Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau Response

In the film, Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau, a distinct view of a traditional native Hawaiian is given as the American 19th century imperialism shows its impact on Hawaii. Eddie Aikau grew up in a poor family and dropped out of his school to focus on what he loved most, surfing. Being in the water surfing is where he felt most at home and at peace. As he grows up he starts to see more and more white Americans coming into Hawaii, his home, and taking away the Hawaiians most traditional piece, surfing. The Americans pretty much dominated the island and dominated the North side of the island where the waves rose and highest with the best surfing conditions. As imperialism continued more Americans continued coming into Hawaii making the island their home as well along with the traditional Hawaiians that had lived on the island their whole lives. This film gives a deeper understanding of Imperialism by giving a first hand experience of someone who had lived in Hawaii his whole life along with his family to only watch as white Americans began flowing into their home to take it over and make it their own and adopt their ways as their own as well.