who visit, as well as those who host the visitors, tend to experience a divide; where artificial and non-authentic cultural experiences are provided for the sole purpose of profit by the state and its corporations. Very little of this profit, however, is provided for the enhancement of the local culture or the ability of local business people to provide an authentic experience to tourists.
In this, the author calls for the vast local potential of the state to be utilized in order to provide more authentic experiences for tourists, while also sustaining not only the industry, but also the local culture and business, in a long-term fashion.
In the same way, all the essays contained in the book highlights the effect of the integration of Hawai'i as a state in the United States on its local culture, economy, and environment. Although many of these effects are depicted as generally negative, there is also a sense of hope in terms of the possibility to integrate both corporate business and a local movement towards more authenticity and inclusivity.
Perhaps it is appropriate to use as a final word one of the opening statements in the book, offered by Tom Coffman: In a survey of all 50 American states, Hawaiians regarded themselves at the top of the list in terms of general well-being. In other words, Hawaiians tend to be more content and happy with their lives than other Americans. This in itself is an excellent starting point for healing the state in terms of its education, economy, cultural and natural resources. Its generally positive attitude brings a sense of hope that there is a remedy for the current chaos.
Reference
Howes, C. And Osorio, J. (2010). The Value of Hawaii: knowing the past, shaping the future. University of Hawaii Press.
