Ian and Henriji,
The comparison to Yoko has merit on a couple of counts. While no analogy is perfect, it is similar to how Yoko broke up the Beatles with her formidable influence over John. Just read Julian Lennon's and other accounts of how Yoko isolated John from family and friends. In the same way, Wai Lana seems to have taken over the direction of Mr. Butler's life into ultra weirdness, snobbery, and disenfranchisement from all but the most brainwashed followers.
Post Wai- tin foil and toe nail consumption ensued; along with extreme reclusiveness, fines for offenses, and exorbitant tithes. Before that he was more accessible and directly "jammed" you (insults and chastisements) with only his words. Before Wifey Wai, he never went on ski vacations, flew around on jets, or passed out toe nail clippings to eat. There was an exodus of some of his original followers after he married Wai due to the noticeable high weirdness.
But he was always paranoid and secretive with outsiders once he discovered that the world did not automatically buy into his messianic bullshit. He hated reporters for not recognizing his greatness as far back as when he called himself "Sai Young". So he withdrew into his little cult, erm, "spiritual path" that happens to believe in his infallibility.
He always enjoyed adulation, politics, free labor, and rich patrons. He always had people cooking and cleaning and providing clothing for him; it just got worse with Wai Lana. Before her, he did not need air purifying systems, aluminum foil lined walls, volumes of "Personal Care" directives, or non-disclosure agreements.
During the newspaper and Independents for Godly Government days Butler lived very simply on a cot with mosquito netting and in a room with one chair. He would sit on tatami mats on the floor reading books and newspapers and making notes for a lecture. There was no air conditioning on Maui or at Koolau on Kauai. It reminded followers of images of Gandhi or Bhaktivedanta in some humble hut in India. At the time he was portraying himself as a dispassionate celibate Saddhu or Saint.
It wasn't until after the first political campaign (1976), when Butler moved to Honolulu or L.A. to work on Kathy Hoshijo's cooking show and his failed music album, that he inhabited high rise apartments (allegedly with drug money). They were nothing extraordinary. Of course the rest of his disciples were sharing apartments, living in low income housing, or in cars. Many were on welfare. Only a few had their own businesses at the time. In California, he stayed at wealthy patron's homes.
So while he was always heading towards the "Super Materialist" good life at the expense of his followers, Wai Lana brought along the creepiest elements.
Here is another comparison to Yoko Ono. While John continued to make good music, some of the directions he went (under her influence) were embarrassing, narcissistic exhibitions. John Lennon Owned by Yoko Ono (OK, the commentator is not politically correct...but makes the point.)
And neither Yoko or Wai Lana can sing (or speak English clearly for that matter).
While Yoko's voice is like nails on a chalk board or something like what "skunk smell" would sound like,
Wai Lana will put you into a diabetic coma with sickeningly sweet auto-tuned resonances.
Trigger Warning for Sensitive Ears:
Yoko Ono sings We are All Water; Look at Me So Arty; I Rule John Lennon
Wai Lana sings Namaste; Look at Me So Spiritual; So Give Me All Your Money
Now back to fun with aluminum foil . . .
'Weird Al' Yankovic Music Video FOIL
The comparison to Yoko has merit on a couple of counts. While no analogy is perfect, it is similar to how Yoko broke up the Beatles with her formidable influence over John. Just read Julian Lennon's and other accounts of how Yoko isolated John from family and friends. In the same way, Wai Lana seems to have taken over the direction of Mr. Butler's life into ultra weirdness, snobbery, and disenfranchisement from all but the most brainwashed followers.
Post Wai- tin foil and toe nail consumption ensued; along with extreme reclusiveness, fines for offenses, and exorbitant tithes. Before that he was more accessible and directly "jammed" you (insults and chastisements) with only his words. Before Wifey Wai, he never went on ski vacations, flew around on jets, or passed out toe nail clippings to eat. There was an exodus of some of his original followers after he married Wai due to the noticeable high weirdness.
But he was always paranoid and secretive with outsiders once he discovered that the world did not automatically buy into his messianic bullshit. He hated reporters for not recognizing his greatness as far back as when he called himself "Sai Young". So he withdrew into his little cult, erm, "spiritual path" that happens to believe in his infallibility.
He always enjoyed adulation, politics, free labor, and rich patrons. He always had people cooking and cleaning and providing clothing for him; it just got worse with Wai Lana. Before her, he did not need air purifying systems, aluminum foil lined walls, volumes of "Personal Care" directives, or non-disclosure agreements.
During the newspaper and Independents for Godly Government days Butler lived very simply on a cot with mosquito netting and in a room with one chair. He would sit on tatami mats on the floor reading books and newspapers and making notes for a lecture. There was no air conditioning on Maui or at Koolau on Kauai. It reminded followers of images of Gandhi or Bhaktivedanta in some humble hut in India. At the time he was portraying himself as a dispassionate celibate Saddhu or Saint.
It wasn't until after the first political campaign (1976), when Butler moved to Honolulu or L.A. to work on Kathy Hoshijo's cooking show and his failed music album, that he inhabited high rise apartments (allegedly with drug money). They were nothing extraordinary. Of course the rest of his disciples were sharing apartments, living in low income housing, or in cars. Many were on welfare. Only a few had their own businesses at the time. In California, he stayed at wealthy patron's homes.
So while he was always heading towards the "Super Materialist" good life at the expense of his followers, Wai Lana brought along the creepiest elements.
Here is another comparison to Yoko Ono. While John continued to make good music, some of the directions he went (under her influence) were embarrassing, narcissistic exhibitions. John Lennon Owned by Yoko Ono (OK, the commentator is not politically correct...but makes the point.)
And neither Yoko or Wai Lana can sing (or speak English clearly for that matter).
While Yoko's voice is like nails on a chalk board or something like what "skunk smell" would sound like,
Wai Lana will put you into a diabetic coma with sickeningly sweet auto-tuned resonances.
Trigger Warning for Sensitive Ears:
Yoko Ono sings We are All Water; Look at Me So Arty; I Rule John Lennon
Wai Lana sings Namaste; Look at Me So Spiritual; So Give Me All Your Money
Now back to fun with aluminum foil . . .
'Weird Al' Yankovic Music Video FOIL