History of Hawaiians in the Northwest
The Idaho Statesman had an interesting
article yesterday on the significant but unappreciated role of Kanakas
(Hawaiians) in the history of the Northwest.
"Hawaiians were an important component
of American and British fur empires in the Northwest during the first half of
the 19th century.""The Hudson Bay Co.
became dependent upon Hawaiians for labor in the Northwest. Outposts from Alaska
to Oregon saw Hawaiians working as trappers, farmers and lumbermen. By the 1830s
close to half of the population of Fort Vancouver was from the islands and
almost the entire complement of Fort Boise were Hawaiians. Hawaiians were forced
out of Oregon Territory after the United States gained control since racist laws
barred them from becoming citizens or owning
property.""It is ironic that local,
state and federal governments are willing to shell out millions of dollars to
cash in on the Lewis and Clark bicentennial hype, yet turn their backs on the
compelling role of Hawaiians in this region’s past."
Posted: Thu - October 9, 2003 at 10:44 PM