An Awakening of the Hawaiian Way of Life: Framing Kapu Aloha and the Mauna Kea Controversy

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Title: An Awakening of the Hawaiian Way of Life: Framing Kapu Aloha and the Mauna Kea Controversy
Author: Kyleigh Manuel-Sagon
Faculty Sponsor: Emily Plec
Abstract: This essay undertakes a framing and melodramatic analysis of the media coverage of Mauna Kea and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). The kiaʻi, known as protestors in the media, have prevailed through the attempts to resume the construction of this large telescope. More specifically, framing of the news media contextualizes the TMT controversy. The framing features selectivity and partiality in the news articles, mainly excluding the Native Hawaiian voice. Then, the melodramatic rhetoric elucidates a frame unique to the Hawaiian people also known as their philosophy of kapu aloha demonstrated in their social media accounts. Melodrama functions as the oppositional stance, and clarifies the cultural significance of Mauna Kea. The essay argues framing and melodrama work together to produce the Native Hawaiian narrative by using the mainstream media for their benefit.
Subject: Gender; Race; Sexuality; and Ethnicity in Communication; Hawaiian Studies; Other Film and Media Studies; Social Influence and Political Communication; Social Media
Rights: Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/01/2023, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author. Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author.; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Type: Text
volume: 9
Date Published: 12/20/2020
Note: Emily Plec
Identifier: pure/vol9/iss1/5