To work with local culture, you have to understand it

As the University of Hawaii’s search for a new university president begins, there are questions and worries.

Almost every discussion starts with, "We need someone who understands local culture."

What is this "local culture"?

Part of Hawaii’s uniqueness is understanding that we do have a specific way of operating — those operating instructions are important to us, and different from other places. It is grating when people don’t appreciate them.

I asked around to help define the culture that our new university president will need to understand. Hint: It is more complicated than knowing to take your shoes off before entering a home.

Some of it is nearly indefinable. Public relations adviser David Wilson urges, "As a newcomer, learn —quickly — the ‘silent’ greeting we give to each other (when) we briefly encounter in places like elevators and such, namely the half-smile combined with raised smiling eyes."

Much of local culture revolves around how we treat each other.

Stefanie Sakamoto, the daughter of artist and television producer and fisherman Mike Sakamoto, advises: "I’d say local culture comes down to a very basic respect. Respect the different ethnicities, of which there are many here. Respect where you come from,

"Local culture is very giving. It’s like being invited to someone’s house — you never show up empty-handed. If someone gives you a cake, you can’t give back the pan without putting something in it. My dad taught me to always, always write thank you notes," Sakamoto said.

Neal Milner, professor emeritus of political science at UH, warns that "statements about culture are powerful political weapons. They are used to say who is an insider and who is not."

As for advice on our culture, Milner summed it up well: "Listen more, talk less."

"Hawaii’s local culture is grace with inner strength," said Alison Ueoka Powers, executive director of the Hawaii Insurers Council.

"Perhaps the people connection is more important than throwing around perceived power," Powers said.

Jim Loomis, who guided the public relations of former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi and helped with many political campaigns, said part of local culture is based on trust.

"We expect leaders in any field to be as good as their word," said Loomis. "People here will gladly work with someone whose word they trust. If someone’s word can’t be trusted, that person’s usefulness is severely compromised."

The culture of Hawaii zeros in on the importance of relationships, said Lowell Kalapa, the long-time president of the Hawaii Tax Foundation.

"I think the local culture is open and welcoming, willing to accept everyone and doing things for others without even being asked," Kalapa said.

That thinking is not just how you conduct yourself among friends, it is a part of local business culture, Kalapa said.

"The bottom line is not the only thing that matters," he said. "Sometimes it means sacrificing a fatter bottom line for something that is acceptable to everyone in the room — sensitivity for the wants and needs of the larger community."

James Burns, the former chief justice of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals and the son of the late Gov. John A. Burns, cut quickly to the bottom line of defining local culture.

Noting that outgoing UH President M.R.C. Greenwood had political problems with Senate President Donna Mercado Kim and Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Burns said:

"Understanding and appreciating ‘local culture’ is knowing how not to ‘piss off’ the wrong folks, including Neil and Donna."

To all that, I would only add the belief that what you give is what you will get.

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Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Reach him at rborreca@staradvertiser.com.