Presenter(s): Kris Galago − Ethnic Studies
Faculty Mentor(s): Stephanie Lani Teves, Sharon Luk
Creative Work Session 4
Research Area: Ethnic Studies
In the past 20 years a significant number of pacific islanders have moved away from their pacific island homelands to the continental United States for perceived ‘better opportunities’. In that migration, some Native Hawaiian cultural traditions were not perpetuated. From a survey of discourse on colonialism in Hawaii in both literary studies and history, the erasure
of Native Hawaiian culture grounds much of the theory and analysis about Native Hawaiian migration to the mainland and the loss of culture when this occurs. I analyze general themes prominent in scholarly literature most grounded in Native Hawaiian colonial studies: experience of relocation, perpetuation of culture, loss of culture, connection to land and family and institutional racism.
I investigate the ways that the Pacific Islander cultures are being practiced and perpetuated in the continental United States. Participant interviews make up the majority of my research data along with insight gained from attending, observing and participating in various community event in the Pacific Northwest centered around the Native Hawaiian culture and arts.
A close examination of archival records obtained from two key archival sources: The Office of Hawaiian Affairs demographic data on diaspora of Native Hawaiians, and the U.S. Census information on Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders will also be key to understanding the rate and frequency of Native Hawaiian migration away from Hawaii. I conclude by sharing insight as to whether the decision to perpetuate the Native Hawaiian culture in the Pacific Northwest is a conscious one or not.