For those who live or have lived in Hawaii, have you ever experienced racism?

What were the circumstances that lead you to believe that race came into play?

I was reading this on another board and am curious if others have experienced anything like this out here.

Thanks.

In a way yes and no. Growing up I really didn't notice much and having been around so many races I really didn't notice any racism. As I was older though I heard more and more people using the word Haole in a very negative way. I will not get into that word and what it technically means so don't ask. ;) There is racism there usually against white people but then again there is racism everywhere you go. :shrug

I experienced it for 3 years, and it sincerely taught me something. I always thought I knew what it would feel like to be discriminated against because of race/color, but I really didn't until then.

The reason I know the incidents that I ran into were racism is that they were mostly unprovoked acts of agression/hate towards me. I was called haole with disgust (and it was FAR different from being called haole by a friend). Beer bottles were thrown at me and my friend as we walked down the beach, they called us "filthy haole whores".

The worst was at McDonald's. A woman almost hit my Jeep so I gave a little honk just to basically let her know "hey stop" and went on my way. She proceeded to park her van in the street, walk up to my Jeep, rip into me about being white and a bitch and why am I on HER island if I can't even drive. She then punched me in the face and said I deserved that every day that I lived here, that I didn't belong.

I know now that not all locals are like that, but for the longest time I hated living there because I basically lived in fear.

I believe there is, been here for 3 years so far. I never been called a name that I know of but the attitude I get or the looks make me believe there is in Hawaii.

I experienced it for 3 years, and it sincerely taught me something. I always thought I knew what it would feel like to be discriminated against because of race/color, but I really didn't until then.

The reason I know the incidents that I ran into were racism is that they were mostly unprovoked acts of agression/hate towards me. I was called haole with disgust (and it was FAR different from being called haole by a friend). Beer bottles were thrown at me and my friend as we walked down the beach, they called us "filthy haole whores".

The worst was at McDonald's. A woman almost hit my Jeep so I gave a little honk just to basically let her know "hey stop" and went on my way. She proceeded to park her van in the street, walk up to my Jeep, rip into me about being white and a bitch and why am I on HER island if I can't even drive. She then punched me in the face and said I deserved that every day that I lived here, that I didn't belong.

I know now that not all locals are like that, but for the longest time I hated living there because I basically lived in fear.

:wow That's horrible!

I experienced it for 3 years, and it sincerely taught me something. I always thought I knew what it would feel like to be discriminated against because of race/color, but I really didn't until then.

The reason I know the incidents that I ran into were racism is that they were mostly unprovoked acts of agression/hate towards me. I was called haole with disgust (and it was FAR different from being called haole by a friend). Beer bottles were thrown at me and my friend as we walked down the beach, they called us "filthy haole whores".

The worst was at McDonald's. A woman almost hit my Jeep so I gave a little honk just to basically let her know "hey stop" and went on my way. She proceeded to park her van in the street, walk up to my Jeep, rip into me about being white and a bitch and why am I on HER island if I can't even drive. She then punched me in the face and said I deserved that every day that I lived here, that I didn't belong.

I know now that not all locals are like that, but for the longest time I hated living there because I basically lived in fear.

:yes THAT is the racism I hear about all the time. I have to listen to my ignorant ass of a FIL talk about stupid Haole's all the time. :banghead I can't STAND being near him and hear him bitching about it. He is one of those people who are racist against Haole's and he's probably only ok with me because I grew up there and I'm married to his son so he HAS to be nice. :rolleyes I know so many nice wonderful locals who even though they may have some of the same views about "haoles" (hate that stupid word) they would never do anything mean. It's so sad how some of them treat people over there. The island is FULL of different races but if you are white some of them just don't care. :no Hell I know a white guy born and raised in HI and he is more of a local than some local guys. :lmao

I experienced it for 3 years, and it sincerely taught me something. I always thought I knew what it would feel like to be discriminated against because of race/color, but I really didn't until then.

The reason I know the incidents that I ran into were racism is that they were mostly unprovoked acts of agression/hate towards me. I was called haole with disgust (and it was FAR different from being called haole by a friend). Beer bottles were thrown at me and my friend as we walked down the beach, they called us "filthy haole whores".

The worst was at McDonald's. A woman almost hit my Jeep so I gave a little honk just to basically let her know "hey stop" and went on my way. She proceeded to park her van in the street, walk up to my Jeep, rip into me about being white and a bitch and why am I on HER island if I can't even drive. She then punched me in the face and said I deserved that every day that I lived here, that I didn't belong.

I know now that not all locals are like that, but for the longest time I hated living there because I basically lived in fear.


:no

That's just so jacked up for that to happen to you.

I lived there for part of my college career. I wore a t-shirt with the state fish on it (I was a marine biology major and it was for a club) and a Hawaiian guy came up to me and started bitching me out about how I was a disrespectful POS white-trash (the names go on) trampling on their ground and I had no right to be there and blah blah blah. He didn't look that old either, maybe early 20's. This was back in 2003. I suppose race came into play when I was called white- trash, and a bevy of other racist names.

One time I was with my friend and we were driving to North Shore, well she cut off a local person, they honked and we thought that was that... well the person she cut off followed us for a good 45 minutes, even while we went into a neighborhood and everything, we were actually pretty scared to stop the car... because they tailgated us all the way over. So we stop at a gas station and figured they wouldn't do anything infront of so many people **WRONG**
The guy went off on us on how we didn't belong on the island, and we should get the fuck off of it before he does something he'll regret.
I was so freaked out!!!
After that I hardly go anywhere without my husband, The farthest I go is from Hickam to Mililani.

I never experienced it but who knows...maybe if I had been there longer and if my DH wasn't half Japanese maybe I would have experienced it. What is forgotten is how much money the Haoles bring into the state. Imagine if there was no military...how many would be without jobs.
That ignorance is just stupid. I mean really:rolleyes. Twany_I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope you got her ass put in jail.

I lived there for part of my college career. I wore a t-shirt with the state fish on it (I was a marine biology major and it was for a club) and a Hawaiian guy came up to me and started bitching me out about how I was a disrespectful POS white-trash (the names go on) trampling on their ground and I had no right to be there and blah blah blah. He didn't look that old either, maybe early 20's. This was back in 2003. I suppose race came into play when I was called white- trash, and a bevy of other racist names.

Yeah I wore a shirt in high school with Eddie Aikau (a surfer) on it and I got shit for wearing it. They asked me if I even knew who it was and said I shouldn't wear it. :rolleyes

One time I was with my friend and we were driving to North Shore, well she cut off a local person, they honked and we thought that was that... well the person she cut off followed us for a good 45 minutes, even while we went into a neighborhood and everything, we were actually pretty scared to stop the car... because they tailgated us all the way over. So we stop at a gas station and figured they wouldn't do anything infront of so many people **WRONG**
The guy went off on us on how we didn't belong on the island, and we should get the fuck off of it before he does something he'll regret.
I was so freaked out!!!
After that I hardly go anywhere without my husband, The farthest I go is from Hickam to Mililani.

Oooh yeah you do NOT want to do that. :no I've seen my FIL go OFF on this white guy because he cut him off. I've had another local guy try to slam on his brakes to get my mom to hit him because she didn't slow down to let him pass so he had to speed up. I've also had some local guys tailgate my brother which my brother called my mom up because he was so scared. I think he flicked them off because they were being asses (yeah wrong move sweetie) and then he started yelling out the window that he was sorry for doing it because it was a truck FULL of locals. :no They ended up leaving him alone probably because they saw him on the phone and thought he was calling the cops. If that ever happens to you again I do suggest calling the cops just to be safe.

I never experienced it but who knows...maybe if I had been there longer and if my DH wasn't half Japanese maybe I would have experienced it. What is forgotten is how much money the Haoles bring into the state. Imagine if there was no military...how many would be without jobs.
That ignorance is just stupid. I mean really:rolleyes. Twany_I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope you got her ass put in jail.

Yeah they really don't think about Hawaii being a tourist based state and they need the tourist or many would lose jobs. :no Some of them really are ignorant (my FIL being one of them :rolleyes) and what they want is what the native americans got. They want their land back which it being a bunch of tiny islands it's kinda hard to do. :shrug

I never experienced it but who knows...maybe if I had been there longer and if my DH wasn't half Japanese maybe I would have experienced it. What is forgotten is how much money the Haoles bring into the state. Imagine if there was no military...how many would be without jobs.
That ignorance is just stupid. I mean really:rolleyes. Twany_I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope you got her ass put in jail.

I've never had anything happen to me either but then again I look like a local. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

:edit

These stories make me sad :(

I've never had anything happen to me either but then again I look like a local. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

:edit

These stories make me sad :(

I had a friend there that looked like a local too, but she was actually Chinese and Mexican. :giggle I stuck around with her the whole time, lol.

I think they were more yelling at my friend, honestly she didn't even see them because he was in her blind spot. But they don't want to hear you apologize, they just want you out.

I've never had anything happen to me either but then again I look like a local. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

:edit

These stories make me sad :(

Yeah if you look local they will usually think you are and not bother you much. :shrug It's really sad that it happens but it does. Usually if you are white that's when you have to be worried. Now it wont always happen there are some awesome locals there who are just so sweet. I'm white and I don't really remember having much trouble growing up and the trouble I did have was sometimes from other white girls (yeah they were jealous cuz I'm so dang hot. ;) ) You just get the few ignorant ones that are too stupid to take a GOOD Hawaiian history class and others who listen to their parents who spread the hate. :no

I think they were more yelling at my friend, honestly she didn't even see them because he was in her blind spot. But they don't want to hear you apologize, they just want you out.

Yup very true. They get soo mad that even if you apologize they just don't give a shit. :ohno

When my mom was younger she made friends with a bunch of local girls and no one messed with her because of it. Omg the local girls can be frikken SCARY! Then again I'm a huge wimp lol.

I've accidentally cut off people before but what worked for me was to just give them a wave saying I'm sorry. Hell, sometimes I'll just wave when I merge over into a lane.

I've accidentally cut off people before but what worked for me was to just give them a wave saying I'm sorry. Hell, sometimes I'll just wave when I merge over into a lane.

:giggle Wouldn't work if you did that to my FIL. Sure he may not follow you but to be a passenger in the car and listening to him bitch and complain is NOT fun. :no

lol I can't wave...
I'd probably hit someone in the process :(
I do more of a friendly nod and smile.
Most people like that.

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii... Now I'm scared....

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii... Now I'm scared....
Its not that bad, but you really have to watch what you do:scared

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii... Now I'm scared....


Don't be. Come hang out with me.

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii... Now I'm scared....

:) It's not that bad... so many people have gone there and had no problems. I guess maybe stick to the tourist areas and you will have less of a chance of that happening. :dunno Some of the locals are sooo sweet it just takes a few to ruin it. :no It's going to be like that no matter where you go because there are racists everywhere unfortunately. :sadeyes

I never experienced it but who knows...maybe if I had been there longer and if my DH wasn't half Japanese maybe I would have experienced it. What is forgotten is how much money the Haoles bring into the state. Imagine if there was no military...how many would be without jobs.
That ignorance is just stupid. I mean really:rolleyes. Twany_I am so sorry that happened to you. I hope you got her ass put in jail.

I managed to leave out the worst part. There was a local cop in the parking lot. He stood there with his arms crossed and as I tried to talk to him, he asked me what I wanted him to do about it as she walked back to her car and sped off.

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii... Now I'm scared....

Don't be scared! Honestly, it's not THAT bad, I just have always found myself in the worst situations :lol If you're going on vacation and stick to the main tourist areas, they love you.

It is seriously no worse than some of the major cities on the mainland. Atlanta is worse.

:) It's not that bad... so many people have gone there and had no problems. I guess maybe stick to the tourist areas and you will have less of a chance of that happening. :dunno Some of the locals are sooo sweet it just takes a few to ruin it. :no It's going to be like that no matter where you go because there are racists everywhere unfortunately. :sadeyes

So very true. It took a looooooooooooooooong time for me to come to terms with the fact that it was a few assholes who ruined Hawaii for me, not the whole group of people.

I managed to leave out the worst part. There was a local cop in the parking lot. He stood there with his arms crossed and as I tried to talk to him, he asked me what I wanted him to do about it as she walked back to her car and sped off.

Oh yeah some of the cops there are BAD! It really sucks but a lot of them will take the locals side over yours. :no Some are nice but others are just awful. There was a story my mom told me about a guy peacefully picketing (white guy) and he went through all the proper procedures to do it yet the cops picked on him and beat him up. :no

Oh yeah some of the cops there are BAD! It really sucks but a lot of them will take the locals side over yours. :no Some are nice but others are just awful. There was a story my mom told me about a guy peacefully picketing (white guy) and he went through all the proper procedures to do it yet the cops picked on him and beat him up. :no


I've stories like that too.

I avoid places like Waianae. They are just any kind out there.

So very true. It took a looooooooooooooooong time for me to come to terms with the fact that it was a few assholes who ruined Hawaii for me, not the whole group of people.

Oh I don't blame you it would have taken a long time for me to get over that too. :no I'm surprised not more bad things happened to me growing up there but it was probably because I made friends will all the locals and everyone else there. I don't even remember much of the racism till I took a hawaiian ethnobotany class with my mom and heard the locals in there talking about wanting their land back. Also being around my FIL doesn't help either. You should hear some of the stupid things I argue with him about and how many times I have to keep my mouth shut to not call him an ignorant asshole.

We never had any problems, except for a few rude customers I may have had at work, but other than that nothing. We had several friends on the ship, however, have some problems. Pebbles, you should definitely go to Kaena point at least once, the beach is beautiful, just only go during the day, and leave before sundown :lol

We never had any problems, except for a few rude customers I may have had at work, but other than that nothing. We had several friends on the ship, however, have some problems. Pebbles, you should definitely go to Kaena point at least once, the beach is beautiful, just only go during the day, and leave before sundown :lol

Yeah because after sundown the vampires come out. :ohno http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a242/SFerreira/Holiday%20Smilies/vampire.gif :lmao

We never had any problems, except for a few rude customers I may have had at work, but other than that nothing. We had several friends on the ship, however, have some problems. Pebbles, you should definitely go to Kaena point at least once, the beach is beautiful, just only go during the day, and leave before sundown :lol


We were actually out there last weekend at the Army bungalows but even in the day, I was scared.

My husband and I have experienced racism on several occasions when living in Hawaii. I've never experienced the racism sans DH though. I'm sure that because I can pass for being local mattered...

We experienced rude stares from local guys when DH & I were in public together. DH is white and since I "look" local, many local people don't like non-local military guys dating the locals...

DH also experienced some local idiot yelling "Fucking Haole" at him when we were walking at Ko Olina.

we ahvent really experienced any racism...yet. i think a lot of people here are really rude, though. we cant wait to get out of here.

Ok, yall are making me scared to be out there alone when db leaves for deployment....
I know he told me I can't go out to certain areas but not he whole island. I didn't experience anything like that, but I was only there for a month.

Dh was stationed at Pearl Harbor for about 4 years. I spent his last year out there with him. Before I was out there, his ship pulled into Kauai, and a group of sailors got into it with the locals, I don't know who started it. Dh wasn't there and didn't know about it, but later the same evening dh and a friend were walking back to the ship and the same group of locals beat them up pretty badly. Dh's shoulder was dislocated, and it still gives him problems.
That is the only bad experience that we had. We heard a lot of stories, but didn't experience any. I did sometimes wonder if some of the stories were kind of exaggerated with time. (not any of the stories you ladies have told, but stories that dh's shipmates would tell, something that happened to "someone they knew")
We went to a Filipino church in Waipahu, they were very welcoming. I loved that church, they made sure that I never spent a holiday alone. We didn't go much farther than that. I think I went to Waianae maybe once, we didn't really go to places that had potential for problems. I don't remember being scared there, I did get a little stir crazy from being on a tiny island with nowhere to go, but not scared. Usually if I went anywhere it was with dh or the girls from the church, though. I had a nice experience there, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

My husband and I have experienced racism on several occasions when living in Hawaii. I've never experienced the racism sans DH though. I'm sure that because I can pass for being local mattered...

We experienced rude stares from local guys when DH & I were in public together. DH is white and since I "look" local, many local people don't like non-local military guys dating the locals...

DH also experienced some local idiot yelling "Fucking Haole" at him when we were walking at Ko Olina.


:yes It was most likely because you look local. It's so frikken silly that they pick on white people. Hell I'm white but technically I'm a local since I was born and raised there. Sure they can say I'm a haole local but haole means foreigner and I was raised there so that's technically not true. Plus if they want to say that then they're all haole's since the Hawaiians came to the islands by canoe which make them foreigner's as well. :shrug

You aren't a local but since you look local they don't do much to you but because your DH is white they mess with him. :no It's so sad that they have to be that way.

Ok, yall are making me scared to be out there alone when db leaves for deployment....
I know he told me I can't go out to certain areas but not he whole island. I didn't experience anything like that, but I was only there for a month.

Two of my sisters live on Oahu and they haven't had any problems. I guess it just depends on where you go and if you happen to run into the few ignorant people who live there. I'm sure you will be fine sweetie just make friends and have fun in Hawaii. :) :hugs

We've been here going on 6 years and have never experienced any type of racism. In fact most of our close friends are local and honestly more like family to us than anything. I "heard" all the rumors before we moved on island and was worried too, but I noticed you pretty much get what you give out. There are going to be rude people EVERYWHERE and road rage etc EVERYWHERE. We love it here :dunno

While living in VA we got plenty of unwelcomed stares and even once we were refused to be served at a mom and pop type of restaurant :dunno

We've been here going on 6 years and have never experienced any type of racism. In fact most of our close friends are local and honestly more like family to us than anything. I "heard" all the rumors before we moved on island and was worried too, but I noticed you pretty much get what you give out. There are going to be rude people EVERYWHERE and road rage etc EVERYWHERE. We love it here :dunno

While living in VA we got plenty of unwelcomed stares and even once we were refused to be served at a mom and pop type of restaurant :dunno

That kind of offends me a little bit.

For those who live or have lived in Hawaii, have you ever experienced racism?

What were the circumstances that lead you to believe that race came into play?

I was reading this on another board and am curious if others have experienced anything like this out here.

Thanks.

Personally not really but there were places that I just didn't go to because I had heard that they were bad. I saw in the news several examples of racism in Hawaii while we were there though. The case where the Army couple was beaten by a Hawaiian father and son... The son called them haoles and of course later he claimed it wasn't meant to be racist. Funny though that the father had been arrested before for violence, beating his son it was I believe.

Another example was a prospective student to University of Hawaii, he was beaten to death at Ewa beach by a Hawaiian. I went to that beach once and never again because of the looks I was given by the locals. Later too I was told not to go there because there were often problems there (it wasn't the best beach anyhow). Anyhow the reason the student was beaten supposedly was because somebody thought he had taken their picture... Seems like a good reason to beat someone right? :rolleyes I'm sure his being a white guy had nothing to do with it.

For the most part though there are just areas to stay away from but every local I came into contact with was very nice or at least decent to me.

That kind of offends me a little bit.

Didn't mean to offend honestly. I've seen and heard plenty of wives around that go around expressing how much they hate it here and point out every flaw on the island ..in FRONT of locals and then complain when something gets said back. That's what I mean about the whole get what you put out.

We've been here going on 6 years and have never experienced any type of racism. In fact most of our close friends are local and honestly more like family to us than anything. I "heard" all the rumors before we moved on island and was worried too, but I noticed you pretty much get what you give out. There are going to be rude people EVERYWHERE and road rage etc EVERYWHERE. We love it here :dunno

While living in VA we got plenty of unwelcomed stares and even once we were refused to be served at a mom and pop type of restaurant :dunno

Steph, you have to remember, one's looks is also what helps one to fit into the environment. I'm almost positive if my husband was or looked Filipino, we wouldn't have experienced the racism we experienced on island. We didn't do anything to receive the type of racism we experienced, besides walking, breathing and minding our own business...

I am from a small area... and when I visited the people reminded me of the people here. People on the streets in Waikiki and Pearl Harbor were nice. I got directions and whatnow when DB was at work.... I hope I can make friends from SOS so I won't be too alone when I get out there... :blush...

I didn't have a problem before so I am hoping for the same when I get there.

Personally not really but there were places that I just didn't go to because I had heard that they were bad. I saw in the news several examples of racism in Hawaii while we were there though. The case where the Army couple was beaten by a Hawaiian father and son... The son called them haoles and of course later he claimed it wasn't meant to be racist. Funny though that the father had been arrested before for violence, beating his son it was I believe.

Another example was a prospective student to University of Hawaii, he was beaten to death at Ewa beach by a Hawaiian. I went to that beach once and never again because of the looks I was given by the locals. Later too I was told not to go there because there were often problems there (it wasn't the best beach anyhow). Anyhow the reason the student was beaten supposedly was because somebody thought he had taken their picture... Seems like a good reason to beat someone right? :rolleyes I'm sure his being a white guy had nothing to do with it.

For the most part though there are just areas to stay away from but every local I came into contact with was very nice or at least decent to me.

Yeah I've heard stories like that too. :( Like I said before though you will find assholes everywhere you go. One of the sweetest guys I know is Hawaiian. He is part of a local group called malino.

The two guys on the top are me and my DH's friends from high school and part of the group Malino. They're the sweetest guys. :)
http://www.mistahrecords.com/malino_studio.jpg

DB fits in... he is middle eastern and skin color is fairly the same... now I was pretty dark when I went out there...I have gone back to being pale since I stopped tanning... I may very well start up again.

Didn't mean to offend honestly. I've seen and heard plenty of wives around that go around expressing how much they hate it here and point out every flaw on the island ..in FRONT of locals and then complain when something gets said back. That's what I mean about the whole get what you put out.

I hated being there, but I sure as hell didn't express that in front of anyone. I tried to grin and bear it. I sincerely loved being there for about, oh, a month. The one and only thing I could not stand about being there was the way I was treated by so many people. I didn't deserve that treatment, because I tried so very hard to "fit".

I hated being there, but I sure as hell didn't express that in front of anyone. I tried to grin and bear it. I sincerely loved being there for about, oh, a month. The one and only thing I could not stand about being there was the way I was treated by so many people. I didn't deserve that treatment, because I tried so very hard to "fit".

You didn't deserve that at all - I agree! It sucks that a few people have to ruin it for a whole island. Again though, that can and does happen anywhere.
I hope you know I wasn't speaking about your situation.

I am from a small area... and when I visited the people reminded me of the people here. People on the streets in Waikiki and Pearl Harbor were nice. I got directions and whatnow when DB was at work.... I hope I can make friends from SOS so I won't be too alone when I get out there... :blush...

I didn't have a problem before so I am hoping for the same when I get there.

Well my sisters are there and they go out to clubs to dance a lot. I'm sure when you get there I can let you know and you can meet up with them. They're REALLY friendly I promise. :D

I hated being there, but I sure as hell didn't express that in front of anyone. I tried to grin and bear it. I sincerely loved being there for about, oh, a month. The one and only thing I could not stand about being there was the way I was treated by so many people. I didn't deserve that treatment, because I tried so very hard to "fit".

same for us. Neither Dh or I like it here, but we never, and i mean never, talk about this place negatively outside of our home. We're nice people. we have good manners and we try to enjoy our time here and make the best of it, but every time we try, something happens that reminds why we dont like it here.

Didn't mean to offend honestly. I've seen and heard plenty of wives around that go around expressing how much they hate it here and point out every flaw on the island ..in FRONT of locals and then complain when something gets said back. That's what I mean about the whole get what you put out.

Still pointing out what you hate about the place and how much you don't like it doesn't mean they should say/do crap to you. :( I grew up there and if people want to say they hate it and talk crap about it I could care less it's a frikken place they don't HAVE to like it. Now if they were talking crap about locals in front of locals that's a whole different thing. ;)

Still pointing out what you hate about the place and how much you don't like it doesn't mean they should say/do crap to you. :( I grew up there and if people want to say they hate it and talk crap about it I could care less it's a frikken place they don't HAVE to like it. Now if they were talking crap about locals in front of locals that's a whole different thing. ;)

That's exactly what I've experienced. :no

I went out to eat with this "friend" and as soon as she walked in she was like "OMG this place is SO DIRTY - how do these people eat here!" etc etc. I was so :blush and that was pretty much the last time we ever hung out again. :refuse

That's exactly what I've experienced. :no

I went out to eat with this "friend" and as soon as she walked in she was like "OMG this place is SO DIRTY - how do these people eat here!" etc etc. I was so :blush and that was pretty much the last time we ever hung out again. :refuse

That's what I've experienced too. People claiming they aren't racist but making bullshit comments (loudly) about locals.

I've never lived there.
I've been there once on a long vacation with my family and I was too young to really notice any racism or hositility if there was any.
But that being said I have heard horror stories.

We've been here going on 6 years and have never experienced any type of racism. In fact most of our close friends are local and honestly more like family to us than anything. I "heard" all the rumors before we moved on island and was worried too, but I noticed you pretty much get what you give out. There are going to be rude people EVERYWHERE and road rage etc EVERYWHERE. We love it here :dunno

While living in VA we got plenty of unwelcomed stares and even once we were refused to be served at a mom and pop type of restaurant :dunno

Well, I guess I have to ask, is wearing the state fish offensive in some way? (I am being sincere) I don't think I ever expressed hatred toward Hawaiian people, or the state, I loved living there and learning the culture. I guess I just don't understand why wearing the shirt I wore would cause such a reaction.

That's exactly what I've experienced. :no

I went out to eat with this "friend" and as soon as she walked in she was like "OMG this place is SO DIRTY - how do these people eat here!" etc etc. I was so :blush and that was pretty much the last time we ever hung out again. :refuse

Wow she was sure an idiot. :duh

Well, I guess I have to ask, is wearing the state fish offensive in some way? (I am being sincere) I don't think I ever expressed hatred toward Hawaiian people, or the state, I loved living there and learning the culture. I guess I just don't understand why wearing the shirt I wore would cause such a reaction.

Probably because it has something to do with "their" state and they don't want anyone wearing anything that is "theirs". :rolleyes Silly I know but what do you expect from people picking on others because of their skin color. :no

I personally never had bad experiences with locals while living in Hawaii a total of 8 yrs. There are certain areas of the island I had heard were not the best to go around alone if you were a Haole, and I stayed away from those areas, but I had plenty of local friends and still do, and never had an issue with anyone on the island.

I only visited for something like 4 days, and obviously as a tourist, I stayed in the tourist areas, thus didn't experience any racism. As for living there, I'm blanco to the fifth power, I wouldn't WANT to live there after hearing these stories, and the stories my Husband has heard at work. :no

I'm a nice person and go out of my way to be polite to everyone I come in contact with. If I experienced the kind of asshole behavior that's been described here, I'm sorry, but they would see an asshole haole getting right back in their face. I hate stupid people.

I never experienced any racism per se, a lot of rude ass people but not one racist comment. I did avoid Waianae though, I was terrified as a little 'haole girl' to go out there.

Even with all of the rude people, it is still my favorite place on earth and the only place DH and I consider home.

But if you want some island living with some FABULOUS locals, you have to go to Guam. They will stop to help if you are at the side of the road, give you assistance and then invite you and your whole family to a cook-out! :lol

:ohno All this makes me nervous. For DB since he just moved there and for me since we talk about me going there when I'm done with school. I don't think DB has had any problems yet, just a couple of rude (but not racist) comments. But now I'm :scared

My husband is Caucasian and he has never had any problems out here or in Kauai. He has gone surfing amongst locals with no beef. Locals are pretty possessive about 'their surf spots'. Some of his friends have had issues. I do not know who or why some people get targeted.

Soo Im moving there in a little over a month, I hear everyone saying there are places you should avoid can someone please give me a list of those so I know. lol

Soo Im moving there in a little over a month, I hear everyone saying there are places you should avoid can someone please give me a list of those so I know. lol

You may want to avoid Waianae. It does not have the best reputation.

I have never been there before but my ex was , in the navy. The reasons arew generational I am sure though it doesnt make it right .

I am Native American and resentment of white people in general runs deep . Every pow-wow there is a recounting of the literal slaughter and the taking of the lands and promises broken to our tribe . You might think that these things happened so long ago it shouldnt matter .

All was lost though , white people blamed natives for stealing corn and so not only did they go and kill about a dozen people the government took more of the land that had been given to the tribe . They took away language and traditions and tried to make natives feel ashamed for being native .

These things are not forgotton with Native Americans . I am sure Hawaiians have their own list of grievences as well. Most I understand would like to be independant again .

Hate to say it but whites as a race have caused much resentment in the world to those who are not white because of their belief that we should be like them .

Racism is not right in any case but I can understand it .

I have never been there before but my ex was , in the navy. The reasons arew generational I am sure though it doesnt make it right .

I am Native American and resentment of white people in general runs deep . Every pow-wow there is a recounting of the literal slaughter and the taking of the lands and promises broken to our tribe . You might think that these things happened so long ago it shouldnt matter .

All was lost though , white people blamed natives for stealing corn and so not only did they go and kill about a dozen people the government took more of the land that had been given to the tribe . They took away language and traditions and tried to make natives feel ashamed for being native .

These things are not forgotton with Native Americans . I am sure Hawaiians have their own list of grievences as well. Most I understand would like to be independant again .

Hate to say it but whites as a race have caused much resentment in the world to those who are not white because of their belief that we should be like them .

Racism is not right in any case but I can understand it .

And for thinkings JUST LIKE THIS racism will not stop. People are holding on to grudges for things that happend a long time ago. I am sure that there are tons of White people out there that have roots that go as deep as yours (general yours) and guess what, some probably follow the same path.

It's a shame that some of the people of Hawaii feel this way about White people...maybe if they were treated the same way in CONUS they would rethink their stance.

It's sad that your stationed in a place full of hatred for anyone that is not a "local".

I never experienced any racism per se, a lot of rude ass people but not one racist comment. I did avoid Waianae though, I was terrified as a little 'haole girl' to go out there.

Even with all of the rude people, it is still my favorite place on earth and the only place DH and I consider home.

But if you want some island living with some FABULOUS locals, you have to go to Guam. They will stop to help if you are at the side of the road, give you assistance and then invite you and your whole family to a cook-out! :lol


:yesG says the same thing about Guam... he spent 3 years there in the late 90s. This thread is making me have second thoughts about considering HI as a possible next duty station.. :neutral

I have never been there before but my ex was , in the navy. The reasons arew generational I am sure though it doesnt make it right .

I am Native American and resentment of white people in general runs deep . Every pow-wow there is a recounting of the literal slaughter and the taking of the lands and promises broken to our tribe . You might think that these things happened so long ago it shouldnt matter .

All was lost though , white people blamed natives for stealing corn and so not only did they go and kill about a dozen people the government took more of the land that had been given to the tribe . They took away language and traditions and tried to make natives feel ashamed for being native .

These things are not forgotton with Native Americans . I am sure Hawaiians have their own list of grievences as well. Most I understand would like to be independant again .

Hate to say it but whites as a race have caused much resentment in the world to those who are not white because of their belief that we should be like them .

Racism is not right in any case but I can understand it .

Ok first of all Native Americans and Hawaiians are NOT all the same. Most of the land in Hawaii was sold of given to the white people. Sure they sold it for iron nails or whatever so NOW that it's worth crap they get upset saying their ancestors got ripped off when back then that's what they wanted. I will not go through the entire frikken Hawaiian history but please take a GOOD class that will explain everything before talking about it. Sure they did get screwed with some things but geez that can happen now days by EVERYONE.

And for thinkings JUST LIKE THIS racism will not stop. People are holding on to grudges for things that happend a long time ago. I am sure that there are tons of White people out there that have roots that go as deep as yours (general yours) and guess what, some probably follow the same path.

It's a shame that some of the people of Hawaii feel this way about White people...maybe if they were treated the same way in CONUS they would rethink their stance.

It's sad that your stationed in a place full of hatred for anyone that is not a "local".



I totally agree. It really irritates me that I can be treated poorly or held accountable for something that happened long ago and that I, personally, had NOTHING to do with. I mean, if I did something to you...absolutely. You'd have every right to be pissed, because I made a decision to do that. But this is stuff that I didn't have a choice in. And people would be able to justify treating me poorly to themselves because of the color of my skin? How is that fair? I wouldn't fly if the situation were reversed, we all know that, but somehow because I'm white it's okay to pick on me. Nuh-uh, that's :bullcrap


Now I feel like I have to :hide I'm not trying to start a fight, just running my big fat mouth. :lol

You know , I was not making a statement about them specifically . I said that resentment ran deep . For all of you that say that it happened years ago and it shouldnt matter well it didnt happen that long ago . For Native Americans in my tribe it is maybe two generations removed from me .

I can pass for white and usually am . Dont jump down my throat for just putting a opinon out there that maybe they have reasons for what they feel . I didnt advocate any violence , I didnt say it was right .

There are resentments in Europe as well . I am just saying people shouldnt be surprised by the deep seeded hate . I repeat I DO NOT ADVOCATE SUCH HATE . I simply know it exhists , I know that the people feel that they have a reason . Their culture and history are affected .
I didnt compare NA to Hawaii either if you would re read . I explained only my own knowledge of my people and said that I was sure Hawaiians had grievences too .

Yes poor stupid natives , sold their land for beads and baubles, didnt understand the culture nor the language and probably were decieved . Just get over losing your heirtage and shut up ....they probably deserved to be taken over by a educated , superior race and should be happy that they were oh and in case you didnt realize that was sarcasm . Take a good class on it .

I totally agree. It really irritates me that I can be treated poorly or held accountable for something that happened long ago and that I, personally, had NOTHING to do with. I mean, if I did something to you...absolutely. You'd have every right to be pissed, because I made a decision to do that. But this is stuff that I didn't have a choice in. And people would be able to justify treating me poorly to themselves because of the color of my skin? How is that fair? I wouldn't fly if the situation were reversed, we all know that, but somehow because I'm white it's okay to pick on me. Nuh-uh, that's :bullcrap


Now I feel like I have to :hide I'm not trying to start a fight, just running my big fat mouth. :lol

I do understand them being upset why not but you do NOT have the right to treat people that way. I have done nothing personally to you so you have no right to treat me like crap because of my skin color and what people did a long time ago. Maybe I should find someone who screwed over my family many many years ago and go and pick on them for what they did to my great great great great etc... grandparents and try to get shit from them!


Yes poor stupid natives , sold their land for beads and baubles, didnt understand the culture nor the language and probably were decieved . Just get over losing your heirtage and shut up ....they probably deserved to be taken over by a educated , superior race and should be happy that they were oh and in case you didnt realize that was sarcasm . Take a good class on it .

Um :lmao Yeah ok... well it had NOTHING to do with them being stupid. They were NOT stupid it just happened to be what THEY wanted at that time. Back then it WAS a good trade and they were happy with it. I didn't say they deserved everything that happened to them hell no they didn't. SOME of the things weren't right but as for SOME of the land it was sold by them for something THEY wanted. They liked what they were given and some of them even gave the land to be nice. You can say take a good class on it which by the way sweetie I did I took LOTS of classes on Hawaiian history. I grew up in Hawaii we had to take Hawaiian history classes throughout school. I took college classes with my mom as well. ;)

I'm sorry I may have read your post wrong I really wasn't trying to piss you off I know you were talking about your heritage and I do agree with you on that. I was just saying that the Hawaiians aren't exactly the same and some things are different. It's ok though get upset :giggle it really doesn't bother me I'm still having a WONDERFUL day. :D :hi

I am not upset . I am annoyed and it could have been my problem that I didnt convey exactly what I was trying to say and it got taken wrong . Sometimes my fingers type faster then my mind .

All I ment is that white people seem a bit surprised that there might be racism . I have experienced it all my life from whites and being married to a black man has only increased my awareness.

I dont agree with it from anyone . People should not be judged for what their ancestors did , it bothers me in my own tribe . I have always believed that the past is what it is and we have choices now to make our future what we want it to be .

It is what it is , hate moves generationally and we are the ones that have to try to change it no matter what racism we are talkling about ..Native American , Black , Asian or whatever it is . I would like to see my childrens children to not even know what racism is because its gone . A dream perhaps ...but if dreams arent being striven for then thats definitly all they are .

I am not upset . I am annoyed and it could have been my problem that I didnt convey exactly what I was trying to say and it got taken wrong . Sometimes my fingers type faster then my mind .

All I ment is that white people seem a bit surprised that there might be racism . I have experienced it all my life from whites and being married to a black man has only increased my awareness.

I dont agree with it from anyone . People should not be judged for what their ancestors did , it bothers me in my own tribe . I have always believed that the past is what it is and we have choices now to make our future what we want it to be .

It is what it is , hate moves generationally and we are the ones that have to try to change it no matter what racism we are talkling about ..Native American , Black , Asian or whatever it is . I would like to see my childrens children to not even know what racism is because its gone . A dream perhaps ...but if dreams arent being striven for then thats definitly all they are .

I agree with you. It's really awful that people are upset over what happened a long time ago. If I had a choice some of those things wouldn't have happened but what can I do I wasn't there so I didn't do anything. If I found out my friend had a relative many many years ago that screwed over my great great great grandpa I wouldn't be upset with them that's just stupid and we would still be friends.

Racism is everywhere and can be from anyone and it's really really sad. :no

My dad grew up in Honolulu, and the multiple times that we have gone back to visit I haven't experienced racism myself (even though I am taller than most on the island, I look more Japanese than white). As much as I hate to admit it, my dad's family is racist (my dad is not though). My cousin married a white guy from Iowa and they flipped out when she started dating him. I would have loved to have heard what they had to say when my dad told them about my white/Catholic mom from South Dakota, almost 42 years ago. Mom and I were actually talking about racism in HI this past week and she is amazed that such a culturally diverse community could be so hateful.

My dad grew up in Honolulu, and the multiple times that we have gone back to visit I haven't experienced racism myself (even though I am taller than most on the island, I look more Japanese than white). As much as I hate to admit it, my dad's family is racist (my dad is not though). My cousin married a white guy from Iowa and they flipped out when she started dating him. I would have loved to have heard what they had to say when my dad told them about my white/Catholic mom from South Dakota, almost 42 years ago. Mom and I were actually talking about racism in HI this past week and she is amazed that such a culturally diverse community could be so hateful.

I completely agree with the bolded! There are sooo many different cultures there that I'm just surprised how mean some people can be. :no My FIL is pretty bad when he talks about "haole's" but he's pretty nice to me. Sure he annoys the HELL out of me because he is so pissed off all the frikken time and put's down tourists all the time but what can he do his son married a white girl so he's nice to me. I do argue with him sometimes because he is just an ass to everyone it's hard not to be snotty to him. :lmao

My DH is part Hawaiian so now our kids will have the tiny bit in them which I think is great. Hawaiians have a wonderful culture and I think some of the things they do are beautiful (some things in the past are not so beautiful but I won't get into that because well it's not who they are now :D ) and it's great to keep it alive. I don't like it when some of the locals don't even have half Hawaiian blood and have other mixes in them yet they ignore everything else and act like only the Hawaiian part is important. :(

I do understand them being upset why not but you do NOT have the right to treat people that way. I have done nothing personally to you so you have no right to treat me like crap because of my skin color and what people did a long time ago. Maybe I should find someone who screwed over my family many many years ago and go and pick on them for what they did to my great great great great etc... grandparents and try to get shit from them!


Exactly.

My dad grew up in Honolulu, and the multiple times that we have gone back to visit I haven't experienced racism myself (even though I am taller than most on the island, I look more Japanese than white). As much as I hate to admit it, my dad's family is racist (my dad is not though). My cousin married a white guy from Iowa and they flipped out when she started dating him. I would have loved to have heard what they had to say when my dad told them about my white/Catholic mom from South Dakota, almost 42 years ago. Mom and I were actually talking about racism in HI this past week and she is amazed that such a culturally diverse community could be so hateful.

:yes

Hawaii is truly a melting pot of sorts.

It bothers me to hear when people are scared to come here. Really it's like any other state, there are dumb people every where you know? It's not like you're going to step off the plane and have a ton of locals yelling at you through the airport :lol

I also know of some wives/husbands that won't even go off base. That is ridiculous! It's an amazing experience to be able to live on this island and to waste that because of hearing rumors is just silly.

I'm thankful and lucky to have been able to live here for 6 years. It's by far the best place we've ever lived :yes

It bothers me to hear when people are scared to come here. Really it's like any other state, there are dumb people every where you know? It's not like you're going to step off the plane and have a ton of locals yelling at you through the airport :lol

I also know of some wives/husbands that won't even go off base. That is ridiculous! It's an amazing experience to be able to live on this island and to waste that because of hearing rumors is just silly.

I'm thankful and lucky to have been able to live here for 6 years. It's by far the best place we've ever lived :yes

Oh I agree with you! I've lived there most of my life and never really had a problem. It's a beautiful place and I love it there though it can get a bit boring after being raised there. :gigggle I wouldn't say it's just rumors though because it really does happen. Hell I've had to listen to some locals talk crap about tourists and Haole's how they wish they would go away and never come back. Also seeing all those bumper stickers on some cars that pretty much say crap about non locals really doesn't help much either. I don't think you should stay cooped up on base though. Also unless you look white you may not get all the crap that some of the locals give. :shrug

I've always wanted to go to Hawaii... Now I'm scared....

nah...

I've lived here basically since 1996 and have never had one single problem. I even finished my associates degree here and was surrounded by alot of younger kids and never had a problem.

the ONLY time I had anyone call me a haole was by some stupid teenagers.....other than that nothing. we were even blocked in at a beach by a bunch of samoans and DH just went up to them and let them know we were planning on leaving in about 30 minutes and if they could move their car back they could have our space and they were cool......

I have plenty of local friends and not ones tied to the military. I have learned alot of japanese traditions and have spent entire days with samoan families up in laie.........I think if you are generally respectful you'll get the same back.

But there is racism here and it's everywhere unfortunately.........

I saw someone mention guam.....now I have heard horror stories about guam.....more than hawaii.....but it wouldn't stop me from going there.

oahu is a tiny place and very congested and their statehood is fairly new so there are people who dont want it to be this way and don't want non locals to be here, but for every one of them you find, you'll find 10 more who don't even think of it as an issue.

oh and I don't look local........I'm pretty causcasian.....my kids are too! So it's not like we blend in or anything.

I love it here......we leave next fall and I'm going to miss this place terribly. I consider it home and it is the place I have raised my family and we grew together......I'll always come back.

You may want to avoid Waianae. It does not have the best reputation.

That's what DB told me...

It bothers me to hear when people are scared to come here. Really it's like any other state, there are dumb people every where you know? It's not like you're going to step off the plane and have a ton of locals yelling at you through the airport :lol

I also know of some wives/husbands that won't even go off base. That is ridiculous! It's an amazing experience to be able to live on this island and to waste that because of hearing rumors is just silly.

I'm thankful and lucky to have been able to live here for 6 years. It's by far the best place we've ever lived :yes

ditto. I think we share alot of the same views about hawaii.........

I also think if you go somewhere open minded and then the locals to that area realize you are okay with trying new things and respecting where they are from (any location, not just hawaii) you'll generally have an easier time.

:ohno All this makes me nervous. For DB since he just moved there and for me since we talk about me going there when I'm done with school. I don't think DB has had any problems yet, just a couple of rude (but not racist) comments. But now I'm :scared

You and me both.... I am going o be there alone come Jan while DB is on deployment.... I am really worried now.

Yeah they really don't think about Hawaii being a tourist based state and they need the tourist or many would lose jobs. :no Some of them really are ignorant (my FIL being one of them :rolleyes) and what they want is what the native americans got. They want their land back which it being a bunch of tiny islands it's kinda hard to do. :shrug

Wow, I had no idea someone gave us our land back! How nice of them to do after 200 years! I must go find out where they've actually PUT it, since all I have seen of "our" land is a crap reservation you can't grow corn on. :rofl




...and, I know nothinbg about Hawaii. I'm really irked for some of you ladies and the way you were treated, though! :vent

You and me both.... I am going o be there alone come Jan while DB is on deployment.... I am really worried now.

You're moving in Nov right? So hopefully you'll have time to meet some people so that you won't be completely alone come Jan. For me, I may have to move there several months before DB comes back from deployment.

I try not to think about the fact that I may have to make all those decisions while he's on the other side of the world...I just end up driving myself :nutts

Sorry, not to change the subject of the thread. :offtopic

That's what DB told me...

Sweetie, I will be here when you get to the island... I will take you around and show you where and where not to go...

I have experienced the racism here... I took a hawaiian studies class for my AA degree, and let me tell you it opened my eyes as to why the Hawaiian people hate us(white). My Teacher hates the military presence here, and she would openly tell us that on a daily basis. I have come to learn, just accept the name calling, roll your eyes, and mark off each month on the calender till you get to leave. As you can tell I hate it here. I was in the commissary the other day and a local was in there and she picked up a bag of chips and told her daughter where is the big bags? Her daughter told her that this is Hickam everything is small. The woman than proceed to say damn military. I was so :wow I couldnt believe what I heard I grabbed my bag and just walked away I was so pissed...

Wow, I had no idea someone gave us our land back! How nice of them to do after 200 years! I must go find out where they've actually PUT it, since all I have seen of "our" land is a crap reservation you can't grow corn on. :rofl




...and, I know nothinbg about Hawaii. I'm really irked for some of you ladies and the way you were treated, though! :vent

:giggle I never said it was good land or enough. :) I know the native americans got screwed over and it's so sad. :no

Sweetie, I will be here when you get to the island... I will take you around and show you where and where not to go...

I have experienced the racism here... I took a hawaiian studies class for my AA degree, and let me tell you it opened my eyes as to why the Hawaiian people hate us(white). My Teacher hates the military presence here, and she would openly tell us that on a daily basis. I have come to learn, just accept the name calling, roll your eyes, and mark off each month on the calender till you get to leave. As you can tell I hate it here. I was in the commissary the other day and a local was in there and she picked up a bag of chips and told her daughter where is the big bags? Her daughter told her that this is Hickam everything is small. The woman than proceed to say damn military. I was so :wow I couldnt believe what I heard I grabbed my bag and just walked away I was so pissed...

Well I guess it depends on what teacher you go to because I had a wonderful teacher who loved the hawaiians yet she didn't hate the tourists. She told me so much useful information that I really took to heart. I personally wouldn't want to listen too much to a teacher who had a thing against the military or others because I'd be worried that they would be one sided in their teachings. :no

Very sad some of this stories and I'm really sorry Tawny about what happened! :no

There is racism everywhere some places more than others. I'm sure if you go to my island (Puerto Rico) and locals hear some one talking BS about it you will hear it back. Just like anywhere :dunno
I have a big mouth and if someone tells me something I know I would say something back, I completely hate when people are unfair and racism is part of that. I would NOT let you talk down to me if I haven't done anything to you or your place.

Very sad some of this stories and I'm really sorry Tawny about what happened! :no

There is racism everywhere some places more than others. I'm sure if you go to my island (Puerto Rico) and locals hear some one talking BS about it you will hear it back. Just like anywhere :dunno
I have a big mouth and if someone tells me something I know I would say something back, I completely hate when people are unfair and racism is part of that. I would NOT let you talk down to me if I haven't done anything to you or your place.

:yes I agree with you and some of the stories are just awful. :no

By the way I think you're mean, your house is ucky and and... um you have bleh hair! :P Kidding you know I love you haha :hugs

:yes I agree with you and some of the stories are just awful. :no

By the way I think you're mean, your house is ucky and and... um you have bleh hair! :P Kidding you know I love you haha :hugs

Then I'll never invite you over to my house and you'll never eat my food and it will be your lose :mwahaha :lol

Well I guess it depends on what teacher you go to because I had a wonderful teacher who loved the hawaiians yet she didn't hate the tourists. She told me so much useful information that I really took to heart. I personally wouldn't want to listen too much to a teacher who had a thing against the military or others because I'd be worried that they would be one sided in their teachings. :no

Most of her teachings were biased... and she would make us watch videos in Hawaiian with no translation and then expect us to summerize the video... Luckily, I had made friends that spoke Hawaiian... She was suprised that some of the locals in the class actually supported the military community.

Then I'll never invite you over to my house and you'll never eat my food and it will be your lose :mwahaha :lol

Hey I didn't say anything about the food! Don't take that away from me. :sadeyes :lol :hugs Plus I don't really think you're mean you are the sweetest person ever! I've never been to your house but I think it's cute and you have beautiful hair. :) Yeah I'm not good at making stuff up so those were the 3 I came up with haha. :loser

Most of her teachings were biased... and she would make us watch videos in Hawaiian with no translation and then expect us to summerize the video... Luckily, I had made friends that spoke Hawaiian... She was suprised that some of the locals in the class actually supported the military community.

Yeah she shouldn't have been teaching a class if she was so one sided. :no My teacher was wonderful! She taught me so much and she loved the culture so I know any negative (not really negative just stuck on what word to use lol) things that were said I know she researched it well.

Hey I didn't say anything about the food! Don't take that away from me. :sadeyes :lol :hugs Plus I don't really think you're mean you are the sweetest person ever! I've never been to your house but I think it's cute and you have beautiful hair. :) Yeah I'm not good at making stuff up so those were the 3 I came up with haha. :loser

:lol ok ok :hugs friends again :P

Steph, you have to remember, one's looks is also what helps one to fit into the environment. I'm almost positive if my husband was or looked Filipino, we wouldn't have experienced the racism we experienced on island. We didn't do anything to receive the type of racism we experienced, besides walking, breathing and minding our own business...

I agree. I think in general if you look like the people from an area you can fit in better.

i mean when we lived in nevada I didn't fit in looks wise AT all.......the majority of the people in town were a bit more country and alot of ranchers/cowboys.........I had never been exposed to more tight jeans with large belt buckles in my life! It was bizarre to me, but I ended up leaving with several friends even if I didn't enjoy it that much there.......

I definitely don't look local.....you've met me. My kids don't look local.......I mean Sean alone is a dead giveaway as is my very tall very white husband. Yet we still do fine here and in general minus the one or two stupid teenagers have no issues.

I just decided we love it here........and because we love it here so much I refuse to let any negativity rule how I feel about this place.

I do think locals forget that hawaii IS a tourist based economy. Yet with that being said I have been downtown and in a throng of camera toting, black socks paired with sandal wearing tourists looking at maps just annoyed that I couldn't zip past them........

It is what it is..........however for anyone to be scared to come here? Nah.......there are bad places everywhere.

If anyone IS coming to Hawaii and wants tips/advice PM me!

Sweetie, I will be here when you get to the island... I will take you around and show you where and where not to go...

I have experienced the racism here... I took a hawaiian studies class for my AA degree, and let me tell you it opened my eyes as to why the Hawaiian people hate us(white). My Teacher hates the military presence here, and she would openly tell us that on a daily basis. I have come to learn, just accept the name calling, roll your eyes, and mark off each month on the calender till you get to leave. As you can tell I hate it here. I was in the commissary the other day and a local was in there and she picked up a bag of chips and told her daughter where is the big bags? Her daughter told her that this is Hickam everything is small. The woman than proceed to say damn military. I was so :wow I couldnt believe what I heard I grabbed my bag and just walked away I was so pissed...


Oh yuck. I'd hate to sit through a class with a completely biased teacher in any direction.

Most of my teachers at Leeward were wonderful......and sure I was intimidated a bit by some of the local kids in packs, but when I decided that was silly and got to know them I really enjoyed them all.

:lol ok ok :hugs friends again :P

:yahoo http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a242/SFerreira/Love%20Smilies/flowers1.gif I got my Shaky friend back! http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a242/SFerreira/Yay%20congrats%20smilies/happy_day.gif

By the way I think... http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a242/SFerreira/Love%20Smilies/yourecute.gif

Steph, you have to remember, one's looks is also what helps one to fit into the environment. I'm almost positive if my husband was or looked Filipino, we wouldn't have experienced the racism we experienced on island. We didn't do anything to receive the type of racism we experienced, besides walking, breathing and minding our own business...

Not so true, one of my gal pals on the Tarawa was Filipino (1/2 because her mother is Caucasian) She is very tiny, with dark hair but her skin is not very dark. (she looks Filipino she is just not dark) When her father (he is a master chief in the Navy now) was stationed there she was in elementary and middle school. she was OFTEN called a haole and beat up more then a couple times by locals. She didn't let it effect her feelings on HI though she loves the islands.

Some people are just rude I love HI though, and find the culture & the history of the islands very interesting. I can understand local frustration when you read about dumb things some tourists say. Things like can you use American money here, and why are you speaking Spanish to me (When told Aloha and Mahalo) etc.

Not so true, one of my gal pals on the Tarawa was Filipino (1/2 because her mother is Caucasian) She is very tiny, with dark hair but her skin is not very dark. (she looks Filipino she is just not dark) When her father (he is a master chief in the Navy now) was stationed there she was in elementary and middle school. she was OFTEN called a haole and beat up more then a couple times by locals. She didn't let it effect her feelings on HI though she loves the islands.

Some people are just rude I love HI though, and find the culture & the history of the islands very interesting. I can understand local frustration when you read about dumb things some tourists say. Things like can you use American money here, and why are you speaking Spanish to me (When told Aloha and Mahalo) etc.

omg :lmao Some people are so stupid. It's like Alaska when everyone asks people there if they live in igloo's. I talked to people years ago on the internet and they asked me if I lived in a grass hut. :rolleyes Yeah I do and I plug my computer into special electric grass. :lol

I've never had any problems. I used to live on the leeward side of the island, most of my coworkers and the customers I dealt with were from the Waianae/Nanakuli area. I've gone to Leeward Community College, Honolulu Community College, and am now at UH, and I've never experienced any racism here- at least nothing blatant- maybe I was just too caught up in my own world to realize.
I mean, we also have to realize that it is a bidirectional relationship. If we go around expecting the locals to be racist, expecting to receive bad treatment...if we have a chip on our shoulder, yeah, we may not be treated with respect (which will in turn fuel our prejudices and the way we treat others...). If we are friendly and open and give people a chance, there's a good chance they'll do the same for us.

I've never had any problems. I used to live on the leeward side of the island, most of my coworkers and the customers I dealt with were from the Waianae/Nanakuli area. I've gone to Leeward Community College, Honolulu Community College, and am now at UH, and I've never experienced any racism here- at least nothing blatant- maybe I was just too caught up in my own world to realize.
I mean, we also have to realize that it is a bidirectional relationship. If we go around expecting the locals to be racist, expecting to receive bad treatment...if we have a chip on our shoulder, yeah, we may not be treated with respect (which will in turn fuel our prejudices and the way we treat others...). If we are friendly and open and give people a chance, there's a good chance they'll do the same for us.

Well of course! That's for anywhere you go but there will always be some assholes who don't care how friendly and nice you are they will still not like you. :shrug

Well of course! That's for anywhere you go but there will always be some assholes who don't care how friendly and nice you are they will still not like you. :shrug

Obviously...(I just haven't experienced it...) but if we expect people to be assholes, and if we interpret things as racism when in fact they are not (i.e. due to our attitude, etc), it can cause issues, and exacerbate any negative feelings that people may already have. If I had seen this post before I moved here, I would have been scared out of my mind...I would have expected people to hate me based solely on my looks, and probably would have gone around with a damn attitude thinking that there was no way I would be respected here. I'm glad that I was able to move here and give the island and the people a chance without going into the experience thinking I wouldn't like it. From the locals that I've met, I've been treated with nothing but kindness.

Obviously...(I just haven't experienced it...) but if we expect people to be assholes, and if we interpret things as racism when in fact they are not (i.e. due to our attitude, etc), it can cause issues, and exacerbate any negative feelings that people may already have. If I had seen this post before I moved here, I would have been scared out of my mind...I would have expected people to hate me based solely on my looks, and probably would have gone around with a damn attitude thinking that there was no way I would be respected here. I'm glad that I was able to move here and give the island and the people a chance without going into the experience thinking I wouldn't like it. From the locals that I've met, I've been treated with nothing but kindness.

Well I'm glad you had such a wonderful experience but it isn't like that for everyone no matter how nice they are. :) I do agree with you on the kindnesss though if you are friends with a local they're awesome! I've had no problems growing up there none at all besides the usual being teased but that wasn't because I was white. Some people aren't so lucky though but again that can happen anywhere you go. :)

I agree with Amy ... both of them :lol

Well I'm glad you had such a wonderful experience but it isn't like that for everyone no matter how nice they are. :) I do agree with you on the kindnesss though if you are friends with a local they're awesome! I've had no problems growing up there none at all besides the usual being teased but that wasn't because I was white. Some people aren't so lucky though but again that can happen anywhere you go. :)

I know it's not just about how nice we are. It's also about where we go and who we come into contact with. But look at how many people on this thread are now scared to come here, and who will probably move here expecting people to treat them like crap. THAT may affect how they perceive their experiences here and how they treat others as well. (Not saying any of y'all would do that, but I do know people that expect the locals to be racists and dislike/fear them without giving them a chance, even if it's not intentional.) And that would likely affect how they are treated. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying there are not people here who dislike Caucasians- there are...but then again, there's racism everywhere.

I agree with Amy ... both of them :lol

:chest

I know it's not just about how nice we are. It's also about where we go and who we come into contact with. But look at how many people on this thread are now scared to come here, and who will probably move here expecting people to treat them like crap. THAT may affect how they perceive their experiences here and how they treat others as well. (Not saying any of y'all would do that, but I do know people that expect the locals to be racists and dislike/fear them without giving them a chance, even if it's not intentional.) And that would likely affect how they are treated. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying there are not people here who dislike Caucasians- there are...but then again, there's racism everywhere.

:yes

You could have titled this thread "Racism in >insert random state< and people would still have had bad experiences.

I'll just say to anyone that hasn't been here yet and gets the chance to JUMP on it! It really is a beautiful place, wonderful people, great food etc. I've said it a million times before but I'll be crying when we get on that plane to fly back to the mainland. :yes

:yes

You could have titled this thread "Racism in >insert random state< and people would still have had bad experiences.

I'll just say to anyone that hasn't been here yet and gets the chance to JUMP on it! It really is a beautiful place, wonderful people, great food etc. I've said it a million times before but I'll be crying when we get on that plane to fly back to the mainland. :yes

I agree I loved growing up in Hawaii! I couldn't have grown up in a better place. :wub I don't plan on going back there and I know my DH never wants to move back but I do love it there. I guess growing up there you kinda get bored of the beach all the time and on the mainland you can drive to so many places and do so much things. I still miss Maui though since that will always be my home. :lovestruck