Disappeared News: Are we paying for “sexy Hawaiian dancers” to celebrate statehood??

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Are we paying for “sexy Hawaiian dancers” to celebrate statehood??

by Larry Geller

This was spotted by News Dissector Danny Schecter (thanks, Danny!):

*New York's Times Square to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hawaii becoming the 50th State in the USA
Traditional Hula Dancing Taught to Thousands with flowered leis being handed out to Tourists and Visitors in Times Square
*
Hawaiian native and singer Kaui Beamer of MTV reality show Taquita & Kaui, and MTV's hit series *Making The Band *will be joined by sexy Hawaiian dancers and performers dressed in authentic in traditional skirts teaching New Yorkers in Times Square how to Hula dance on the 50th Anniversary of the Aloha State. Hawaii became the 50th State 50 years ago on August 21, 1959.

And, as we all know, Hawaii is the birthplace of President Obama. Hawaiian Tropic Zone Dancers will handing out Leis to thousands of Big Apple tourists and residents. Caribaya Rum will offering 50 cent Pina Colada's throughout the lunch hour in the City of New York.

*WHEN *AUGUST 21, 2009 at 12 NOON
*WHERE* TIMES SQUARE 729 7TH AVENUE
*MEDIA CONTACT* JOSIE ZOHNY, 917-742-3777

Googling Josie Zohny reveals that she appears to be a publicist. All I know is what I googled, but I assume that someone is paying her for this. Could it be us Hawaii taxpayers?

“Sexy Hawaiian dancers” ???

Also, I wasn’t familiar with Hawaiian Tropic Zone Dancers. Once again, Google reveals. Here’s what I found:

So what exactly is going on here, and what kind of an image of Hawaii and its statehood are we offering to the world? Is this appropriate? Can this kind of exploitation be condoned?

I hope there will be an explanation of this. I’m going to send a copy of this post to the Hawaii Tourism Authority and see if they have a response. In particular, I think we are entitled to know if they paid for this. If not, who did? The dancers? MTV? This must be explained.