I follow Kumu Amy Stillman on FaceBook. She shares a lot of really interesting and informative stuff, and she is an awesome teacher and writer. Recently, she shared this article. That was followed by some discussion, so I decided to post my thoughts here.
I’ve never been to a gathering where people’s standards were so “low” they hired “Uncle.”
In my experience, the ʻAnakala playing music often had taught some of the musicians in the named band, and the band members were enjoying not having to work, but would jump in and jam sometimes.
But, yes, my ʻohana is VERY thankful that we have dear Japanese friends who help to support our work.
What I have noticed here, and it is mentioned somewhat obliquely in the article, is that the respect for education just does not seem to exist here in Hawaiʻi. Japan has a very high level of respect for education and educators.
My Japanese students are horrified if they see me schlepping gear or driving. They leap to help me so that I can focus on my role – teacher. During class breaks, they practice and check each other. They show up for class early, practice at home, and are prepared for class.
My local students show up late, have been known to stroll along behind me as I carry all the gear in, seem to think that class time is so we all can practice together rather than learn new material, and during breaks they are on their cell phones. I shut down my local classes for a few years.
We in Hawaiʻi have adopted the service economy mentality of industrialized/consumerist cultures. “I paid you, so it is your job to feed me knowledge.” In Japan, the attitude I get from students is, “Please accept this financial gift as our thanks for sharing with us.”
I think this may also address the issue of musician pay – the service economy “best bang for the buck,” plus least amount of work. If ʻAnakala is willing to do the job and set everything up, then no need worry. If ʻAnakala will give you a professional show for a plate of kalua pig and some beer, all the better.
Again, I’ve not personally seen this result in low quality music, but I DO see it result in low respect. Because some people forget that ʻAnakala did NOT perform for poke and beer or whatever. ʻAnakala and ʻAnakē performed for love of their ʻohana, and of their culture, and of their music. And THAT is what breaks my heart. That their aloha is disrespected.
It is truly heartwrenching to see them get more aloha and respect from an utter stranger than they do from their own ʻohana and neighbors.
Of course, this does not happen all the time, and there are people here who do honor our local entertainers and practitioners.
But, I see our culture changing from the aloha-based sharing, and honoring the sharing with gifts of food, drink, kōkua around the house, and kālā, to that service economy “best bang for the buck” attitude.