"The "1.5 generation" (Ilchom ose) refers to Koreans who immigrated to the United States as children. Unlike their first-generation parents and second-generation children born in the United States, 1.5ers have been socialized in both Korean and American cultures and express the cultural values and beliefs of each. Thus far, studies on immigration and ethnic identity have ignored those who are neither immigrants nor native born; the issues faced by 1.5ers are often linked to those of the following generation when in fact the two differ substantially.

In this first extended look at the 1.5 generation in Hawai'i, Mary Yu Danico attempts to fill this void in the research by addressing the social process through which Korean children are transformed from immigrants into 1.5ers. Dozens of informal, in-depth interviews and case studies provide rich data on how family, community, and economic and political factors influence and shape Korean and Korean American identity in Hawai'i."

"Danico examines the history of Koreans in Hawai'i, their social characteristics, and current demographics. Hawai'i's Korean Americans must negotiate between three cultures: Korean, American, and "local." Danico discusses what it means to be local and its unique effects on the immigrant experience to determine the conditions under which Koreans in Hawai'i define themselves as first generation, Korean American, local, or 1.5 generation. Her close consideration of socio-cultural influences firmly establishes the 1.5 generation in the mainstream discussion of identity formation and race relations.

In addition, her work contributes significantly to the study of ethnic identity construction of 1.5ers from not only Korea, but also the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond."--Jacket.