Some TRUTHS About Being ASIAN in HAWAII

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Like I mentioned for my last video, I really appreciate all of the great comments and discussion from viewers like YOU. As a content creator, that's probably the most rewarding thing. Mahalo!

[@gradybraylen3569]

A tip : watch series at Flixzone. I've been using them for watching loads of movies recently.

[@malikgordon9212]

@Grady Braylen Yea, I have been using Flixzone} for since november myself :)

[@georgejowell4457]

I'm black put nah😆

[@halimomoremoney1292]

The lies it’s not really like that and you are chinese not Hawaiian 😕 You are nothing bunch if racists in our country

[@Talkwithtina808]

From a black woman living in Hawaii this is so true. All my friends are Asian and I love them ❤️

[@HelloFromHawaii]

:)

[@Talkwithtina808]

@@HelloFromHawaii Aloha

[@tednguyen8310]

u ever date one?

[@hothotheat3000]

Do you experience hardship with dating there?

[@robertirvin927]

Cringe

[@rayage777]

As an Asian that was born and raised in Hawaii, then moved to the mainland over 20 years ago, this video was pretty spot on. I think being from Hawaii, is a much stronger bond than the bond of being Asian. I have many Asians at work, but far fewer people from Hawaii, so I generally go to lunch with the people from Hawaii. But, I also think that's true for most people. People from Texas bond with others from Texas, or people from Korea bond more with others from Korea, etc. Wherever you believe shaped who you are, is where you tend to bond over those people. FYI, I love that you put chapters in your videos. I wish everyone would do this.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks. I agree that being "from Hawaii" is a great bond that ties us together.

[@charlespatterson8457]

True

[@theroadrunnerjarhead4109]

When I was in the Marine Corps there was a strong bond between people from Hawaii. There was a group of guys from Hawaii of about 20 people who would hang out at a haole family’s house in San Clemente. Marines from Hawaii would gravitate to other Guys from the islands. There was a strong bond because before we went into the the Marine Corps some of us knew each other and had friends from the different minority groups in Hawaii. There were men who also knew some of the other guys’ friends and family. We were a tight group.

[@jhosoi808]

@@HelloFromHawaii yes absolutely, I went to the culinary institute of America in New York , and all us guys from Hawaii would get together and take turns cooking

[@vincestithit381]

Being a mainland Asian visiting Hawaii, it was the first time I was able to truly relax and not be on guard. Had to remind myself Hawaii is still America.

[@dalastkanakamaoli9058]

Not in America it's in the Pacific ocean in polynesia we are just apart of America now big difference

[@vincestithit381]

@@dalastkanakamaoli9058 That's what I said.

[@ShefortheStre]

@@dalastkanakamaoli9058 do you hate America?

[@relicofgold]

It's not really America. It's Hawaii, a completely different thing. In some ways it's 3rd world (roads, infrastructure) with 1st world x 3 prices. It's not ideal.

[@hailarwotanaz5848]

@@vincestithit381 Not really America is a continent. So like Canada, USA, Mexico and all of South America make up a greater America The United States of America is the country

[@therealcybertronwarriors]

My wife is from S. Korea and has difficulty understanding why I’m so traumatized and serious about the racism I faced growing up in the states. However, we just came back from a month in Oahu, and for the first time in 45 years, I felt at peace being Asian American. She saw that difference, and I definitely felt it. As impossible it is to afford a place in Oahu now, I think I want to raise my kids there because I don’t want them facing all the racism I grew up with, even now in NYC. Plus we love swimming, surfing and snorkeling 😁. A big reason.

[@Yiran]

try canada

[@HughR3GO]

This video is SPOT ON! I’m Asian also born and raised in Hawaii and left in the middle of High School and I was really naive about prejudice when I moved to the mainland. Like you, in college I hung out with some of the other Asian students, I was the only one from Hawaii, and every single one of them had stories of prejudice they experienced and it was a very big deal to them. It was a central core of their identity. They were aware of race on a level that I didn’t comprehend. For example, people were shocked when I said I’ve never been called a racial slur in my entire life. Even some of my white classmates were surprised I never got called anything. My wife, who is Hispanic, is still mystified that it is possible to have that kind of childhood as someone who is non-white. And the thing is, this kind of environment has been there for awhile. In the middle of college I came back to visit my grandparents for Christmas. I was talking story with my grandpa and told him about my mainland Asian friends. He told me it was like that during WWII for him. When he was in training on the mainland before shipping out to Europe, he remembered some of the Japanese American recruits from the mainland looked at the boys from Hawaii with disbelief when they first met. Even the way the Hawaii boys walked and carried themselves seemed different to the mainland Japanese-Americans. The local boys were more outgoing, interacted with the white people more effortlessly, and “acted like we owned the place” (grandpa’s words for what mainland Asians said about him). My grandpa didn’t know or see a difference until it was pointed out to him and as they got to talking, race and prejudice was an even bigger deal to mainland Asians back then. Obviously, the situation was vastly different for Asians on the mainland versus Hawaii and that had a lot to do with why the mindset between local boys and the mainlanders were so different. After all this time, it’s still there. Not as obvious since it’s gotten better on the mainland but Hawaii (even though it’s not perfect) is still a special place in that regard.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing your experiences. I really liked your story about what your grandpa said about WWII training and the interactions with others from the mainland.

[@alexcarter8807]

Yeah growing up in Hawaii, everyone spoke Pidgin at least outside if not at home, so there was a common language .... I came to the mainland and wow.... I never realized there were Asians who were not the dominant group and who were not good at English much less fo'get about Pidgin, nobody on the mainland knows that lol.

[@fpspenguin888]

I’m a Mexican American (20yrs old) and having grown up here in Los Angeles I can vouch for the fact that the mainland has a lot of racism towards Asians imbedded in its culture. I grew up in a family where I was taught very ignorant concepts like all Asians being Chinese, or making fun of their eyes or believing that Asians were inherently dirty and ate nasty foreign things. I thankfully unlearned all of that and have come around to learn about several Asian cultures from India to the Japan and im actually 3 months into learning Japanese; I can say that thankfully there’s plenty of us here on the mainland who are siding with our Asian communities in these harsh times and have nothing but respect and appreciation for them. Whoever reads this comment I love you man, let’s keep this world free from hate and bigotry

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing.

[@portlock88]

🤙🤙🤙 Mahalo!!

[@akpost8780]

I’m Asian American. Some of the most vicious racial hatred I ever received was from Latinos in California. As in, pure, unfettered, raw, deep-rooted and homicidal-level hatred. I could sense it’s a jealously thing. So while it bothered me, I actually had to fight the urge to laugh.

[@fpspenguin888]

@@akpost8780 that kinda tension and envy you may perceive is a result of the “model minority,” an idea pushed by the wealthy white class to pin POC against one another; it works too and causes a lot of tension here between all minorities tbh

[@aly8848]

@@fpspenguin888 nah, it's the racism from POC. POC can be racist as well.

[@irayz2677]

My wife born in Hawaii. 3rd gen. Japanese Her family went to Japan for vacation. They had a good time. But her uncle that served in Vietnam had a hard time. He went out to bars in Japan He found out how Japanese feel about AJA born in Hawaii Said he really felt he didn’t belong there I’m Hawaiian Chinese. 1st time I met him. He asked me for pakalolo I thought he was crazy. His son just grad from HPD academy. This was his sons grad party. I’m looking at cops on every luau table. He was nuts but we came out good drinking buddies He died early Agent orange. At the age of 42. I remember he told me, trust no one. Funny he would trust me. He was 5 years older He is my idol. Racist has no place in humanity. We all should get along

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing.

[@yvonnesmith8245]

Thank you so much! I grew up on Oahu and never experienced the prejudice and bigotry that I did after moving to the mainland. I am hapa haole and suffered cruelly living in lower middle class San Diego. Even today, the memories of the terror I felt from being bullied can reduce me to tears. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos!

[@hulagirldeedee]

Mililani HS and Samoan/haole 😂; Yes-you are spot on with this video. The majority of my classmates and teachers were Asian. The beauty standard also leaned Asian. (That would be a cool video-btw-beauty standard in Hawaii compared to the mainland or world cuz it’s definitely different.) Boyfriends in HS were mostly haole or Japanese/haole. In college, some Polynesians mixed in with haoles. I ended up marrying a Mexican guy. I loved growing up in Hawaii and not thinking too much about race. I didn’t face racism until the mainland, and most of it was cuz they thought I was Mexican. I definitely wasn’t prepared for the racism. In my experience people in Hawaii are very inclusive and see racial differences in a positive way. That is probably the BEST thing about living in Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comment and suggestion. That would be a great video idea.

[@philipenos2930]

I also graduated from Mililani High :-)

[@ricktanega472]

I'm Haole raised with Hapa sister mostly in SoCal. She was mistaken for Mex ALL the time. "I don't speak Spanish. I'M HAWAIIAN."🤙

[@hulagirldeedee]

@@philipenos2930 Mililani is the BEST! Such great memories-I was there in the 90s. 😬

[@hulagirldeedee]

@@ricktanega472 YES! I think all of us hapas have to say “I’m not Mexican” on the regular. 😂 I thought the Finding Ohana movie was so funny when the young girl addressed being mistaken for Puerto Rican all the time in NY! I try to be positive about it now, although I admit-I was defensive in the beginning. I’ve come to learn that Mexico has a beautiful culture with great people, music, stories, and food.

[@granta3044]

Im the 5th generation out of okinawa on one side and 4th generation japanese on the other side. With aunties who were hawaiian portugese phillipino and chinese. My great grandma used to speak 4 languages in one sentence. The diversity in hawaii is what forced the positive outlooks, its better for everyone if everyone is cool.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's a mixed plate. :) Almost have all the ethnicities.

[@SallyFunakoshi]

Same! My close circle of friends since Elementary school were all from different cultures! I remember realizing it later in life and thought it was the coolest thing! My best friends growing up consist of Korean, Japanese, African American, Puerto Rican, Samoan, Filipino, Hispanic... and then there was me... a Filipino, Chinese Spanish mix. Although it’s been years since we’ve all hung out, they hold a special place in my heart.

[@SallyFunakoshi]

I would looove to see or hear about your pigeon English performance! 😄

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for sharing. That's a big mix of friends. And that's just how it is in Hawaii, I guess.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

sally....dont know your grad yr, but you mentioned practically all the ethnic generations that were in school yeah.....at that time, there was NO tagging, no gang fights, no robberies, no physical assaults...some leading to death.....NOW, after a politician signed a bill (thats what I heard..) letting the Fed States of Micronesia have their groups freely come to Hawaii to live......OMG!!!!!! dont get me wrong, there ARE some that work hard in retail, fast food, etc....Im ok with that, its just those "few' that are the problem (example: shooting involving that micro kid).

[@betc293]

That is so crazy. I lived on the mainland my whole life but my whole family is mixed. I have a diverse group of friends and people here get surprised with my experience. We still get discriminated alot though but when I am with my family and friends I feel more comfortable.

[@dalastkanakamaoli9058]

Being asian in Hawaii is probably the best thing to happen for a local not trying to be rude but it's harder for actual native Hawaiians in Hawaii I'm a big dark Hawaiian teenager 6'2 280 and all my life growing up the asians in Hawaii would treat me like I was lower than them I would be in stores looking for something to buy and I'd just see a few asian workers just staring at me or following me around the store thinking I was stealing or I'm walking down the street and an asian cop stops me and talks to me asking where I'm going and tell me dont be causing trouble or some asian parents not letting me hang out with they're kids and it's harder for Hawaiians to get jobs because of how much of the population is asians they like to work with people like them but doesnt mean I'm calling all asians in Hawaii racist lol I have some asian family but there is a good amount that treat you differently especially if you look real Hawaiian like I could pass as a samoan that's how much Hawaiian blood I have I ain't that mixed so I keep my looks but of course I have asian friends aswell and they're family is more open to Hawaiians and other polynesians than others but there is definitely a good amount of prejudice asian locals yet they live here while we the minority and are always in mainstream media representing us calling themselves Hawaiians or them getting polynesian tattoos or naming they're kids Hawaiian names you know what I mean.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. 🤙

[@haileyindie1259]

As an asian I actually liked Hawaii, the only thing that was related to race there, was when a kid said "Konnichiwa" to me. Turned out, he just wanted to be friendly.

[@johntad751]

Hawaii is unique and isolated in the middle of the pacific and what kept us apart is good people.

[@kevinp8108]

I am an Asian-American who lives in California, and one thing I've noticed when I visit Hawaii is I get more local girls checking me out than I do on the mainland.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, there are more Asian women here. And I'm sure you blend in more and could pass as a local.

[@SunnyIlha]

Yu lucky boi, Yu !! 😉😁

[@portlock88]

You lucky buggah.🤙🤙

[@donaldsmyth727]

@@HelloFromHawaii Yes, curious was your dating track record as robust on the mainland as on the island? Bet not!

[@steveh5307]

they smell fresh meat! LMAO

[@dgh4229]

Thank you for the intelligent insightful conversation. You’re a good person with positive energy.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I appreciate that!

[@makulewahine]

Once again, a very thoughtful commentary. I am old enough to be your grandmother....no, make that great grandmother. LOL I am so glad I was born and raised and was able to raise my children in Hawaii. When I was growing up we lived in Kahala, all white, except for Duke Kahanamoku. But I was one of only 4 or 5 students at school who were white. I had friends from all ethnicities except black. That was because there weren't any except for a few hold overs from the military. At that time Chinese and Japanese didn't inter-marry. All you had to do was to read the marriage announcements in the newspaper. Slowly that changed. Many apartment listings were AJA, American of Japanese Ancestry only. That was in the 60's. That changed too. My children grew up in a neighborhood that was: Japanese, Filipino, Maori, Hawaiian, Chinese, Portuguese, and Oklahoman. And that was just our corner. Their school was also diverse. Now that I live on the mainland I have a rich and diverse circle of friends, including many from our local Hawaiian club. I, too, have difficulty understanding this current rash of hate crimes against Asian Americans but it also makes me realize how special Hawaii is. And I can't imagine it happening there either. You would be in big trouble if you tried. Mahalo

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Always great to hear how things used to be. Kahala is definitely more mixed and there's a lot more intermarrying among the groups.

[@PMJ4EVERR]

Its the sunshine. Vitamin D is good for the soul.

[@dalastkanakamaoli9058]

Oklahoman ? That ain't a nevermind

[@Gilgamesh465]

Asians in Hawaii who have never lived in the mainland are privileged. As a local boy who moved to college and later joined the military I’ve heard it all. All the micro aggressions caused a lot of friction within my mind and conscience to the point where I had to seek mental help. Race matters because the way you are perceived can be studied and jotted down statistically and calculated. Even as a single Asian guy dating in the states is hard because the stereotypes about Asian demasculinzation is real. If you date say in Japan but don’t look Japanese people most likely think you are Chinese or some other Asian that is inferior. Thankfully K-pop’s rise globally is trying to heal and counter the scars that average Asian guys have experienced because Asian girls in the west are exponentially sexualized and sought after as a trophy wife/partner. Unfortunately with Covid it’s not gonna get better anytime soon. Also not every average looking Asian guy looks like a Korean model or stud. Not every guy is gonna look like an oppa. Dating as an Asian man all in all is dating on level hard to which compared to white guys who get all the attention etc. Therefore, my hope for the future is that the situation of race and dating as an Asian guy will improve.

[@steveh5307]

Damn...I hear that. I get no responses when I introduce myself on dating sites and I'm gonna cancel my subscription when it expires. I've had a few subscriptions before over the years and same thing over and over. Then people think wtf is wrong with this guy and suspect gay. GD it. Can't win. I make good money so I got that going for me at least.

[@robertsmulling9976]

Great video. Your experience is very similar to mine and I grew up on the Mainland. I was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and an American (Caucasian) father. Growing up in a very small town, we were the only Asian family in the area. All of my friends/classmates were Caucasian. Even in college (undergraduate and graduate), all my friends were mostly Caucasian. It wasn't until I moved to Los Angeles that I began to meet Asian and Latino friends. I married a third-generation Japanese American woman, moved to Seattle where I met all of her family (who were all Japanese American). I finally had a sense of belonging and wanted to know more about my "roots". I had never really felt that way while growing up in the Midwest as I tried to fit in by acting like I am Caucasian. And dating prior to marriage was difficult as most Caucasian women did not understand the Asian side. Going to Hawaii four times since 2018, I feel as though I belong there than I have felt anywhere else. Most locals I have met think I am from Hawaii. I must say when I am in Hawaii, I truly feel that I belong there. Your video sort of hit home, as they say, of my experiences growing up as a half Asian. Mahalo Nui Loa!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Glad Hawaii feels like home. 🤙

[@Obake796]

Great vid. Inborn and raised on Oahu…Chinese American… never felt awkward or questioned about race .. moved to Bay Area in my late 20s, which had a huge Chinese population which again, was great but I certainly could feel the difference of my race here but not in a bad way thankfully. My husband who is Chinese American grew up in Bay Area and I ask him questions like this, if he felt like race or his race was ever an issue for him and the answer for him was “no”, that he grew up with good friends and a good network of ppl around him that was very inclusive. I’ve lived here in a Bay Area suburb and the neighborhood and schools have changed even in the last 10 years to being much more predominately Asian.

[@5StarAlcatraz]

I moved to northern Calif from Hawaii in the mid 70s as a senior in high school. We were one of the very few Asian/Filipinos/Hawaii local people in our smaller San Francisco suburban town which, at the time, was probably 90% caucasian. I joined the football team, became a star linebacker, and was generally accepted by everyone. It helped that I was 6'0, 200#s and very athletic looking so I think that held off any harassment from racist kids at school. The haole girls viewed me as an exotic kid from Hawaii and I had several girlfriends. One racial incident happened when I overheard one of my football teammates--who didn't know she was my sister--say she was a "spic". I'm short tempered and I confronted him right away and told him I was going to kick his ass. He backed down, said he was sorry. I made him apologize to my sister which he did. Never had any more problems from him or anyone else the rest of that year.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. That guy almost got dirty lickens. :)

[@5StarAlcatraz]

Yeah, I like buss him up , big haole guy, probably 6’2, 240#, but he backed down when he knew he was in foh dirty lickens. We gotta stand up to these ignoramuses, no back down-especially nowadays. Take keah brah, love your show. PS stay mainland 35+ years. Miss Hawaii!!

[@ginnyglassburn8666]

I remember my mother telling me that after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, she and her brothers went to a movie theater and were verbally attacked by other locals and were forced to the end of the line. Having been born and raised in Hawaii, I, fortunately had never had such an occurrence. I have lived on the mainland for the past 46 years and, again, have been fortunate to not be made to feel differently. When I first arrived in Texas, people would ask my husband to ask me if we had a McDonald's or a Kentucky Fried Chicken; my husband would tell them, "Ask her yourself; she speaks better English than you do."

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[@hilostateofmind]

😢 that's so heartbreaking. People have such a weird tendency to generalize.

[@aitakahashi1931]

Thank you for your video; I think you nailed things pretty accurately. Having been born in Japan, but visiting Hawaii regularly throughout my childhood and experiencing the diversity, warmth and acceptance of the local community, made my decision to relocate here and call Hawaii “home”, so much more easier. Would I have been able to or be given the same opportunity to assimilate similarly on the mainland, absolutely not. Hawaii is special AND unique. I just hope locals realize this and continue to perpetuate and tolerate the racial diversity that makes Hawaii, Hawaii... One last comment...your mentioning of how locals identify each other by asking what high school they graduated from, is SO hilariously TRUE!!! Seriously, I’ve easily been asked that OVER a hundred times!!!...🤣😂🤣

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. So when they ask you what high school you went to, what do you say?

[@manoasky]

Yup, I’d love to know what you say too 😄 Onegaishimasu 👍

[@redkatana7450]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm a first-gen Chinese immigrant, who came to the States when I was a teenager. I lived in a majority white town, the high school I went to had like two Asians including me, and the other one was an exchange student from Japan. But kids were mostly respectful, they were curious about my culture. There were a few "racist" instances I could recall but really, it was kids being kids, I just shrugged them off. I think if you were to poll who experienced/perceived racism between first-gen and 2nd gen Asians on the mainland. Second gens would relate more racist incidents and it is because they also struggle more with their identity. They want to fit in but occasionally get reminded that they look different. First gens just mostly expected to not "belong" as much but pretty comfortable in their own skins, and they had seen much more hardship and know what it is like outside the U.S. In my view, the "America is racist" narrative is way overplayed in the media and in certain circles of the population. I love visiting Hawaii, in that I don't feel or look like a minority. It's really comforting, besides the 80-degree weather. ;)

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing your experience. It would be interesting to see which generation experienced more incidents of racism.

[@redkatana7450]

@@HelloFromHawaii It would be. I know my parents experience quite a bit but they don't talk about it. The first-gen has a huge language barrier to overcome.

[@tracyalan7201]

Always love watching material. I think your optimism for the Hawaii future is probably shared by most in Hawaii. The strides that the Asians in Hawaii achieved from their entry to Hawaii from plantation - agricultural field sojourners to establishing family roots within the community to business owners/work force for all other occupations to political unity of working class enabled current generations to rise and multiple within the State that everyone has a friend or family member with relationships of other heritages. As long as they continue to respect each other and try to help each other out, it should be okay.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo!

[@brewmasuisui2216]

Nailed it. we all make fun of each other growing up but we got along just fine.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, it's part of the culture. Sometimes it's hard to explain that to others.

[@wed3k]

@@HelloFromHawaii got to be able to take a joke and laugh about it

[@jonjovydesagun3088]

Really enjoyed the points you made. I'm a mainland Asian American and being discriminated as a child probably contributed to why I feel more at home in Hawaii than I do here. The Aloha spirit is a wonderful thing. Mahalo.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@mayshimabukuro59]

Thank you for sharing. I am 100% Okinawan and my husband is Caucasian..we have 4 Hapas. We lived in central PA where many Amish exist. I had hard times to fit in here but I don’t think never will. My kiddos were picked by many being Asian American. We vacationed in Oahu couple years ago and we felt just RIGHT since day 1. We are moving this summer.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

You'll probably fit in a lot easier. That's a big move from PA. Good luck.

[@HanHaole]

Aloha a'ina and its diversity. Hawai'i is truly a special place. I wasn't born here, but am so truly grateful to be a part of this culture now and look forward to my keiki being born into it. I grew up in LA, and was one of 5 white kids in my elementary school. Would not have had it any other way. I grew up appreciating cultures and went on a world tour every time I went to my friends' houses. Everything from going to black family cookouts and being introduced as the "Son we don't talk about," to making tamales with my buddy's abuela, to having my other buddy's mom fill my plate with kalbi and kimchi... It was a blessing. Sometimes we don't know how lucky we are to not be stuck in a homogenous vacuum. It truly saddens me when I hear what some of my friends and family of AAPI descent are going through right now. That will never happen here, because we will not let it. We all hold the responsibility to make sure of that. Mahalos for your awesome perspectives!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing your experiences. Must have been interesting in LA.

[@HanHaole]

@@HelloFromHawaii oh, I got stories bro! After all is said and done, it's important for people to experience what it means and feels like to be a minority. It's not always a good experience, but it is a necessary one as long as you glean the right lessons from it and become a better person as a result.

[@geck1204]

I just went on a vacation to Hawaii and I think another reason is the aloha spirit that's in everyone. Everyone really is nice and would rather chill than get in your way.

[@ariebeston187]

I’m excited to visit Hawaii as an adult. It’s sad it’s so surprising to me that there is an American state where they take mask mandates seriously, respect others, and aren’t discriminatory towards people of Asian dissent. ❤️🌺 I wish people on the mainland had that sort of regard for the respect of other people, themselves, and their communities.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for your comment. It's a different type of place.

[@donnalee574]

I am a local now living on the mainland…grew up in Hawaii as a hapa (Japanese/Caucasian), raised by my Okinawan grandparents. I feel so blessed to have grown up in Honolulu during the 50’s and 60’s. This video is pretty spot on and like my uncle always said to me…LUCKY YOU LIVE HAWAII! There’s no other place like it. Thanks for sharing, and I’m so happy to have found your videos. 😊

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙 Glad you enjoy the videos

[@virg0_lem0nade]

LOVED the point you made about the Issei and Nisei. spot-on video!!!

[@pattsaso5721]

I could be your grandma and I love and appreciate your insight and wisdom, and your honesty and experience. Keep doing what you are found. You are something special. (And I’m fearful of my grammar lol!)

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thank you. Appreciate the encouragement.

[@dukeloo]

Thanks for doing this video. I wish you made this video when I moved to Phoenix in the mid 80s.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for watching. If I made this video back then, I would have been a baby. :)

[@wendelleg2002]

Probably the best part of living in Hawaii (after the terrific scenery) is the natural way all the different ethnic and cultural groups (whether born here in the US or in another country) get along. It's very friendly here, for the most part. Everyone (well, almost everyone) respects one another, the cuisine is a blend of cultures, there's not a lot of crime, and we're all stuck in traffic together, lol!

[@1988remixx]

Wow! I loved this video. I was born in & raised in California (OC) & am 1/2 Black 1/2 Japanese. I’ve only been to Hawaii 4 times, 2x’s Maui 1x to Oahu & 1x Big Island but I always got this overwhelming feeling of being so “comfortable”, & the only way I can describe why is that I guess maybe a lot of people there kind of look the way I do or are just mixed. When I travel to other States i always feel like I have to have my “guard up”, I always have to watch my surroundings & my back. But when I vacationed in Hawaii the best way I can describe it is that everything just “felt right” the food was “right” the language & communication just felt “right”. I also LOVED the way you prefaced the video by saying, “If you’re coming here for political reasons or to get angry, then this ain’t for you”. Because certain people only click on videos like this because they want to “live angry” for some weird reason. Anyway, THANK YOU!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing 🤙

[@manubird2475]

Excellent, heartfelt comments, mostly right on, given my experience. But you made a serious omission. You spoke from an AA perspective, not an AAPI one. Pacific Islander discrimination in Hawai'i has been as scary and brutal as AA attacks on the mainland. Witness how the Micronesian community has been treated over the past 10 - 15 years+. I know. Our extended 'ohana is made up of a Hawaiian -Asian- haole- Portuguese kapakahi mix, and also loved ones from the Western Caroline Islands. Mahalo for your posts.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Yeah, I agree. I wish I could have spoken about the Pacific Islander experience, but that's just not my story, given that I'm Japanese American and not Pacific Islander. Maybe another KZbin can speak about it.

[@manubird2475]

@@HelloFromHawaii Mahalo for the reply. No worry. Your commentary is always super. We are blessed by the place where we live and the people we live with. Still, I feel like your mainland viewers should see a few of the warts on the skin of "Paradise".

[@ADAtrips]

I grew up in Alaska, race was not a factor for most. (Might be different now). I have been an islander for the previous almost 20 years. I love Hawaii. I found the most important thing for Hawaiians was for me to be respectful to the culture. I have been called “haole” every now and then. Only a couple times was meant to be rude. I have a Norwegian bloodline. Only one I’m mad at is Will Ferrell. 😅😂🤣🇳🇴

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. 20 years is a long time in Hawaii.

[@ADAtrips]

@@HelloFromHawaii Thanks, One note: & years of it was Am Samoa.

[@relicofgold]

Respect? Do you find if you mispronounce a Hawaiian word that they consider you disrespectful? It's a mistake, but they are so reactive, whiney, childish, accusatory, and discriminatory, that they hate you for "disrespecting" by mispronouncing a word. It's just unreal.

[@iwmtsvm]

I’m an Asian transplant of 15 years in Hawaii, and my husband is Japanese American. In my 15 years of life in Hawaii, I have never been discriminated or treated poorly in anyway by either Hawaiians, locals, or other Asians. However, there were three incidences where I did get falsely accused or verbally attacked. And these were by Caucasian women. One was on a military base. One was in a parking lot where a military wife yelled at my husband and I to go back to where we came from. The last occurred just today at Ward Warehouse parking lot. If anyone is interested I can elaborate.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Sorry to hear that. The incident at Ward, was it with tourists?

[@ryanjay707]

I’m full Filipino American and I feel like I’m at home on the island. I get mistaken for local every time I go. I love it

[@hihello1979]

Blessed to all who were born and raised in Hawaii. Most of you probably are not dealing with racial issues that are worsening on the main land. Actually, that is the main reason that I watch this video hoping I could be there sometime soon!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's different here in Hawaii. We still have our own issues, though.

[@johnoshiro8885]

I grew up in Honolulu and moved after graduating from UH to the mainland in 1979. I have lived more years here in L.A. than I have in Honolulu. Your observations, especially on this episode, are spot on and surprisingly insightful. You have the ability to straddle both worlds, in and out of Hawaii (in and out of private school, too), and have a unique understanding from both perspectives. This, I think, is a tribute to the culture of Hawaii and a great public school education, along with your exceptional intellect. I had previously assumed that Hawaii's best and brightest have all been sucked to the mainland by the decades of "da brain drain". However, you are an exception that gives me hope. Good work, braddah!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Appreciate the encouraging words. While Hawaii has lost a lot of locals to the mainland, there are still some here that could leave, but stay to try to make it work. 🤙

[@GamelanSinarSurya]

“My girlfriends were Japanese, Japanese, Spanish-Japanese, Japanese, Korean-Japanese, Japanese, Hawaiian-Japanese, and Japanese. I like to think that’s pretty diverse.” Sorry brah but that kinda made me laugh a little bit. Really appreciate you sharing your mana’o though 🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

😄

[@tonyrivera9321]

I was also born in Hawaii but after I finish high school I join the army and finish and came home and went back to the federal people and work for them in the federal dept. of transportation for the military sealift command as a merchant Mariner. For over 20yrs. Being born in Hawaii I spent most of my life working ang sailing all over the world working and representing the feds gov. My mother is Hawaiian chinese,Caucasian. My father spanish,Caucasian African American… chop suet the kind mix..But fir over 20yrs now. I have look at people as just what we are first truly are human beings. It made life for me much more clear and practical. We are all first and truly only what matters and clear. We all belong to the human race ……..period. For me looking at people by there color just complicated the situation and unconsciously made me become apprehensive towards the ones that was born in the old country’s and then migrating and becoming Americans.. I believe that we as human beings will have some fears towards any people that look and are different from our self’s.. because they are different from us. You know skin color,language,food,cloths, By looking at them just as fellow humans from the same one big 8billion family members of the planet earth. We’ll now I don’t feel like there aliens from another planet you know. But part of family members of mines all from where we live planet earth..Trust me it’s way way more Ether and beneficial this way…

[@tonyrivera9321]

Barry Gordy founder of mow town records once said that we are not so different from each other as we might think of all the workd. We all are the same because we all have and are what is HUMANITY. Humans of humanity..

[@tonyrivera9321]

Former champion wrestlers like konishki and two champion sumo wrestlers that reach the highest level of Grand champions the highest title of Yokozuna. Akebono born and raised on the windward side of Oahu and Musashimaru raised on the west side Waianae. They have dual citizenship of the u.s. and Japan. All three of them live and spend most of there time living in Japan other then the state of Hawaii. They were welcomed and excepted as not just Japanese citizens. But also as true Japanese people. Which is quite rare to be given a great honor like that. They are Japanese now and forever to the Japanese nation. They live and breath and talk like true Japanese. It’s deep in these hearts. Please forgive me for my terrible. English spelling and grammar.

[@np100]

I know I have commented on this video earlier, but I wanted to say that when I lived on Oahu in 1981-82, I found the only prejudice I felt as a Caucasion was from young Hawaiian men. As I learned more and more about the cultures, and talked to many people of several ethnicities, I was told I had a Hawaiian inflection in my voice. And I think I did. I loved talking to the older women and was fortunate enough to even get involved in politics and saw how the full Caucasions in the government were more conservative. I hope to come back to live out the rest of my life there as I am now 70.

[@rabbitazteca23]

You guys hearing Hawaii is 40% asians makes me wanna go there to relax for a bit. Of course, Im not gonna buy a house and im gonna make sure to spend money on locals 😂😉 As an Asian American, it would be sooo nice to just be around majority asians for a while. I hope the asians and the hawaiians have an amicable and friendly relationship!

[@santaklaus37]

I'm Mostly Hawaiian and Filipino mixed with a lot of other races like Japanese, Chinese, Native American, Irish etc. but I get a lot of Family here and a lot of friends. almost everybody know everybody and as long as you nice we give the same energy back. just be respectful

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@rolandbradley2024]

As a born & raised SoCal "hafu" (Japanese mother/Caucasian father), who has traveled back & forth to Hawaii for many decades, I really, really appreciate the heartfelt authenticity reflected in this commentary. Thank you.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@dennistani1986]

Things do change. I'm from the SF bay area in CA. When I was growing up in the 1970's, we had a limited number of asian- americans in the valley, Now, many cities here are majority asian- american, if not a large percentage, Cities such as Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Mt. View, Saratoga, Hillsborough, and Fremont are majority asian, or close to it. If your not from Silicon Valley, these are beautiful cities with home values well over 1 million dollars. Saratoga and Hillsborough are in the 3-10 million dollar range. So my point, things DO CHANGE. 35 years ago, much different. One of the reasons is many asian-americans work for high tech companies which generally pay well. Everyone, have a great day!!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing your experiences in CA. It's interesting to see what's happening in different places.

[@christyhernandez8625]

I love your aloha channel. Life is so much more acceptable in Hawaii that on the main land. Its all about Ohana, and if anyone is in need they become Ohana.. In the 60's people cared about each other on the mainland. You would never see a senior (Kapuna) alone or go without. Now there is a certain segment of the population that is mad and looking for a fight all the time. Others that only care abiut themselves. On the rocks we are family and as the saying goes hang loose. No drama, no bad talk, except women gossip.. Islanders just get along, laughter it off and move on. We all family made by God. When you grow up with respect, openness and consideration it come back to you> Not on the mainland. Just visiting the islands calms most, because of the Islands people Aloha. First time I returned to the mainland I cried, because I knew what I was leaving behind > God's love in practice in everyday. I never saw differnt ethics, I saw people that looked you in the eye and smiled like I did. Never happens for the most part on mainland.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Hawaii is definitely different than the mainland. That aloha spirit is what makes it special.

[@charlespatterson8457]

I grew up in Lanikai,Kailua on Oahu....... I know about the Heart feeling, You speak about...only there get that........

[@okolepuka3376]

Grew up in Lanikai? Ho Man life is rough yah? We use to call Kailua, "Haolewood"!!! Nah brah only joke. Much Aloha.

[@lifeontherally]

From the mainland South, (NC). Almost always the only asian for miles, experienced a lot of prejudice when I was little. Kicked out of church when I was 4 for not being white. I was the typical A student and that got me to doing projects like interviewing my town mayor who then showed me an old mill where they had "colored" bathrooms, he told me that was what I would have had to use. It's a different world being an asian on the mainland, but it has gotten a lot better than it used to be. Side note: when I first went to Hawai'i to spend a winter, it was the first time I felt at home and at peace. I was accepted and blended right in. Aloha goes a long way.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. I'm sure growing up in NC must have been different. Glad you felt accepted when you visited Hawaii.

[@syedtaqi6122]

I found the video really interesting, especially for someone who is originally from South Asia, and now a resident of California. For someone, who has visited Hawaii regularly for the past 25 years, I must say that it’s a tourist friendly place, for most part Asians on the Island enjoy a pretty harmonious existence, but my observation and to some extent experience told me that it’s not easy for an “outsider” to be accepted as readily by some of the ethnic nationalities on the Island. Having said that, it’s a great place where everyone loves to get along with each other, it’s the Aloha spirit.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It can be tough as an outsider. I think it's because Hawaii is so transient. But once you put down roots, I think people are more likely to bring you in.

[@craign7342]

Thanks for sharing! There's lots to ponder. I'm sansei born and raised in Gardena. My mom is from Wahiawa and my dad was in a relocation camp during the war. My parents taught me that life is not easy and that I should do my best not matter what. Being treated badly because of my race, ethnic background, religion, being me will happen, but keep going forward. Don't be surprised that life can be hard and unfair. Learn from bad experiences and grow. Ironically, the racism, the mistreatment, and the ridicule come from other minorities.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. I had to look up where Gardena is. I know there are a lot of Japanese Americans in CA. I got a chance to visit a camp in CO. Very unusual to see it so west. Any places like that in CA?

[@craign7342]

@@HelloFromHawaii There is a memorial for Manzanar Camp here in California. At the Japanese-American Museum in LA there is a display/room of the camp experience. Growing up, there were many from Hawaii in Gardena/Torrance area. Would you believe there was a relocation camp in Arkansas? (BTW, my dad was born in Hawaii and lived in Chinatown. His family moved back to Japan and eventually my dad and his sisters' families moved to California. That's how they got put in camps during the war.)

[@alexcarter8807]

I grew up in Hawaii and there we became very, very poor so we kids really had to "go native" to survive. Interestingly, I've gravitated somehow to San Jose, California, a top mainland destination for folks from HI and my favorite place to go and shop etc is our "Japantown" (like wut? In Hawaii, Japantown is just .... town). I'm about to retire back home in a few years, and I suggest if you visit Hawaii spend some serious time in Wahiawa, it's a beautiful place.

[@alexcarter8807]

@@HelloFromHawaii San Jose California has a "Japantown" and there's a museum there with a replica, I think it may be actual buildings, from one of the camps. It's almost exactly as the Army housing out in the field in Korea I did duty in in the 1980s but in our case, we volunteered and were paid. And we were all healthy young adults.

[@nplus1watches35]

@@HelloFromHawaii In addition to Manzanar that CraigN mentioned, CA also had Tule Lake in the NE corner of CA. It's a US Nat'l Monument site.

[@darksinist3r]

It’s my first time seeing your video and i really enjoyed it, so you just got a new subscriber! I grew up in socal and did experience some racism early on, but no much. I always stood up for myself though. Been to hawaii many times during the years and always loved the culture. Hopefully, I’ll get to retire there one day.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@sharonmann4591]

I wish I grew up in Hawaii because I was born and raised in California and I experienced a lot of racism and isolation due to be being Chinese American. I never felt like I belonged and I never felt loved, accepted, or seen. I still suffer from trauma from the racism and isolation I experienced.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's definitely different growing up where Asians have been the majority for a while.

[@ryanlapinad]

i hawaiian and 3rd generation plantation working grandparents that settled here and never considered going back. they got here in there teens live settlement life. they obtained a empty piece of real estate and handed it down. excellent topics and perspective. Hawaii born and raised. takumeze takumkea

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@harveymushman2219]

Bruce Lee - 'Under the sky, under the heavens there is but one family.' .....( People would tell me I looked like Jerry Lewis...lol..)

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol

[@airframer120]

Filipino boy moved to Oahu and didn’t feel any culture shock since we shared the same culture but when we moved to southern state, woooohhhoooo that’s when it hit me hard, everything is different 😂 also that’s I became a Mexican coz of my skin color 😂

[@stvrgirlsoath]

dude me too! I’m half Filo half Chinese but I look more pinay and connect more w my filo side of the family. I visited O’ahu last week for a few days and everything just felt so normal. When I flew back to the mainland and back into Florida the culture shock hit me hard brah 😭 I’m born and raised in Cali and lived in Florida for nearly 2 years and it still feels so different and I feel so alone 💀

[@np100]

Your videos are wonderful, both educational and inclusive. Thank you.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you like them!

[@ValisFan3]

If I had to describe what it is like being a Japanese hapa in the mainland in one word, it is "no." I constantly get told "no." "No, you cannot sit at this lunch table. No, I will not talk to you at the bar. No, you are not invited to this party. No, I will not date you." It isn't so much harassment and discrimination that is the problem. It is exclusion and constantly being told "no" that is the main difference between being Asian in the mainland vs Hawaii. I'm one of the few Japanese people in my city, and even the few Japanese people around me aren't all that accepting of me because I'm a hapa. The exclusion and "no" is incredibly demoralizing and wears down on a man.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Sorry to hear that. When I was in CO, it felt strange at times, but because I grew up in Hawaii, I didn't let it get to me. But I met a lot of Asians in CO who told me about their experiences similar to yours.

[@janeyamashiro6847]

I love this video. I was born and raised in Hawaii and lived away for 20 years. I so enjoy the the easy discussion about race. Thanks for sharing.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@808jin]

Great video. Im also a Japanese American from Hawaii. Keep up the great content bruddah!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo! :)

[@CJGfarm]

The difference is, growing up in Hawaii, you were in the racial majority. The Asian's on the mainland are the minority. That's were your experience differs.

[@BruceXuHasADream]

very true. Majority rules and asserts racial dominance in a many ways.

[@eromson1]

Mahalo for this. It's interesting to hear your take on the issue. I have a request. I'm a "Local Haole." I grew up on Maui and went to Minnesota for College. While some people say Hawai'i is a melting pot, my grade and high school experiences were much different; my current views were shaped by being a minority. There were bathrooms I knew I shouldn't go into because I'd get the S*** beat out of me. I'm back on-island (Maui), and I'm not leaving.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

You have an interesting experience. You're kind of caught in the middle. You're local, but not one of the majority-minority groups.

[@alexcarter8807]

Hawaii is not cut-and-dried. My father was pale as a frog's belly and as far as I know he never-ever had a problem in Hawaii. Other kids I saw all haole'd out and never-ever had problems. And other kids, looked more local but had problems. My mom was brown as hell and she couldn't get along with anyone, and her attempts at Pidgin were comical. I don't know how to define it. It's something to do with confidence, body language, wa, something. I realize now, whatever troubles we had as kids in Hawaii, the mainland is like 5X worse. And even back in the day, some of the worst kids were haole military kids. So I dunno, the way the mainland is, maybe if you'd gone to HS on the mainland, you'd get the shit beat out of you because rumors spread your parents were Democrats or Jews. Or your school would get shot up.

[@stevepfi1]

Hawaii is mostly Asian: 38.7%. Hawaii doesn't have the hostile vibe of NYC or those other East Coast metropolises. Hawaii does have problems with high unemployment, drugs, immigration, and homelessness. Those are the areas to be concerned about.

[@malenaboy]

I am a local mixed (Filipino,Spanish, Puerto Rican, German, Irish, Indigenous Mexican) guy from big island, I can say Hawaii is such a unique place and happy to have grown up here, I’ve lived now so far in my short life in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Uppsala, Sweden and Madrid, Spain. These places although predominantly white, are diverse as well and I didn’t feel as uncomfortable as I thought, more I came to examine my own identity and how it affects me, I am now moving to California soon and wonder what life will be like there, i connect with people from Hawaii a lot just because our shared understanding of the islands, I was usually the only person from Hawaii some people met and sometimes had to clear up misinformation, someone thought for a whole year I was Hawaiian 😆, also love our local joke patterns, it was hard explaining that to someone once. But I remember there is a local comedian who explains it very nicely on KZbin. Appreciate the video.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Big move to CA coming up. Good luck. At least you'll be close to home if you want to fly back.

[@anastrawberry8047]

malenaboy, Hey! Are you still in Madrid? I live in Madrid too (I'm Spanish), but I had lived in California a few years, in Hawaii (just a few months), and in Ohio (in comparison to your Minnesota) Where in CA are you moving to? Whereabouts in Madrid are you? (to see if we are neighbours 😊) I feel we've been attracted to the same geographical areas in different times...

[@malenaboy]

@@anastrawberry8047 Hi, I am no longer in Spain, I actually lived in Alcalá , it was a wonderful city, I was an auxiliar de conversación, I am moving to Los Angeles (San Fernando valley area), it’s cool to see someone from Madrid experience the American Midwest 😆

[@anastrawberry8047]

@@malenaboy , hi! Well, I didn't catch you on time for a coffee I guess...Yes Alcalá is a very pretty little town. I live in Madrid downtown. Good luck in your move to L.A.! Enjoy Life! 👍😊

[@bballerforever]

Love for all kinds of people, any ethnicity, as long as they are good and not evil. I grew up in southwest L.A. in a black neighborhood with a minority of Asian-Americans. Got my soul, swag, bball playing, and musical tastes from my background!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing

[@Cholmes-lf5kd]

Stop stereotyping black people weirdo.🙄

[@RikigaiHawaii]

Ya I can't even imagine what's going on. I only lived in SF n a few short stints in Vegas n OC side, but I guess that's the naiveness I show n lucky to be living in Hawaii. Mid n east mainland is like an entire diff country 🤷‍♂️🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Lucky we live Hawaii. :)

[@jhosoi808]

I grew up in the 70’s ( Kikaida Dayz 😁)in Kailua Japanese Hapa, I can tell you I got in a couple fights for being called Jap in elementary school by the time 80’s came not at all I don’t care- proud of my Heritage and love my family 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾 I relate with your videos - having grown up in Hawaii moving to New York for school then back to Hawaii then to Las Vegas and California and then back to Hawaii now back in California again 🤙🏾

[@rjmurray5128]

What I truly love about living in Hawaii is the diversity, the melting pot of different nationalities that are welcomed here no matter where from, when on the mainland with my Japanese born wife we get the unpleasant looks, good thing we live here also by having seen the Asian attacks in the news back in the mainland, counting our blessings everyday! I'm also part Native American and can relate in respecting and protecting our 'Aina, have never felt safer anywhere else except Japan. Gambatte Masu!!

[@ricktanega472]

~🌺Brah,,, I am full blue eyed Haole, partly raised Hawaii & Japan, mostly SoCal,,, Mom married into well known Kauai Family, Hapa-Sister hula dancer. Living with Aloha Spirit & Hawaiian Heart has served me well, almost 70 years. "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka PONO"! Mahalo😎 ~Fondest Aloha 🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Aloha! 🤙

[@AGC828]

I'm CDN-Born Chinese. Born and raise in Toronto. Mostly it was good. Very little racism. Went to schools and lived in areas where the races were many. Very mixed. I was rarely called the "C word". Once while in high school I was called a "nip" by one or two French students from the French school...next door to my high school. But other than that ...it's been less overt. e.g. name calling. Though, I was buying a new home in a mostly white area up north of Toronto years ago. Picked which lot I wanted. Then was told they gave it to another person. He was white. I had to pick another lot. So was that subtle racism? They did that because I was Chinese. Trying to "minimize the number of Asians" in the area? on my street there was one Chiense girl..parents were white...so maybe they gave her "special" treatment? Was able to pick the town home next door to her parents. ANd, before going to that builder...I looked at one 10 minutes south...drove through the area...mostly white...got "almost dirty looks". The "it's a Chinese guy...what is he doing here??" look. But 98% of my decades in Toronto it's been racism "free". Which is why I found the reports of anti-Asian attacks odd. In the US. Or subtle incidents in Toronto..most people get along regardless of race. It's more about being a jerk, or sneaky, untrustworthy...things like that which would make one stay away from certain people or no longer be friends. As some people change or reveal the real them.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing.

[@Alohaonalani]

Great content, enjoyed hearing your experiences.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@1972yo2fine]

Born in Seoul Korea, raised in South Dakota, growing up was tough. South Dakota is 95% white and very sheltered. My guard was constantly up and was always made fun of because of my race. Only time I wished and prayed to God to make me white. In my 20-30’s I moved to AIEA Hawaii. This was my only time in my life I actually felt like HOME. This video is the truth. Thanks for this video. Hawaii will always be part of me and my families life.my heart and soul will always be ALOHA!

[@AeraYoo]

All I heard was Japanese and Japanese mix. I was half expecting a sprinkle of Korean or Chinese but nope. That wasn’t diverse much hahaha 🤣 that’s okay tho I think it’s mostly you get attracted to also what can feel comfortable for you. My husband and I are both Hispanic so I can say I ended up being attracted to another Hispanic like myself even tho I’m mixed. We just both have an appreciation for tortillas and beans 🤣 and yup we’re both from Texas so there’s that Texas ranchero pride too! I grew up with Korean influence in my family and that made me have a natural understanding of Korean culture and mentality. It made transitioning to Hawaii easier because I already was comfortable with Asian culture.

[@nadinesteidl6153]

You tell your experiences and now I’m a little smarter, plus you do well on screen. Keep making videos!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. 😃

[@justinreilly1]

Thanks for the video. I think I knew all of it from your prior videos, but it was still great because it was timely, and SO refreshing to not only watch a video about race these days that isn’t filled with anger/blame and/or hate, but instead with your amazing aloha spirit. I too lived in CO, in Boulder for 14 years and it was culture shock being from NYC (though I’m white so it wasn’t negative racially for me), so I can relate in a tiny way to your Colorado stories. 😊. Anyway, mahalo for your aloha spirit in all your vids!!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. I think it's important to talk about this stuff, if only to share how some, not all, people from Hawaii think. It's so different here.

[@AuthenticallyCharles]

1st to comment! Will watch tonight after work!

[@haircole]

I almost always watch twice or more .

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks. :)

[@AuthenticallyCharles]

@@haircole same here. @Hello From Hawaii is very well spoken. I really enjoy his content.

[@AuthenticallyCharles]

@@HelloFromHawaii I could totally relate to this. We are so lucky to live and be raised in Hawaii. When I went to college in the mainland it was an eye opener for me too. I enjoy your content. keep it coming!

[@808lublabs4]

Luckily I never really experienced too many awkward moments while on the mainland. I’m Filipino and my wife is Japanese and usually when we are together on the mainland we get strange looks like how are these two together but as soon as we start talking the awkwardness usually goes away.

[@gmatgmat]

If it's OK, what HS are you from? Aiea 1970. Asking but don't expect any common acquaintances. In 1970, Maui was still a small town island. No suburb lights past Waipahu (all cane fields or pineapple fields. Moanalua Valley still had cane fields. 20 years later, big malls in Maui, suburbs everywhere. My experience coming back to Hawaii after 8 years in the AF in 84 was that central Oahu seemed more mainlandish. My 70 Aiea yearbook still had students who wanted to walk barefoot. Local style. Thank you.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

McKinley grad. Yeah, sorry, I don't have many connections to Aiea High school. But yes, it seems more mainlandish.

[@martyfinver9969]

I moved to Hawaii after college and spent many years there. I was a haule and I felt the true Hawaiian s really respect ed me more than their own. I knew most of the most influential Hawaiian s and politician s also.

[@kenchapman3406]

I actually do "sort of" see a resemblance to a young Jackie Chan . You seem pretty easy going , and friendly. I hope I'm lucky enough to meet people as nice as you if I ever make the trip. Great video , as usual. Thought provoking, and informative. Blessings

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. I'm not Chinese. :) Mahalo.

[@robertmoritsugu4658]

Born and raised in Hawaii...sansei. Moved to the Mainland in the 1980's and worked on the east coast for over 30 years. Interaction with Mainland-born asians was interesting. One commented that the folks from Hawaii are different...they think of themselves as being from Hawaii first and asian second. I think some of the people I worked with didn't quite know what to make of me...I didn't fit the stereotype of the typical asian. I thought of myself as in the majority and as such was somewhat outspoken in my interaction with others regardless of ethnicity. There were other folks from Hawaii where I worked, and it was pretty much the same with them...just as outspoken as I was if not more. BTW--I'd be interested in your perspective of the importance of what high school you attended in Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Yes, I agree about the Hawaii first and Asian second. Weird how we think that. And the high school thing...that's for a whole other video 🤙

[@robertmoritsugu4658]

@@HelloFromHawaii First things first...Where you went school? Not that we're contemporaries...I went to St. Louis over 50 years ago.

[@Ayelet.M]

I think being mixed and growing up with really diverse country (Israel, not white colonials?! Nope). Most of my friends and in general are very mixed from all around the globe. My neighbors to the left were from Yemen and to the right were American white and Moroccans. On my street alone are families from: Poland,Tunis, Uk,Us and even Zimbabwe (one of my closest friends). And we never really thought of it as weird or strange. All of our ancestors fled back to our country at some point in time. And like I said, my family is also from all over. So we also feel ok with making fun of one another. Of course there are times of internal tension and a sense of tribalism between groups and thanks to our government,it’s on all time high (the war, the Covid aftermath, and corruption). But at the end of the day, we’re family. So we tease each other and laugh about ourselves and also at our collective traumas.

[@erickim2025]

I agree we really are lucky to grow up in Hawaii,where we have a huge advantage over other Asians growing up on the mainland, that's why when I visit the mainland it feels like a foreign country. Hawaii no ka oi brah!

[@yoramsadot2780]

You are simply the greatest ❤

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Chris, I am curious to know the following please: 1) Whatever happened to that Korean fellow that you mentored and helped with his dissertation? Has he fared well? Do you and He still keep in touch? I surely hope that you do, but, will entirely be understanding if you do not. Many people lose touch with other people. I nearly cried when you told viewers that the Korean guy's teachers gave up on him. ❤ So HEART-warming that you did not. ❤ Speaking of comedians in Hawai'i, I love Andy Bumatai but he might a little too old for you younger folks. He da funny kine pidgin guerrilla!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I'm not sure what happened to that Korean student. I know that he finished up school at some point. I don't know if I ran into him before I left Colorado. I'm sure I could find him on social media, but I don't have FB.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

@@HelloFromHawaii Maybe you could look him up on Instagram or on Twitter or here on YT? TikTok is popular with Asians so maaaybe he has an account over there? I think it is so kind that you mentored him, Chris. You seem like such a tender-hearted person. Happy New Year to you and to your family, too.

[@LaineyhulaAdventures]

You should have a podcast. 😊

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks. It would be fun, but priorities right now are my wife and son. Maybe in the future.

[@mason.credible638]

Mainland Asian Americans should all move to Hawaii. Let's do it!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. :)

[@natetran9987]

aloha, from cali. love the islands every time i visit. wish we could travel normally soon.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's looking better. Hawaii is starting a vaccine passport for inter-island travelers. The trans-Pacific passport may be coming soon.

[@ricktanega472]

C-ertification Of V-accination I Dentification 19-Year Implemented They knew from before it all began. It's a Plan.

[@bananaskin7527]

I have never felt Asian. Funny. No doubt because I grew up in Hawaii. When I visited France, my French friend with whom I worked with in Boston did not introduce me as from Boston, but from Honolulu. Guess that was more significant.

[@eriettaioannaflorou7308]

I don’t think we need to feel shame for not understanding people from the us. I feel It’s important to remember that the race issue has a very specific character in the us and uk and some European countries, but even in Europe each country is different when it comes to race. And it’s beautiful that Hawaii is so diverse and that you didn’t grow up with that racial tension.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@meltednostrilsbornwithoutn781]

Thank you for sharing .

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks for watching!

[@RandyGPaciente]

Learned a lot about being an asian american.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks. And this is just from an Asian American perspective in Hawaii. Very different elsewhere.

[@wizirbyman]

i feel like the experience is also similar if you move to cities in the US that have high concentrations of asians like the bay area and LA. I grew up in LA and majority of my classmates were asian... i think my hs was about 60% asian? something crazy like that haha

[@haleohanamalama2967]

You cheeky playboy! 😂 This is not out of jealousy😤

[@HelloFromHawaii]

:)

[@ohwell2790]

My mother is 100% Portuguese and my father is English my mother was 3rd generation in Hawaii and my father was at Ford island during Pearl Harbor. I am 77 and my dad moved to the main land after the war, what would that make me in Hawaii. I have been back to Hilo but could not stay, just did not have enough money even to rent. Still love the Islands.

[@BG-hc1qm]

PORTUGUESE is white