THE SILENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WAI'ANAE

About the Book

It has been said that a picture paints a thousand words. If that is so, let that be the premise for this book-a photographic essay showing the conditions imposed on Wai'anae.

The pictures and analyses herein show some of the conditions on the Wai'anae Coast, as compared to East Honolulu, e.g., Kahala, Port Lock, Aina Haina, Hawaii Kai and Niu Valley.

The disparities in these conditions are due, it would seem, to years of unwritten public policy based on Wai'anae being one of the poorest communities on the island. As a consequence, the civil rights of the residents of the Wai'anae Coast are being violated.

However, the government is not solely to blame for these conditions because the people elect the top levels of government. Democracy bestows onto people the power of voice and the power of choice. Until the people find their will and exercise the power that a democracy grants them, the elected officials will get an incorrect message and that incorrect message will be that the people are satisfied. As long as the voters do not demand improvement, none will be forthcoming.

About the Author

My childhood was one of poverty. With the help of formal education, hard work, good examples to follow and grace, I have left that world behind. However, my roots and my evolution gave me an ability to see differences in conditions. When I see disparities, I start to dig ?