To the Editor:
Aaron Akamu's arguments would lead one logically to believe that no culture should celebrate another culture's manifestations. So what does a polymorphic culture do? Secondly, Aaron may have forgotten that the luau pre-existed the missionaries and was very much a riotous celebration that included fermented taro bacchanalias, public sexual competitions, and displays of mortal combat.
It was the missionary influence that put clothes on our people, made us ashamed to collectively celebrate our human desires, and converted us to become serious economic assets to the monetary desires of the newcomers from New England.
The luau is but a shadow today of its greatness as a collective celebration of enjoyment: but even as a shadow it projects a faint reminder to all who celebrate the luau that, once upon a time, being happy, being intoxicated with enjoyment was extremely important to a culture that has all but vanished from Earth.
So, I say to Aaron -- a very missionary name -- lighten up. The luau is our ambassador. It is our way of, hopefully, subverting this corruption of the human spirit to serious ends that is so evident throughout the world; for even if the luau is performed in the most distasteful fashion, it still reminds them of the joy of communal pleasures for pleasure's sake, here, now, and hopefully forever.
Aloha a hui hou!
