Grandma said I looked too haole.
Carol Silva Portland, OR My step-grandma danced, taught, and had her own hula group who performed during the week on Oahu. Once when she and...
Haole is a very racist word.
Theresa Nakata, San Diego,CA Growing up a “haole” girl in rural Kona, Hawaii, every school year I was bullied for the color of my white...
He’s too dark for my friends
Lynn Li, Hilo, HI. I feel a little sheltered living in Hawaii. I’m 100% Chinese and my significant other, Angel, is Afro- Latino. No one...
Dichotomy matters AND full color spectrum.
Kaniela Kelekolio, Captain Cook, HI. The legacy of slavery and, for much of history, the demographics of the USA have led to ‘white vs black’...
I’m Polynesian, Micronesian, European, Asian, Human.
Wanda Keala Anae, Waipahu, HI. That’s me at 3 years old. I’m currently 53 years young.
I Am Because We Are Micronesians!
Vid Raatior, Hilo, HI. Being a Micronesian in America is as much my personal journey as it is a communal opportunity for common advancement. My...
“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...
If I’m Filipino, Am I Asian?
Danicka Sailer, Honolulu, HI I am 25% Filipino. My Father was 50%, and my grandmother was full. Although I look white and most of my...
White but still the minority
Mackenzie Wasielewski, Kailua, HI Living in Hawaii I have always been “discriminated” against because I don’t look the other people. I am always told that...
Are you having white girl problems?
Charley Birdsall, Kailua, HI One night, my friends were having dinner across the street from where my family and I were having dinner. So, I...
Is the word “Haole” racist?
Joel, Honolulu, HI I live in Hawaii and I’ve always gone back and forth about the word “haole”. I tend to use it but I...
Look in the EYE, smile, say HI!
Deborah Williams Clearwater, FL Fear affects all of us. Bad people are out there but it’s not based on skin color. When you walk by,...
He’s American. Why do you ask?
Terry Savage Kailua, HI This was my standard response when “insignificant others” inquired about our then very young adopted son’s origins.
