The Disneyfication of Hawai`i

The Friday 17th edition of the Honolulu Advertiser reports that new plans for a Disney-owned timeshare and hotel development will open in 2011. Although there are concerns that the economy of Hawai`i has slowed considerably, this new resort will have 350 rooms and 480 timeshare units. The estimated cost of the resort will be around $800 million and they plan on employing 1,000 people once the resort is opened.
Wing Chao, the executive vice-president of architecture and design at Walt Disney states, [The resort] honors Hawai`ian culture but splashes in some ‘Disney magic,’ …guests can swim in a saltwater snorkeling lagoon that will feature native fish and ‘some elements of Disney characters.’”




Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts says, “Disney acquired 21 acres for the resort a year ago and has since been learning more about Hawai'i, planning and researching…This project is very true and authentic to who we are.”
You can probably see where I am going with this; I am deeply troubled with the idea of Hawai`i becoming “Disneyfied.” The Hawai`ian imagery and culture has been co-opted for hundreds of years. Hawai`i was reported to be an island of friendly savages by Captain Cook. Currently it is seen as a idyllic, laid-back culture where the employees of the resorts will bend over backwards in order to please their guests. At a current meet the candidates forum for the Hawai`ian chamber of commerce, I heard Maui County Councilwoman Gladys Baisa, wish that she was just a “little bit Hawai`ian,” so she could relax. Earlier, I wrote about the imagery used in lounge music to promote the idea of a relaxed jungle culture.

Tahiti women painted by Paul Gauguin



I believe that Disney will use a lot of the imagery found in lounge music in their resorts. Mai Tais and rum and cokes will be served along the piped in sounds of Martin Denny. Tourists will pull their overly-stuffed suitcases through lounges with palm fronds stapled to the wall. Disney characters will run through the resort; will the chuckling Goofy character work in the fake Lo`i? Will Minnie Mouse join the hula shows? I don’t believe that this is unfair; in the news report on KGMB News, the characters, “Lilo and Stitch” made an appearance while the Governor smiled and clapped. KGMB




The attacks on Hawai`ian culture have been consistent and incessant. If the resort is built, I’m sure that many jobs will be created, and local people need jobs and of course, Disney isn’t exactly known for their fair wages (Signon). However, the Disneyfication of Hawai`i is potentially dangerous and another example of the commodification of a proud people and culture.

Disneyland Enchanted Tiki Room




Signon

Disney is Hell in Haiti

This oil painting by Johann Zoffany depicts
Cook's death at Kealakekua Bay.


Richard Cooksey.
"Ode to the Memory of Captain Cooke." Written at the Desire of Mr. Dunster. October 14, 1780."
In: Miscellaneous Poems.
London, 1796
Too soon, alas, it struck thy heart,
Thou child of science and of art!
Too soon thy scene was clos'd.
While waving (pity-mov'd) thy hand,
Fair Mercy's sign, the savage band
To mercy--death oppos'd!


Captain Cook Made a Good Dinner © Stephen Hart

They came for the coconut
They came for the trees
They took what they could
They took what they pleased

Then they brought disease
And made the islands sick
They sell what they could
And burned every tree

Captain Cook made a good dinner
he thought he was a god
(but it) turns out he was a sinner
so, with a pinch of salt and a bit of poi
chop him up ‘cause
He makes a good stew