Right. Â So . . . the problem with totally out-there politicians is that no one takes them seriously. Â Which means that no one really thinks about the damage they can do or the implications of their more extreme proposals.
Consider Gladys Baisa, currently a councilwoman from Maui. Â According to her website, there’s not much that separates Gladys from your average, excruciatingly dull local politician. Â She likes old people, hot pink gingham, the environment, and children, and is willing to show up at the groundbreaking of a new tennis court and endure the tedium of a County Council meeting. Â (For those who have never been, it’s a lot like a PTA meeting, only less sexy and without the possibility of baked goods.)
Oh, and one other thing: she has proposed a “draft ordinance acknowledging the reinstatement of the Hawaiian Kingdom nation.”
Yep, Gladys feels that the governing body that is primarily responsible for pressing issues like, “What should we name the new park?” is equipped to handle the transfer of political power and land to a newly established sovereign Hawaiian kingdom. Â Alrighty then.
I’ll spare you the painful details of how this is going to be accomplished, as not everyone enjoys a trip to Delusionville. Â (Why yes, she does name a Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Reinstated Kingdom of Hawaii. Â What do you think this is? Â Amateur hour?)
Of course, the real problem here is how easy Gladys is to dismiss. Â (P.S. She’s running for reelection right now, and as far as I can Google, not in any particular danger of being unseated as yet.) Â Of course, Maui isn’t going to vote to reinstate the Kingdom of Hawaii. Â But for those who are inclined to dismiss the problems inherent in Akaka, let this be a bit of a warning to you. Â The divisions and disagreements over the crown lands and the future of Hawaii aren’t going to go away with the passage of the Akaka Bill. Â In fact, it’s more likely to open even bigger divisions and political questions. Â And there is the scary possibility that one day, Gladys’ proposal won’t seem so “out-there.”
By the way, if you’re thinking of letting Gladys know what you think about her various political stances, you can email her here.