Hawaiian Escorts?

[snoopy]

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed a number of escort ads on various sites of guys identifying themselves as "Hawaiian"? I came across one ad recently on craigslist. The guy was visiting my city and included two torso pics with his ad. We arranged to get together. When I opened the door, my first thought was, "He's African-American". In the course of our visit he told me he was from Cleveland. He was nice, okay looking and we had a so-so time, but definitely not Hawaiian. When I asked him if he was Hawaiian he said he lived there for a year when he was a kid. I have since seen at least two other ads of guys identifying themselves the same way. One had a photo and he clearly appeared to be African-American. I guess I always considered the label "Hawaiian" to be a racial designation, maybe some guys are seeing it as more geographical (although not the guy from Cleveland), as in, "I'm a Texan, Floridian, New Yorker, Hawaiian." Or maybe its just an attempt to get one's ad noticed or appear more exotic. In my experience, it was a disappointment. Anyone else?

[bakopanda]

Being Hawaiian is more a physical than a geographical identity in popular culture. The popular image of a Hawaiian is often a person of mixed ancestry - Hawaiian-Japanese, Hawaiian-Chinese; Hawaiian-Portugese; Hawaiian-Anglo, Hawiian-Filipino. The tourist ads rarely portray a 100% Hawaiian. After college, I moved from the mainland to live in Waikiki for a few years. Being an Asian American, I was often mistaken for a Hawaiian on the street. Yet, it is possible for an escort to have African features. My best friend on the islands had a Hawaiian name and had a very dark complexion. One of his grandparents was from New Guinea. However, his sister has a very light complexion and looks very Asian-American.

[raulgmanzo]

Hey Snoopy I don't blame you for being disappointed. I agree with Bakopanda that hawaiian is more physical than geographical in popular culture. While I support anyones right to choose their self-identity I think the identity (in this case hawaiian) should be more than an exotic label. If not physical it ought to be cultural. Did he know any Hawaiian words? Know and love poi, laulau or haupia? Or what kine limu stay ono in tako poke? Or history of Hawai'i Nei?

 

I moved to Hawai'i as a child and was there elementary school through college. And yet I'm reluctant to call myself Hawaiian. But Hawai'i will always be home, along with Chicago where I eventually settled as an adult. I think before my first winter here was over I was considered a Chicagoan.

 

Raul

 

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