¿Qué Pasó en Hawaii? — When Places Change & People Leave

Qué pasó en Hawaii? No, seriously — we asked.

This week on Llamame Anything, we call Benito and talk about heartbreak, gentrification, and the neighborhoods that don’t love you back anymore.

Bad Bunny’s song “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii” is a poignant commentary on the gentrification and cultural erosion affecting Puerto Rico. Through evocative lyrics, he draws parallels between the experiences of Hawaii and Puerto Rico, both of which have faced colonization, over-tourism, and displacement of native communities.

In the song, Bad Bunny laments, “They want to take my river and my beach too / They want my neighborhood and grandma to leave,” highlighting the encroachment of foreign investors and the resulting displacement of local residents. He urges Puerto Ricans to hold onto their cultural identity, singing, “Don’t let go of the flag nor forget the le-lo-lai,” referencing traditional Puerto Rican music and symbols.

The track serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the loss of cultural heritage and community due to unchecked development and tourism. By invoking Hawaii’s history, Bad Bunny emphasizes the importance of preserving Puerto Rico’s unique identity and resisting external pressures that threaten to alter its social and cultural fabric.

Inspired by Bad Bunny’s smoothest text, we break down why losing a place can hit just as hard as losing a person.

If you’ve ever walked your block and thought:

‘This isn’t my barrio anymore’ — this one’s for you.

Benito set the mood, we bring the questions.

 

Available now on Spotify, Apple, and wherever you ghost your feelings.