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Throw Away That Coconut Bra and Plastic Hula Skirt
Read this before Halloween!
What do you want to dress up as for Halloween this year?
An Astronaut? Scientist? Alien? Scooby-Doo?
Before you answer that, let me help you not make a fool out of yourself.
Wearing any costume for only one night might seem harmless.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Unless you are dressing up as a specific character, plastic hula skirts and coconut bras are NOT the way to go.
As a Native Hawaiian, I’ll fill you in on a little secret.
That is not how we dress. At all. 🤮
Every year we see a plethora of examples embodying cultural appropriation.
Plastic hula skirts, paper leis, and coconut bras may seem Hawaiian to the outside world, but in reality that is far from the truth.
⬆️ Above is a perfect example of what NOT to do. ⬆️
If you add a pineapple to the ensemble, please note pineapples are NOT native to Hawaii and were introduced to Hawaii from the Americas.
In the spirit of aloha I encourage you, my dear readers, to choose a fun costume that is authentic and respects others.
Native Hawaiian culture is way more than a phony Halloween costume.
And “dressing up” as a hula dancer exhibits lack of understanding of the cultural signifiance of hula to kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiians).
Follow me, @Mackenzie Plunkett, for more on all things Hawaiʻi. Mahalo!
☕ You can buy me a coffee here.
📖 Need a definition for a Hawaiian word I used? Click here.
