I was not referring to his skin color. I was attempting humor, in that Hawaii would appear to be nice place to grow up.
Yeah, it's nice on the surface, but if you're haole or look haole there's a lot of places you're not welcome. You learn to stay in certain parts of the island, not to go into parks or in any public restrooms or to certain beaches, or anywhere where there are groups of "locals" standing around. It's a sort of sixth sense you develop.
I was only jumped and beaten twice when I was growing up. Both within 1/4 mile of where I lived. Once by five guys in a car that cut me off as I was walking along the road, the second time by 3 guys in a park. They were basically doing it for fun, and they know the police won't do anything about it. After the second time I used to carry a machete in my backpack because I vowed it wouldn't happen again, but fortnately the second time was the last.
I'm actually part-Hawaiian, but I look haole so I was fair game for a beating.