Pearl Harbor

The Melting Pot

Hawaii is one of the most diverse populations in the world. Over the years, people from many different countries have settled on the islands, bringing their own cultural and ethnic traditions.

The first to settle on the islands were Polynesians. They came from various islands scattered throughout the Pacific Ocean, including from New Zealand and Easter Island. It’s believed the first Polynesians came from the Marquesas Islands over 2,300 miles away. They came in large canoes between 300 and 600 CE. They brought livestock, food, clothing, and plants. They landed on the Big Island and built homes and temples. As the population grew, they spread out to six other islands nearby.

The Polynesians lived simply. They fished for food, planted small crops, and relied on the land to produce what they needed. Family—‘ohana—was important because everyone helped each other out. ‘Ohana included more than just blood relatives. The whole community was considered a person’s ‘ohana. The close connections helped people survive, and it shaped the way they treated others, eventually becoming the way of aloha. Today, aloha spirit and ‘ohana are a core part of Hawaiian culture.

In 1778, everything on Hawaii changed when English explorer Captain James Cook “discovered” Kauai. His “discovery” made the whole world aware of Hawaii. More and more people started to travel to come see the islands.

By the early 1800s, American businessmen discovered the rich soil and warm climate of Hawaii was perfect for growing crops such as sugarcane, pineapple, and coffee. People from the U.S. moved to Hawaii to build large plantations. Over the next sixty years, more than four hundred thousand immigrants came to work on the Hawaiian plantations, from countries like China, Japan, and Portugal.

Plantation work was challenging, especially for the children who helped. During the hottest time of day, they’d be carrying heavy cans of water and digging endless rows for sugarcane planting. Workers started at 4 AM and worked twelve hour days, six days a week.

Not everybody who came to Hawaii worked on plantations. Others opened shops and businesses. Some became teachers or journalists. They built homes, had families, and joined communities. Their dress, food, and traditions became part of island culture. In fact, the ukulele, which is associated with Hawaii, actually originated in Portugal! Hawaiian King Kalakaua requested the ukulele music be played at royal gatherings in the 1880s, and shortly afterwards, it became a common instrument used in music for the hula dance.

As more people moved to Hawaii, the ethnic mix on the islands changed. In 1853, Native Hawaiians (those with traces to the original Polynesian settlers), made up about 97% of the population. By 1923, that number was 16%. By 1940, over ten different ethnic groups were officially recognized, including Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Caucasian, Korean, African American, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, and Samoan. Because of such diversity, many people married others whose ethnic background was different from their own, meaning their children were of mixed race. So, being Hawaiian meant something different for everyone. But regardless, if someone could trace their lineage back to the early Polynesian settlers, they were considered Hawaiian.

Although the ethnicities, culture, and languages have changed over time, the spirit of aloha has remained strong. Respecting differences and showing kindness continued to be key to being Hawaiian.

Nanea’s Story

Nanea welcomes Lily and Donna into her home for Thanksgiving dinner by calling out “Komo mai.” Lily is Nanea’s oldest friend, and they are part of the same ‘ohana. Nanea calls Lily’s parents Uncle Fudge and Auntie Betty, and Lily calls Nanea’s parents Uncle and Auntie as well.

This is one of Nanea’s favorite things about living in Hawaii. The islands are like a jigsaw puzzle where people of all different shapes and sizes fit together. Auntie Betty and Uncle Fudge are from Japan. Mr. Cruz, their mailman, is from Portugal. And Mrs. Lin, who has a tiny crack seed shop that sells delicious dried fruits, is from China. And of course, there are people from the mainland like Nanea’s Papa and Donna’s family.

Donna moved from San Francisco to Hawaii three years ago so her father could work in the Pearl Harbor shipyard, like Papa. Their friendship started when Donna walked right up to Lily and Nanea on the first day of first grade, introduced herself, and offered them bubble gum. She still chews a lot of bubble gum.

Donna sniffs the air, and asks if she smells guava bread. Lily and Nanea laugh. When Donna first came to Hawaii, she was nervous about trying new foods. But now, she loves sweet rice mochi, Portuguese sausages, fresh ahi tuna, and Mom’s guava bread.

Grinning, Nanea replies that Mom made two loaves of guava bread this morning.