We nearly fell of our chairs the other day when Roseanne Barr comments on Hawaii demographics “I was afraid to go out, and also because when you’re called a racist and you live on an island full of brown people, it’s kind of terrifying.” As you may know, Roseanne has a home on the Big Island.
First of all, Roseanne’s comment goes against the spirit of Aloha that so many of you feel when living in or visiting the islands. And then secondly, Hawaii is one of the few places in the world where there is no racial or ethnic majority. To say Hawaii is a land of brown people completely misses our truly unique melting pot environment and its diversity.
The unmixed indigenous Hawaiian population has still not restored itself to its 300,000 pre-contact level. We thought it might be useful then to clarify the actual Hawaii demographics, quoted from US Census of 2017:
Asian: 37.8%
Caucasian: 25.7%
Mixed Races: 23.8%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (full blood): 10.2%
Black or African American: 2.2%
American Indian or Alaska Native: .2%
Hispanic or Latino: 10.5% (Note: Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in applicable race categories)
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino: 21.9%
Many notable people were born and raised in Hawaii and have left or are currently leaving their mark on the world. Here is a short list that may include some surprises.
President Barack Obama
Bette Midler
Duke Kahanamoku
Don Ho
Ellison Onizuka (astronaut)
Tia Carrere
Bruno Mars
Nicole Kidman
Bethany Hamilton
Steve Case
King Kamehameha I
Michelle Wie
Queen Liliuokalani
Carrie Ann Inaba
Here’s an even longer list of those who have called Hawaii home.
Feel free to comment with your thoughts about the warmth and generosity of people here.
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I love Hawaii for the variety of people who live there. However, racism is not dead there: haole, anyone? It is largely a paradise but is not spared the problems that people have everywhere with someone who is different. We can all learn to behave better toward one another.
Like most others, the haters want to hijack this conversation and spew their hate for President Trump. I will no longer subscribe to your emails if you allow this type of unproductive meanness. If they want to vent about the President, then perhaps they should create their own website and spew their hatred to their own subscribers. This is not the place to impose on other members’ political beliefs. Unfortunately, people like this have no manners nor do they respect civility. I for one will not participate when this childish behavior is tolerated. So I will unsubscribe should this be allowed to continue and I encourage others to do the same.
Thanks for this post. My son-in-law, who is black, was there for his and my daughter’s honeymoon recently (they even surfed!), and he said it was the first time he felt completely accepted and welcome. That’s saying a lot. I was a little worried given the times we live in, but not much because I have lived there and felt pretty sure he would be fine. And Hawaiians did not disappoint. Roseanne is an outlier, maybe not on the mainland, but in Hawaii she is atypical. Thankfully.
Aloha…
Are you sure you meant Nicole Kidman or did you mean Kelly Preston came from Hawaii? Lol I thought Kidman is from Australia.
Mahalo!
Patty S.
Hi Patty.
Correct, Nicole Kidman.
Aloha.
Kidman was born 20 June 1967 in Honolulu, Hawaii, while her Australian parents were temporarily in the United States on student visas
The interview I saw, Rosanne said that the people embraced her on the street and supported her. She also talked of her Jewish heritage and called herself brown.
She doesn’t deserve to live in the paradise that is Hawaii.
Why are we so enamored by what these so-called “celebrities” have to say anyway? This is no different than “rock stars” telling me who to vote for when I go to a concert. Just because a person can act out in front of a camera or an audience does not make them an expert on anything of importance!
Ok, well I’ve gotta comment on this topic. (1)I was never ever a Roseanne fan, but did watch her full 1-hour interview recently. Clearly she had a hard time stringing together her thoughts. She admitted to mental health problems, and being high on medications when sending her recent “tweet” that got her fired. She seemed genuinely intending to send a political, and not a racist “tweet”, and sincerely fearful of being incorrectly perceived as racist. (2) Having lived in Hawaii for 36 years, to say that there is no racism in Hawaii is not true. I was on the receiving end of racism on Oahu (1982), Big Island (1985), & Maui (1995), 6-8 times in all that I recall very clearly. Having said that, Hawaii is home, and 99.9% of the time,”A’ole pilikia” {no problems}.
I am certainly no fan of hers, at all, but from the quote you gave I think you misunderstood what she was saying. Again. based only on the quote that you cited, it sounds like what she’s saying is that it’s startling to be called a racist when she’s happily living on an island full of diversity.
This is a true statement. And I live near that erupting volcano.
It’s a shame racist Trumpster owns anything in Hawaii. And saying she is mental gives her an excuse. She’s an unfunny bigot. Period.
Please do not make this a political site. Very disappointed since I love your site. If you do not think there is biased opinions in Hawaii and every other state I will say nothing more . I go to Hawaii almost every year and enjoy the culture and my native Hawaiian friends that I have known for 50 years. True- the population is diverse but not the political side. Please just stick to giving all people good information on travel. Thanks for reading.
Mahalo for the comment. I like the site as is. No Agenda Please.
Thank you Larry!
Don’t suppose Roseanne’s house is anywhere near that erupting volcano?
I have visited all of the four major islands, many times over the years have have only felt Aloha, no matter the time of day, location, or incident. I always remember I’m a visitor, however, and am respectful of the Hawaiian culture, land, and ocean, which may help (we all need to start buying the correct sunscreen!). Like the post above, I also have enjoyed Beat of Hawaii posts not only for airfare trends, but more importantly items of culture and interest. Roseanne’s comments do nothing but continue to divide us, rather than unite us.
I lived there years ago and always enjoyed the beautiful land and the happy, warm and friendly people. I learned the hula too and continue them too. It’s too bad that Roseanne Barr has become an idiot in her old age.
“We nearly fell of our chairs the other day when Roseanne Barr comments on Hawaii…”
So did I. I’ve been to the islands (three so far) only a few times but have always enjoyed the friendliness of those who live there. If she would venture out of her home, I’m sure she’d find the same despite her own biases.
I have only visited Hawaii once and in my entire time there, I never, NEVER, felt afraid of anyone. I am not a Roseanne fsn, never have been, but I feel sorry for someone who lives surrounded by such beauty and can’t see it becsuse their eyes are closed tight with fear.
What I wonder about is how people look at me being white. I am so embarrassed at these new rascists comments. Please forgive them and do not for a minute think it’s about all white people. Hooponopono to all.
Mahalo
Can you believe that woman? Shouldn’t have a home in HI. I’ve visited the Islands every year for at least 40 years (mostly my beloved Kauai)and have always been a recipient of much ALOHA. From a side of Ahi from a fisherman to gifts of fruits from a special friend I’ve made there, I’ve been showered with the wonderful spirit of the Islands. Love talking story with all. Breaks my heart that anyone would malign the most welcoming & diverse people on earth.
Very well said — diplomatic and objective — keep it up! 🙂
I’ve been a subscriber to Beat of Hawaii for many, many years and always enjoy reading your articles, often feeling like I’m there again. I wish we could afford to visit the islands again. We are trying to save from our Social Security for one last trip.
Hi Bruce.
Sure hope you come back! Thanks for being a loyal reader and commenter over the years.
Best aloha.
Fear Roseanne not! Tourists always feel out of place a little, regardless of how often or long they stay. Ownign property does not make you a non tourist.
Roseanne Barr, her time has come and is now in the past. Be humorous but don’t be a bully. Bye – bye Roseanne.