Sadly I don't remember the names of these two speakers. It was several weeks ago and I didn't write down the names of the presenters. In any case, the first section was likely taught by the teacher (^_^). It was a map of Maui in which was shaped like a human silhouette.
The first part of my notes was likely a presentation via TED about the future of China and how they are building new cities in previously farmland. Instead of completely wiping out the agricultural land, they will instead move the farmland from the ground level to the top of the building. It greatly reminds me of Dr. Allen's sustainable buildings with green roofs. The green roofs while slightly heavier, help the land become sustainable since it uses the land to grow crops and helps produce O2 via the plants instead of cementing over the land. It was an idea that I really liked because it encouraged to use the land while not destroying the traditions of China.
Other topics included how the culture and religion affect the environment. Which was talked about in other posts. Or how human evolution has evolved socially and economically to the point in which earth can't even balance itself anymore. Earth's system of balancing the population seems to be environmental disasters.
While terrible because of the loss of life, it is understandable that the Earth balance itself. Humans have grown exponentially since the Industrial Revolution, since the increase of health care and medical technology, Earth's natural disasters doesn't seem to be balancing out the population anymore. Instead it seems to ever growing and doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. While the idea seems harsh, but there is a reason for everything and Earth does have it's own defenses and balances to the world.
The second part of the class had the guy who was a native martial artist who taught us about the Hawaiian elements and the language. It was pretty cool to see the different ways that the elements reflect back into the people. His philosophy was back casting and forecasting. To look back and learn from past mistakes for the betterment of the future. Essentially, this means to learn via Trial and error. Anything thing that has gone wrong, accept it, learn from it and move on. The presenter talked about how westerners "found" Hawaii even though their own ancestors have been around for hundreds of years. That someone could "found" even though they've been there for generations.
He was very knowledgeable about Hawaii's own history and the traditions of the native Hawaiians. The presenter talked about the breath of life "Ha" and water "i" and the creative energy of all things define the relationship between the people and the environment.
The last thing I learned was how the various vowels of the Hawaiian language represented various elements of Earth. "A" for Fire, "E" for wind, "I" for water, "O" for earth, "U" for spirit of man, and "Po" for darkness/chaos. It was cool that mere vowels could represent such elements in this way. It was a great lecture.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Sweet Home Waimanalo
Kevin Vacarello invited us to his new restaurant Sweet Home Waimanalo in Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii. We met up at school near the president's parking area for the shuttle that Kevin from our class drove. It was a semi long ride to the store and we met up with other people who also drove their own cars over.
We started by ordering our food so it would be ready for us by the time we get back to the restaurant after the tour of the farm. The farm itself was located at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains, it was fun and interesting and a great hike. We learned about their interest in renewable energies and sustainable agriculture attempting to use as little waste as possible. Kevin explained the aspects of composting and using the manure from their animals to fertilize the crops grown. He also went into detail about possibly using Solar Panels and hydroponics to be more renewable and sustainable.
We were introduced to bread fruit and huge Avocados and allowed to take some home. All in all the farm was a great experience. In the end, he offered to some of our classmates to work at the farm in the future. Any ideas anyone had would be greatly appreciated to help the future of the farm. When we returned to the restaurant, we had dinner that we bought. The food was exceptional since most of it was local grown without pesticides. Although the meat was bought somewhere else, there really wasn't a way around it and Kevin Vacarello wasn't about to start buying cattle to graze. Grazers take up too much land and are an overall inefficient way to be sustainable.
We ended the night drinking Cava which was similar to licking a piece of bark. The effect of cava was interesting as it made my tongue go numb for a bit, but not completely. I did become a little sleepy, but was alright to walk home after being dropped off in Kailua. The farm and restaurant was a great experience.
We started by ordering our food so it would be ready for us by the time we get back to the restaurant after the tour of the farm. The farm itself was located at the base of the Ko'olau Mountains, it was fun and interesting and a great hike. We learned about their interest in renewable energies and sustainable agriculture attempting to use as little waste as possible. Kevin explained the aspects of composting and using the manure from their animals to fertilize the crops grown. He also went into detail about possibly using Solar Panels and hydroponics to be more renewable and sustainable.
We were introduced to bread fruit and huge Avocados and allowed to take some home. All in all the farm was a great experience. In the end, he offered to some of our classmates to work at the farm in the future. Any ideas anyone had would be greatly appreciated to help the future of the farm. When we returned to the restaurant, we had dinner that we bought. The food was exceptional since most of it was local grown without pesticides. Although the meat was bought somewhere else, there really wasn't a way around it and Kevin Vacarello wasn't about to start buying cattle to graze. Grazers take up too much land and are an overall inefficient way to be sustainable.
We ended the night drinking Cava which was similar to licking a piece of bark. The effect of cava was interesting as it made my tongue go numb for a bit, but not completely. I did become a little sleepy, but was alright to walk home after being dropped off in Kailua. The farm and restaurant was a great experience.
Discoverer's Day AKA Columbus Dat
In the beginning, sure I enjoyed Discoverer's Day, who didn't? It was a day off of school. Now that I know the reasons behind the day, I truly hate it. How can we celebrate the day in which a man "claimed" a land that was already occupied? It's like going to my neighbor's house and moving in because I discovered it. People back then cared for nothing but themselves, using made of rules that applied to everyone but no one knew but their opponents. It's a rather maddening "holiday".
Dr. Tony Castanha was an interesting but sadly, depressing to listen to. He seemed to state the more serious and worse facts of the history and seemed to omit the rest. Yes the history was gruesome, but there are always two sides to the story. In fact I had some questions of my own.
If Columbus was discovering China but hit Cuba instead, how did he not notice the difference? Cubans and Chinese don't exactly look like brothers and sisters. In fact, they look completely different. Wasn't there some kind of pictures or drawings or even references to the languages? Another question was related to geography. China was entered via west side instead of along the coast. If this was the case, then they should know that China is NOT an island. But Cuba is an island, so how did they discover China? The native Cubans also wore little clothing since island wear was typically reduced clothing due to heat and faster degradation, so even some history of China would know that they were extremely noble, and that no Chinese would wander around in a loin cloth. It seemed like the greater the need for more land and wealth (greed) the less common sense everyone had. The worst case was the law that non-christian lands were considered vacant. If this was the case, then how come China wasn't invaded? Are they not Christians? Chinese are loyal to their Emperor first and Family second, no where in between is there a God.
It just seemed to me that while Dr. Castanha had many good facts on the history of Columbus Day, there were just as many holes in the plot. Were any of these taken into consideration? It seemed like he told a story of a country of people who lacked basic common sense. I'm not sure, but if anything, this was factual.
Dr. Tony Castanha was an interesting but sadly, depressing to listen to. He seemed to state the more serious and worse facts of the history and seemed to omit the rest. Yes the history was gruesome, but there are always two sides to the story. In fact I had some questions of my own.
If Columbus was discovering China but hit Cuba instead, how did he not notice the difference? Cubans and Chinese don't exactly look like brothers and sisters. In fact, they look completely different. Wasn't there some kind of pictures or drawings or even references to the languages? Another question was related to geography. China was entered via west side instead of along the coast. If this was the case, then they should know that China is NOT an island. But Cuba is an island, so how did they discover China? The native Cubans also wore little clothing since island wear was typically reduced clothing due to heat and faster degradation, so even some history of China would know that they were extremely noble, and that no Chinese would wander around in a loin cloth. It seemed like the greater the need for more land and wealth (greed) the less common sense everyone had. The worst case was the law that non-christian lands were considered vacant. If this was the case, then how come China wasn't invaded? Are they not Christians? Chinese are loyal to their Emperor first and Family second, no where in between is there a God.
It just seemed to me that while Dr. Castanha had many good facts on the history of Columbus Day, there were just as many holes in the plot. Were any of these taken into consideration? It seemed like he told a story of a country of people who lacked basic common sense. I'm not sure, but if anything, this was factual.
The Ha'ole man who knows more about Hawaii than some Hawaiians
The very interesting man Dr. Niklaus Schweizer is a professor of Languages and Literature of Europe and the Americas. Usually we have some kind of "tree hugger" or spiritual person present in front of the class. It was nice to have a change in topics to the history of Hawaii and what happened to change it from what it used to be to what it is today.
As I studied Hawaiian history, I did notice that the Westerners brought many things to Hawaii, as if changing it to their benefit. In actuality, that is what every country does when they invade and conqueror a new land, they make it comfortable for themselves but incidentally (not that they cared), they usually [forever] change the culture surrounding the invaded area. Oahu was invaded by westerners and now is not much more than an island filled with concrete. My first time here I compared it to Taiwan, which is similar, an Island off the coast of China that's filled with concrete. The most notable exception between Hawaii and Taiwan is that Taiwan is more tropical and the buildings are closer together.
In any case, Dr. Schweizer mentioned that Hawaiians refer to people as -ma (missing accented marks) as a group, or them. It's kind of similar to Spanish (Ellos, Ellas) or Chinese (ta men) when referring to outsiders. There were other words like 'ai kapu which was abolished soon after the westerners arrived (I think), this meant that men and women couldn't eat together. Or Kapope, the pope, 'olohana the right hand haloi of Kamehameha II. The history was extremely interesting to learn. What I found surprising was that missionaries were allowed to stay and were treated well even if they attempted to change the Hawaiian religion to something else. Instead they were allowed to stay because the Hawaiians wanted to learn the written language. Although they was a good point, it eventually led to the Hawaiian civil war (headed by calvinist missionaries) to over throw the monarchy. The history was sad and the monarchy was removed from power.
I noted before to my self that Hawaii would have been much happier if it was never annexed by the U.S. Unfortunately, there was no choice in this case. If Hawaii wasn't annexed by the U.S. some other country would have taken it over. Either way Hawaii would have been under some other country's rule since it didn't have enough military power to remove all foreign invaders.
It was cool to learn all this Hawaiian history from someone who really knows the subject. Although sad, one can't change the past and even then, there wasn't much to change. Now the people of Hawaii can only change the future or their benefit.
As I studied Hawaiian history, I did notice that the Westerners brought many things to Hawaii, as if changing it to their benefit. In actuality, that is what every country does when they invade and conqueror a new land, they make it comfortable for themselves but incidentally (not that they cared), they usually [forever] change the culture surrounding the invaded area. Oahu was invaded by westerners and now is not much more than an island filled with concrete. My first time here I compared it to Taiwan, which is similar, an Island off the coast of China that's filled with concrete. The most notable exception between Hawaii and Taiwan is that Taiwan is more tropical and the buildings are closer together.
In any case, Dr. Schweizer mentioned that Hawaiians refer to people as -ma (missing accented marks) as a group, or them. It's kind of similar to Spanish (Ellos, Ellas) or Chinese (ta men) when referring to outsiders. There were other words like 'ai kapu which was abolished soon after the westerners arrived (I think), this meant that men and women couldn't eat together. Or Kapope, the pope, 'olohana the right hand haloi of Kamehameha II. The history was extremely interesting to learn. What I found surprising was that missionaries were allowed to stay and were treated well even if they attempted to change the Hawaiian religion to something else. Instead they were allowed to stay because the Hawaiians wanted to learn the written language. Although they was a good point, it eventually led to the Hawaiian civil war (headed by calvinist missionaries) to over throw the monarchy. The history was sad and the monarchy was removed from power.
I noted before to my self that Hawaii would have been much happier if it was never annexed by the U.S. Unfortunately, there was no choice in this case. If Hawaii wasn't annexed by the U.S. some other country would have taken it over. Either way Hawaii would have been under some other country's rule since it didn't have enough military power to remove all foreign invaders.
It was cool to learn all this Hawaiian history from someone who really knows the subject. Although sad, one can't change the past and even then, there wasn't much to change. Now the people of Hawaii can only change the future or their benefit.
Poundin' Poi
As much as poi is good for the people of Hawaii, for us and the future, I really don't like poi. It probably had something to do with my childhood years when the Chinese word for taro sounded extremely similar to fish head. Therefore always had some kind of aversion to poi. This presenter on Nov. 2 2010 had some interesting things to say about his life in Hawaii, growing up in Waianai and living his life.
Daniel Anthony is a very excitable guy who had many things to say, some of it was very... explosive. Some of his arguments were rather idealistic, but in a realistic world, we can't always have what we want. I do have to say that Daniel was very passionate about what he was talking about, he had many experiences that some of us only have a fraction of, and he had many experiences in the "Real life".
Although only having a GED, Daniel knew his subjects. It's a wonder what Google can do. He introduced us to fish and poi, this combination he called his God. Then he ate it, and I couldn't help but think that he just ate his God. That was rather amusing to me. But the history behind it was interesting. That his ancestors survived on poi and fish and the simple things. It reminds me of ancient times or still, people today in modern day temples who live off fish and rice. Daniel then continued his thoughts on culture and religion, especially here in Hawaii and how modern Western life styles is changing it as a whole. It's a depressing thought, but it seems like few people are actually butting effort into changing it. He did mention that religion affects culture and culture affects the environment. Therefore religion affects the environment (A=B B=C therefore A=C).
This is true because religion does affect the environment. There was even this short discussion (which I really enjoyed) about how different religions such as Catholicism and Christianity respect or even do nothing to the environment. Either way it was an interesting discussion. I myself don't believe in a religion, and am rather wary of religions altogether. My roommates tell me that if I said that religion and religious practices creep me out, then I should have been worried for my health. I can't help but be scientific about it. I do respect it, everyone has their own opinions, but I can't help but question it.
All "Gods" of their religion never wrote anything down. Their disciples wrote down everything. In the case of the bible, that can't even be proven. In another scenario, the bible vs the Quran I find that both say essentially the same things just in different languages, such as Allah and God mean the same thing. Yet there is such controversy over which one is right, or more right than the other, when they are the same, if not similar.
In any case, Daniel Anthony who has a very American name, is not at all that American but has very many good ideas that he'll likely touch upon. It was great to meet him and hear his thoughts. Maybe I'll go pound poi in the future.
Daniel Anthony is a very excitable guy who had many things to say, some of it was very... explosive. Some of his arguments were rather idealistic, but in a realistic world, we can't always have what we want. I do have to say that Daniel was very passionate about what he was talking about, he had many experiences that some of us only have a fraction of, and he had many experiences in the "Real life".
Although only having a GED, Daniel knew his subjects. It's a wonder what Google can do. He introduced us to fish and poi, this combination he called his God. Then he ate it, and I couldn't help but think that he just ate his God. That was rather amusing to me. But the history behind it was interesting. That his ancestors survived on poi and fish and the simple things. It reminds me of ancient times or still, people today in modern day temples who live off fish and rice. Daniel then continued his thoughts on culture and religion, especially here in Hawaii and how modern Western life styles is changing it as a whole. It's a depressing thought, but it seems like few people are actually butting effort into changing it. He did mention that religion affects culture and culture affects the environment. Therefore religion affects the environment (A=B B=C therefore A=C).
This is true because religion does affect the environment. There was even this short discussion (which I really enjoyed) about how different religions such as Catholicism and Christianity respect or even do nothing to the environment. Either way it was an interesting discussion. I myself don't believe in a religion, and am rather wary of religions altogether. My roommates tell me that if I said that religion and religious practices creep me out, then I should have been worried for my health. I can't help but be scientific about it. I do respect it, everyone has their own opinions, but I can't help but question it.
All "Gods" of their religion never wrote anything down. Their disciples wrote down everything. In the case of the bible, that can't even be proven. In another scenario, the bible vs the Quran I find that both say essentially the same things just in different languages, such as Allah and God mean the same thing. Yet there is such controversy over which one is right, or more right than the other, when they are the same, if not similar.
In any case, Daniel Anthony who has a very American name, is not at all that American but has very many good ideas that he'll likely touch upon. It was great to meet him and hear his thoughts. Maybe I'll go pound poi in the future.
Anthro Project
Woo, I haven't posted in a long time, but yea, Sorry those of you who actually read this. Been a little busy and yea, so had some good times, good thing I wrote the stuff down.
I have this upcoming project for Anthropology, it's a good course, kinda wish that there was more discussion than presentations, but what can you do? In this case we have a project based on pono due for presentation at the end of the semester. I'm thinking of writing a paper and present it on Balance of sustainable and non-sustainable resources.
What I'm trying to accomplish is to live in a world that isn't quite completely sustainable, but do live some what sustainably. Kevin Vacarello introduced us to the sustainable farming for his restuarant Sweet Home Waimanalo. It was an interesting experience to see how modern day entrepeneurs can establish a business using sustainable ways which reduce the trash and usage of modern day techniques. The food was extremely delicious and health. I know that many people do want to grow their own food but lack property or even a green thumb. My goal is to explain the advantages and disadvantages of sustainability and non-sustainability. Another goal is to note that modern day technologies and essentially, way of life prevent any serious change in life style. It's too difficult for anyone to completely change from regular life to complete sustainability. It's also dangerous to become completely sustainable. If people suddenly stop going to the super market to buy food or seeds and such, people will lose jobs from the loss of demand. Instead, changing to a 50/50 sustainability is probably the best bet for the future.
Hopefully this will help the future of our world. For now we slowly change things one at a time, reduce energy consumption slowly, one at a time and in the end, we can reach the low emission and energy saving goals.
I have this upcoming project for Anthropology, it's a good course, kinda wish that there was more discussion than presentations, but what can you do? In this case we have a project based on pono due for presentation at the end of the semester. I'm thinking of writing a paper and present it on Balance of sustainable and non-sustainable resources.
What I'm trying to accomplish is to live in a world that isn't quite completely sustainable, but do live some what sustainably. Kevin Vacarello introduced us to the sustainable farming for his restuarant Sweet Home Waimanalo. It was an interesting experience to see how modern day entrepeneurs can establish a business using sustainable ways which reduce the trash and usage of modern day techniques. The food was extremely delicious and health. I know that many people do want to grow their own food but lack property or even a green thumb. My goal is to explain the advantages and disadvantages of sustainability and non-sustainability. Another goal is to note that modern day technologies and essentially, way of life prevent any serious change in life style. It's too difficult for anyone to completely change from regular life to complete sustainability. It's also dangerous to become completely sustainable. If people suddenly stop going to the super market to buy food or seeds and such, people will lose jobs from the loss of demand. Instead, changing to a 50/50 sustainability is probably the best bet for the future.
Hopefully this will help the future of our world. For now we slowly change things one at a time, reduce energy consumption slowly, one at a time and in the end, we can reach the low emission and energy saving goals.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)