Native Hawaiians

Native Hawaiians (also known as Indigenous Hawaiians, Kānaka Maoli, Aboriginal Hawaiians, or simply Hawaiians) are the Indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. They have a rich history that began at least 800 years ago when Polynesians sailed from the Society Islands to settle in Hawaiʻi. Over time, they developed their own unique culture, language, and way of life, while still keeping strong ties with other Polynesian peoples.

The Hawaiian Kingdom was created in 1795 when Kamehameha the Great brought together all the major islands — Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi — under one rule. Later, Kauaʻi and Niʻihau also joined. The kingdom saw many new people come from places like the United States and Asia.

Today, Native Hawaiians live in many parts of the United States. Their culture and traditions continue to be important to many people, both in Hawaiʻi and around the world.

History

See also: History of Hawaii

The history of the native Hawaiian people, known as Kānaka Maoli, has four main time periods:

• the pre-unification period (before around 1800)
• the unified monarchy and republic period (around 1800 to 1898)
• the U.S. territorial period (1898 to 1959)
• the U.S. statehood period (1959 to today)

Origins

One idea is that the first Polynesians reached Hawaiʻi in the 3rd century from the Marquesas by traveling in groups of waka. Later, people from Tahiti arrived around 1300 and brought new traditions. Stories tell of a navigator-priest named Paʻao who traveled between Hawaiʻi and a place called "Kahiki" (Tahiti). Some writers think earlier people lived in remote valleys, but these ideas are not certain.

Demographics

See also: Hawaii § Demographics

When Captain Cook arrived in 1778, the Native Hawaiian population was very large, between 250,000 and 800,000 people. Sadly, many became very sick after meeting new people who brought diseases like smallpox, measles, and whooping cough. These illnesses were new to them and caused many to get very ill.

Today, about 293,000 people have Native Hawaiian heritage, including those with mixed backgrounds. This number grew over time. In 1900, there were 37,656 people of Native Hawaiian ancestry, and by 2000, this number had grown to 283,430.

Diaspora

See also: Hawaiian diaspora

Some Native Hawaiians moved away from the islands during the time of the Hawaiian Kingdom. For example, Harry Maitey was the first Native Hawaiian to live in Prussia.

The Native Hawaiian community has also grown in places outside of Hawaiʻi, especially in California and Washington. Because many Native Hawaiians live in Las Vegas, some call it the "Ninth Island."

Culture and arts

Main article: Culture of the Native Hawaiians

Groups work to protect Native Hawaiian culture. The biggest is the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, started in 1889. It has many important items and information about Native Hawaiian life. The museum works with schools and universities for research.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society helps people learn about old Polynesian sailing. They built special canoes, starting with Hōkūleʻa, and sailed far distances. These trips help people appreciate Hawaiian culture more.

Native Hawaiian culture comes from Polynesian traditions, with its own religion and customs. Their beliefs focus on the land (ʻāina) and family (ʻohana). The land is very important and sacred. Their religion believes in many gods, especially Wākea and Papahānaumoku, who are seen as the mother and father of the Hawaiian islands. Their child Hāloa is important because all Hawaiians come from him.

Each island was divided into parts called moku, given to important families. These parts were split into smaller areas called ahupuaʻa, stretching from the sea to the mountains. This made sure each area had all the resources people needed. Managers took care of each ahupuaʻa.

Hula is a famous Hawaiian dance. Traditionally, it was done to honor the gods. There are two main types: hula kahiko, the old style with traditional instruments and chanting, and hula ʻauana, which uses newer instruments and bright clothes. Both tell stories through dance movements.

Hawaiian people love to celebrate with traditions and holidays. One big celebration is the Lūʻau, a feast with special foods like poi and kālua pig, plus music and dancing.

Every year on March 26, people celebrate Prince Kūhiō Day to honor Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, who helped Native Hawaiians own land. They have canoe races and lūʻaus. On June 11, they celebrate King Kamehameha day to honor Kamehameha I, the king who brought the islands together. People bring lei (flower necklaces) to statues of the king to show respect.

Hawaiian cultural revival

See also: Culture of the Native Hawaiians and Hawaii § Culture

In the 1970s, Hawaiian culture grew stronger. In 1978, leaders met and decided to protect Hawaiian traditions, stories, and language.

Schools began teaching students about Hawaiian art, dances, and language. Many parts of Hawaiian culture became popular with visitors, helping keep these traditions alive.

The government also changed many place names to use more Hawaiian names. For example, when a military base closed in the 1990s, the area was renamed Kalaeloa.

Activism

See also: Native Hawaiian activism

Native Hawaiians have a long history of standing up for their rights. Important protests happened, such as the Kalama Valley protests, the Waiāhole-Waikāne struggle, the Kahoʻolawe Island protests, and protests about building big telescopes on sacred mountains, including the Thirty Meter Telescope protests.

Hawaiian language

Main article: Hawaiian language

The Hawaiian language used to be spoken by native Hawaiian people. In 1896, a law made English the only language taught in schools. This caused many people to stop using Hawaiian. But some people still learned it. Today, many people in Hawaiʻi also speak Hawaiian Creole English, called Pidgin, which mixes words from different languages.

In 1978, Hawaiʻi made Hawaiian an official language, like English. Since then, more people have been learning Hawaiian in special schools and university programs. For example, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo teach Hawaiian language. This is the first program in the United States to study a language from before European contact. On the island of Niʻihau, Hawaiian is the main language spoken.

Main article: Hawai'i Sign Language

Some native Hawaiians also used a special sign language called Hawaiʻi Sign Language.

Education

See also: Hawaiʻi § Education, and Hawaiʻi Department of Education

In Hawaiʻi, public schools are run by the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education. Special schools were created where all lessons are taught in the Hawaiian language and include Hawaiian culture. These schools are open to everyone.

Kānaka Maoli can also go to Kamehameha Schools (KS), a group of private schools set up using money left by Bernice Pauahi Bishop from the Kamehameha Dynasty. KS aims to help children in need, especially those with Hawaiian heritage. Many children go to these schools, and they offer extra programs.

Many Kānaka Maoli also attend regular public schools or other private schools.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs helps protect the rights and culture of Native Hawaiians. It makes sure their land, resources, and traditions are cared for. The office supports Native Hawaiians to keep their community strong.

Federal developments

United States annexation

In 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani became the ruler of Hawaiʻi. A group called the "Committee of Safety," led by Sanford Dole, took control of the government. This happened because the Queen did not agree to changes that would have given more power to American business leaders and allowed the U.S. to build a military base at Pearl Harbor. This change hurt the traditional Hawaiian way of governing and put a new government in place that supported the United States.

Native American Programs Act

In 1974, a U.S. law called the Native American Programs Act was changed to include Kānaka Maoli. This meant that Native Hawaiians could now receive some of the same help that Native Americans in the continental U.S. receive. Today, a Native Hawaiian is defined as someone whose ancestors lived in the Hawaiian Islands before 1778.

United States apology resolution

On November 23, 1993, President Bill Clinton signed a resolution that said the U.S. was sorry for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. This showed that the U.S. recognized it had done wrong to the Native Hawaiian people.

Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009

In the early 2000s, leaders in Hawaiʻi tried to pass a bill to officially recognize a Native Hawaiian government. This would have created a formal relationship between this new government and the U.S. government. Some people supported it as a way to correct past wrongs, while others thought it would not give Native Hawaiians full independence. The bill did not become law.

Ka Huli Ao: Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law

In 2005, federal money helped start the Ka Huli Ao: Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at the University of Hawaiʻi’s law school. This center studies and teaches about Native Hawaiian laws and helps connect students and the community.

Department of Interior Self-Governance Proposal

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Interior began working on ways to recognize Native Hawaiians’ right to govern themselves. This idea faced opposition from some Native Hawaiians who felt they should not need to follow U.S. rules to regain their independence. The process allowed for a relationship between the U.S. and a Native Hawaiian government, but it was stopped by a court decision.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The U.S. government made May the month to honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people. Before 2021, it was called Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Native Hawaiian Community Consultation Policy

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Interior made a new rule. This rule says that the federal government must talk with Native Hawaiian groups before doing anything that could greatly affect their lands, rights, or resources. This helps protect Native Hawaiians’ sovereignty and self-determination.

Violence Against Women Act

In December 2022, a U.S. law was changed to include Kānaka Maoli and Native Hawaiian groups in programs that help survivors of gender-based violence.

Notable Kānaka Maoli

Main article: List of Native Hawaiians

In 1873, two Native Hawaiians, Kiha Kaʻawa and Kahana Pukahi, were allowed by King Lunalilo to move to the United States. Before this, Native Hawaiians were not allowed to leave Hawaiʻi. Kahana Pukahi returned to Hawaiʻi, but Kiha Kaʻawa stayed in the United States. He was adopted by a missionary and became the first Native Hawaiian to become a U.S. citizen in 1873. Kiha Kaʻawa was born in 1862 on Lānaʻi and later moved to Lāʻie on Oʻahu as a boy. He lived until 1931.