Emma stone has been caught up in a debate about Hollywood “whitewashing” cultural differences in films.

In her latest movie Aloha, the 26-year-old actress plays Allison Ng, a woman who is one quarter Chinese, one quarter Hawaiian and half Swedish.

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The casting choice has outraged critics, who feel the pale-skinned, blonde-haired Stone was entirely miscast as the multiracial Allison.

America’s Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) even went as far as to issue a statement calling for audiences to boycott the film.

“It’s like tourists making a film about their stay in the islands, which is why so many locals hate tourists,” MANAA Founding President and former Hawaii resident Guy Aoki said.

“It’s an insult to the diverse culture and fabric of Hawaii.”

The rest of the primarily-white cast has also come under fire for misrepresenting Hawaii, where white people are in the minority.

The film’s director Cameron Crowe was forced to apologise for his casting decisions, posting a statement to his website this week.

“Thank you so much for all the impassioned comments regarding the casting of the wonderful Emma Stone in the part of Allison Ng,” Crowe said.

“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.”

The director then proceeded to explain the fact Ng didn’t look part Asian or Hawaiian was an integral part of her character, even in early versions of the script.

“As far back as 2007, Captain Allison Ng was written to be a super-proud ¼ Hawaiian who was frustrated that, by all outward appearances, she looked nothing like one.

“A half-Chinese father was meant to show the surprising mix of cultures often prevalent in Hawaii. Extremely proud of her unlikely heritage, she feels personally compelled to over-explain every chance she gets.

“The character was based on a real-life, red-headed local who did just that.”

Crowe also added that Stone undertook “tireless research” when preparing for the role.

Aloha has been widely panned by critics, who say it could end Crowe’s career as a director.

You can watch the first eight minutes of the film here.