Adults to Blame for Violent Youth

This writer forgot to mention that there was one more adult male parked on the street watching these kids fight, and he did nothing to stop them.

An excellent suggestion from Hoolehuamoon! This an example of what collective thinking and cooperation in problem solving can come up with from the 'mother culture' to deal with modern social problems such as this. Aloha mai no, aloha aku; o ka huhu ka mea e ola `ole ai!
Kalikiano

a branch indeed is of the trunk. Unfortunately we have witnessed many parents exhibit scrapping kine attitude over sporting events or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sometimes I believe we need to let our keiki face consequences of their words or actions. But this is only effective if a positive example is set first to follow. If the child chooses a different path, so be it. But when a parent only offers one choice, the path of violence, that is most unfortunate for the keiki.

That is why the Hale Mua played a huge role in developing responsible men in old Hawaii. It was a place only kane could go, where the young ones learned from the elders how to keep their feelings in check, communicate effectively, and be productive. It allowed them to exercise their masculinity, or kane-ness in appropriate ways.

Give thought to this, resurrecting the Hale Mua may very well be the first step to rehabilitating some serious issues on this island related to violence, abuse, alcohol and drug addictions, suicide, self-esteem, etc.

Soun lak you tink adults ALL know bettah! Lucky you no get one bottle ova hed, by dis faddah who mak shame li'dat!

Lots of immature adults out there and unfortunately they tend to produce immature kids. Public shaming was a main characteristic of the ancient culture to get 'errant' members of the o'hana to conform. More of this is needed, perhaps? Mahalo for bringing this up. Despite the fact that the ancient Hawaiians had a well-deserved reputation for being formidable fighters, it sounds like this instance you cite is just another example of 'arrested juvenile attitude' (which was NOT characteristic of the ancient kanaka maoli culture) on the part of the makua kane you refer to.

The challenge that faces all parents is how to teach their keiki how to be strong and courageous without encouraging them to settle minor differences of opinion violently. Duke Kahanamoku set the example many years ago by being a man of great personal strength and courage. He was nonetheless a most humble and well-intended person who always tried to find the middle ground, no matter who or what it was he was dealing with. Hawaiians have always learned much from his excellent example, but some people seem to have forgotten his lessons in how to get along collectively and harmoniously in our more modern times.

Drawing upon the example of the true O-sensei of Far Eastern martial arts, it has been shown that the more adept, the stronger you are, and the more ability you have, the less necessary it is to prove yourself in combat; the same was true of masters of Hawaiian Lua. People who think fighting (or violence of any kind, including war) is a preferred solution for resolving conflict are usually those who have the least wisdom and understanding of the broader questions we face in life. There is, of course, a time to fight and a time to talk things over peacefully, but the truest mark of adult maturity is found in knowing the difference between the two.

Aloha kakou.
Kalikiano