Critique of Waikiki Waikiki residents and merchants defended their patriotism yesterday in the face of a mainland newspaper columnist's criticism of the community's perceived lack of national pride in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
patriotism draws an
angry isle response
Many take exception to a
Washington columnist's commentsBy B.J. Reyes
breyes@starbulletin.comThe column by Karen Zacharias, which circulated among Hawaii residents via e-mail, appeared in Sunday's editions of the Tri-City Herald, a 48,000-circulation daily that serves the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland in southeast Washington.
"The spirit that prevailed in Waikiki was not a patriotic one," Zacharias wrote. "Corner chatter continued to focus on surfing and snorkeling conditions and tan lines."
By yesterday afternoon, Zacharias said she had received more than 50 e-mail messages about the column -- all from Hawaii residents and only about five of which were polite.
"There was sarcasm, anger, personal attacks," Zacharias said in a telephone interview yesterday. "I in no way meant that all Hawaiians aren't patriotic or that the communities weren't, but I do think it's not inaccurate to say it's different in downtown (Waikiki)."
Zacharias, 44, said she was in Hawaii on a working vacation when she became stranded due to the grounding of airlines following the Sept. 11 attacks. Her column was based on conversations with people at Kuhio Avenue and Kanekapolei Street on the weekend following the attacks.
She quoted one man named Todd Nelson, who told her he had been waving a large American flag for nearly five hours because he was "disgusted" by the lack of patriotism exhibited by Waikiki businesses, adding that people "act just like nothing happened." Zacharias wrote that she and several passersby agreed with those sentiments.
"You did not hear people talking about it," she said. "I read newspapers, I knew what was happening at the state Capitol and at Punchbowl. ... Downtown Waikiki appeared to be disconnected from that."
Zacharias, who said her family lived in Whitmore Village for three years in the 1960s, said she thought it was clear that her column focused on Waikiki and not the attitude of all Hawaii residents.
Among those who took issue with her characterization was Sam Bren, chairman of the neighborhood board that represents Waikiki.
"It doesn't take a flag to show your patriotism, it takes a true spirit in your heart," he said. "While our patriotism may not show in the way of rallies, our tolerance toward our multinational culture proves our willingness to have world peace."
Some merchants said it was hard to openly display their patriotism because flags have been in such short supply.
Lynelle Sato, assistant manager of Salvatore Ferragamo near the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, said the store was not able to find a flag to display until last week. She agreed with Bren that she does not feel there is any shortage of patriotism in Waikiki.
Another merchant in agreement was Tony Miloni, owner of Moose McGillycuddy's Pub and Cafe. Miloni's establishment has three flags on display, including one that spans Lewers Street overhead.
"We've gotten a lot of comments from people who come by," he said. "They give us the thumbs-up and say, 'Good job.'"
