Leaving the Rock

Being raised in Hawaii we are encouraged to go to the mainland for college. No one back home really knows why they push us to go away, because of the many different reasons they give us. The reasons are things like better opportunities, new experiences, and thanks it would be good for us Hawaiian kids to branch out into the world. What many people don't realize is that the culture in Hawaii is so different that it is a big adjustment when going away to school. Starting college is hard enough on any teenager, so add on the stress of being in a completely new culture and many miles away from home, it can get pretty difficult. I have been here at CSUN for about three months now because of the summer program I was in. I feel that after three months I am finally starting to get adjusted to this new space, yet maintaining my identity. I am finding ways to maintain my culture and who I am, while adjusting to the new culture of Southern California.

I was raised in a very traditional, cultural, Hawaiian family. My family raised me speaking only the Hawaiian Language. My parents wanted me to be raised with a Hawaiian mentality so they sheltered me from anything that would suggest otherwise. I grew up watching the same four movies that were made entirely in the Hawaiian Language. My parents worked tirelessly to make sure to translate all of my books; they then would spend late nights printing the translations out and glueing it to every single page in all of my books. They also provided me with dolls that were only of brown skin. Some people say that it was a little extreme, but it was something my parents had decided to do when making the decision on how they would raise their children. This went on until my parents no longer had control of my exposure to the western world. When enrolling me in preschool, they decided to enroll me in a Hawaiian immersion preschool. Many of the children enrolled at this school wasn’t as fortunate as I was, and did not have family who immersed them in the Hawaiian language at home. Therefor I was put into survival mode when communicating with my peers, learning to speak english was the only way I could communicate with my peers. There were a set of values and characteristics that I believe I have specifically because I was raised this way, and I thank my parents often on their decision and dedication to raising me this way.

Before I had left home to go to college and pursue my dream of playing Division 1 volleyball while receiving a free education, my father instilled in me that it was important that I kept those values and characteristics strong. He told me that it would be tempting to conform to the new culture but that I had to remember the importance of my culture to me. When I first came to Northridge I was doing things that were not normal for people here. My roommates would ask me so many questions about why I would do certain things. For example Hawaiian salt is used for protection against any negative energy, so for me I grew up putting Hawaiian salt on myself every day for protection, especially as an athlete. There can be a lot of different energies being sent your way so it was important to protect yourself. I took moments like this as opportunities to share my culture with others who easily make assumptions based off of ignorance. My friends here are also very open to trying new foods of my culture, and I'm glad that I have friends and teammates who are very open to and understanding of my practices and values; therefore, I am not forgetting the importance of my culture.

Here on the mainland there are different types of values and characteristics that I feel the majority of the people here have. I can now see that I am starting to adapt to that culture and am finding ways to thrive in this new place. Back home in Hawaii people are very relaxed and not very aggressive in any situation. When most people from the mainland describe people from Hawaii, they always say something along the lines of “their so sweet, and nice, and a lot of them are really quiet”. I believe that is true the  majority of us are like that because of the way we are raised and the way the culture is back home. When coming here to CSUN I have found that if you want to be successful you need to speak up and be somewhat aggressive. Another thing that I have found is that calling an adult by their first name is normal. Back home it would be considered disrespectful to call someone older than me by their first name. Usually in Hawaii I would call them “aunty” or “uncle”, whether they were related to you or not. Now I have gotten used to the change and am more comfortable with calling people who are older than me by their first name. Yet, it still feels a little weird, I have for the most part gotten used to it.  

When adjusting to a new place and a new culture, I find it difficult to even find my own space. Growing up in a culture that believed so much in sacred spaces, I never realized that space could be so much more than a physical place. According to Robert Atwan, “We confront spatial forums not only literally, as a physical presence, but figuratively as well” (Atwan 289). When finding my own space, it became more of a figurative space than a physical space. I found a community of people which make this space here at CSUN feel at home. I am grateful for the built-in family I have with being a part of the volleyball team. I am thankful that CSUN’s athletic department is really close because I have found many people who I can turn to in times of need. Having that space already built in makes me feel like I have a place and purpose here. Without a doubt I think I would struggle so much more if I didn't have that set space here to turn to.

Although I am far from home, I have found the adjustment quite an experience. From maintaining my culture, to adjusting to the new one, and to finding my place here on campus, I can say it has been a great experience these past three months. I am beyond thankful for the many learning opportunities that I have been dealt with while adjusting to this new place. I also love taking the opportunity to share my culture and practices with many of the people here at CSUN who know little to nothing about the Hawaiian culture.  I am excited to continue my education here for the next four years and expand my space even more. I am blessed to be surrounded with such amazing people here at this campus. I can say that I have no regrets about choosing this school, and I would recommend it to anyone back home. Yes, the adjustment is hard, but once you are adjusted it is a great experience.

Works Cited

Atwan, Robert. "Sacred Spaces." Convergences: Message, Method, Medium. Boston:

Bedford/St. Martin's, 2005. 289. Print.