Dole Street

            In looking at the “Dole Street” chapter from Juliana Spahr’s Well then there now I think it’s clear that Spahr is highlighting the mockery that American influence seems to make of Hawaiian culture. Starting with the fact that the street is named after Sanford B. Dole the President of the highly controversial “provisional government” which was established by the United States. Dole was also the first Governor of Hawaii after it officially became a U.S territory. The notion that a street can exist in this highly populated area of Hawaii named after a man who tried to strip Hawaiian’s of their right to vote is a complete mockery and absolutely ludicrous.

            Spahr goes on to describe some of the stickers that she sees on the back of cars lining that street and how so many of them “sell Hawaii as they sell surfing gear and accessories (35).”  The stickers display over exaggerated misogynistic pictures of cartoon girls in short grass skirts with large breasts. This is the image of Hawaii that an American company like Roxy tries to sell.

            Spahr also talks about the ABC stores in Hawaii and how every single one of them sells the little dashboard hula dancers. To me I just read this description of Dole Street as a metaphor for the Americanization of Hawaii in general. America tries so hard to sell this image of Hawaii from the leis given out at the airport to the “Hawaiian” shirts that are sold at every corner store, and all of it is just completely unauthentic and must appear ridiculous to both the native and local Hawaiians.

            I also thought the description of the University of Hawaii and its place at the top of Dole Street was very interesting. Spahr mentions the sculpture “gate of hope” that sits at the front of the school and how it appears to be giving the middle finger to all of Waikiki. Do you think that the negative light that some of the locals hold the university in is due to the fact that the university brings in so many outsiders to Hawaii or that the students contribute to an overall arrogant American attitude amongst the Islands?