Africans in Hawaii facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 52,069 (4.0%, 2010) 29,307 (2.3%, African alone, 2010) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| English, Hawaiian, Portuguese | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Cape Verdean, African American, Afro-Caribbean |
Africans in Hawaii, also known as Pōpolo, are a small part of Hawaii's population. About 4% of people in Hawaii have African roots. Around 2.3% are only of African descent.
Contents
What Does "Pōpolo" Mean?
The word "Pōpolo" comes from the Hawaiian word for 'blackberry'. It also refers to certain plants like the black nightshade. Over time, this word was used to describe the dark skin of people from Africa.
A Look Back: African History in Hawaii
Early Arrivals in the 1800s
The first Africans to arrive in Hawaii were sailors. They worked on merchant and whaling ships. These early visitors came from places like Cape Verde, the United States (as African Americans), and the Caribbean. Some of these sailors decided to stay in Hawaii.
Many became successful musicians, business owners, or respected government officials. One famous example was Anthony D. Allen (1774–1835). He was an ex-slave from America who came to Hawaii in 1810. He worked for Kamehameha I, the first king of Hawaii. Anthony Allen became very successful, owning many houses and businesses.
Other important figures included Oliver and George Washington Hyatt. They were African-Americans who led the Royal Hawaiian Band. Betsey Stockton, a former slave, also came to Hawaii. She started one of the first mission schools in Lahaina that was open to everyone.
Cape Verdean Immigrants
Before 1975, many people from Portuguese Cape Verde moved to Hawaii. They were escaping dry weather and food shortages in their homeland. Since they used Portuguese passports, officials often listed them as Portuguese immigrants.
After Slavery Ended in America
After the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the Hawaiian government thought about hiring freed slaves to work in Hawaii. They hoped to bring many people to work on plantations. However, this plan did not happen because it was too hard to bring them from the Southern United States to Hawaii.
Life in the 1900s
By 1910, there were only about 695 Africans in Hawaii. After the Hawaiian Monarchy was overthrown, a social system developed. White people were at the top, and Asian people were at the bottom. Fortunately, people of African descent were often seen as "Brown." This group included Hawaiians and Polynesians. This helped them move into the working and middle classes.
After Hawaii became part of the United States, some attempts were made to bring African-American workers from states like Tennessee and Alabama to work on sugarcane plantations. Only about 300 made the long journey. Many did not stay on the plantations because the working conditions were very difficult.
Despite challenges, many skilled African-Americans moved to Hawaii to escape racism on the mainland. They found more opportunities for work in their chosen fields. Alice A. Ball was one such person. She earned her master's degree at the University of Hawaii. She taught chemistry there and discovered the "Ball Method," a treatment for leprosy.
Another famous person was Peter Hose (1881–1925), known as the "Hula Cop." He was the first police officer of African ancestry in Hawaii. He served the Honolulu Police Department for 18 years.
World Wars and Military Presence
During World War I, about 200 soldiers from the 25th Infantry Regiment were sent to Hawaii. This was partly to help prevent racial tensions, as Hawaii had many non-white residents.
World War II brought even more African-Americans to Hawaii. Hundreds of ship workers and thousands of soldiers arrived. A tragic event called the West Loch disaster happened in 1944. Ammunition and fuel exploded, killing 163 people, including several African-Americans. Later wars in Asia also brought many African-Americans through Hawaii. After their service, many of these military members chose to stay and live in Hawaii.
After the Wars: New Opportunities
After World War II, many people of color in Hawaii used the G.I. bill to get an education. This made them more aware of unfair racial differences. Several Africans, including Frank M. Davis, understood the struggles faced by African people in the United States. They took part in the "Bloodless Revolution." This movement helped to end the rule of Hawaii's white minority and change the old social class system.
See Also
