|
Kapu. One of my favorite eps. ( I won't rate or judge an ep. on any scale, I personally cannot get behind that concept...)
Dick Jensen, a beloved figure here in Hawaii, was known as Hawai'i's Tom Jones to many. His brother, Rocky Ka'iouliokahihikolo'ehu Jensen, is seen in one shot in the b.g., casting a net into the waters... He is Hawai'i's topmost carver. I studied under him and he is a great friend I am honored to know and he is a well respected cultural practitioner.
"....which I think is the primary influence of this episode"
No. The influence if this ep is the age old scenario. A fish out of water. (The general storyline, the plot format exemplified in this ep necessarily should be done by anyone doing a series IN Hawai'i; a haole dealing with a quite foreign Hawaii, even though HE is the foreigner. ). It is rife with possibilities of conflict. drama, hurt and healing. lessons learned. Awakening and insights. It is a necessary tale to be told in so many various forms; Coarse modern man find himself in an "ancient land" learns the ways to a degree of these 'gentle, primal nature people' populating this strange culture he has never seen before, which is wholly foreign to him, BUT! is the heart of the host culture that he happens to be a guest in, even in his home he eventually returns to. It's from time immemorial. Not some harrison ford flick, fer gawds sakes. (As an aside, Magnum appears as a good example of the stereotypical ubiquitous Ugly American encountered around the world in other countries, as he exhibits anger, frustration, disrespect, ignorance, ingratitude, a disproportionate impatience to get outta Dodge, a basic loud pushy bumbling presence, etc., among a people and a setting that at the least he should be treading lightly with and with SOME degree of interest, respectfulness and appreciation for, and maybe a modicum of familiarity with, as it is the kuleana, the duty... of anyone who calls themselves a resident of Hawai'i, to learn of Hawai'i's past, culture, ways, etc.. Instead, he seems like some New yawk or Californica tourist who just fell FOB.)
I don't see the ep as being based on a version of Ni'ihau. It is basically Tom through a time machine. Ni'ihau is privately owned by one concern. haole at that. Kapu is not owned by some big brother presence. Not owned at all. It is as it was.
"I'm astounded that someone owns the island" Well, america thinks it owns Hawai'i and its islands. Moku o Loʻe, a.k.a. coconut island in Kaneohe bay has had a few private owners thru the decades past... Before missionary arrival and the influx of foreigners, Hawaiians had NO concept of land ownership. They knew they were stewards of the 'aina which was an aspect of akua, the Gods, and all aspects of it were revered, sacred, respected, taken care of... Old time kama'aina are very saddened to see the land being wantonly destroyed as it is, and acceleratingly so.
This is one reason it is a fave of mine; it makes one think. It can be the subject of much discussion and debate...
Last edited by Braddah Kimo on Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
|