Haoles in Hawaii

by Judy Rohrer, Paul Spickard (Editor)

Haoles in Hawai‘i strives to make sense of haole (white person/whiteness in Hawai‘i) and "the politics of haole" in current debates about race in Hawai‘i. Recognizing it as a form of American whiteness specific to Hawai‘i, the author argues that haole was forged and reforged over two centuries of colonization and needs to be understood in that context. Haole reminds us that race is about more than skin color as it identifies a certain amalgamation of attitude and behavior that is at odds with Hawaiian and local values and social norms. By situating haole historically and politically, the author asks readers to think about ongoing processes of colonization and possibilities for reformulating the meaning of haole.

For more information on Haoles in Hawaii, visit

Genres: Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Valerie Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who lives in Hawaii (particularly haoles, obviously) should probably read this book. Academic, yes, but only 100 pages and very accessible.

[Holiday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. Rohrer does quote Native Hawaiians, but I think this book would have been more powerful if she wrote it with a Native Hawaiian co-author. I also think, unfortunately, those who need to read it probably won't.

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit academic (and repetitive) for a vacation read, but I picked it up at Big Island BookBuyers in Pahoa and it was just what I was looking for.

What the author seems to be getting at is that "haole" is used in Hawai'i similarly to how "American" is used in foreign countries--sometimes as an accurate descriptor, sometimes as a synonym for big, loud, assumptive, and disrespectful. Likewise, the way to mitigate one's "haoleness" (as much as one can) is by assimilating to Hawaiian culture and values (as you would in a foreign country) rather than act as though Hawai'i is just another U.S. state where you can act as though you know everything about it (although she tends to use "blend in" and "lay low" rather than "recognize," "appreciate," and "respect").

The author makes it pretty clear that Hawai'i is in fact a foreign country, annexed illegally by the U.S. While she doesn't expect all the haoles up and leave, she suggests that the way to start making change is to support policies and programs designed to promote native Hawaiian people and culture (as opposed to bringing lawsuits against them and claiming reverse racism) and to allow spaces for native Hawaiians and locals. For tourists, perhaps one course of action is to support local farmers and independent businesses instead of Costco and Walmart (the grocery prices are not as outrageously high as the guidebooks make them out to be) as we would in any community we cared about.

Joa read it too, in about an eighth of the time it took me.

[Scot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book! If you're interested in Hawai'i you ought not miss Haoles in Hawai'i. I found it super easy to read, mercifully short and to the point, unapologetic without being polemical and one-sided, and full of interesting and useful bits of information. White people in Hawai'i have developed an identity that is related to but distinct from the honky in the hood and the gringo in Mexico. The unique character of Haoles in Hawaii is nowhere better captured, distilled and presented than here in this book by Haole University of Hawai'i academic Judy Rohrer.

If you're interested in race in the U.S., especially if you're interested in the role of the creation of a white identity in the U.S. in maintaining white supremacy, I think you'll find this book very useful. The unique history of Hawai'i and the role that whites have played in that history, and how those who embody that identity today continue to impact the culture, economy, and politics of this place is highly instructive.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid social criticism. I'm impressed by the level of care and awareness that went into producing this text. I think this and Noenoe Silva's _Aloha Betrayed_ should be read by every white who grew up in Hawai'i. Actually, they should be read by every person who plans a visit to the Islands.

There is a manner of writing common in some feminist critique in which the writer, who is white, tends to align herself to the Kanaka and local population in a way that implies she is not actually Haole. She identifies herself as such toward the beginning, but quickly sets the identification aside, which is problematic at times because one can get the impression at certain parts that the author considers her perspective "non-haole" based on her gender. This is a tendency that feminist writers coming from privilege should probably be wary of.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot that i can say i agree with, but some little things here and there within the book that i disagree with. She brings various perspectives up front and it gets the reader thinking about new ideas that have not yet been considered by most. She does well in summarizing the key events of Hawaii's history that helps to support her thesis within such a small chapter. Good book but not sure if i shall be reading the rest of the series.

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

felt like a dissertation

[Karen Kohoutek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short book by a white woman who grew up and still lives in Hawai'i, about the term "haole": its history, social context, and whether or not it's derogatory (which is ultimately treated as not even a question, summing up that complaining about being called a haole is as haole as it gets). There's a good overview about the colonial presence and overthrow of the Hawaiian government, the entrenchment of power by the white population and their efforts to divide the ethnic groups working for them, and the current white backlash to the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Offense about the word haole sounds like a precursor to this thing going on now where white people take offense at being identified as white people, which, as she points out, is pretty absurd, since we're the ones who created a racial hierarchy in the first place.

Even though I have no specific reason for reading about Hawai'i, I do find that Hawaiian perspectives on race relations and Indigenous sovereignty have given me fresh perspectives on these subjects in general, given how they've played out differently. It's like a refocusing. There's always a lot to learn, even with no particular goal! I'll probably never go to Hawai'i, but its people's struggles are still worth supporting. Anyway, that's my quick plug for why it's worth reading non-fiction on very specific subjects that don't directly affect you.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the academic language in this book might take some effort for some, this should be required reading for any white person who wants to spend time in the Hawaiian archipelago. It gives some very understandable context to the history of haoles and of the use of the word "haole" in Hawaiian local culture. It has certainly helped me become more mindful of my unintentional haoleness when I first moved here, as well as the willful ignorance many white people have when it comes to talking about race.

[Kenny Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that I am researching for another project, but also a very good read for this cultural moment that we are in. White privilege and colonizer culture is exerted all over the island of Hawaii and this book explores this in a very informative and enlightening way.

[Laila Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing work. A must read, especially for haoles in Hawaiʻi.

[Anna P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read with a great comprehensive and in-depth study. Loved hearing more perspectives on the haole population in Hawaii.