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Aloha beautiful friends and family,
This gathering is bigger than any one of us now, as it should me, it has a momentum and life of its own. I personally know four of the scouts who have scouted the site. This site is exquisite, with natural oceanic beauty that will absolutely astound you. It is quintessentially Kona. And what comes with the territory are some very powerful hosts of the region. We must respect all our beautiful kona neighbors and their mana, because truly the quality of our gathering will be directly impacted by the quality of relationships we form with the neighbors.
Last year, my biggest disappointment with the gathering was how we handled the our relationships with the regional stakeholders. Even those who seem to be our enemies deserve love and respect! Even those who will try to shut down the gathering are our spiritual allies, and we should treat them as such. Gandhi won his revolution by getting the "enemy"-- his captors, those who cruelly tormented him, to eventually come around and see things his way. If there are any inebriated "locals" who will do us physical harm, naturally self- and family- protection is called for. But, that is not the nature of our opponents, who play much more strategically.
Our opponents last year utilized media in a way that we have not yet been able to achieve. The internet deception campaign worked brilliantly-- private tribe messages were sent out in a way that made it unclear how to foster a discussion and a unified reaction. Had the anti-gatherer made a public post on this forum, we could have possibly talked about her concerns and worked it out. Instead, internet sources of information were plunged into the depths of disinformation. For those paying attention: the gathering is ON no matter what, updates will be found on this site, and for pete's sake, ignore all rumors of cancellation, even from the internet!
A special word about the handbill that was passed around. I understand there were different versions, and different editors with different intentions. But the result was the same: a lot of COMPLETELY unnecessary fear. I understand the motivation was to limit the number of gatherers, but the means did not justify the ends. It only perpetuated stereotypes and misunderstandings, creating an "us" vs a hostile "them" that, in reality, didn't even exist, but was a convenient fiction for the anti-gathering neighbors to try to limit our numbers. Ignore the letters, you can get accurate information, right here on this website, throughout the duration of the gathering.
We will again have neighbors this gathering. Please love them, and don't even think about trespassing on their land. But remember, kapu signs refer to their private property only, not the public way of access that leads to the site. Be ever so respectful of neighbors boundaries, and please, please, please do not envy, or treat them any way differently, just because they own beautiful mansions walking distance from the ocean, and they may seem to act aloof or even hostile.
If we do hold respectful conversations, try to calm their concerns, speak gently and soothingly about how hygiene is is our top concern, about how we "microtrash" the site after we are finished, and how we help the landowner out with a lot of free labor to improve the local ecology. Also, if you are up for it, volunteer your own services for the greater good of the neighborhood. On such a small "big" island, it is far better for the rainbow family to have rich allies than rich enemies. We trust and respect the hawaiian elders and we wish to state from the outset that love of the 'aina is EXACTLY what has drawn us to their beautiful land. We do not come to take over, but merely enjoy this sacred land for a mere 13 days. Tell them to please talk to us. We can work on reasonable compromises.
In this way, we will be able to weather the ensuing storm of misunderstandings-- anonymous letter purporting to be from the hawaiian government and the like. Any representative of the hawaiian government will have the decency to come talk to us in person, not just one or two people, but a circle of our community. They are far too wise to write anonymous deceptive messages on the internet or violence-threatening handbills. If you do see any interaction with a rainbow gatherer and a neighbor, please bring a gentle circle of folks who can speak respectfully forward. Such as, especially, women.
Big love to all family, those who are residents and those who are gypsies, anyone with a belly button,
--metta
This gathering is bigger than any one of us now, as it should me, it has a momentum and life of its own. I personally know four of the scouts who have scouted the site. This site is exquisite, with natural oceanic beauty that will absolutely astound you. It is quintessentially Kona. And what comes with the territory are some very powerful hosts of the region. We must respect all our beautiful kona neighbors and their mana, because truly the quality of our gathering will be directly impacted by the quality of relationships we form with the neighbors.
Last year, my biggest disappointment with the gathering was how we handled the our relationships with the regional stakeholders. Even those who seem to be our enemies deserve love and respect! Even those who will try to shut down the gathering are our spiritual allies, and we should treat them as such. Gandhi won his revolution by getting the "enemy"-- his captors, those who cruelly tormented him, to eventually come around and see things his way. If there are any inebriated "locals" who will do us physical harm, naturally self- and family- protection is called for. But, that is not the nature of our opponents, who play much more strategically.
Our opponents last year utilized media in a way that we have not yet been able to achieve. The internet deception campaign worked brilliantly-- private tribe messages were sent out in a way that made it unclear how to foster a discussion and a unified reaction. Had the anti-gatherer made a public post on this forum, we could have possibly talked about her concerns and worked it out. Instead, internet sources of information were plunged into the depths of disinformation. For those paying attention: the gathering is ON no matter what, updates will be found on this site, and for pete's sake, ignore all rumors of cancellation, even from the internet!
A special word about the handbill that was passed around. I understand there were different versions, and different editors with different intentions. But the result was the same: a lot of COMPLETELY unnecessary fear. I understand the motivation was to limit the number of gatherers, but the means did not justify the ends. It only perpetuated stereotypes and misunderstandings, creating an "us" vs a hostile "them" that, in reality, didn't even exist, but was a convenient fiction for the anti-gathering neighbors to try to limit our numbers. Ignore the letters, you can get accurate information, right here on this website, throughout the duration of the gathering.
We will again have neighbors this gathering. Please love them, and don't even think about trespassing on their land. But remember, kapu signs refer to their private property only, not the public way of access that leads to the site. Be ever so respectful of neighbors boundaries, and please, please, please do not envy, or treat them any way differently, just because they own beautiful mansions walking distance from the ocean, and they may seem to act aloof or even hostile.
If we do hold respectful conversations, try to calm their concerns, speak gently and soothingly about how hygiene is is our top concern, about how we "microtrash" the site after we are finished, and how we help the landowner out with a lot of free labor to improve the local ecology. Also, if you are up for it, volunteer your own services for the greater good of the neighborhood. On such a small "big" island, it is far better for the rainbow family to have rich allies than rich enemies. We trust and respect the hawaiian elders and we wish to state from the outset that love of the 'aina is EXACTLY what has drawn us to their beautiful land. We do not come to take over, but merely enjoy this sacred land for a mere 13 days. Tell them to please talk to us. We can work on reasonable compromises.
In this way, we will be able to weather the ensuing storm of misunderstandings-- anonymous letter purporting to be from the hawaiian government and the like. Any representative of the hawaiian government will have the decency to come talk to us in person, not just one or two people, but a circle of our community. They are far too wise to write anonymous deceptive messages on the internet or violence-threatening handbills. If you do see any interaction with a rainbow gatherer and a neighbor, please bring a gentle circle of folks who can speak respectfully forward. Such as, especially, women.
Big love to all family, those who are residents and those who are gypsies, anyone with a belly button,
--metta
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