hapa haole

adjective

ha·​pa hao·​le ˌhä-pə-ˈhau̇-lē How to pronounce hapa haole (audio)
-(ˌ)lā
: of part-white ancestry or origin
especially : of white and Hawaiian ancestry

Examples of hapa haole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hapa is an abbreviation of the Hawaiian term hapa haole, referring to multiracial people of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent. Kinza Shenn, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Hawaiian, from hapa half (from English half) + haole

First Known Use

circa 1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hapa haole was circa 1916

Dictionary Entries Near hapa haole

Cite this Entry

“Hapa haole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hapa%20haole. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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