My experience? Ask ten language experts the same question and you'll get at least five answers.... But, here are my two cents.
Others are correct by posting that the word, "hapa", is only the first part of the original, "hapa haole" -- a term that is mostly misunderstood and subsequently, mistranslated.
Firstly, "hapa" is not a Hawaiian word; it is the Hawaiian pronunciation of the English word, "half". There are only a few consonants in the Hawaiian language and they do not include "f." Secondly, the word, "haole (which is a Hawaiian word)" translates to "foreign" -- not necessarily "Caucasian". If one were to be called, "hafu gaijin" in Japan that would carry an almost identical meaning: "half-foreign". Yes, language evolves and meanings change but -- strictly speaking -- anyone who is not Hawaiian is "haole". Even Asians.
Others are correct by posting that the word, "hapa", is only the first part of the original, "hapa haole" -- a term that is mostly misunderstood and subsequently, mistranslated.
Firstly, "hapa" is not a Hawaiian word; it is the Hawaiian pronunciation of the English word, "half". There are only a few consonants in the Hawaiian language and they do not include "f." Secondly, the word, "haole (which is a Hawaiian word)" translates to "foreign" -- not necessarily "Caucasian". If one were to be called, "hafu gaijin" in Japan that would carry an almost identical meaning: "half-foreign". Yes, language evolves and meanings change but -- strictly speaking -- anyone who is not Hawaiian is "haole". Even Asians.
by 7Tigers December 26, 2015
It literally means half in Hawaiian. It was originally meant to describe someone who was part Hawaiian, part whatever. But the term hapa has come to mean half asian, half white to a lot of people.
by riceflower January 16, 2004
"Half" in the Hawaiian language. Originally used to describe someone who was half-Hawaiian but came to more prominently refer to someone who's half-Asian or Pacific Islander. Increasingly used to describe people who are of any racial mix, but this is still generally misunderstood as referring to a half-Asian; also, increasingly used to describe people who are of a partial Asian ancestry, e.g three quarters non-Asian, one quarter Asian. However, the term is fairly recent, and many hapas would not necessarily know that you are referring to them if you were to describe them as hapa.
Some hapas have tried to claim that the use of the term is equivilant to nigga in the black community, i.e. that one hapa can refer to another as hapa and it is good, but a non-hapa cannot, and it would be insulting. Most other hapas think these people are retards and are just happy to have something that isn't as patronizing as halfie or halvsie and easier to say than half-Chinese/Japanese/Korean/whatever.
Some hapas have tried to claim that the use of the term is equivilant to nigga in the black community, i.e. that one hapa can refer to another as hapa and it is good, but a non-hapa cannot, and it would be insulting. Most other hapas think these people are retards and are just happy to have something that isn't as patronizing as halfie or halvsie and easier to say than half-Chinese/Japanese/Korean/whatever.
"If Magnus Karlsson and Yuki Fujiwara have a kid together, it'll be hapa."
"My dad is Chinese and my mom is black, and so I'm hapa."
"Did you know that Karen is a hapa? I had no idea, but I guess I can see it now."
"My dad is Chinese and my mom is black, and so I'm hapa."
"Did you know that Karen is a hapa? I had no idea, but I guess I can see it now."
by don_tardo December 27, 2006
A mixed-race person of Asian descent. Chinese-German, Japanese-Black, Chinese-Vietnamese, Korean-Japanese, Mexican-Korean, Filipino-Welsh, are all possible Hapa combinations.
Mother might be Asian, father might be non-Asian, or vice-versa.
Hapa children might be hot as hell, or butt-ugly.
Hapa's aren't "half" of anything--how could anyone be "half" of something?
Mother might be Asian, father might be non-Asian, or vice-versa.
Hapa children might be hot as hell, or butt-ugly.
Hapa's aren't "half" of anything--how could anyone be "half" of something?
by aintnowarbaby November 30, 2003
hapa is a term originating in the Hawaiian islands, where it is used to refer to people with two or more ethnicities. It does not always mean "part asian"...it can be any two or more ethnicities. In the old days, hapa reffered to only being part white and part polynesian (Hawaiian). hapa means "part", so it can apply to 1/4 Hawaiian or French or whatever ethnic background as well.
i am hapa Hawai'i (part Hawaiian), hapa Palani (part French), hapa Okinawa (part Okinawan) and hapa 'Inikiki 'Amelika (part Native American)
by Hawai'ian August 17, 2009
Hawaiian: a person of mixed racial background. From English "half". Probably originally used in the phrase "hapa haole" = lit. "half white" ("haole" = "white person").
by thnidu March 17, 2013
I wish I was HAPA. They have the benefit of white privileged without being blame for it.
I only fuck HAPA
I only fuck HAPA
by I let my nuts hang July 04, 2019