Maui Fever
I haven't watched this show (nor do I intend to), but the topic of Maui Fever has been too hot a topic to ignore. Almost every other bulletin on my MySpace is someone's own opinion on the show, or a link to a petition to get the show off the air. It's been on the air for less than a week and it's already generating a storm of protest from local residents who are concerned that the show is an inaccurate depiction of "true" local life.
The show depicts the lives of seven 20 something's living in Ka'anapali, Maui. In a nutshell, it's just eight episodes of them partaking in acts of belligerence and debauchery. The first episode even focuses on the boys and how they scope the beach for hot tourists for one night stands. One cast member, Anna, sums it up best: "I think everybody needs to be single and we all just need to party."
I stumbled across an article from The Maui News highlighting the reaction that Maui/Hawaii residents have about the new show. The thing that most locals are mad about is that the show does not represent "real" local lifestyle.
"Personally, it just makes local people look dumb," [ Ivy Huerter, a Lahaina mother of two] said. "It's not a true perspective of how people here are."
Given, not all local people are idiots. But also given, many local people are. Especially the people that are protesting this show just because there are only "stupid haoles" on it. I agree that the cast lacks the diversity that Hawaii represents (it is the most culturally diverse state, after all), but that is an extremely ignorant and racist view and a poor reason to protest the show. Whether we like it or not, haole's are a big part of our culture. Without them there wouldn't be Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Filipino's or Portuguese; the people that make up our diverse culture that we are so proud of.
Many of the people that are upset about the show are the people whose age group is targeted.
"I thought it was kind of insulting. . .They just show partying," said Abcde Shibao, 16, of Lahaina. "But (young people are) active in school, community and sports. We do other things besides partying."
Of course they do other things besides partying, and MTV knows this. No functioning adult is going to believe that the only thing Maui kids do is party. But going to school, doing community service and playing soccer isn't going to get ratings.
Maui Fever is not deliberately designed to show the world what Hawaii residents are like. If it was, there would have been a much more diverse demographic. It's a reality show: meaning it's meant to entertain, not educate. This negative interpretation of locals is an unfortunately unavoidable byproduct.
Of course, who am I to say what MTV's intent really is? And either way, it doesn't change the fact that people are getting the wrong idea about locals. But I would like someone to give me an island-wide accepted definition of "true local life." Parties in the garage with good food, good music and good friends? Working hard, going to school, and then hanging with friends in the parking lot of Safeway at 3am? Surfing all day, then getting stoned and drunk at a friend's house? There are great things about our culture, and there are bad things too. That's just life. It's ridiculous to think that we're going to be able to hide the negative forever. The bottom line is: what kind of image do we want to convey to the world?
People believe that signing that petition is going to get Maui Fever canceled. Heck, I even signed it. But if you really want to get the show off the air, just change the channel. Don't watch it. If nobody watches it, it gets low ratings. Low ratings means it won't be picked up for another season. And that means you won't ever have to see our culture being defaced like that again...at least until Living Lahaina airs.