Cameron Crowe Is Sorry for Whitewashing 'Aloha,' but Hollywood's Diversity Problem Persists

Military rom-com and blockbuster hopeful Aloha has been universally panned, and not just because viewers found the movie dull, devoid of emotional depth, and confusing. Critics have also slammed the film’s whitewashed cast, leading writer and director Cameron Crowe to issue an apology.

In a blog post published on his personal website on Tuesday evening, Crowe took full responsibility and blame for casting white actor Emma Stone as Allison Ng, a fighter pilot of Hawaiian-Chinese-Swedish descent.

“I have heard your words and your disappointment, and I offer you a heart-felt apology to all who felt this was an odd or misguided casting choice,” wrote Crowe.

The director of Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire explained that Stone’s character was based on the real-life experiences of a woman of Asian descent with fair skin and red hair, and that he did not mean to cause offense by casting a non-Asian actor. He also attempted to relieve Stone of any culpability.

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However, Crowe maintains that he’s proud of the diversity in the rest of the film’s casting, mentioning the role of native Hawaiian Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele. Yet white Americans, including Bradley Cooper, Rachel McAdams, Bill Murray, and Alec Baldwin, play all of the major roles.

“Sixty percent of Hawaii’s population is Asian American Pacific Islanders,” said Guy Aoki, the founding president of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans. “Caucasians only make up 30 percent of the [Hawaiian] population, but from watching this film, you’d think they made up 90 percent.”

So, Why Should You Care? By presenting a whitewashed version of Hawaii, not only is the film less believable but it also contributes to the marginalization of an already underrepresented group. Asian actors made up less than 5 percent of speaking roles in major Hollywood productions in 2013, according to a study conducted that year. Although Asian Americans make up a similarly small percentage of America’s racial demographics, Crowe and his crew missed an opportunity to employ Asian or biracial characters in a setting where they're the majority.

As for Aloha, there’s little else Crowe can do now besides promise he’ll do better next time.

“I am grateful for the dialogue. And from the many voices, loud and small, I have learned something very inspiring,” said Crowe. “So many of us are hungry for stories with more racial diversity, more truth in representation, and I am anxious to help tell those stories in the future.”