Building a Legacy
The First Korean Immigrants to Hawai‘i
What comes to mind when you think of Hawaii?
The time has come to meet the real Hawaii.
Lesson Objective
Explore the origins and experiences of the first Korean immigrants who arrived in Hawai‘i, shaping the foundations of Korean heritage.
Summary
Journalist Jinyoung Lee explores the inspiring history of Koreans in Hawaii. On January 13, 1903, 102 Koreans arrived in Hawaii, marking the beginning of Korean immigration to the United States. Until official immigration was prohibited in 1905, these immigrants struggled to adapt to a new society while also contributing to Korea's independence movement. The efforts of women during this time were particularly remarkable. By meeting with various people who remember the early history of Korean immigration, Director Jinyoung Lee embarked on the journey of documenting this history.
About Hawaii
Hawaii is currently home to more than 70,000 Koreans. They embrace both their Korean heritage and Hawaiian identity. Hawaii’s official nickname is the "Rainbow State" because it is a multicultural, multiethnic society. No single ethnic group makes up more than a quarter of the total population.
Historical Information
1. Who were the first Korean immigrants to Hawaii? And why did they come to Hawaii?
As the sugarcane industry flourished in Hawaii in the 1830s, plantation owners began recruiting laborers from around the world. From the impoverished land of Joseon*, over 100 men, women, and children gathered at Jemulpo Port in Incheon, dreaming of a better future. On January 13, 1903, after a journey of about 20 days, they arrived at Honolulu Harbor, leaving their homeland behind.
* Joseon : a dynastic kingdom of Korea that was replaced by the Korean Empire in 1897.
The first generation of Korean immigrants arriving in Hawaii between 1903 to 1905 numbered 7200, mostly men. Women accounted for only 9 percent. Men wanted to start a family, so they paid ‘picture marriage brokers’ to bring women over from Korea. And from 1910 to 1924, a steady chain of ‘picture brides’* arrived in Hawaii. In total, about 700 Korean women moved to Hawaii in search of better lives.
* Picture bride : young east asian women who traveled from their homes to marry farm workers around the world, based solely on each other's pictures.
2. What was the political situation like in Joseon?
① 1905: Diplomatic sovereignty of Korea was deprived by Japan
② 1907: Emperor Go Jong was forced to abdicate
③ 1910: Japan effectively annexed Korea
3. How did the Korean immigrants in Hawaii contribute to Korea’s independence?
The Korean immigrant community in Hawaii raised money to fund the defense of the Korean independence activist An Jung-Geun*.
* An Jung-Geun : imprisoned and subsequently executed by Japanese authorities for assassinating Ito Hirobumi, a Japanese politician who was at the forefront of the annexation of Korea.
They also donated part of what they made each day for the ‘indepence funds.’ These ‘independence funds’ found their way to Korean independence activists all around the world. A substantial portion was sent to the Provisional Government of Korea in Shanghai, supporting the activities of various independence activists.
In 1907, women immigrants in Hawaii came together as a single body: the “Korean Women’s Relief Society.” They raised funds by selling posters and Korean food and putting on performances. Counting only the funds in the records, they raised around $200,000, which is worth $4 million in today’s money. They remained active until the 1970s and continued to make donations to Korea in times of need.
4. In what ways did Korean immigrants in Hawaii endeavor to preserve and perpetuate their cultural heritage?
They were dedicated to educating their children. The first school for Korean immigrants in Hawaii was established in 1906, just three years after the first Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii. The immigrants then raised funds to establish a Korean language school so that their children could learn their mother tongue.
Discussions Points
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Considering the harsh working conditions of working everyday for 12 hours under the sun, would you have been willing to donate your hard-earned money to support Korean independence?
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What factors do you think motivated the Korean immigrants to embark on the journey to Hawaii? Consider economic, social, and political conditions in Korea at the time, as well as opportunities and challenges they might have anticipated in Hawaii.
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What drove picture brides to move to Hawaii based on a single photo, given the declining status of women in Korea? Consider the impacts of economic hardship, societal expectations, and gender roles.
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What helped first-generation Korean immigrants endure hardships in Hawaii? It could have been their hope for a better life, social solidarity, community support systems, and individual adaptability. Discuss how these factors might have contributed to overcoming challenges in a new and difficult environment.
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How would you have felt upon learning that your home country was colonized by another nation while you were living as an immigrant in a foreign country?
Film · book recommendation
Content Rating: Age 15+
Pachinko (2022)
by Soo Hugh
Pachinko (2017)
by Min Jin Lee
Pachinko is a historical fiction novel by Min Jin Lee (later made into a drama by Soo Hugh) that follows a Korean family over multiple generations in Japan. The story explores themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of belonging.