Hawaiian Smarts
Let me take you back to January 14th. I had written here:
I would like to publish your stories here, for in this global sea of change what is most striking is how universal our challenges and how much we have in common. We all can learn from your lessons learned, your triumphs and aha! moments, and yes, even those times you stumbled. Be brave and share them!
The full posting was here: ManagingWithAloha.com welcomes the “Dawning of a New Day”
Well, I am delighted to say that two readers have taken me up on this challenge opportunity so far! Today, I present for you Steve Davidson, PhD, a licensed psychologist, and member of our Ho‘ohana Community. His article for us is called, Are Hawaiians the Smartest People in World?
Enjoy!
OK, OK, I know what you are saying: “Intelligence is a composite of a variety of skills and information, and no one has really come to a final decision on the definition, let alone decided who’s at the top!”
And you’re right. But what if we looked at some common-sense definitions along the lines of, “If you’re so smart, why aren’t you rich?” We may be a little surprised at what “intelligent” can look like. And just maybe Hawaiians are contenders!
Love of the Land -- There’s only one Earth! This is it. This is our 40 acres, our Taj Majal, our Spaceship. As the song said, any other habitable turf is a heck of a long way from here. So, we don’t take care of it, we are in very serious trouble from which there may be no way back – would that be smart?
Hawaiian Score: 10. Who has made an issue, a mantra, a rallying cry of caring for the land more than Hawaiians? A few people, maybe, but there’s room for some other 10’s. (Actually, there is a lot of room for other 10’s!)
Love of other People – Who is more genuinely affectionate than Hawaiians? Right, there may be some others who are like them, but don’t Hawaiians stand out? Most visitors are bowled over by the deep warmth and thoughtfulness and caring of their Hawaiian hosts. It’s the Aloha Way.
Hawaiian Score: 10. Aggressive music fills the airwaves almost everywhere. But in Hawaii, you still hear love songs played to sweet guitars. “Ohana” is the concept for family, and can rapidly include visitors. Hey – they love you! Have a lei!
Love of Life -- All too often people work hard and play hard -- but then forget to fully enjoy what they are doing. Life can seem like a merry go round, or rat race, despite your best intentions. That’s not the Hawaiian Way.
Hawaiian Score: 10. Who isn’t charmed by the grace and energy of Hawaiians? Surfing, paddling, sports, beautiful buildings and plantings, torches at sunset, the sound of the conch shell, hula dancing, luaus. Hawaii is prosperous, but profoundly satisfying, and, in its own way -- glorious. No?
These thoughts on intelligence too vague for you? Where’s the hard stuff? OK, then consider this:
Reading – One of the hallmarks of intelligent people is they rapidly learn to read.
Hawaiian Score: 10 – Almost as soon as Hawaiians were exposed to the written word they became the most literate people in the world. (Hawaiians 100 years ago had a higher literacy rate than almost all countries today.)
Hawaiians, perhaps, stand as a beacon of intelligent living world-wide, at least from certain points of view. So . . . might we not benefit from emulating them? Wouldn’t that be smart?
Aloha!
Guest Author: Steve Davidson, PhD
Steve is a licensed psychologist living in Newport Beach, California.
Flickr photo credit. “Sunset at Ka'anapali Beach, located in the north west of Maui. The people are standing on "black rock" that once was a volcano and believed to be the jumping off point for the spirits and souls of Hawaiians. The pole on the right is a torch that is lit at sunset.”
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