Report: Racial inequality in the most diverse state in the U.S.

DIOKNO

The taro fields of Hanelei Valley on the island of Kuaii.

ASAM NEWS

A NEW REPORT reinforces Hawaii’s claim as having the most diverse culture, lifestyle and workforce in the nation.

It also highlights glaring racial inequality in the land of paradise.

Big Island Now reports 57% of the total population was non-white. Nearly a fourth of Hawaii’s population identifies as multiracial with the top five races self-reporting as Whites (43%), Filipino (25%), Japanese (22.1%), Native Hawaiian (21.3%) and Chinese (14.1%).

“This gives us an advantage in terms of international trade and tourism by supplying the diversified work force and providing a wide variety of food and cultural activities,” said Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism director, Luis P. Salaveria. “At the same time, there are more demand for government and private services, especially in the areas of education and healthcare.”

Tian told Civil Beat that Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Filipino communities boast high ownership rates and the corresponding high income and economic prosperity.

He also says Marshallese, Tongans and Samoans suffer from higher poverty, unemployment and overcrowding rates. Marshallese has the highest rate of unemployment with more than half living in poverty.

he average age of Marshallese residents is 18.5, the youngest of any racial group on the island.

“They have a lot potential because they are the youngest,” Tian says. “Forty years later they will be well-established.”

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