The aim of the course is to provide materials for a critical understanding of the special character of present-day Hawai’i. Since I believe that the present is always a product of the past, the course is historically oriented.

We begin with the initial civilizational encounter of Hawaiians with Western Europeans and Americans, beginning with Captain Cook, and examine the transformation of the culture and political economy of Hawai’i. We then look at the development of the plantation economy following the American Civil War and the immigration of some 400,000 Asians. Attention is paid to the conditions of immigration of each of the groups, beginning with the Chinese. We consider the Overthrow, the ethnic and racial politics of the interwar and post-World War Two period, including the “Democratic revolution” and the development of the political economy of tourism. Throughout the course, critical concepts are developed as part of the inquiry. Moreover, the effort throughout the course is to provide tools for examining critically the explanation of what occurred so as to provide a better understanding of present-day Hawai’i. We are guided here by the idea that people do make history, but not with materials of their choosing. We conclude with a discussion of the current ethnic scene, the question of “local” and the question of Hawaiian sovereignty.

Use of the internet (http://www.blackboard.hawaii.edu) is a critical part of the course. In addition to making available topical materials, for example, from the local and national press, quantitative materials are made available, for example, from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, The US Census, etc.) and critical concepts are explained in specially written short documents, e.g., on the social construction of race, ethnicity. These are hyperlinked in the syllabus which follows. 

Four short papers on assigned topics are required, no exams. These are assessed and returned in a timely fashion. If they choose, students may rewrite papers—after consulting with the instructor. 

Go to Syllabus