Opinion

A Victimized Culture

By Bety Terry Bonifacio | September 20, 1999

I am a Hawaiian living in Hawaii, and I am deeply offended by Aaron Akamu's characterization of our families as representing "poverty, unemployment, poor health, depression, poor education and welfare." Many of the members of my family, too, are trained in hula, and are deeply spiritual and dedicated to the concept of "Ohana" -- family and "Aloha" -- deep spiritual love. Obviously the Akamu boy has not been home lately, or he is influenced by the small handful of sovereignty activists who want to make every Hawaiian feel victimized.