What is the present status of the Hawaiian language? And is it one language throughout all the islands?
I do have other questions but afraid to ask. I'll ask anyway: what do the true Hawaiians think of those who come from the other 49 states? Or is it just like any place else, as long as the money's green you are okay.
" Made It Ma... Top - O' - The - World! "
Hmm...I'll take a shot (but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on something)
1. The Hawaiian language (like the Hawaiian culture in general) has been experiencing a renaissance since the 1970s. More Native Hawaiians are speaking fluent Hawaiian (especially the younger generations), and there's been a greater awareness - and appreciation - for Hawaiian among the broader Hawaii community. Here in Hawaii you can listen to both traditional and more modest Hawaiian music on the radio. And if you live in Honolulu, you can even learn how to pronounce Hawaiian words better by riding on the public buses and listening to the bus stop announcer.
2. As far as I know (I am not a Native Hawaiians but have lived in the Islands since 2005), there is one Hawaiian language spoken throughout the islands. Some Hawaiians are more fluent in the language than other Hawaiians or non Hawaiians, but the general language is the same (as opposed to a place like
Papua New Guinea).
3. It depends on who you talk to. There are many Native Hawaiians (as well as many local and longtime NonHawaiians) who are concerned about overdevelopment and the powerful commercial interests who control the land in Hawaii. And there are many Hawaii residents (including myself) who feel that the islands (esp. Oahu) are overrun with too many tourists. On the other hand, there are also many people whose work depends on having a steady flow of visitors not only from the US Mainland but elsewhere in the world.
Not too long ago, I read an interesting article in the Honolulu Civil Beat (a local online news site) that talked about how there were newer residents who were more "local" than people born and raised in Hawai'i. As long as you don't act like an arrogant foreigner (I.e. Haole), you will earn the respect of native Hawaiians and local residents alike.
Correction - meant to say "modern" instead of "modest"
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