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Rating: 
Summary: Alienation does not equal liberation...
Review: Although I think that what Professor Trask has to say definitely has validity and is a very important history to learn about, I also sense as a mainland-born, non-Hawaiian female, that her visceral anger and pain burn virtually all of the non-Hawaiian readers in her path. Hanauni-Kay Trask presents the bleak reality of Hawaii's history with colonizers, assorted oppressors, land developers and pollution and why it should not only be a sovereign, independent nation but that no one should come there looking for Don Ho and pina coladas, like the ad campaigns would have us believe. In fact, Haunani informs us--without mincing words--that the Non-Hawaiian presence is not welcome in any of the Hawaiian islands.
When I first digested her view of visitors to her Hawaii and the vast layers of corruption that have displaced her people, I shared her rage (even though I know she would never believe that, upon seeing me). Now, two years later, I really ask how she hoped to change the bleak situation through writing this book. It seems to me, she practices the same racist ideology that the colonists practiced when they took over in the first place! I know many would challenge my point and argue that she is merely taking back what is rightfully hers. I think that venom breeds more venom, and, in turn, that venom poisons all of us. (Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians)
Whether many of us want to admit it or not, we are all connected on an inner level as human beings, brothers and sisters on this planet, who have all been hurt, abused, or deceived in some way. This common bond also divides us. We choose to resolve or confront this pain in different ways. While some of us start wars, hold grudges with people who share the same eyes or skin color of our oppressors, and continue to be driven by our inherited anger from the generations or directly experienced discrimination; others come to accept that, regardless of race or national origin, each person on this earth is an individual. Some individuals whose ancestry comes from the oppressor are actually working to overthrow this system of oppression in a sincere and humble manner. It saddens me that Haunani cannot see that for herself and that her rage for the non-indigenous people continues with such force. It might surprise Professor Trask to know that there are numerous groups of non-Indigenous people who have experienced the same level of oppression her ancestors (and she) have had to face. Many of those on the receiving end of the violent genocides (the Holocaust, for example), bloody and ruthless revolutions (Russian as an example) and ethnic cleansings (the situation between Serbs and Croats) did not flee their countries to impose oppression on others. They came seeking sanctuary and an opportunity to culture peace and justice around them. I hope Haunani Kay-Trask will realize that we all really ARE struggling together.
Rating: 
Summary: Radical, but worth reading
Review: I discovered this book while doing research for a Cultural Pluralism class last year and was disapointed to find that it was out of print. After finding my own copy many fellow mainland Kama`aina's have wanted to review it as well because it has widened my once narrow perspective shared by most who are unaware of our important and rich heritage. I recommend this book (if you can find it) to any and all who desire to know about the true history of Hawai`i, our culture, the ill-effects of Colonialism, and the importance of Nationalism.
Rating:
Summary: Good cause wrong attitude
Review: I had to read this book for my American Diplomatic History class in college. All though I can sympathize with Trask's cause I can't agree with her all the time. Maybe it was not right for the United State to take Hawai'I but if we didn't do it someone was. Does it make it right? No of course not. If it was not us, then this book would have probably been written in Japanese, German, or French. I can understand why she is mad, but she is too radical, and I find her to be a hypocrite. She basically says that every white male in Hawaii is racist, sexist and a bigot. When I read her book that is what I took from her. She is self-righteous in fact I was kind of surprised that she did not compare herself to Jesus Christ. I am not saying there are not racist whites in Hawaii but she makes it out that it is ok to discriminate against white people. I have been to Hawaii and I must say the native Hawaiians were very friendly. I am happy I did not meet her! Trask is racist, sexist and the only people she seems to like is herself and her sister. The whole book was about her and that's about it. If I were Hawaiian I would not want a person like this representing me! In fact in other sources I have heard she is not even 100% Hawaiian! It would be similar if I wanted Hitler, or David Duke speaking for me. She made statement in her book telling all non-native Hawaiians to stay away from Hawaii well the same goes for you. Please don't come to the mainland or Europe for that matter. The best I can say for this book its that it is not boring. I enjoyed reading it! Plus one more thing for Miss Trask racism no matter what race you are is wrong. I don't care if you are white, Hawaiian or Martian.
Rating: 
Summary: She's right. Get over it.
Review: Trask's work, From a Native Daughter, is quite an interesting read. .... ... Trask's twelve page indictment of tourism as a form of cultural colonialism is both accurate and delivered with such fortitude that analytical opposition is virtually insurmountable. ...
Rating:
Summary: Narcisism and Self-righteous Anger Do not a Scholar make.
Review: Trask's writing is shocking. Her book presents an interesting alternative view of Hawaiian history as well as an interesting critique of Western thought (especially history and anthropology).
Unfortunately Trask's militant sensationalism, and self serving narcisism creep in and very nearly ruin the entire book. The pages are filled with self-glorifying pictures of Trask and her political pals. The articles focus almost entirely on Trask's own political actions, ignoring all other movements and all previous scholarship.
Trask's opinions are of course "interesting", but they are not based on any sort of sound historical or scientific evidence. The little bits of flimsy evidence she does cite are almost laughable in light of the kind of re-evalutations she is pushing for. Are the lyrics of a single song really proper cause for an entire re-evaluation of historical theory?
There are some very large holes in her arguments. So large, in fact, that virtually no scholars, american, European or otherwise, take her work seriously. In reality, very few native Hawaiians take her or her politics seriously either
Trask's personality really casts her argument into a deep, dark shadow. It's unfortunate that a more level headed person didn't undertake the writing of this book because it is actually quite interesting, and even enlightening at times.
Rating:
Summary: Narcisism and Self-righteous Anger Do not a Scholar make.
Review: Trask's writing is shocking. Her book presents an interesting alternative view of Hawaiian history as well as an interesting critique of Western thought (especially history and anthropology).
Unfortunately Trask's militant sensationalism, and self serving narcisism creep in and very nearly ruin the entire book. The pages are filled with self-glorifying pictures of Trask and her political pals. The articles focus almost entirely on Trask's own political actions, ignoring all other movements and all previous scholarship.
Trask's opinions are of course "interesting", but they are not based on any sort of sound historical or scientific evidence. The little bits of flimsy evidence she does cite are almost laughable in light of the kind of re-evalutations she is pushing for. Are the lyrics of a single song really proper cause for an entire re-evaluation of historical theory?
There are some very large holes in her arguments. So large, in fact, that virtually no scholars, american, European or otherwise, take her work seriously. In reality, very few native Hawaiians take her or her politics seriously either
Trask's personality really casts her argument into a deep, dark shadow. It's unfortunate that a more level headed person didn't undertake the writing of this book because it is actually quite interesting, and even enlightening at times.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling yet uncomplete
Review: Trasks book is definetly worth reading. She has some wonderful critiques of the tourist industry and its effect on the economy,politics, and sustainability of Hawai'i. I also believe that Trask provides of very long over due and pertinent analization of the historic events that led to the occupation, overthrow, and takeover of the Hawai'ian Islands. In response to one of the reviewers, native Hawai'ians were friendly to you because they are paid to do so. To compare Trask to Hitler or David Duke is utterly ignorant and white backlash against a scholarly critique of white supremacy, imperialization, and colonization. The fact that Trask is not "100 %" Hawai'ian reminds us of the fact that the reason indigenous people are dying off is because of the colonial system that Trask critiques. On the other hand, I do believe that Trask leaves certain things to be desired. The diversity in opinions of various sovereignty groups in Hawai'i are all together left out and I have to disagree with her brand of extremist nationalism which tends to be not only exclusive but conservative as well. However, a critique of the colonialist exploitation of Hawai'i is often ignored and Trask fills in a void left by scholars and the general community alike.
Rating:
Summary: View from an Accidental Tourist
Review: While on vacation in Hawai'i for the first time I had observed there were no Hawaiians except room service and grounds keepers. Most of the people I met were white people from Ohio. Something seemed completely at odds with what I expected. I found a bookstore in search of a Hawaiian history book determined that it be written by a Hawaiian. I chose Professor Trask's book quite randomly based on the previous criteria. Her book was an explanation of what I was seeing first hand, vaudevillian luaus, crass commercialism and near total absence of indigenous people. Once I begin reading it was difficult to stop and I was ready to go to war with christian missionaries and fat cat right-wing republicans. I have since sought to validate Trask's positions and every point she makes will foot and tick to a reliable source. I am not Hawaiian and previously had no interest in this subject but this book was very well written and a call to action even for a middle class suburban haole such as myself. The island of Maui was beautiful but I want return until Hawai'i is a sovereign nation and I am invited.
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