On Race and Discrimination in Hawaii 

I moved to HAWAII in 2015 permanently, after vacationing here for 8 years and I can HONESTLY SAY AS A BLACK MAN, THIS IS THE MOST FREE I HAVE EVER FELT IN THE UNITED STATES IN MY 57 YEARS ON EARTH !!!!! While I know that racism exists here but it is not CRUSHING RACISM unlike living on the Mainland, I feel like I can breathe here and relax here !!!!

I’m Black and spent a few years in Hawaii as a kid when my dad was stationed there. The only thing we experienced was this Asian family wanted to take pictures of us and touch our hair. I think they were visiting and had never seen Black people before. Otherwise, had no issues. Everyone was really sweet. The older ladies in the neighborhood doted on me and my sister.

As 29yr black man, I love living in Hawaii (Maui) I'm originally born & raised in New York (Queens) but I'm not the stereotype. I had a rough upbringing in the hood & it taught me how much I valued peace. My family is from Haiti 🇭🇹 so I was raised to have integrity, most of my friends are from the Caribbean, so the island vibes was second nature. I'm a Chef, I also have a passion for photography, Tech, science, philosophy, spirituality, nature, etc... I like to vibrate on high frequencies, don't smoke & have nothing against it, I've been sober for three years & I'll never drink again, also on a plant based but I digress. I've had my experiences, I'm very observant, my dad raised me with self-discipline & it made me stoic, so I don't take anything personal. I'm more on the introverted side, so I stay to myself for the most part, but I'm always open to friends, locals, International, etc.. I meet cool people all the time, every once in awhile there is that how can a certain look or followed in the store but very minimal at least my experience. I don't judge people based on race, color, nationality or creed, I respect the soul of an individual, great topic 💯🏝️🤙🏾

I see a lot of people chiming in on how if you're haole and you respect the people you'll get along fine. This is true...as an adult. Let's just say that as a kid it is a very different experience. I remember the first time I ever went to the mainland at 16 I felt super weird about how everyone seemed to treat me differently. As in, nobody gave me humbug for anything, I didn't have to act so I could be one of the good haoles or whatever. I grew up on Kauai so I may be biased. Now I live in Honolulu as an adult and I can say that nobody gives me trouble. I think most people can tell where I'm actually from because of my accent and mannerisms anyways, but all those rough moments growing up really teach you how to be humble and read the atmosphere.

I went to college in Hawaii for five wonderful years. As a haole from the mainland, it was a bit of a shock at first to hear the jokes (FOB talk, race humor), however, after a while I found it.... refreshing. I could see that they could freely laugh at each other, yet there was still a foundational respect for each other’s cultures, backgrounds, etc. It was a lesson I wish every mainlander could witness. Although I did experience some judgement as a haole/palangi, it didn’t bother me much. I firmly believe my experience living there has played a major role in who I am today, and the love I have for people and culture. Mahalo!

I love it here been here 5 years now love the diversity and I have been able to establish a business here as black man it’s a dream come true.

For what it's worth, here's my experience... My family came to Hawaii in the late 1880's, yet I was still not accepted by some locals because I was a white Portuguese with blond hair. Had to fight my way through school with those calling me haole, with that tone of voice you know that was degrading. Had a hard time when I went to college in SF as the pidgin followed me. It wasn't till my Soph year that I began to drop the pidgin. When at home on vacation, I got the "hey, you effing haole..." and got choked one day for dancing with a local gal...my brother-in-law to be intervened... You are what you have survived!!

I grew up white in Hawaii going through public schools and I was bullied frequently for being white or pale. I was called ugly. I was told I was a stupid haole even when i didn't do anything maybe i just said something dumb (but why should my race be brought up?) I was told no one would date me. oh and i was told to go back to where i came from even though.....this IS where i was born. I've had people come across the street, total fucking strangers, just to comment on my skin color. Wtf? I haven't encountered too much since i got older and left high school but to be quite honest, I stopped hanging out with people who are your standard born-and-raised pidgen speaking locals. I was so thoroughly rejected when I was younger I kind of had an attitude when i came back that was more like "fuck you i reject you too". But some of that anger subsided during my early 20s and i began to become more relaxed and noticed many people grew out of that kind of racism. Adults are more chill. Workplaces are pretty chill. Still though, my fiance is a transplant, many of my friends are sort of transplants. Only a handful are born and raised like me, and they're typically white too.

@Hello From Hawaii I’ve once told a white person : If you want to experience racism, (1) Go to Hawaii (2) Live there for a few years...

I'm a black person who moved here from the mainland on a job transfer, living a peaceful, law abiding, productive life. But has had it expressed to to me I can't be a "local" because I'm not Phillipino, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean. Funny that the person did not list Native Hawaiian, Tongan, Fijian, Samoan, or from the Federation of Marshsle Islands in that list of who is "local". So in that person's reasoning if you're not Asian/Pacific Asian who are the majority in Hawaii, you have no right to be local. And no right to be in Hawaii, as the person said I should stay in the mainland; "because too many dark people make Hawaii not nice"! Funny that the person I had the conversation with had just been allowed into Hawaii only 2 years prior from a Pacific Asian country, and I'm a born and bred US citizen who had lived in Hawaii for over 20 years. But this person felt I, (and obviously any other non Asian) had not right to live in Hawaii. So racism is alive and well in the state of Hawaii; it's just wrapped in pretty scenery. So sad its true😔

Maybe it's just because I'm white, but the real hatred of white people in Hawaii gets to me. It's taught from one generation to the next, so local kids come up hating white kids just because their parents hate white people. It's not just friendly taunting, it's the idea that white people stole the islands and are untrustworthy thieves and trespassers. There's truth in it, but it seems to be a regressive attitude because many if not most of the white people who end up moving to Hawaii aren't the uber rich people who actually overthrew Hawaii. They're just normal people with good hearts trying to live a good life.

Oahu 1957-59, Ben Parker school in Kane'ohe, lived by the bay. As a 2nd grader was beat unconcious by 3 man sized kanaka , put in the street and run over with bicycles. spent days in Tripler Med ical Center. Skull Fracture. Wikipedia says "kill a haouli day is a myth with no proven cases" I know different.

My three and a half years of living on Oahu, as a Caucasian I found it as long I respected the land and the culture as in the native Hawaiians I got along fine. I did see some people that I knew who wouldn't respect the land and the culture and they had a hard time.

I’m white blonde hair/ fair skin/ green eyes and was treated like complete disregard by all the islanders I encountered, every time I have visited any island there. I will never go back, ever. If the islanders don’t want whites there, I’m not gonna push it.

Variety is the spice of life. Grew up a Chinese Aussie at the end of WW11.As a minority and Asian, prejudices was experienced at school to a degree. Thankfully it didn’t affect me adversely. My parents taught us to respect different cultures and to embrace all people. We may look different outwardly and have different cultures but the truth is, our blood all runs the same red. And we are all children of the Creator! Love and understanding are keys to living peacefully with others.

I have lived here in Hawaii for the past 11 years and have experienced racism from just about every race here unfortunately but I still feel safer here than I do on the mainland. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Back when I was growing up, it wasn't that odd to ask someone "what are you?" of course it wasn't so uncommon to hear "quarter Chinese, quarter Filipino, half Japanese." It wasn't considered offensive or even racist, we're melting pot that literally mixes in race and culture. Zippy's, L&L and Kaka'ako Kitchen is prob the best representation of what Hawaii has become. You have Chinese, Japanese, Korea, Filipino, American food all under one roof as local Hawaiian restaurant.

I lived there 12 years, a Caucasian single lady. I experienced some discrimination and saw discrimination to others of different races. I felt I would never belong there not being born, raised, and with a large family surrounding me. Family is very close knit there. I received more Aloha than discrimination though, and love Hawaii and have so many good memories of my time there, but it is not paradise for everyone and discrimination does exist.

Brah you didn't even mention the Micronesians.

Thank you for making this video. The connectivity, explanation, & understanding of voicing out for locals is important culturally. Being raised there on O’ahu, Hawai’i all my entire life has been a benefit for me. Absolutely, the culture, traditions, & diversity are very different compared to the mainland. I take it as a personal pride to be proud of being a “local girl,” from O’ahu.

We were the only white passengers on a flight from Seoul to Honolulu and for the next 5 days people (Korean) kept coming up to us and saying hello or just waving. It made us realize how small Hawaii is and what it's like to stand out in a crowd.

Hawai'i is full of racism but at the same time it's chill. Mr. Sun Cho Lee sums it up.

I really enjoy your perspective. I just came home from my first visit in Hawai’i. And I’m a white guy. It opened my eyes to see what it’s like to be a minority. While you can’t choose your race, I think it’s important to learn how to live together peacefully and celebrate our diversity. I tried to play my part in showing kindness and respect. For example, while we were waiting to get on the plane from Seattle to Honolulu, there was a native Hawaiian man with his two young kids and his elderly mother. His mother was trying to open her water bottle with no success. He was busy with his kids and couldn’t help her, so I hopped up and opened it for her. They were very appreciative. I tried to look for opportunities like that while I was there so that maybe my small acts of kindness will begin to peel back those layers of prejudice.

Like the old days...nothing was off limits....we joked about everyone!!! No one was off limits. And it was ok!! We all laughed at it!!

Kudos for starting conversation. However, I think what a lot of local Asians miss is that racism in Hawaii is more so embedded in our systems. Education systems, media, politics, housing, healthcare. Often times native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders are pushed into the cracks, their issues and needs are not addressed. I feel the rhetoric is “Racism doesn’t exist in Hawaii” is more so spoken by the Asians who don’t face the systemic, indirect realities. Not to mention we don’t take care of our Southeast Asian community very well. Localness is nice but not when it hides the fact we aren’t truly equal. Who gets to be “local” and why? AND we do have a Black community here but why can’t we stand with Black Lives Matter or stop saying the n-word or making Black jokes or address anti-Blackness in our families. I would look to the Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Hawaii for more resources. Jonathan Okamura has a book on Race and Ethnicity in Hawaii.

Thank you for your truthful comments. My daughter was one of those howlees.. (don't know how that is spelled), who was discriminated against..thanks for acknowledging that fact.

When l was in the military in Massachusetts l overheard a White man returning from Hawaii. He told another man he was glad to be out of the "land of paradise". I remember him saying he could now relate to the experience of Blacks.

Living in Hawaii as a haouli kid in the 70's was rough. Lets just say I experienced some serious racism, especially from the parents of friends. Taking the backway home from school to avoid the "hotspots" was common place. Greetings from a Haouli survivor!

Great talk, so I have been reading the comments and I'll add one more. Being born and raised in Hawaii and moving to the mainland for work, I have come across many different races and cultures... and I feel that the culture not the race plays a big role on how people treat you overall, I read a few comments below asking if they would be accepted in Hawaii, to me this is how it works... If you move to Hawaii and come and try to adapt to the Hawaii culture and ways of life or at least try too, you will be accepted openly, but if you come to Hawaii and act like we are below you or we owe you something, you will be in for a very bad experience no matter who you are. I think this is the problem throughout this world, people go to places and try to change other peoples cultures and ways of life and they end up with bad experiences all around and blame the local people of that area when it is their own fault. Hawaii is unique and unlike anywhere in the world, Hawaii is the TRUE melting pot and I think anyway Hawaii Loves all until you try to change what Hawaii stands for then Hawaii might not be so kind to you. Stay Blessed all... Aloha!

I attribute that easy-going attitude and the laughing at differences to Hawai'ian culture (ie., Polynesian). I'm used to that too, and it's rough when you encounter people who are deadly serious about what life throws at you. You've just identified why mainlanders aren't viewed as well. They have to shed that culture, and they have trouble doing that.

What I appreciate about this video and other ones critical of Hawaii is that it hopefully causes potential tourists to think twice and blow away the b.s. that Hawaii is paradise. No such place exists. That is only a marketing ploy. Locals on one hand would appreciate fewer tourists rather than more, less development (with the upcoming new 40 or so skyscrapers in Honolulu, the city is now the new Hong Kong and this is destructive). On the other hand the government here has no will nor the smarts to diversify the economy to make it less dependent on tourism. So the problem is curcular.

You are the nicest. I am from Venezuela and live in North Carolina. I am at awe at Hawaiians and everything that the US has put them through. I have the deepest respect for your people and love that you have such a loving attitude. Back home we joke about race too and the racial climate is not sensitive at all so I get what you are saying! I have acclimated to the enviomrnet I live in so that I can respect people that live here but I constantly have to hold back because in today's climate it can be seen as tone deaf. I love you and your channel! Merry x mas!

I love Polynesia. As a young boy I read "Kontiki" by Thor Heyerdahl and ever since these islands scattered over thousands of kilometers in the Pakikipa have fascinated me. I really love the life in Tahiti, that I visited twice. But as an American citizen, there is little or no chance of me living there. So Hawaiʻi is my dream now. For 1 1/2 years I have been studying the language of Hawaiʻi. As you see, I look Caucasian - though actually one part of my heritage goes back to Mongolia. What I see in Hawaiʻi is that the native Hawaiians are the least honored in their own home land. They are discriminated against of all in the bottom rung of society. Everything has been stolen from them, including their dignity. This is true racism.

My family is Portuguese and came to Hawai'i from the Azores Islands in the late 1800's. I've been told stories about how the English and German top tier managers on the plantations where my family worked, would not even touch the Portuguese people and children when they handed them money to buy things, etc. My family moved to CA in the 1930's because my great-grandmother was ill and there was talk of sending her to Molokai. The family always wanted to move back but there were some circumstances that kept them in CA. (My father is Portuguese also, but from Madeira to New England). So I grew up with so much Hawaiian culture that my cousins and I treasured, such as the music, food, etc. My mother always taught me that there is no discrimination in Hawai'i since as you said, it is a melting pot. Sadly, when I go back to visit my cousins in Hawai'i now, that is the only place where I have ever been discriminated against, as a "haole". I'm very friendly and like to talk to everyone (Portuguese trait - big mouth!) and when I tell them my background, then they are ok with it. My cousins are wonderful though, and include me as a part of the family and have luaus for my family and I when we visit. Even more sad is that my new daughter in law is from Maui and she refuses to recognize my Hawaiian background because I did not grow up there. She will not even look at photos of my family in Hawai'i in the early days. It makes me feel very sad since again I am only discriminated against in the place that was/is my family's homeland. I'm sorry though, as I'm sure some mainlanders have been rude and ruined it for the rest of us.

There's one group in Hawaii that's pretty prejudiced. I won't name them, but if you look at who holds the majority of public offices and school districts you'll get a pretty good idea. They rarely intermarry as well.

I grew up in an majority asian community in northern California and we used to make race jokes in high school all the time. It wasn’t like we didn’t know their connotation outside of our community, we sort of decided to make it our own in a way. It changed for me when I went to college too and realized that people really cared about their racial identities (glorifying Asians and half Asians babies to denying their asian heritage altogether). It made me realize how media really affected the society outside of my own community. We probably talk about it more to better inform the people around us who asian Americans really are.

In traditional Hawaiian culture, native Hawaiians greeted each other by touching foreheads and noses. It was sacred to share the “Breathe of Life.” When Captain Cook first arrived to the Hawaiian Islands, they refused to participate in the traditional Hawaiian greeting and shook hands instead. As such, Europeans were identified as Ha’Ole. Ha means “Breathe of Life” and Ole meaning “Not. “. Thus, Ha”Ole... No Breathe of Life. 🤙

As a Singaporean who used to live in Hawaii and the mainland, I certainly could relate more to the locals in Hawaii than Asian-Americans on the mainland. Hawaii no ka oi!

They stopped and looked at you cuz you’re a superstar bruddah!

Love love love this video. I was 13 when my family moved to Hawaii. I grew up there and love the people. I have lived there most of my life (I am now 69).. but now am back on mainland and I miss the people of Hawaii SO much! You are very insightful and I appreciate your videos.

I am caucasian and lived on Oahu 14 years. 1999-2013. I loved the cultural and racial diversity of the island. In my opinion everyone for the most part got along well. I had friends from every ethnic group and was treated by many locals as ohana. The key is respect. I often wish the world could take a cue from these wonderful islands

Big difference between mainland asian and hawaii asian. Spot on observation!

Thank you for sharing this. I’m Kanaka, raised in the mainline, but I have a large close knit hanai family. My aunties and uncles where all raised in Hawaii; some were kanaka and some were not, but the all valued Hawaiian culture. My mother’s family is haole. The distinction you made between the mainland and Hawaii was also apparently in my Hawaiian side vs haole side. I find my Hawaiian family is more accepting of other cultures but very prideful of their own and quick to defend their culture. Which isn’t a bad thing. Just an observation I have made growing up multicultural. My haole family was also keen on pointing out that I’m not full white. Though it wasn’t done in the same manner as my Hawaiian family. My haole family never did it playfully. It was always more “mater of fact”.

I remember a white woman who moved from mainland (Vermont) she said there is too many Asians...I told her what do you expect, it's Hawaii. ;)

I wish you’d expand more about the discrimination white folks experience there. My daughter is married to an air force man and was bullied constantly at her job at Starbucks by her non-Caucasian co-workers. She would call me in tears asking what more could she do to try to fit in and feel welcomed. It’s heartbreaking to know that such a beautiful place has such ugly people.

Grew up big island my whole school life... you’re right everyone’s race is made fun of in Hawaii. Mostly Filipino and portagee..Not gonna lie, the haole thing was really rough most of my life. But for that reason- I don’t tolerate discrimination and racism. I now live in Louisiana. where racism still lives :( I am forever grateful for my experience growing up and the melting pot. Enjoy your videos. Thanks.

I was bullied and beat up my whole childhood there because I’m white. Until I grew to 6’3” and learned to fight back

I’m a Afro American from Florida and I live in Aiea. I can trully say that the people of Hawaii are some of the most sincere people I have ever met. They are extremely family oriented and they have a genuine concern for everyone. I do notice a certain level of dislike for Hales, but the more you meet native Hawaiians that don’t mind discussing this issue, the more I have learned that the same reason Hawaiians don’t care for Hales typically is the same reason why Afro Americans don’t care for them also, especially the Afro Americans that were born and raised in the south.

I love the people there in Hawaii. Thats why Im looking forward to moving back there. I miss it.

I really like your videos sir. You are very authentic and seem to be a very wise person. also, appreciated your thoughtfulness when discussing such a delicate topic regarding race and more importantly, what you've learned from race relations during your time on the mainland. additionally, you were able to apply to your life in a positive way which I wish more mainlanders would apply to their lives when dealing with others for the better of society as a whole. very comforting and informative video. Keep up the great work sir!

While on mainland, us Hawaii people can spot each other, shorts, t-shirt, and slippahs , give da head nod, ah bra u from Hawaii?!

As a multilingual portagee from Califa, I spent 15 years in rural Hawai'i. I say that all you say is true, and can be explained because of roots in Aloha, Kukua, Mālama, Pono, even Kākou (All together!) That's what supports the Maluhia that makes the whole thing work...... Māhalo for speaking up about a most important topic.

Outstanding remarks. Your explanations were spot on. Please continue to make the world knowledgeable about our beloved Hawaii. Mahalo & Aloha!

I am part Filipino and Mexican and work in a hotel in Seattle. I felt really close to my co-worker he’s from Hawaii, and we talked a lot about the Island, there is another co-worker that works in the kitchen and he was from Hawaii too. I was walking through the kitchen and my co-worker saw his Hawaiian Brother, and they made fun of me because I was not Hawaiian but love Hawaii. They joked in Pidgin, but I knew it was an “insult” to me and they both laughed. If you are not from the Island, even if you look like you could be Hawaiian, and you love Hawaii....you are NOT Hawaiian, and there is a prejudice that will be there, against you. I did not let this come between us, I understood they had a bond that I could never have because I was not from Hawaii. Love your video’s.

Hawaii is Magic! People are all mixed puppies and we live through Aloha which is love. Its rare to feel race matters here. We call each other Auntie, Uncle, brother, sister we respect each other. I think if you look into the depths of humans soul people sense it and look deeply into you too. We are pretty laid back. Hard to understand racial tension we are family in Hawaii.

Hafaloha! I'm a native of Guam, Generation X. You just described my upbringing. There were many times we would joke about "outsiders". I think it all stemmed from our historical background, the need to be territorial towards our little island and protective towards our people. I'm looking forward to the day my family and I will be leaving the mainland and moving back home, I need the island vibe back into my soul. For your insightful videos, Mahalo!

Most people get along as long as they are friendly and polite. People usually only get in trouble if they live up to their negative stereotypes...

Sounds like we’re just justifying and rationalizing hate based on color of your skin. Let Hawaii have their sovereignty. Let them deal with international policy and politics like every other nation.

One thing I remember going to HS at St Louis Senior HS I remember"Kill Haole Day" I never ran so fast ! But as I got older and got a lifeguard job on the North Shore I got accepted more. This in the 80s when I worked on the North Shore when the Aussies were causing some issues in the surfing community. As time went on it got better. I moved when I was 27 to California for a lifeguard job then here in Florida. I've always wanted to move back but the Ohana I have there tell me how hard and expensive it is to live there. Miss Aloha🏝🏄

My cousins were born in Hawaii and grew up there. I did not. But I visited and as a Mexican/White mix it was a mixed bag. Some people were very warm and welcoming but there was a barrier the locals had towards me. I felt, at least in a very general sense the locals were far more cold and withdrawn than I’ve ever experienced in the places I’ve lived or in say New York City for example. New York and California get reputations for being cold but I felt it far more in Hawaii with family than I ever did in SoCal. I don’t know if it was because I was a stranger, Mexican/White or what. But I’m kinda used to it being mixed. I will say once I was able to be able to talk to locals they were some of the chillest dudes I’ve ever hung with. The one thing I always thought was cool was how my cousins spoke. Something about the cadence of pigeon just sounded so cool. Anyway thanks for the vid. Much love and support from Orange County in SoCal! 🤙🏽

I gave you a thumbs up just for taking on this subject in 12 minutes.

Damn I tried to explain this to my cousin who was born in Hawaii but grew up mainland. You hit all the points!! 🤙🏽 “racism” is so different here in Hawaii, we have a hard time comprehending what’s happening in the mainland

No matter what, there is racism everywhere. Hawaii included!

I moved to Maui in '93. I'm white. I asked my first black friend there: How is the racism here? Good for me, bad for you, he answered. And we laughed. But it was never bad for me. More than anywhere else people respond quickly to respect and warmth and enjoy treating you the same. I found Hello From Hawaii guy very accurate. Most people prefer to be light hearted and laugh.

I lived in Hawaii for 13 years and loved every minute of my time there! I eventually moved back to the mainland to be closer to my family. When I first moved there in my early 20's, I went to work at the Hilton Hawaiian Village as a temp and the women there treated me horribly and called me haole girl (i told them that I don't care what you call me, as long as I got paid). I only lasted 2 days, as they called the temp agency I worked for and requested a local girl and not a white girl ...... I went on to work at Queens, Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. I used to hang out with the locals I worked with and was invited out with them all the time. They used to call me the token haole. :-) I love Hawaii and loved my time there, but I definitely felt like the minority there. Which was fine..... but there were definitely some areas that we stayed away from. I even dated a Hapa guy ..... Anyways love Hawaii!

I lived in Hawaii for 30 years. When I moved to the mainland, Michigan, one of the things I missed the most was seeing and interacting with all the different nationalities and seeing all the different Asian, Polynesian and hapa-faces. But, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly people were and are in this city I live in now.

It kind of sounds like you're saying that if you look Asian in HI, you'll be ok, but if you're Caucasian, you should brace yourself. I'm Caucasian and spent my whole life in California. I never knew what prejudice felt like (on the receiving end) until I spent a week in Guadalajara Mexico. It's horrible to have people judge you without knowing anything about you.

It was really interesting hearing about your experience at the Asian American conference, growing up in two different culture, you growing up in a diverse Asian culture on the island and the Asians that you met who grew up in the mainland. From my experience growing up in Los Angeles where you would think it was diverse, it was a painful growing experience being Asian. I was born in another country and immigrated here when I was 8 years old not speaking English. Let me tell you, kids at that age don't know better but they were merciless in teasing you, making the slanty eyes, saying "ching chong", chino, etc., I wasn't even Chinese but that's what they classified every Asian, used every conceivable stereotype to tease you every day and they knew they can get away with it since they know that I don't speak English. Since my parents were working long hours, you also became a latchkey kid. They worked long hours and you didn't want to worry them with your problems so you hid it and either cry when they are not around or cry in the shower when they are around because you don't want them to see you cry. That is how I grew up and my story is not that unique, lot of kids from another country immigrating to the US have a very similar stories, social scientists who studied these immigration stories classified these types of Asian immigrants as the 1.5 generation, meaning we were born in another country but after immigrating culturally growing up here. For lot of 1.5 generation, we overcame a lot but it still stings at times hearing some of the Asian jokes, and it is not because we are humorless but we lived through the jokes and we remember the pain so that may be one of the reasons why your Asian counterparts acted differently to the humor too.

I lived in Hawaii for 37 years & have been gone 8 long years. Mr Sun Cho Lee tells the Hawaii attitude. What we have in Hawaii is cultural exclusion, not actual discrimination. Interesting time to be on the mainland. Can't wait to get home

I love living in Hawaii BUT I’ve lived here for 10 years and have had more people HERE call me the N word EVEN BY NATIVES than I’ve EVER had when I lived on the mainland. I respect everyone and the island, but I’ve had many people here downright hate me cause I’m black which is why I keep to myself and my small group of friends. If someone in Hawaii isn’t one of my friends or don’t know them then I’m not going to trust them not to be racist and that’s how I survive here

Hawaii definitely has an insular culture. Perspective is very important, so for those locals that never travel or live anywhere else, it can be very difficult when they have to interact with non locals. It's also important to put yourself in another person's shoes. If you're part of the majority here, you immediately become "the haole" most other places on the mainland. If you're forced to move away from Hawaii, you'd not wanted to be treated unfairly because of your skin color or ethnicity. Same thing goes for people coming to Hawaii. From what I've seen, the "Aloha Spirit" is selective, so it's not really Aloha at all.

Theres also the fact that people from one state are COMPLETELY different from people from others. Haha. If you went to California theres more people of other races than there are white people and its really not a big deal at all. I think generalizing the mainland as one huge place with all the same kinds of people is a total misnomer. Colorado aint Connecticut aint California etc. Just saying people naturally get comfortable with what theyre used to and that isnt necessarily good or bad. It just means more chances to try new things and grow no matter where you go.

Wonderful conversation going on in the comments. Quite a variety. Very civil, mostly. Thanks. Despite its difficulties, Hawaii is still a wonderful place full of good people who want to be fair to everyone. But I remember years ago when the "Locals Only" bumper stickers came out. Local meant not-Haole. So you were right about that. Haoles also aren't readily identified as from Hawaii when on the mainland, or as readily included in Hawaii social groups anywhere. Also, the word "haole" is used in the ancient Kumulipo, so obviously had an ancient meaning (I'm a student of Hawaiian culture and language); and I always was told it meant "stranger/foreigner" (and was earlier used to describe any race), Until the 1980s when suddenly it was defined as coming from the first encounter with the English explorer, Cook. And it was supposed to mean "without breath of life." So that was a dig of the knife at local Haoles. After all, mainlanders could care less. So moving to the mainland was a relief for me. I love Hawaii and its people and still remain engaged with Hawaii folks. I just don't think it loves me enough to struggle financially and socially to stay. Thanks for your treatment of this complex issue. I still think it's great that resilient people are able to take the banter and thrive. Us tender-hearted ones, no matter the race, often can't do it though. And I know light-skinned part-Hawaiians who are relieved to be away from the racial tensions there too.

Enjoyed your points. I have to say that growing up in Hawaii as a hapa-haole was hell.... constantly verbally abused, called slurs, and even had things (trash, rocks) thrown at me as a kid for no reason other than my skin color. I am actually of chop suey bloodlines, and I am Polynesian and Asian, but I look white, and I can say that the racism (at least in the 80's) was disgusting.

Being Asian I had a great time in Hawaii, with race and discrimination more evident in the mainland, early on my pronounciation of certain words and manner of clothing makes me stand out as a foreigner. i remember being the only Filipino in my street in Laguna Niguel CA which was predominantly white.

As an Asian American I concur with your thoughts. Hawaii to me will always be my spiritual home. Ever since my first trip to Maui at 10 I felt a deep connection that in my 10 year old mind I did not understand. Being a surfer, just furthered my love of Hawaii as I 've spent extended stays there with the college friends that I have made when they came to study (and surf) in Los Angeles. I've always felt comfortable with my eye shape/ hair color/stature in Hawaii and felt socially included. I really do wonder what it feels like to be at the top of the social hierarchy as someone who is blonde/blue eyed/ the revered alpha in a white suburb of Southern California who is. I have seen it in Asian Americans from Hawaii ,who came to the mainland with the sort of self confidence ready to tackle Hollywood and go on auditions. Whereas, as an Asian American raised in SoCal, I realized long ago that that is a no-go since we are considered at the bottom of the totem pole in White politics, entertainment, corporations, and dating if not downright invisible. Asian Americans are night and day depending on their state of origin and I've had long-winded discussions with a Filipino buddy from Ewa Beach about this. The American mainland is just a downright RACIST collective that pretends to be modern BUT the diversity narrative does NOT extend over to include people of Asian descent- its only about Blacks and Hispanics here. Picture this, would there be an all rallying, all unifying "Asian Lives Matter" NATIONAL movement/protests/riots /social media shouts extending for months on end if an Asian man was unjustly slaughtered in say Ohio?! hardly. I don't believe Americans favor us at all especially being mislabeled as the 'model minority'. Asians should NOT be mislabeled the "MODEL" MINORTY ( who came up with this absurd term and what Latino or Black cares to follow Asian approaches to life anyway!?) We are not models to anyone but the MINORITY OF MINORITIES since we are but 5 % of the US population and so poorly represented in media when we get any airtime at all. It's like the Anti-Asian laws of wartime 30'40's still exist in subtle ways where white male hegemonic powers decided against Asian male proliferation and co-existing in their empire. The mainland is not a TRUE melting pot like Hawaii where a child can have an Asian father and a white or non-asian mother. The mainland is a SALAD BOWL- no matter how many times you toss, the ingredients still retain their original characteristics. There are plenty Asian females dating or married to white men in the US but rarely do you see the other way around. Why is that so? Female tastes in men are dictated by social convention created by popular media and Hollywood has afforded us only embarrassing representations thus far. The mainland Asian American psyche is damaged and reeking of self-hatred from being raised as a minority under White Assimilation/Racism whereas the Hawaiian one is pure and a wonder to watch in action.

I road the bus from Honolulu to Makaha. I was the only Caucasian person on the bus! Two Hawaiian woman just poured over me with telling me this and that...and I answered back. They invited me to some gatherings at their house. I told them I would try to make it. When I called to tell them I was returning to the mainland early, they sounded genuinely disappointed, and I had to apologize. I really got the feeling that they felt blessed to know me. It felt very nice...

As a half Asian person who grew up in the mainland US (only "asian" person in the entire school), visiting Hawaii was the most freeing experience I have ever had. People there were so welcoming and it was the only place I have ever been to that could tell I was only half asian! When visiting asian countries I get stared at, and living in a predominately white state I get grouped in with "asian/outsiders" - "You speak English so well! " :( . So being immediately accepted was something I had never experienced before. Many Hawaiians of asian descent I've met seem so centered and I wonder if it's because they grew up in such an accepting community. I did notice that there were some negative feelings towards some Caucasians, but honestly it's so much more low key than typical discrimination I experienced growing up (and still experience today).

I live in Maui and as a mixed guy of European decent who uses please, thankyou, and how are you?, and people here let me know I AM HATED. I work on a farm and when a group of Hawaiian/Samoans came to see my boss and their introduction sums up my experience “Who are you?” I didn’t think using text book English would get me dirty looks. Haole mean no breath and I meant as an insult.

New to your channel, born and raised in Hawaii, love your content! Hawaii is such a special place with lots to be grateful for and lots to put up with (cost of living, home ownership, etc). I'm half haole, half Japanese and my son is haole/japanese/filipino/chinese/spanish. So, there's your mixed plate!

I lived on Oahu for many years ~ and I had a lot of Hawaiian friends ~ went to an AA meeting several days a week at the park in Kailua and there were a lot of Hawaiians and haoles there ~ it encouraged love among us all ~ not sure what it meant exactly but I heard a comment that I was "a local haole." I felt very close to many local Hawaiians ~ went to the beach constantly, bowling, boating and even had the delicious pleasure of kalua pig........my heart still lives there even thought I am no longer there. Maybe I was just lucky not to be shunned.

I know the Jackie Chan comment seemed racist, but I think he was being genuine. I definitely see it in your features specifically

I'm hauole but lived herr longer than anywhere. 30 plus years. I generally love the people I live around but being treated unkind without knowing me is very far from who I am. I moved here from Oakland CA. Where I was used to discrimination as well as.loving friends of many ethnicities. I am now kupuna and judgemental people who do not know me is so painful. I speak fluent pigeon, much Hawaiian, Tagalog, Ilocano and some Japanese and love the aina and want only what we all do...to be loved and treated as I treat others. It is becoming so hard to live here and when younger was hard but. Mostly working 2 and 3 jobs..... Not skin color. Ma Pahinui and Ray Kane gave me love and me them but younger generation seems to be losing or have lost. Aloha. Writing this makes me hurt beyond words. Please parents do not teach hate. Please please. Mahalo Nui Loa.

Annoying part I find about Hawaiians is they think the mainland is all the same. It is not, United States can vary greatly from coast to coast.

Excellent you judge somebody’s character, I usually split it in two kinds of people assholes and non assholes. All colors of people have them.

Yeah when I moved to Washington state from Hawaii in the 90’s as a kid I called myself Oriental because that’s what both my parents called people of Asian heritage, (they were both born in Hawaii) and my Japanese friend who had grown up on the mainland JUMPED on me about it, saying Oriental is a carpet etc etc and I how could I say that was like what are you supposed to say then? And she said Asian. Honestly I wasn’t used to saying that, it was either oriental or the nationality that the person was or majority identified with or looked like-Japanese, Korean, Filipino etc.

I lived on Oahu for 9 years as a child. It was hard growing up there. And I understand discrimination and racism. I also have Asperger's syndrome which I think didn't make things any easier. I was always told to love my neighbor and be kind to others. I've always tried to live that way. I don't even curse. But I've never understood why people would beat me up for just being me or different? One time I was at Disney land in California and a school mate recognized me and asked why there were so much haoles? I told him that I'm not a haole, your the haole . He said, "I'm not white." I said," It doesn't mean that you're white, it means that you're a foreigner/ outsider." And he said," No it doesn't." And his father said, " Yes you are." I believe that not very much Hawaiian families teach their children what the true meaning of what haole really means.

Very interesting and enjoyable discussion. I'm an older white guy from San Diego who studied music at UH Manoa in 2004-2006 (mainly because my previous degree meant I couldn't get into any California colleges, but also because I liked the idea of living in Hawaii). One of the first things I learned was what it's like to be disliked on sight. Not just on campus, which I can understand because the locals were naturally suspicious of an older white man (but I read an article in the school paper by a young white student who said she was discriminated against), but just walking down the street. If you stay in Waikiki, you're accepted. But if you go to say, Kaimuki, a middle-class neighborhood, you're not going to be greeted with smiles. In some stores their plain reaction was hostility, as in 'what are you doing here?' I'm kind of sensitive so it definitely bothered me, even though I understood it (Hey, rich white guy, why don't you go back where you belong?). The only people at school who were friendly to me were also outsiders. But despite all that I had many good experiences, and I look back on it fondly. And I got my B.A. in music.

My main issue is everyone says the n word likes it’s normal. There is no level of respect for the negative meaning of the word.

Howzit? I lived on Oahu for 14 years. Retired navy. I spent lots of time getting to know the local culture. And though I am haole, folks still considered me local to some degree. I miss the isles greatly. I appreciate your perspective on your comments. One of the things I loved when working at the shipyard was that every "race" was free game for jokes. If you couldn't take it, you were too high strung. So, I learned to chillax (heard that word in Hawaii first). My life totally changed when I was there. Anyway, mahalo and aloha.

Yea, racist against white and black people is bad there. When the Military has to give you a briefing on racist there, it’s a problem. But in my 5yrs of living off post I meet the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. I plan on moving back

That’s why I love my Hawaii and we stand out so greatly in this huge nation of 50 states. Doesn’t matter what color you are, who your ancestors were, or what your race you are “ohana” to each other. We can tease each other about your race and still get a laugh out of it because we’re just so laid back like that haha. We are so close to figuring there is just 8 islands and no matter where you go you’ll recognize someone and probably the chances of you being related are very high! Much aloha bradda 🤙🏽

I really enjoy your videos. I’m born and raised here, and that’s the best explanation I’ve heard of how view racism in Hawaii. We’re all mixed and it’s hard to say anything about another race without making fun of yourself or another family member. And most of our jokes are interchangeable. Like how Spam is Portuguese steak, but if you’re Portuguese, it’s Hawaiian Steak. I find this one of the best things about Hawaii.

It’s very prejudice in Hawaii , especially towards African American but it’s mostly hidden . Not all but a lot are like that . But the trio about is that don’t want any body to know .

I’m so glad to find your video. My husband is Asian American and I’ve been trying to get him to move to Hawaii. Hopefully this will influence him. 😉Anyway, Mahalo and I look forward to digging into your channel!!

yea i heard funkig hoele for years

Aloha from Ewa Beach, braddah! I’ve been a local for 18 years on Oahu and grew up on the mainland. This is the best description of how things are here as far as race is concerned. It’s hard to explain to someone from the mainland how race really isn’t an issue here.

I’m from the UK and understand the island mentality. We joke around a lot when it comes to making light of other groups, countries and even each other, but it’s usually never malicious. In fact, f we make fun of you, it’s because we like you. I grew up eating spam, just like you guys, but you have much nicer weather. I’ve always wondered why the Hawaiian flag has my country’s flag on it, because Hawaii was never a British colony. I do understand why Native Hawaiians are angry, after having their monarchy overthrown and being annexed by the USA. The Royal Navy wanted to go and kick them off at the time, but the UK government didn’t want to upset the Americans. Does the term Haole only apply to white Americans or is it any Caucasian?

Grew up and graduated on maui and had to move to idaho, one of the biggest things i knowticed was how fast people give up because they can pay someone to do something or just replace things.

I've got to say, before coming to Hawaii, I never thought I would hear or see discrimination. I really thought it was a welcoming place where once you get off the plane they would give you a leis like in the movies. Now although I've met some awesome locals, there's also been not so friendly locals. I think Hawaii is caught up too much on the past and doesn't let itself heal and grow into the future. I think that's the dark cloud Hawaii has over itself. They need to move on and move forward.