What Does a Hawaiian Look Like?
Donnie Kamehaʻikū CamvelMA Political Science,
Lecturer/Community Organizer Windward Community College Donnie Camvel was born and raised on the Koʻolau side of Oʻahu. Through out her time growing up, Donnie constantly faced opposition and conflict from other Hawaiians just because of the way she looks. A self-described "hapa-haole," she often had to find ways to "survive" during her time going to schools such as Kahuku and Castle High. Phrases such as "fucking haole" were dirges that were thrown at her. In order to remedy that pain, she looked towards the safety provided by what she described as "big Hawaiian titas that know one wanted to mess with." She took on the persona which emulated some of the negative stereo-types of being Hawaiian—acting tough, "giving stink eye," cursing at people. It was a type of defense mechansim which in retrospect, Donnie acknowledges was a way that many Hawaiians sought to do in order to even gain acceptance from people in their own community.
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