how has this interview caused this much of an uproar in hawai’i? the fact that it was a public interview and that he’s a main actor on Hawai’i 5-0 (thus in a way making him an “ambassador” as some people have put it) is the only thing i see making what he said “wrong”. but “wrong” from a PR stand point. outside of this public context, was anything he said really “wrong”? did he say anything non factual?

1) the food thing, who cares, everyone has different taste in food so while I winced a bit at that because i love the food here, I still don’t see anything “wrong” outside of him saying it in this public context. everyone has a different taste in food and if you’re not particular in asian fusion, then guess what, you’re not gonna like Hawai’i since majority of it is that. i have friends who are vegetarian who come to hawai’i who don’t like the food because majority of it is meat. stuff like someones taste in food, you cannot help.

2) meth is HUGE problem in hawai’i, maybe not to the extent of crack on the east coast in the 80s but to act as if they’re talking blasphemy?! what rock you guys living under?! you crazy and need to leave the comfort of townside home and come over to westside o’ahu where meth in many ways are more accessible than weed. there’s a reason why they were able to make an entire show about a bounty hunter catching meth heads. again, factual, but “wrong” to talk about because of the public forum.

3) him saying “hawai’i has no hustle” and people going crazy is tripping me out. have you lived in LA? have you lived in new york? hawai’i has NO COMPARABLE hustle and we should be proud of that. it’s why people wanna come here for vacation and to retire. it’s why people call hawai’i “paradise”. he grew up in an industry that’s nonstop, crazy, fast, and cut-throat. an industry where if you say “i’ll do that tomorrow” it could cost you a job, an opportunity, or even millions of dollars. that’s what he’s used to. why do you want to be compared to that? in hawai’i, many people’s idea of a “productive day” is going to the post office after work before going grocery shopping. “but i work 2-3 jobs! and have kids to go home to! how can he say i’m not hustling” no one’s knocking on that. that’s amazing and everyone respects that. but what’s your SIDE HUSTLE? what are you doing to bring you to a better lifestyle, financial freedom, and/or not having to work 2-3 jobs? THAT’S what he’s talking about. having that ultimate goal and actually working towards it. it’s harder for us to have that EXTRA HUSTLE here because we have everything that anyone needs in hawai’i. we have the safety net of such strong family values, a community where everyone knows each other and is willing to help, friends, good food, beautiful beaches, the ability to have an amazing outdoor/active lifestyle for FREE! we have what we have and it’s all that we need! WE LIVE IN PARADISE! while the cost of living is higher here than the national average, the cost of ACTUALLY LIVING LIFE is lower and so there’s no need to “hustle” at the ridiculously unnecessary and selfish level that he’s referring to. BE PROUD OF THAT!

4) he said that surfing here is so difficult that it’s more like survival than fun and so he prefers malibu. people got made at this… seriously??

again, nothing non-factual or “wrong” but definitely the wrong forum to have this conversation. i was much more disappointed at the responses and outcry from hawai’i than what he actually said. i know we’re very passionate people but let’s not make ourselves out to look like uneducated savages. the mainland already thinks we’re like that without us making such a big stink over silly videos! haha

kill’em with aloha, my hawai’i people, kill’em with aloha! and hey, more food for us!! haha