prejudiced, exceedingly
頗 centers on a strong leaning or slant: being biased or prejudiced, and by extension, something that leans so far in one direction that it becomes extreme or exceedingly so.
頗 combines 皮 (skin, surface) with 頁 (head). The original idea likely relates to the head leaning or inclining to one side, giving rise to the meanings of bias and excess.
The skin (皮) on the head (頁) is pulled to one side, making the face look prejudiced and extremely lopsided.
For ハ, imagine a biased judge laughing 'Ha!' as they rule unfairly: Ha -> ハ, and their prejudice is exceedingly obvious.
favoritism; favouritism; discrimination