Hawaii-style “Fourth of July” is a conversational piece that brings up history and the current state of the country and asks “do we all in the U.S.A have freedom?” as is represented of the Flag of the United States with many peoples hopes and dreams. Generational teachings of life expectations of: single 8-hour a day job, single income home, a home, a car, a family, none monopolized or absorbed businesses for open market, and equity of rights regarding all on American soil. As you could imagine discussions can get heated depending on the: action or lack there of with social change, government representation, and unresolved issues regarding independence.
Those who grew up in the 1960’s Hawaii would have their academics aimed towards American instruction in English with retold stories of “Hawaiian History” by the books instead of history taught by their families, so it wouldn’t be until years later that they would discover what happened to the Hawaiian Kingdom where the US stole Hawaii from the Hawaiians. While its popular in an argument to say that anything to do with barbeque, hotdogs, hamburgers, and anything American themed is celebration, however the question comes to what is being celebrated? A day off of work can be a cause of celebration, seeing fireworks in the sky could be cause of celebration, and having a chance to spend time with family at the beach can also be a celebration while eating. There were those who opted for American dishes that were relatively tone-deaf (lack of perception) as to have foods that were as far from local, and called by those who cooked “True Independence Day Foods”, while locals would call it “Not Hawaiian Food” as it was often mislabeled if it had pineapple, “The Colonial Menu” if it lacked any local dishes, “Tropicali-crap” if it was clearly California Tiki Cuisine. Things tend to get political at times when discussing politically-correct foods, so many tend to mind their own business and do what they choose on the fourth of July. But the question that rises is... did Hawaii Tourism give enough information about what Fourth of July means to people in Hawaii in their national and international marketing to let people know they could be doing disrespectful things by making a political statement of the days meaning? This makes it difficult to say if someone might have happened to just not know versus someone trying to make a political statement. While many would judge, none would judge with a close and analyzing eye of American-Transplants more than the Local-Haole that would silently shake their head. Later on whisper their thoughts to their family and friends about being disrespectful “Haole” transplants give “Local Haole’s” a bad name, especially on Fourth of July. Of course some may not have done their research before coming over and just went on a whim or had their own expectations of the islands being a paradise it didn’t stop people from judging one another. The American menu on Fourth of July that would be made up of highly marketed Hawaii Tiki Culture and Fourth of July in Paradise ads would include: Barbecue Chicken, Buffalo Wings, Jumbo Franks, Macaroni and Cheese, Baby Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Pineapple Coleslaw (Hawaiian Coleslaw), Nachos and Cheese, Baked Beans with Mango Salsa, Fresh Fruit Bowl, Game Day Chili and Spaghetti, Mashed Potatoes. If food could speak the day that it would be spoken the loudest it would be the choices of foods served on a pot-luck spread and Fourth of July is no exception. It shows the foods eaten by the people who live in Hawaii actually eat versus the foods served that people think Hawaii residents eat or that “Should Eat” to the limit of their food knowledge. While people eat what they eat and meet up they tend to keep quiet, so that they do not make a scene of things. Judgement is often times silent with nothing but eyes looking down at the selected foods and how it correlates with history, local tastes, and evolving food traditions of the Hawaii grilling culture. This is due to the idea of the saying “No Make Trouble” or from practices of respect and Aloha. Practices of Aloha, it takes a lot of strength to keep silent in a time that has had long lasting effects on Hawaiians and locals with the fall of the kingdom many will say they will try to practice being humble by spending time with their families. As by example of the King who showed no hostility in such judgements of those practicing their traditions, but acted with Aloha. On one Fourth of July there was a a meeting at the house of Ha’alilio with the King would partake with the American residents as to not interrupt their own traditions in respecting Hawaiian traditions as well for a day to unite and not show exclusivity. The quote says: "The 4th of July was celebrated by a large number of the American residents here, who gave a dinner at the house of Ha‘alilio, in the valley of Manoa. The King and his suite, with many other invited guests were present. The dinner was cooked in native style, and the manner of partaking nearly so. The dishes were placed upon mats on the floor, and the party arranged themselves around this primitive table in such attitudes as best suited their case or convenience. Nothing occurred to interrupt the harmony of the scene, and although not confined exclusively to Americans, every one appeared to be united in the celebration of the day.”
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