Anth 3115 - 11/23

In class we talked about tattoos. We talked mainly about tribal Hawaiian tattoos. In early Hawaiian history tooth removal and scaring were used as a way of mourning for the death of loved ones. From my understanding they probably did this (physical pain) to counteract with the mental/ emotional pain. Not only did people who mourn have tattoos but also Hawaiian warriors and women were also tattooed themselves. If someone wanted a tattoo back then all they had were what ever was around. Ironically people in prison, got tattoos without given the proper tools of tattooing. They had to use what ever they had around =)

Anth 3115 - 11/16/10

Guest speaker Ramsay Taum came to our second class to talk about our connection with nature. He began class with "messages in water". This made me wonder how it is even possible for our moods to affect the different shapes of frozen water crystals. For example, an ice crystal around hate will be shaped differently comparing to an ice crystal around love. We also in class not just talk about this kind of significance with ice crystals and water but also other natural things (land, earth, ect.) As interesting as it may be science cannot really explain to me why these kinda things can even happen. It is almost as if the "aina" has its mind of its own. Thankyou Kumu Ramsay for coming back and talking to us again.

Anth 3115: 11/2/10

Our guest speaker for class was Daniel Anthony. He was born and raised in Waianae. He explained how he runs a family owned business that makes poi 'traditionally". Unfortunately, the government told Daniel that this was not safe and that it cannot be FDA approved. Having to make poi under the FDA rule is a lot safer but having to make it traditionally is what makes poi, poi. Personally, I see it as if one were to choose between eating either poi or paste. In our society today we survive by consuming goods and ect. Many of our problems can be solved if we stopped consuming. The problem is that everyone is a consumer.

10/26/10 Class Cancelled

Class is canceled today! Luckily, a few of my friends told me that class was canceled because I seriously would not have known. I would have been the only there and be like " what the..". Today we were suppose to get our mid-terms but that will have to wait until next week. Until then I will be reading over Ishmael and Eat Here. Our professor was unable to come to class today because her mother is sick. I hope everything goes well with your mother professor Cruz =)

10/19/10 Sweet Home Waimanalo

Instead of having class we visited Kevin's farm and restaurant. He should us his restored home that was once a home for hungry termites. He then should us the farm that was absolutely incredible. Too bad it was getting dark because I wanted to take a few pictures with the horses. After the tour of the farm we headed back to Kevin's restaurant where we had dinner. I order the bbq pork plate with sweet potato, "ono".

180 Degree South 10/12/10

In class we watched a video/documentary about Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. I really enjoyed how this movie portrayed certain messages that were previously brought up before in class. In the video we got to see the negative impact of industrialization in communities around the world. What I found ironic is the fallen societies in the past. From what happen back then we should learn from their mistakes. But sadly enough it seems that a collapse is imment for our the future.

Anth 3115: 9/5/10

During class we had guest speakers Dr. Tong Castanba and Dr. Niklaus Schweizer. Dr. Tong Castamba talked about the top document at UH Monoa, The Bull Inter Caetera (Alexander VI) - May 4, 1493. He also explains to us why Columbus Day was changed to Discover's Day. Columbus followed the footsteps of Marco Polo. Columbus had an idea that the world was round. He landed on Guanahani in 1942 (took slaves). After Guanahani he then landed on Cuba which he thought was asia. Therefore.... he did not "discover" america. The encomienda was a system of slavery in which one would work for religion. During the encomienda, 7-8 million people died (we must rethink history). 1648 Treaty of Westphalia was based on discovery, which then became Law of Nations today. The Bull Inter Caetera today is transformed into a corporate domain. Dr. Niklaus Schweizer then talked to us after Dr. Tang Castabana. He talked about Binamu ma. 'Ai kapu means men and women cannot eat together. In November 15, 1913 this law was broken. 'Olohana was the right hand man of Kamehameha I. Palapula was the system of writing/reading. Kou was a fishing village in Hawaii. In Hawaiian history there was once a war between the missionaries and the Hawaiians which was called Kaua Kuloko.

Anth 3115: 9/28/10

We watched 2 videos. 1st video was about sustainability in our world today. 2nd video was from Machael Pollan. He talked about how plants were controlling us and the complexity of plants purposes. Machael viewed that when you give species what they want, they will grow.
Guest speaker was Kumu Ramsay Taum from Kailua. "Looking to the Past To Insure the Future" was his motto. He put a picture of an empty chair in the beginning of his powerpoint slide. It signified the person who we represent. The Hawaiian world view is circular - I belong... therefore I am! The maoli culture was developed in "isolation". Kumu taught us what Hawaii meant: Ha - breath of life; wai- water; i-relationship between people and things (spirit); Hawaii- belly button of the world. He also taught us many more hawaiian words that I already knew. Thanks Kumu Ramsay for visiting, good/fun/exiting presentation =P

Anth 3115: 9/21/10

For class we had guest speakers Henry Curtis and Kat Brady. Henry Curtis compared how population grew over time through industrialization. Ever 100 people today equals 40 people during the 1950's. Urbanization is not always the best thing because it causes us to divorce from the land. Industrialization created more poor people than rich people. In Hawaii our government's view of renewable energy is wrong. After Henry, Kat Brady talked to us. She talked to us about prison culture. Prisoners are real people not just bodies. She explained how money is driving our legislature.

Anth 3115: 9/14/10 Guest Speakers

During last tuesday's (9/14/10) class we had 2 guest speakers, Kevin Vacarello and Routh Bolomet.
Kevin was the first to speak. He talked about sustainability and explained how sustainability was important. He said in order for us to keep sustainability we must maintain the balance for 3 important building blocks, which are Ecology (bottom), Equity (middle), and Economy (top). We want to create a system in which we account for ecology, instead of just paying attention on our economy.
After Kevin spoke and after a break, Routh spoke to us about her situations in life (journey). She explained to us about the power of healing, both biologically and spiritually. According to Routh, we were able to heal oursleves by listening to our spirits. She also said that we were able to heal ourselves by eatting the right foods (organic).
I am very glad that Prof. Cruz invited Kevin and Routh to talk to us. They opened a whole new insight for me that I haven't even known.

ANTH 3115: First Day of Class

First day of class was fun. We went over the class syllabus and things to expect for this class. So far class seems very interesting. We watched a video on how a guy found a new way for kids to learn. He showed how kids learned better by wanting to learn instead of being forced. Simple said than. After the video we did a class activity in which we had to form a line in order by the number given to us without the use of vision and sound. I don't have anything else to say but that I'm looking forward to this class =).