Let's travel back in time
to the year 1919. The Samoans have just arrived in
Hawaii. This was the first group of Samoan immigrants.
They are a group of immigrants that is very unique in
their way of coming to Hawaii. They didn't come as
plantation workers, such as the Japanese, Chinese, and
Filipinos. They came as Mormons. The immigrants came to
the Laie, an area of Oahu. Samoans mainly left to find a
better life and better jobs, and also to escape from the
overpopulated Samoa.
During World War II, the Samoans began to come to Hawaii. The
U.S. Navy, which used Samoa as a wartime base, made Samoans more
aware of the outside world. A number of young Samoans enlisted and
came to Hawaii where some of them settled after the war. Migration
increased from a few hundred soon after World War II to several
thousand in the mid-seventies. The majority of Samoans lived on
the island of Oahu.
Traditional
Samoan clothing
Mormon Samoans came when
the Mormon temple was built on Oahu. But their limited
education and little knowledge of the English language
made it difficult to find good jobs. Instead they had to
do hard jobs such as construction and tree-trimming
jobs.
A Mormon
temple on the island of Oahu
In 1952, about 1,000 Samoans arrived in Hawaii. It is estimated that in the 1970s, there were more than 13,000 Samoans and part-Samoans living in Hawaii. A majority of them resided on the island of Oahu.
Samoans brought some interesting things on their trip to Hawaii. They brought many crafts, such as shell leis, jewelry, and hand bags. They also brought food, like kava, which is still used today.
Kava is an old herbal drink
which is used for many purposes. It was said to cure
stomach pains, cramps, and headaches. It also was thought
to calm nerves, cause relaxation, and restore strength.
Kava is a drink made from a kava root, pounded, and mixed
with some water to make a brownish drink.
Kava, a traditional Samoan drink
There are many gatherings that you will see kava. It is served for high-ranking chiefs and elders, and often as a welcome for honored guest. Drinking kava is also a sign of welcome, peace, and friendship. Kava is sometimes served in kava cups, which are made of coconut. Samoans brought some holidays and customs to Hawaii. They celebrate a Gift Giving Ceremony, and an Honoring Ceremony (when they serve kava). They used music as a way to celebrate different events.
The Samoan culture shares many similarities with other Polynesian cultures. Some of the Samoan traits are hospitality and being able to cooperate. Samoans believed in large families and had a hard time finding large houses to fit their families. Family is very important to Samoans. In 1941, when Pearl Harbor was bombed, some Samoans got jobs with the military to support their families. Other things Samoans believe in, a time and season for everything in life. There is a day to work and a day to observe, a time to laugh, a time to visit friends, and a time to remain at home. Another belief of the Samoans is sharing all their food, shelter, money, and land so that families have the same amount and there is no family is left without clothing or shelter. To them, there should be no poor or rich families in the Samoan culture.
Here are some of the Samoan cultural values:
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Taua a le tagata |
The Importance of Self |
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Aigapotopoto |
Extended Family |
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Auaiga |
Family Group |
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Mataalofa Ma Faapapale |
Mutual Support and Patience |
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Taofiofi |
Control of Emotions |
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Faaaloalo |
Respect |
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Paia |
Formal Power |
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Mamalu |
Authority |
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Tulaga |
Social Status |
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Galulue Faatasi |
Cooperative and Collaborative Work Relations |
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Faaleagaga |
Spiritual Life and Development |
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Saolotoga |
Freedom |
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Faalavelave |
Life Crisis |
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Lima Foa |
Freely-Given Support of Others |
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Faimatua or Tausimatua |
Love, Care and Support for One's Parents |
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Faiuso |
Love, Care and Support for One's Siblings |
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Faituafafine |
Brotherly Love for Sister |
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Faituagane |
Sisterly Love for Brother |
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Fealofani |
Harmonious Relationship |
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Loto Maulalo |
Humility |
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Agamalu |
Kindness |
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Faatupu Filemu |
Peacemakers |
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Loto Faamagalo |
A forgiving heart |
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Agalelei |
Respectful Behavior |
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Usi Aiga |
Support for One's Family |
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Faifailemu |
A Non-hurried Approach to Life |
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Faautauta |
Caution |
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Usitai |
Obedience |
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Faalogogofie |
Open-mindedness |
The family is the most important element in Samoan social organization. In 1952, about a thousand more Samoans came to Hawaii. In the 1970s, there were about 13,000 Samoans and part-Samoans in Hawaii, most of them on Oahu.
Samoans didn't give up when they couldn't understand English or had to do hard jobs. They kept on going. The Samoans brought a very unique culture into Hawaii. They did a very good job of preserving their special culture.
Hawaiian Roots-Immigrants
http://www.hawaiian-roots.com/immigrants.htm
Kava Drinking Among the Samoans
http://kavaroot.com/Geography/Samoa/PercySmithSamoa.htm
The Samoans
http://kauila.k12.hi.us/~ebukoski/samoan.html
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Center |
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Elementary |