The Hawaiian Race

Entering a New World: Leaving Hawai’i

Hawai’i vs. The Mainland ~ A comparison of the Hawaiian Islands to the east coast of the U.S. mainland

The Hawaiian Race

November 23, 2008 at 11:22 am · Filed under Hawaiians Exist and tagged: hawaii, Hawaiian culture, The Hawaiian Race, the people of Hawaii

There is no easy way to explain the culture of the Hawaiian Islands without accidentally forgetting something important. So, I will try my best.

First of all and this is a popular question, is Hawaiian an ethnicity?

The answer is YES! Hawaiians lived in the islands before they were discovered by the white man (haha) otherwise known as Captain Cook. Much like Native Americans, they inhabited all eight islands and lived a semi-civilized lifestyle (according to the invaders/discoverers.) Their time dates back hundreds of years before their “discovery” by mainland travelers.

They had their own language and customs. They lived in a well-oiled society, working among eachother. They are polynesian descendants. Their exact origin is only in theory because for a very long time their history was spoken, not written down.

People often confuse Hawaiians with people are from there-meaning they live there- and people who are actually Hawaiian. If you were born and raised in Hawai’i, you are not Hawaiian unless you are of Hawaiian ancestry. You could be born and raised in the mainland, but still be Hawaiian.

To deny that there is such a thing as a Hawaiian race would be completely incorrect. They exist, they were put to the test when discovered… and survived.

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3 Comments»

TDOT wrote @ January 4, 2009 at 11:41 pm

I feel enlightened!

dude wrote @ May 24, 2009 at 10:16 pm

Captian Cook was not a “mainland” traveler, he was british. Also, there is not really a Hawaiian race since race means a human population considered distinct based on physical characteristics. Maybe you could argue that there is a Polynesian race. It is definitely a distinct culture though.

neutralideas wrote @ August 25, 2009 at 10:24 am

The Hawaiian race is, in fact, race. Hawaiians have physical features that are unique to them only since they are hundreds of years distanced from the Polynesian race. Hawaiian is an ethnicity that is terribly misunderstood by people not unlike yourself. Do your research before you make such callous comments.