Okinawans in Hawaii () number between 45,000 and 50,000 people, or 3% of the U.S. state's total population.

History

Immigration

The economy of the

Ryukyu Islands The , also known as the or the , are a chain of Japanese islands that stretch southwest from Kyushu to Geography of Taiwan, Taiwan: the Ryukyu Islands are divided into the Satsunan Islands (Ōsumi Islands, Ōsumi, Tokara Islands, Tokara and A ...

plummeted following its

annexation Annexation, in international law, is the forcible acquisition and assertion of legal title over one state's territory by another state, usually following military occupation of the territory. In current international law, it is generally held t ...

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

in 1879. As a result of worsening conditions, many Okinawans wished to move elsewhere for a better life. Previously, Japan had prohibited emigration from

Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan. It consists of three main island groups—the Okinawa Islands, the Sakishima Islands, and the Daitō Islands—spread across a maritime zone approximately 1,000 kilometers east to west an ...

, but this decision was later reversed in the late 1890s. In 1899, the first group of Okinawan migrants were formed, numbering 26 people. Led by emigration activist Kyuzo Toyama, these laborers arrived in

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; ) is an island U.S. state, state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about southwest of the U.S. mainland. One of the two Non-contiguous United States, non-contiguous U.S. states (along with Alaska), it is the only sta ...

on January 8, 1900. Subsequent waves of migrants came to Hawaii in the following years, with the second group, also led by Kyuzo, arriving in 1903. This group had 40 people. Okinawa's declining economy was the main contributor of emigration, but other factors included the recession caused by the

Russo-Japanese War The Russo-Japanese War (8 February 1904 – 5 September 1905) was fought between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan over rival imperial ambitions in Manchuria and the Korean Empire. The major land battles of the war were fought on the ...

and draft dodging.

Settlement

While many Okinawans wanted to return home after making enough money in Hawaii, many also stayed behind and permanently settled. This caused the formation of the Okinawan community of Hawaii. By 1908, over 8,500 Hawaii residents were of Okinawan descent. Okinawans in Hawaii faced discrimination by the local Japanese community, who saw them as backwards due to cultural and linguistic differences. Common insults included "pig-eater", and many customs such as the

hajichi are traditional tattoos worn on the hands of Ryukyuan people, Ryukyuan (mainly Okinawan people, Okinawan) women. Etymology The term comes from Okinawan language, Okinawan , literally "needle thrusting", in turn from Ryukyuan languages, Proto-Ryu ...

(Okinawan female tattoos) were made fun of.

Identity

Because Okinawa used to be an independent country from Japan, many Okinawan migrants viewed themselves as a distinct group from the Yamato Japanese, or ''Naichi'' (内地, "inner lands"). The attitude of being a distinct group persists today among Hawaii Okinawans. There are numerous cultural organizations for the Okinawans in Hawaii, the largest one being the Hawaii United Okinawa Association. As of 2020, it enrolls over 40,000 people across 50 different member clubs, each pertaining to a specific region in Okinawa. Since the 1970s, the HUOA has held an annual Okinawan Cultural Festival.

Notable people

Ryan Higa Ryan Higa (born June 6, 1990), also known as nigahiga ( ), is an American internet personality. Best known for his comedy videos on YouTube, Higa began making YouTube videos in 2006 and was one of the most popular creators on the platform in i ...

, YouTuber *

David Ige David Yutaka Ige (; 伊芸豊, ''Ige Yutaka'', born January 15, 1957) is an American politician and engineer who served as the eighth governor of Hawaii from 2014 to 2022. A Democrat, he served in the Hawaii State Senate from 1994 to 2014 and ...

, former governor of Hawaii * Rob Kajiwara, Okinawan-Hawaiian political activist *

Yeiki Kobashigawa Yeiki Kobashigawa (, September 28, 1917 – March 31, 2005) was a soldier in United States Army.Blakeman, Karen "Yeiki Kobashigawa, World War II hero,"''Honolulu Advertiser.'' May 13, 2005; retrieved 2012-12-7. He is best known for receiving the M ...

, Medal of Honor recipient (WW2) * Herbert Matayoshi, former mayor of Hawaii county *

Shinyei Nakamine Shinyei Nakamine (, January 21, 1920 – June 2, 1944) was a United States Army soldier. He is best known for receiving the Medal of Honor because of his actions in World War II.US Army Center of Military History"Medal of Honor Recipients, Wor ...

, Medal of Honor recipient (WW2) *

Robert Taira Robert Taira (November 5, 1923 in Hilo, Hawaii – May 29, 2003 in Torrance, California) was the founder of King's Hawaiian bakery. Biography Taira was born and raised in Hilo, the ninth of eleven children of Okinawan immigrants. He served ...

, restaurant owner *

Toshiko Takaezu Toshiko Takaezu (June 17, 1922 – March 9, 2011) was an American ceramic artist, painter, sculptor, and educator whose oeuvre spanned a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, weavings, bronzes, and paintings. She was noted for her pioneerin ...

, artist * Dwight Takamine, state senator *

Jill Tokuda Jill Naomi Tokuda (born March 3, 1976) is an American politician and business owner serving as the U.S. representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district since 2023. Tokuda is one of three Japanese Americans who currently serve in the Hou ...

, congresswoman *

Roy Yamaguchi Roy Yamaguchi (born 1956) is a Japanese-American celebrity chef, restaurateur, and founder of a collection of restaurants, including 30 Roy's Restaurants in the United States and Guam, the Tavern by Roy Yamaguchi and Eating House 1849. He is one ...

, chef and entrepreneur * Stephen K. Yamashiro, former mayor of Hawaii county

References