Hapa means "half-
asian, half-
white"; it is derived from the
Hawaiian word
Hapa haole, meaning "half-white, half-
foreigner." Originally a
derogatory word, it has since lost that
connotation and has become a convenient way for hapas to describe themselves. It's just easier to say two
syllables instead of six syllables (for half-white, half-
Japanese). It should also be an official
census category and category for all applications that apply for
ethnicity, but the
racist views of the
dominant power in this country prevent such an open-minded
liberal view of
race.
Race itself is nothing but a
cultural construction used to categorize and
subjugate entire groups in a hierarchy of skin color. As long as such a prevailing view exists, Hapas need to form a separate identity to fight for
civil rights and protection, and to get
recognition that they need not ignore an entire half of their
personhood for the
convenience of racist
bureaucrats . The word hapa tends to be used more frequently among Asian-American populations and hapas than among other populations.
Also, jokingly defined by one of my hapa friends as "Hot Piece of Ass"