Acceptable, only after identified as Hawaiian
Nedra De Lima, White Plains, MD. Experienced “minority status” when we moved stateside from Hawaii in the 70s. I was most often identified as Hispanic/Mexican....
I am Micronesian. So like Hawaiian?
Aliyah, Kansas City, MO As a Pacific Islander (specifically Micronesian), a lot of the islands aren’t very known. I understand not many people are knowledgeable...
My heart is Hawaiian, I’m not.
Jan Mason NY Born and raised in paradise as a Haole (white) person I had more than my share of discrimination but living on the...
It’s your problem that I’ll ignore
Monalisa Layan, Federated States of Micronesia I lived in Hilo, Hawaii for 7 years while I attended college. There were many kinds and good people...
Little bit of everything and everywhere
Ashlee Johnston, Ladera Ranch, CA. People tell me they thought that I am White but once I tell them about my Asian/Hawaiian/Spanish/Canadian…. background they say...
“What’s wrong with your skin?” Freckles.
Amanda Claiborne, Pahoa, HI. Asked of me by a typical Hawaiian child of mixed background, brown skin, hair, and eyes. A reminder that blue-eyed freckled...
You’re Guamanian? You’re whiter than me!”
All my life, people have mistaken me for “races” that I am not: Mexican, Hawaiian, Filipino, Indian, Brazilian. I was always flattered because I thought...
I am more than my color
Frank Benson Knoxville, TN I am native american from Alaska. I have been mistaken for hispanic, asian, hawaiian. it’s difficult not to see someones color,...
Haole boy, Hawaiian, keiki o ka’aina?
Claire Iveson Kaunakakai, HI My blonde Anglo son was raised and educated on Molokai, before going to the Berkley College of Music at 17. He...
I’m not Hispanic, thanks for asking.
Elizabeth Norris Taylor Fernandina Beach, FL I have lived my entire life with people coming up to me and asking, “what are you?” For a...
Hawaiians? Did you swim to school?
John Book Pasco, WA In my experience as someone who is part-Hawaiian, I’ve found that the stereotypes of what I am and where I’m from...
