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Serpents in Eden

Serpents in Eden

Here in Serpents in Eden, a look at the evils that assail us. (This site being about us and for us, I feature these clips in the hope of fostering understanding and finding solutions.) At the top of anyone’s list hereabouts is homelessness. This has become a cancer on the soul of our community, and it causes us to look through and around the ugliness without engaging the human beings within. But having a roof over one’s head is problematic for most of us here, as is the onerous cost of living, the chump-change wages, the dismal jobs and manini economy. We vote with our feet, and we have seen off more than 100,000 of our own to the Ninth Island, and more than half our college graduates leave for the mainland. All the same, we are overrun. There are more than 300,000 military personnel here (bless their hearts) attached to 14 major installations that occupy large amounts of our best land and contribute little to a healthy economy or community. (Until recently, this included bombing the island of Kaho’olawe for the U.S. Navy’s target practice.) And, we are overrun by a kinder and gentler calamity, as our “hospitality industry” brings on a flood tide of visitors, more than 10 million a year before the pandemic shut the place down. (Remember how nice, driving round the island and seeing nobody on the road, empty beaches, fish coming back?) But I digress. These days, there are just too many people here, and fewer and fewer of them are us. There are answers, but these require evolution, not revolution. A new manufacturing economy is flourishing, as our community’s astonishing creativity takes Hawaii’s home-made stuff to a welcoming world. Beyond that, building a knowledge-based economy holds promise as a way to stem the exodus of our best and brightest, and give us the wealth to put right all that has gone wrong here (see Our Future).

Umi ia inui ke aho. – “Press Hard and Take a Long Breath.”

Index

The Homeless • Extreme Hospitality • The Military • Development • Cost of Living • The Iceman Cometh • Hawaiians Agonize

the homeless

A New Solution in Tackling Hawaii's Homeless Problem

“A New Solution in Tackling Hawaii’s Homeless Problem” (1:58)

BBC Documentary Films 2017 HD: Homeless in Hawaii Documentary 2017

“BBC Documentary Films 2017 HD: Homeless in Hawaii Documentary 2017” (22:58)

Hawaii's Homeless Have Few Places to Go - 'The Don't Know What to Do With Us'

“Hawaii’s Homeless Have Few Places to Go – ‘The Don’t Know What to Do With Us'” (4:47)

Homeless Crisis Update | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“Homeless Crisis Update | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:46)

Homeless in Paradise: Hawaii's Growing Problem

“Homeless in Paradise: Hawaii’s Growing Problem” (3:18)

Innovative Housing Solutions | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“Innovative Housing Solutions | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:57)

Insights on PBS Hawai'i | Kehauiki Village

“Insights on PBS Hawai’i | Kehauiki Village” (56:45)

Insights on PBS Hawai'i | Has Hawai'i Turned a Corner in the Homeless Crisis?

“Insights on PBS Hawai’i | Has Hawai’i Turned a Corner in the Homeless Crisis?”

Kahauiki Village: A Honolulu Community-Built Homeless Project

“Kahauiki Village: A Honolulu Community-Built Homeless Project” (28:29)

Lt. Gov Josh Green Releases Plan to Reduce Homelessness in Hawaii

“Lt. Gov Josh Green Releases Plan to Reduce Homelessness in Hawaii” (1:54)

Hawaii: Living on the Edge in Paradise?

“Hawaii: Living on the Edge in Paradise?” (35:40)

Homeless Crisis Update | Insights on PBS Hawaii

“Homeless Crisis Update | Insights on PBS Hawaii” (56:46)

Homeless Hawaiians Decide to Occupy Property

“Homeless Hawaiians Decide to Occupy Property” (2:24)

Homeless in Hawaii?

“Homeless in Hawaii?” (3:40)

Homeless in Hawaii: Documentary 2017

“Homeless in Hawaii: Documentary 2017” (1:13:44)

Homeless in Hawaii Documentary 2018

“Homeless in Hawaii Documentary 2018” (22:12)

Homeless in Hawaii

“Homeless in Hawaii” (5:42)

Homeless in Hawaii

“Homeless in Hawaii” (16:25)

Homeless in Paradise: Hawaii's Growing Problem

“Homeless in Paradise: Hawaii’s Growing Problem” (3:18)

Homelessness in Hawaii with Twinkle Borge of Pu'uhonua o Wai'anae

“Homelessness in Hawaii with Twinkle Borge of Pu’uhonua o Wai’anae” (6:28)

How Homelessness Hurts Hawaii (Sharing My Experience)

“How Homelessness Hurts Hawaii (Sharing My Experience)” (8:02)

IHS: Mainland People Looking to be Homeless in Hawaii

“IHS: Mainland People Looking to be Homeless in Hawaii” (2:26)

NIMBY Worsening Hawaii's Housing Crisis

“NIMBY Worsening Hawaii’s Housing Crisis” (2:31)

Prescribing Hope: A Homeless in Hawaii Special Report

“Prescribing Hope: A Homeless in Hawaii Special Report” (29:46)

Tackling the Everyday Crisis of Homeless in Hawaii

“Tackling the Everyday Crisis of Homeless in Hawaii” (3:14)

videos of Serpents in Eden | Talking with the Homeless in Honolulu (1 of 10)

“Talking with the Homeless in Honolulu (1 of 10)”

videos of Serpents in Eden | Talking with the Homeless in Honolulu (2 of 10)

“Talking with the Homeless in Honolulu (2 of 10)” (3:08)

Serpents in Eden | Talking with the Homeless in Honolulu (4/10)

“Talking with the Homeless in Honolulu (4/10)” (6:48)

Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, (1/6)

“Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii, (1/6)” (8:56)

videos of Serpents in Eden | Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (2/6)

“Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (2/6)” (5:31)

Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

“Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (3/6)” (3:58)

Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

“Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (4/6)” (3:42)

Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

“Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (5/6)” (5:09)

Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

“Talking with the Homeless in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii (6/6)” (13:46)

The Homeless Problem in Hawaii Could Be Driving Tourists Away

“The Homeless Problem in Hawaii Could Be Driving Tourists Away” (2:18)

Walking Waikiki: Disappearing Homeless? (Hawaii)

“Walking Waikiki: Disappearing Homeless? (Hawaii)” (12:03)

Why Are There So Many Homeless in Hawaii?

“Why Are There So Many Homeless in Hawaii?” (5:09)

40-Year History of IHS

“40-Year History of IHS” (5:40)

Hawaiian diaspora

Bringing Aloha Spirit to Las Vegas, Hawaii’s ‘Ninth Island’

“Bringing Aloha Spirit to Las Vegas, Hawaii’s ‘Ninth Island’” (4:54)

From Paradise to the Desert - What Happens When Native Hawaiians Move to Las Vegas

“From Paradise to the Desert – What Happens When Native Hawaiians Move to Las Vegas” (24:53)

High Cost of Living Continues to Drive More Hawaiians Out of the State

“High Cost of Living Continues to Drive More Hawaiians Out of the State”

How Native Hawaiians Have Been Pushed Out of Hawaii

“How Native Hawaiians Have Been Pushed Out of Hawaii” (10:00)

Influx of Hawaiians Moving to Las Vegas for Cheaper Price of Living

“Influx of Hawaiians Moving to Las Vegas for Cheaper Price of Living” (2:44)

extreme hospitality

Are You Unwelcome in Hawaii?

“Are You Unwelcome in Hawaii?” (7:48)

Do Locals Resent Visitors in Hawaii?

“Do Locals Resent Visitors in Hawaii?” (11:31)

Do NOT Move to Hawaii if...

“Do NOT Move to Hawaii if… “ (20:09)

Hawaii Is My Home, Not Your Paradise!

“Hawaii Is My Home, Not Your Paradise!” (0:59)

Hawaii to Tourists: Malama Our Land and Culture. Tourists: What's Malama?

“Hawaii to Tourists: Malama Our Land and Culture. Tourists: What’s Malama?”

Hawaiian Reefs Likely Degraded by Tourism

“Hawaiian Reefs Likely Degraded by Tourism” (1:43)

"How Much Tourism Is Too Much, and Who Decides?

“How Much Tourism Is Too Much, and Who Decides?”(1:30:02)

How the Hawaii Tourism Authority Hopes to Promote Responsible Tourism to the State

“How the Hawaii Tourism Authority Hopes to Promote Responsible Tourism to the State” (2:06)

How Native Hawaiians Are Decolonizing Tourism

“How Native Hawaiians Are Decolonizing Tourism”

How Visitors Can Give Back to Hawaii With Planting Taro

“How Visitors Can Give Back to Hawaii With Planting Taro” (1:18)

Managing Tourism in Hawai'i: What's It Going to Take? | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“Managing Tourism in Hawai’i: What’s It Going to Take? | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:47)

Maui: Too Many Tourists

“Maui: Too Many Tourists” (1:05)

More Tourists Equals More Garbage on Hawaii Beaches

“More Tourists Equals More Garbage on Hawaii Beaches” (2:25)

Moving to Honolulu, Hawaii | What Living in Hawaii Is Really Like

“Moving to Honolulu, Hawaii | What Living in Hawaii Is Really Like” (17:19)

Oahu's Leeward Side Has No Tourists, Hawaii

“Oahu’s Leeward Side Has No Tourists, Hawaii” (22:10)

Several Native Hawaiian Organizations Ask Leaders to Stop Prioritizing Tourism

“Several Native Hawaiian Organizations Ask Leaders to Stop Prioritizing Tourism” (3:10)

The Fight to Take Back Hawaii

“The Fight to Take Back Hawaii” (29:50)

The Importance of Culture in Tourism

“The Importance of Culture in Tourism” (4:05)

TikToker Exposes the Dark Side of Tourism

“TikToker Exposes the Dark Side of Tourism” (3:45)

Tourism in Hawai'i: Aloha Authentic

“Tourism in Hawai’i: Aloha Authentic” (22:31)

Tourism: The Fate of Maui

“Tourism: The Fate of Maui” (2:50)

Tourists Asked to NOT Come to Hawaii | Too Many of Them Have Listened

“Tourists Asked to NOT Come to Hawaii | Too Many of Them Have Listened” (30:24)

We Were Shocked - Waikiki's Ugly Side

“We Were Shocked – Waikiki’s Ugly Side” (14:21)

What Do Hawaii's Locals Think About Tourists?

“What Do Hawaii’s Locals Think About Tourists?” (4:54)

What Local Hawaiians REALLY Think About Tourists on Maui

“What Local Hawaiians REALLY Think About Tourists on Maui” (6:38)

Why Hawaii Locals Don't Like Tourists

“Why Hawaii Locals Don’t Like Tourists” (56:34)

8 Mistakes Tourists Make in Hawaii

“8 Mistakes Tourists Make in Hawaii” (7:30)

20 Things NOT to Do When Visiting Hawaii

“20 Things NOT to Do When Visiting Hawaii” (22:24)

the military

Army Desecration of Burials Angers Native Hawaiians

“Army Desecration of Burials Angers Native Hawaiians” (6:08)

Bill to End Military Lease

“Bill to End Military Lease” (2:52)

Hawaiian Sovereignty: RISE (Trailer)

“Hawaiian Sovereignty: RISE (Trailer)” (0:31)

How the Army Got to Bomb Hawaii for $1

“How the Army Got to Bomb Hawaii for $1” (11:24)

How Would Hawaii's Economy Survive Without the Military

“How Would Hawaii’s Economy Survive Without the Military” (56:47)

Is Hawaii In a State of War?

“Is Hawaii In a State of War?” (17:04)

Noho Hewa: The Wrongful Occupation of Hawaii

“Noho Hewa: The Wrongful Occupation of Hawaii” (2:07)

The Side of Pearl Harbor that Tourists Don't See

“The Side of Pearl Harbor that Tourists Don’t See” (8:24)

Pohakuloa: Sacred Hawaiian Volcanoes Under Siege

“Pohakuloa: Sacred Hawaiian Volcanoes Under Siege” (14:41)

Reclaiming Kaho'olawe: History of Bombing

“Reclaiming Kaho’olawe: History of Bombing” (5:55)

Soldier in Hawaii

“Soldier in Hawaii” (26:35)

The American Military Invasion of Hawaii in 1893

“The American Military Invasion of Hawaii in 1893” (13:37)

The Truth About Being Stationed in Hawaii

“The Truth About Being Stationed in Hawaii” (21:16)

We Have a Strong Relationship with Native Hawaiians

“We Have a Strong Relationship with Native Hawaiians” (0:41)

development

Developing Hawaiian Land

“Developing Hawaiian Land” (10:37)

Developing Hawaiian Land, Volume Two

“Developing Hawaiian Land, Volume Two” (9:39)

Sustainable Development and Culture - Sabra Kauka

“Sustainable Development and Culture – Sabra Kauka” (28:53)

URGENT: Protect This Hawaiian Farm from Developers!

“URGENT: Protect This Hawaiian Farm from Developers!” (19:14)

What's It Like Living in Hawaii 35 Years Later?

“What’s It Like Living in Hawaii 35 Years Later?” (16:05)

cost of living

Cost of Living in Hawaii - How Do People Make It?

“Cost of Living in Hawaii – How Do People Make It?” (6:07)

Hawaii's Food Insecurity Crisis - Starving in Paradise (Full Documentary

“Hawaii’s Food Insecurity Crisis – Starving in Paradise (Full Documentary” (44:05)

Hawaii's High Cost of Living Hurts Locals the Most - 'They Can't Afford the Rent

“Hawaii’s High Cost of Living Hurts Locals the Most – ‘They Can’t Afford the Rent'” (2:15)

Honolulu is the Worst City If You Make Minimum Wage

“Honolulu is the Worst City If You Make Minimum Wage” (0:49)

Paradise? The Realities of Life in Hawaii

“Paradise? The Realities of Life in Hawaii” (13:48)

Quality of Life on Oahu | Insights on PBS Hawaii

“Quality of Life on Oahu | Insights on PBS Hawaii” (56:46)

Real Hawaiian Families Share Their Stories: Finding Ohana

“Real Hawaiian Families Share Their Stories: Finding Ohana” (7:24)

The TRUE Cost of Living in Hawaii

“The TRUE Cost of Living in Hawaii” (9:01)

Will Our Children Ever Be Able to Afford to Live in Hawaii? | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“Will Our Children Ever Be Able to Afford to Live in Hawaii? | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:50)

The iceman cometh

Fentanyl from Mexican Cartels Coming into Hawaii as Overdoses Rise

“Fentanyl from Mexican Cartels Coming into Hawaii as Overdoses Rise” (2:44)

ICE: Hawaii's Crystal Meth Epidemic

“ICE: Hawaii’s Crystal Meth Epidemic” (27:19)

crime

Deadly Paradise | Full Episode | The FBI Files

“Deadly Paradise | Full Episode | The FBI Files” (52:01)

Does Our Local Criminal Justice System Work

“Does Our Local Criminal Justice System Work” (56:47)

Domestic Violence: Living in Fear | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“Domestic Violence: Living in Fear | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:47)

Gangs in Paradise: Mafia and Crime in Paradise

“Gangs in Paradise: Mafia and Crime in Paradise”

Hawaii Prisoners in Arizona Prisons

“Hawaii Prisoners in Arizona Prisons” (3:53)

How Should Hawaii House its Prisoners? | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“How Should Hawaii House its Prisoners? | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:49)

Human Trafficking in Hawaii

“Human Trafficking in Hawaii” (6:30)

Mayor Wright's Housing

“Mayor Wright’s Housing” (1:17:18)

Premo Rice Talks About Pimping in Hawaii

“Premo Rice Talks About Pimping in Hawaii” (29:22)

Prison Reform | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

“Prison Reform | Insights on PBS Hawai’i” (56:47)

The Early Years in Oahu Prison

“The Early Years in Oahu Prison” (15:20)

other

I Never Knew There Were Crips in Hawaii

“I Never Knew There Were Crips in Hawaii” (8:35)

Kpop Idols and the Unchecked Disrespect toward Hawaiian Culture

“Kpop Idols and the Unchecked Disrespect toward Hawaiian Culture” (6:18)

The Dark Side of Hawaii; Paradise Problems

“The Dark Side of Hawaii; Paradise Problems” (5:03)

What Sucks About Living in Hawaii

“What Sucks About Living in Hawaii” (6:14)

White Supremacy Disguised in the Hawaiian Kingdom

“White Supremacy Disguised in the Hawaiian Kingdom” (2:03:00)

5 Things We Hate About Living in Hawaii

“5 Things We Hate About Living in Hawaii” (20:19)

20 Cons About Living in Hawaii

“20 Cons About Living in Hawaii” (20:05)

Untold treasures await you in The Great Hawaiian Bazaar!

If you have a taste for history, we invite you to WisdomMaps: The Future of the Past!