Ideas, cities, people remain motionless, if only for a moment’s time. In our premiere issue, we explored the faces and places dedicated to bettering themselves and the environments in which they live.
Editor’s Letter:
All things, at all times, are in constant flux. Ideas, cities, people remain motionless, if only for a moment’s time, before squirming at the uncomfortable stillness. Language too is constantly changing, evolving to mimic its host generation’s restlessness. As French philosopher and sociologist Pierre Bourdieu termed it, the “official” language among any given group of people — that is, the language deemed acceptable and acknowledged by members of those groups — is always changing, whereby the “unofficial” language (photography at one point, graffiti today) can readily become “official.” Essential to maintaining the permanence of an official language is the need for a process of continuous creation and review.
It is in this strain that I introduce to you FLUX Hawaii, a lifestyle magazine dedicated to reorient how we, as locals, frame ourselves within the context of the rest of the global society. We enter the market as the small fry, teeny fish in a big pond. Bourdieu might call us “unofficial.” And for the sake of continuous creation, we prefer it that way. At least for now.
In June of last year, we hired a market research firm to see if we even had a shot at survival as little fishies. One interview with a stakeholder at an art gallery, commenting on the industry in general was most telling: “For me, it’s always critical mass … you know, when your city has achieved critical mass in cultural events, museums, in publications … we need to have the other voice.” For a long time now, the voice of Hawai‘i came from just a small handful of publications. But, in the last year alone, I know of at least three other magazines that have recently launched in Hawai‘i, despite the (ghast!) fire-andbrimstone outcry bemoaning the death of print media.
The theme for this issue, “Transition,” arose partially out of this growing fear of print media as a dying breed. But more so, it arose out a growing hope for a city, namely the city of Honolulu. The faces and places featured in this, our premiere issue, increasingly took on a tone of hope. People trying to better themselves and the environments surrounding them, whether through music, art, fashion or design. Let’s face it, Hawai‘i ain’t no paradise. The good news is that people want a better city. We’ll do our part to bring to light these issues.
So until FLUX can make it to “official” status, we’ll settle with being (as one young socialite put it) “huge.” Unofficially, of course.
Enjoy,
Lisa Yamada
Publisher/Editor
Click here to purchase a past issue of Flux.
Featured Stories:
Spring Awakening
A fashion editorial from our first issue, shot by Harold Julian. Was once again amazed at the beauty of his work! Hair by Ryan Camacho, Makeup by Dulce Felipe, and Model: Erica Miguel.
HI2059
The future of Honolulu’s design is up for grabs. A collective of Honolulu creatives think 50 years into the future, and show us what they see.
NYC Transplants
It’s a city that never sleeps and dreams big. It is, undoubtedly, the cultural capitol of the world: New York City.