Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Orginal Publication Date
1987
Journal Title
Explorations in Sights and Sounds
Volume
7
Issue
ess/vol7/iss1
First Page
5
Last Page
6
Abstract
For those interested in ethnic experience, the history of Hawaii offers unique insight. Initially a Polynesian island group, with a population related culturally to inhabitants of islands as far afield as Easter Island, New Zealand and Tahiti, Hawaii from the late eighteenth century onwards became the home of Americans, Europeans, Portuguese, Filipinos, Chinese and Japanese, all drawn there for differing reasons. When to this ethnic and racial variation, the complex permutations of class and gender are added, observers of Hawaii's past are witness to a rich range of inter-cultural encounters. In Working in Hawaii, Edward Beechert's particular focus is the experience of ordinary workers, whom he claims have appeared in the histories of Hawaii " as exotic figures known primarily by racial labels and stereotypes, while it has been the political leadership of the country, and broad political change, which have previously received predominant attention. "
Rights
Copyright, ©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1987