Native Hawaiians

Native Hawaiians
Dbenbenn · Public domain · source
Group	Native Hawaiians
Native name	Kānaka Maoli
Population	~527,077 (2010 U.S. Census)
Popplace	United States (Hawaii, California, Nevada, Washington)
Languages	Hawaiian, English
Religions	Christianity, Hawaiian religion
Related	Other Polynesians, Māori, Tahitians, Marquesans

Native Hawaiians, or Kānaka Maoli, are the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands. Their ancestry traces back to the original settlers who arrived from the Marquesas Islands and later Tahiti between 300 and 800 CE. Following the arrival of Captain James Cook in 1778, their society was transformed through the establishment of the Kingdom of Hawaii, its eventual overthrow, and subsequent annexation by the United States. Today, they are a culturally vibrant people with a strong movement focused on sovereignty and cultural revitalization.

History

The history of Native Hawaiians begins with the remarkable voyages of Polynesian navigators who settled the islands using only knowledge of the stars, winds, and ocean swells. These settlers developed a complex, stratified society governed by the kapu system and ruled by aliʻi (chiefs). The islands were unified under a single monarchy by 1810 with the rise of Kamehameha I, who utilized Western weapons like those obtained from traders such as John Young. The 19th century saw profound changes, including the arrival of American Protestant missionaries in 1820, the Great Māhele land division of 1848, and the signing of the Bayonet Constitution in 1887 under pressure from the Honolulu Rifles. The monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by a group including members of the Committee of Safety with support from the U.S. Marines, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii and eventual annexation via the Newlands Resolution in 1898. The 20th century included pivotal events like the Hawaii Democratic Revolution of 1954 and the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1970s, which sparked a cultural and political resurgence.

Culture

The culture of Native Hawaiians is deeply connected to the land (ʻāina) and sea. Traditional practices include hula, oli (chant), the creation of kapa (bark cloth), and advanced methods of loko iʻa (fishpond aquaculture). Key cultural concepts are aloha ʻāina (love of the land), mālama ʻāina (caring for the land), and ohana (family). The Hawaiian language, once suppressed, is now taught in immersion schools like those run by the ʻAha Pūnana Leo. Important cultural institutions include the Bishop Museum and the annual Merrie Monarch Festival, a premier hula competition. Spiritual beliefs, centered on deities like Kāne, Kū, Lono, and Kanaloa, are preserved through practices such as the Makahiki harvest festival.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were approximately 527,077 people identifying as Native Hawaiian alone or in combination in the 2010 Census, with the largest population residing in the state of Hawaii, particularly on the island of Oahu. Significant diaspora communities exist in states like California, Nevada, and Washington. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is a key state agency serving this population. Socioeconomic challenges include disparities in health, education, and income, as well as issues of Hawaiian home land waitlists managed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Sovereignty and legal status

The legal and political status of Native Hawaiians is a complex and active area of advocacy and litigation. The 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the 1898 annexation are central to modern sovereignty claims. The Apology Resolution, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1993, formally apologized for the overthrow. Contemporary sovereignty efforts range from seeking federal recognition similar to that of American Indian tribes to complete independence. Key organizations and entities involved include the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Kingdom government groups, and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission. Legal milestones include the Rice v. Cayetano Supreme Court case and debates over the proposed Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (the Akaka Bill).

Notable people

Notable Native Hawaiians have made significant contributions across many fields. In history and royalty, figures include unifier Kamehameha I, Queen Liliʻuokalani (the last reigning monarch and composer of Aloha ʻOe), and diplomat Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole. Modern political leaders include Daniel Akaka, the first U.S. Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry, and John D. Waiheʻe III, the first Native Hawaiian governor of Hawaii. In arts and culture, influential individuals are entertainer and activist Bette Midler (of Hawaiian descent), singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, and hula master George Naʻope. Contemporary leaders in sovereignty and culture include scholar and activist Haunani-Kay Trask and navigator Nainoa Thompson of the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Category:Native Hawaiians Category:Indigenous peoples of Hawaii Category:Polynesian people