In Hawai'i, "where you grad?" is one of the first things you ask in terms of identity. From there, you can quickly figure out how you are connected. I've met cousins this way.
Greetings, Im an Mainland Asian who does not fit in with the Mainland. I love to surf, I am super laid back, and prefer the slower pace to the stress of the Corporate life in California, zero interest in Haole politics, and live a sporting life. I have been very well exposed to Local culture from many visits, extended stays and even a summer job at a warehouse and having college friends and relatives from Oahu. Nearly everything about Hawaii suits me except that I didn't go to high school there and that not being a very ambitious person I don't have a profession to afford living in Hawaii. I always wondered what would my life have been like if my parents chose Hawaii instead of New York and California as the state to settle in coming from Hong Kong. Those are my only two doubts about my survival in Hawaii: not making new friends as I didn't go to high school there ( and being a touch more individualistic in mindset) and not being able to afford a comfortable lifestyle where I will have time and energy to go surf. Your thoughts? I've always felt a deep connection to Hawaii even as a 10 year old visiting Maui knowing nothing about life, but geez I cannot afford the cost of living there! Haole surfer friends have told me in the past that Hawaii is only good for visiting, I'm like what?! If you're a surfer, and Asian like me, this is THE BEST STATE with the best weather, ocean temperature, mix of people a TRUE melting pot with good ohana aloha vibes, reggae, etc etc! I could give a damn about the mainland but Hawaii has my heart! Subbed by the way jus from reading your title alone, definitely a struggle as an Asian man out here on da mainland!
Howzit Dolby! You seem like a true local to me! Yes, it's true Hawaii is going to be expensive and it's not going to be paradise for everyone. But I would agree, that being Asian in Hawaii is a lot easier in some ways., especially if you love to surf and just chill! Sounds like Hawaii is made for you man. But like all transitions, whether you moved around in the mainland or not, you will have to make friends outside your high school circle. It's hard in Hawaii because you don't already have a safety net of friends and family there. But don't worry, it'll take time. It's hard right now to get a job because the pandemic and a lot of jobs you can get right away in Hawaii is tourism oriented and many are still unemployed. But if your eyes are set to live the local life, Save some money now and move when things get better (probably another year). Don't worry whether you'll find friends or a job in the future. It's normal for a lot of mainland migrants come to Hawaii and have a hard time in the beginning but things we'll past when you find a job, settle in, and gradually make friends. I say gradually because Hawaii isn't like California where people would just have a random conversation and exchange numbers pretty quickly. Friends will probably come after a year. Job, within months. But hey, at least surf is all around! Stay safe man, hopefully you'll make the transition in the future!
Do Asians in Hawaii know the Hawaiian language? Also, do they learn their ethnic languages at school i.e. if you're japanese, do you learn Japanese etc.
Majority of people in Hawaii in general does not know the Hawaiian language aside from basic words, phrases, and lessons. Some Asians in Hawaii learn Asian language from taking private classes after school growing up because usually their parents make them. But it's not many. I know the public education system does not stress it either. There are some public schools that offer Japanese, Chinese, or Korean as an elective though. It's a shame, I personally think it should be required for all 10-13 years old to learn an Asian language for 3 years.
Also "politically uninterested" is maybe overstated, but I understand the thought. After the Democratic Revolution of 1954, Hawai'i nisei and sansei were able to take positions of real power in local and national politics and business. Yonsei like me grew up in a Hawai'i where politics weren't front of mind because our parents and grandparents had done all the heavy lifting to secure us fair treatment, access, and influence.
Your explanation on Identity and cultural mindset is why most people from Hawaii are offended being called AAPI, because we don’t identify ourselves in this way. Also, you have to explain the plantation experience where it really started. Otherwise I like your POV
In Hawaii, it can be argued that ethnic identity was more important than a collective Asian identity. Hence I said it's a modern thing that Asians in Hawaii are finally realizing that they are "Asian." Half a century ago, you were either non-white or White in Hawaii. Among the non-whites, the various ethnic groups (including native Hawaiian) tried their best to get along with each other and intermixed.
You'll be surprised that there's a lot of local people who don't pronounce it with that V sound as often as they should. For me personally, I think it just doesn't come out naturally when I speak.
@@asianmanstruggles808 Agree the "v" is not pronounced by everyone. I don't pronounce it that way either but I was actually referring to the 'okina (glottal stop), or lack thereof, in Hawai'i. Two syllables vs. three syllables. /Ha-wai/ vs. /Ha-wai-i/. You've been away too long. 😉
@@xuser9980 Haha too long. Listening to myself again, I noticed that I do sound like I am saying it like /Ha-wai/. I think intentionally I was trying to say it as /Ha-wai-i/ but I didn't stress the "wai" enough so it comes out as a Ha-wai. Thanks for pointing it out though!
@@asianmanstruggles808 Mahalo for taking the comment lightly especially these days when people are uber sensitive about anything that requires civilized dialog. You da bestest. 🤙🏼
Oddly enough, James Michener's 1959 novel Hawaii was the only helpful thing I read before I came here in 1990. I was very briefly acquainted with Hawaiians and Hawaii AJA, a sorta Moke, but an intelligent decent chap. Hung out with a burly haole and Mexican, he was a big guy too. These guys were not fat, but large framed kids on the 4th grade yard. As a haole, I've always watched myself with ethnic humor. Some AJAs are as bad as a Southern sheriff. I do OK in rural Hawaii, coast Haole.
Mainland Asians are like mainland Caucasians. Very different from Hawaii Asians. And it's understandable cause they are surrounded by Caucasians, so they are going to pick up traits of the Caucasians. The 3rd and 4th generation Hawaii Japanese Asians have picked up being respectful, thoughtful and mindful of others in Hawaii from the 1st and 2nd generation of Japanese people coming from Japan to Hawaii and who passed on their respectfulness, thoughtfulness and mindfulness to their children, the 3rd and 4th generation. Just my opinion and thought.
What a great video . 👍👍. US main land is a different environment from the rest of the world. US is very competitive is more difficult to live here . Hawaii have a different culture.
I agree, only that Hawaii Asians are quite reserved when it comes to certain things in comparison to mainland Asians as far as my experience goes. For Hawaii Asians, the social circle is more reserved They tend not to branch out or get involved with politics, social changes, or people they don't know really well. Sometimes closed minded when it comes to worldly interests.
@@asianmanstruggles808 Many Hawai'i Asians left the Islands to College on the 'Mainland'. These Hawai'i Asian Islanders are the ones who "went abroad" in the sense they as Local Islanders left the Islands to reside far and away. And many subsequently travelled to Asia and other Areas of the World. Many of these Hawai'i Asian Islanders never returned. Are still "not there again". They have not returned. They are now Hawai'i Asian Islander diaspora spread out elsewhere in the World. For those who never left The Soil (Aina), they often exhibit the untrammeled, free, pristine sensibilities of being "Remote" and "purely grounded". They view the World from afar, and 'untouched'. However, they are savvy now. The Information Age makes all the World much closer.
