she gives this kind of like a disclaimer and even though she is stating her opinion she doesn't insert herself in the narrative. I also like this comparison as a way to point out individual truths, and that it is based on the impressions they got through their society

this dynamic is interesting- never being on the same team, but sometimes working together despite their negative connotations of each other. their relationship presents themselves as vendettas almost, maybe rivals?

it seems like circumcision represents a coming of age period, where the boys are either adolescent or reaching the end of it- without it, they stay in this underdeveloped stage

very interesting contrast to the U.S., where our judicial system and court trials revolve around proving/ convincing a random jury of their personal truths, for them to dictate which one is actually true (more so a game of persuasion); where for Tanna the truth doesn't belong to an individual

it makes sense that they avoid this government power to settle disputes, that authority is tainted with colonialism and their measures may cause more disruption in the social realm, than if they had just tried to work it out with the individuals involved

this explains why it becomes more personal with the replacements, whoever is responsible offering their own family member to fill in the place of who is no longer there. By doing this they take accountability in reparations and relationships.

interesting that even though she mentions that some natives were fearful of her (whiteness), she hangs onto their sense of curiosity about her and creates a colonial/ superiority complex by refernecing herself as a "perfect wonder". I think that word choice says a lot about how they viewed themselves and chose to disregard the native reaction in a sense.

This description in comparison to the U.S. embassy building is interesting in how drastically different they appear, considering the close proximity. Their structures on foreign land is very representative of how they view themselves and how they are seen on a global scale.

using it to empower themselves, and as a weapon against Japanese to feel vulnerable and defeated

This is really interesting and representative of their feelings towards war. The soldiers going into combat have something personal with them, and then face mass dehumanization by the U.S. who have become completely desensitized to violence. It also compares to the U.S. in how we kind of generalize the action of showing our respects to a soldier after death, with our flag going over their casket.

Here Dvorak, as an anthropologist, subtly states his conception on how to discuss racism ( I think we talked about this two classes ago). He is able to acknowledge and point out the cruelties/ false narrative the U.S. provided, by consciously warning the reader about it and changing the vocabulary to implement his disproval.

distinct sense of unity and connectedness

a form of symmetry maybe

(how long) does the disharmony continue after the event takes place? how can someone make up for the shame they received in not attending?

I think the author discusses and mentions "The Kumulipo" with deep understanding of what Maui means to Hawai'i, offering an insider perspective. He's lived there and has a close relations to the island/ culture, so he can provide valuable knowledge about their ideologies and history. In the next few paragraphs, he is able to really personalize the immediate narrative by focusing on his connection with Tonga.

This logic in their concepts of time and space is explained really well and seems very rational. The future is unknown, so facing the past (and what we have learned from history) will help navigate what the future holds. Later he goes to compare it to the Western idea of time and space, so he offers insight as an insider to the Moanan interpretation, but is able to distance himself when he recognizes and elaborates on the Western side.

their perspective on how balanced relationships represent symmetry in the social realm is very interesting, especially because symmetry is a common theme throughout their culture

all of these jobs are already very physically demanding, on top of the long hours, minimal breaks/ rest, and other working conditions that they endure