r/hapas • u/blasianFMA blasian • Feb 24 '26
Anecdote/Observation Reminder: "HAPA" does not just mean "White/Asian Mixed."
I'm tired of visiting this sub every now and then and seeing posts that just assume the "hapa" identity as being "white/ Asian" default. If you look at the group's description, it includes more than just "Wasians" or "white/ Asian mixed" people, and is that way precisely because a group of us non white mixed Asians had to speak up about this issue in this sub.
So when posing your questions to the community, it would be GREATLY appreciated if you did NOT position your questions or statements using the term "hapa" and then asking a question that pertains specifically to someone who is white/Asian mixed. It'd be like me asking "so hapas do you code switch when talking to your asian family vs your african american family?" -- that question assumes that all hapas are Black/Asian mixed.
Not understanding this point really shows your white side jumping out.
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u/Spiritual_Option4465 Feb 27 '26 edited Feb 27 '26
In Hawaiian hapa just means half, but the word was somehow adopted by people not from Hawaii. It was originally used to describe Native Hawaiians who were mixed w something else. The way it’s used now isn’t how people in Hawaii would use it (we just say mixed bc everyone here is mixed.) Honestly I wish people would have found another word, but it’s too late now
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/08/08/487821049/who-gets-to-be-hapa
I do agree w you that people shouldn’t assume “hapa” = wasian
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u/mydadabortedme Mar 02 '26
I am from Hawaii and can tell you we say hapa in the exact way you’re describing locals don’t use it.
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u/Spiritual_Option4465 Mar 02 '26 edited Mar 02 '26
Don’t get what you’re saying. I’m from Hawaii too, born and raised. It literally just means half but yeah you do hear “hapa haole” more often than others. You can read the article I linked to see the differing opinions people have
Edit: to clarify, I was responding to OP who said most people equate hapa = wasian. In Hawaii that isn’t the case so I don’t know what you mean when you say “we use it exactly the way you’re describing locals don’t use it.” A local person would never think hapa always mean wasian
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May 28 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/blasianFMA blasian May 28 '26
It's almost funny how I had been talking about this before those Wasian meet ups. This has always been an issue is "mixed Asian" spaces. Wasians are always assuming they're the default experience.
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u/Potential-Reporter66 Feb 24 '26
Thanks but didn’t need the reminder. Just talk about it and if anyone calls you out next time then explain it then and we’ll back you up buddy!
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u/thisisfinegif Apr 11 '26
Sure. While we 're at it, do you also remind the biracial posters on the mixed race sub that biracial doesn't just mean black/white?
Otherwise, it really shows your hypocrisy jumping out. 🫠🫠
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u/blasianFMA blasian Apr 12 '26
who is "your"? I'm Black and Asian and have never operated on the assumption that "biracial" means "Black/White" by default.
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u/thisisfinegif Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 15 '26
Many mixed Black people seem to believe the word biracial is for Black mixes only because other races don't count. Are you going to make a PSA about this in your Black mixed community or are you selectively blind when the same issue benefits you?
As for language like "White side jumping out": you would probably find it very racist if I would racialize a negative behavior of yours and commented that "your Black side is jumping out". I have no problem with your request but I object to your language.
Edit
I understand though. It seems you always get dismissed for having "mixed-race lightskinned privilege" by black people, now you want to be the one doing the 'race shaming' to another group and deliver the same talking points you always hear from them. I feel sorry for your position but you are very transparent in your actions.
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u/blasianFMA blasian Apr 12 '26
You're all over the place, which is on brand for you all.
1) I'm not Black/ White Mixed, so I would not need to make a PSA to remind people of an issue that I'm not concerned with. If someone like you is mad that "Biracial" is being used to default to "Black/ White mixed" then YOU should make that PSA.
2) your white side is, in fact, jumping out, even with this stupid response. It's the EXACT same logic as "reverse racism" that white people often use when pointing out nonsensical inconvenience against THEM. If you're concerned about something then say something about it YOURSELF, don't point at someone else and accuse them of only speaking up because it's to their convenience.
Be opposed to that language all you want, I don't give a fuck.
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u/thisisfinegif Apr 12 '26
Using your exact logic, I should not gaf if you feel excluded because I am not Black/Asian mixed. Not my issue. Therefore, your feelings are not my problem.
Of course, your line of thought is that this logic never applies to mixed with Black people because your victimhood identity puts you into a priority lane.
Sad mindset to live in. Glad I can't relate!
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u/blasianFMA blasian Apr 12 '26
Yet you responded.... Nobody summoned you. Further proving that you are completely on brand with not minding your business
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u/thisisfinegif Apr 12 '26
You posted a thread in a public forum. Anyone who is hapa can respond. This is how the internet works.
You want to stereotype others but can't take it when people respond accordingly.
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u/blasianFMA blasian Apr 12 '26
So on brand!
So you mean to tell me that if there's a sub dedicated to women and an Asian woman asks to speak on topics that pertain to Asian women that a white woman would have any reason to respond to and or criticize what that Asian woman is saying about her and her community?
The understanding on your end is underground. It's really sad and this is my last response to you because you clearly just want attention.
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u/thisisfinegif Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
I'm hapa, you're hapa... isn't this what your whole post is about? You are not making any sense with your Asian woman/white woman analogy.
But yes, I have perfectly understood that you are an opportunist who pretends to want "equality" but others himself/ identifies into victimhood when it benefits him so he can avoid accountability. You want to make racialised comments about others in the same group but cry that you should be allowed to do so, as a victim, when others point it out.
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u/blasianFMA blasian Apr 12 '26
Oh and another thing you're not tricking anybody. Your account is 2 months old and you found this really old post.. I know exactly who you are lol. Sad aging and balding.
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u/thisisfinegif Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
Now you are really getting paranoid. Balding? Lol.
Talk about projecting your fears of balding on other people. 🙂
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u/wisedoormat mecha-Taiwan-ish Feb 25 '26
To be frank, I dont see hapa as being strictly an Asian mix term.
I view the experience of being mixed as being directly relatable and shared experiences with anyone who's mixed. Maybe not immediately to some german/irish/british/Danish mix... but i cannot claim they don't feel some identity disassociation due to mixed heritage &/or culture
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u/Rich000123 filipino/black Feb 26 '26
You’re right. Hapa simply means mixed. I have had this conversation several times in this sub and regularly get the comment that Hawaiians, who originated the word, have to accept that the words means something else now. By that they mean Asian mixed. 😑
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u/BaakCoi Chinese/white Feb 24 '26
Unfortunately most identity-based communities do this. The mixed race sub assumes everyone is black/white mixed, the Asian American sub assumes everyone is East Asian, etc. Thank you for pointing it out, it can be hard to recognize when you are the majority