The Etymology of Hapa

In conjunction with "hapa.me - 15 years of the hapa project" exhibition, scholar Richard Keao NeSmith discussed the origins and evolution of the word hapa, the Hawaiian interpretation of the English word “half” at JANM on April 28, 2018.
His talk addressed varying perspectives on who is hapa, who can or should rightfully use the term, and what linguists call the etymological process of conversion.
"hapa.me" is on view through October 28, 2018. For information about the exhibition and related programs: janm.org/hapa-me.
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org

[@hispam8885]

👏 well said! I too have had a negative experience for the first time traveling outside of Hawai’i... in Texas. Crazy how this is happening in our country. Spread the aloha vibes everyone! Live in Love.

[@lalimom]

Wow, Iʻm late to the party. Interesting talk, interesting perspective Iʻm kanaka, hapa maybe, and have a little different take of the use of the word "hapa" to mean something other than part-Hawaiian. Kaeoʻs mākaukau ma ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is ʻoi loa aku ka maikaʻi than mine, but Iʻm not as neutral to the word "hapa" as he is. Checking back with my 88 yo very Hawaiian mother, "hapa" (usually used to mean part-Hawaiian, part white, like hapa haole -- rarely heard hapa Kepanī or hapa Pākē) signaled something better than being koko piha or largely koko kanaka in her day. The hapa-haole girls were considered better looking, higher station, likely to be at Punahou rather than Kamehameha, Nuʻuanu vs ʻEwa. So when I hear hapa haole anyway, it has that baggage of white blood superiority, a better mix vs koko piha. (and mainly folks in this video claiming to be hapa are half-white). So the connotation (vs the denotation) of hapa is not a neutral thing but laden with value distinctions and some racism to me. That this Hawaiian word is now cut-off from its original context is not neutral to me either, seems just like one more appropriation. So Kaeo Nesmith is way nicer about it than I am.

[@delducja]

Thank you for sharing your understanding and the knowledge of your grandmother! 😊

[@kupaa2000]

Maika'i e Keao!

[@wecanwatersports4151]

Hapa N = Japa N. 🤫

[@wecanwatersports4151]

Hapa N = Japa N. 🤫

[@wecanwatersports4151]

Hapa N = Japa N. 🤫