White versus.... who, exactly?

[Tiger]

Two items in the news:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292673,00.html

"Whites are now in the minority in nearly one in 10 U.S. counties. And that increased diversity, fueled by immigration and higher birth rates among blacks and Hispanics, is straining race relations and sparking a backlash against immigrants in many communities."

http://honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070809/NEWS01/708090342

"Census Bureau data released yesterday show a continuing shift in Hawai'i's racial makeup, with the percent of Asians in decline while the white population increases."

Can't we all just get along?

Bless us. Thank you.

[Jean Marie]

We should be able to. It would make sense. Especially, Hawaii. Or not. Considering the Hawaiians have been pushed around, and off their Islands by the whites. Well, that's what many whites would like to do. Incredibly sad.
And insanely stupid, too.

I just found out I'll be in Poi Pu for 2 weeks :hooray::hooray: my most favorite spot, for 2 weeks in May. I cannot wait :D

Snorkling stuff is already out. Well, I know exactly where it is.

If there were backflip emoticons, I'd use 'em!!

[Tiger]

Stats like these make people crazy. In Hawai`i, everyone's a minority.

[dclary]

Unless you go by total mass. Then the Samoans win.

[veinglory]

Wow, mondo bias. Being in a minority causes conflict. I imagine the other minorities were already feeling plenty of conflict but somehow that didn't count? Viva la diversity.

[Tiger]

Wow, mondo bias. Being in a minority causes conflict. I imagine the other minorities were already feeling plenty of conflict but somehow that didn't count? Viva la diversity.

There's always been an "us vs. them" mentality in Hawai`i. It can be easy for white folks to think that the population is made up mostly of "locals (= Asian or Pacific Islander)" with themselves as "minorities" and subject to racial prejudice.

[clintl]

Stats like these make people crazy. In Hawai`i, everyone's a minority.

In California, too.

[Jean Marie]

Stats like these make people crazy. In Hawai`i, everyone's a minority.
I agree.

There's always been an "us vs. them" mentality in Hawai`i. It can be easy for white folks to think that the population is made up mostly of "locals (= Asian or Pacific Islander)" with themselves as "minorities" and subject to racial prejudice.
Which is sad, because it contradicts your above comment. That one is true, imo, which puts everyone on an even status, right.

The local's name for whites is howlie,(sp?) a derogatory one. If whites know this, then in their mind, they aren't on equal footing.

I also know that some whites don't respect the local history and tradition of Hawaii. Such as feeling if they build there, then the beach belongs to them, too. It doesn't. It belongs to everyone.

[Tiger]

"Haole" is just a word that means foreigner. Technically it isn't derogatory in and of itself... It's when you stick something in front of it like, "F--ing Haole" where you get problems.

As for the rest, I'm Asian, but not local. I'm from California. I'm called a "katonk"--which is mildly derogatory, but doesn't bother me overmuch.

Whites do have some race problems in Hawai`i. I don't think they're singled out so much as faced with a "name" or a reputation--something they've never experienced before. The rest of us are just better prepared for it.

Sure, there are a lot of bigots in Hawai`i, but believe me, most are equal opportunity haters. :)

[Jean Marie]

See, and I was spelling Haole phonetically :)

I think you hit the nail on the head--whites aren't prepared for discrimination. That's enormous.

The last time I was in Hawaii, I was in the same place for couple of weeks and met a few locals. At the beach, of course, where else :) It was fascinating to watch/observe how things do work, the interaction, etc.

A lot of it is how you treat others. It works both ways. Regardless of who you are, you can be an insensitive twit. And isn't that where bigotry begins.

I grew up in S. Cal. and often wonder what the heck I'm doing in CT. But, that's another story.

I'm looking forward to going back to Kauai, though. Going w/ my mom.