Breaking Barriers
The Journey of Harry Kim
“If I could have one day with anyone in Korea, I really want them to see the Koreans’ contribution to life, not just for Hawaii islands, but making this world a better place.
Lesson Objective
By analyzing Harry Kim's life and political journey, understand the challenges and barriers he faced as a Korean-American politician in Hawai'i and how he overcame them. Examining his leadership and policies, think of practical ways to promote change and inclusion in your own community.
Summary
Harry Kim is a well-known figure from Hawai'i's Big Island. Born as the youngest of eight children to a sugar plantation worker and a bride in Korea, he later served as the Mayor of Hawai'i County for three terms. The role of his parents was crucial in hisrise to prominence as a major political figure in Hawai'i.
About Harry Kim
Former Mayor of Hawai'i County, Harry Kim was born as the youngest of eight to poor immigrant parents. Both of his parents were born and raised in Korea. Unfortunately, they came to Hawai'i due to the economic hardship and war in Korea. Former Mayor Harry Kim, too, was born in Korea and later moved to Hawai'i. Based on the trust he gained from the residents over 20 years as County Director of Civil Defense, he became the first Korean mayor in the history of the U.S. in 2000. On December 2020, as Harry Kim completed his final term as a three-term mayor, Governor David Ige praised him as a model of integrity for public servants and presented him with a medal and a certificate of appreciation for his 36 years of public service.
Historical Information
1. How harsh were the working conditions of plantation workers?
Most sugarcane plantation workers worked six days a week. They often walked to and from the plantation and continued working in their home gardens to support their families even after returning home.
*Almost all of the recruited laborers were male.
Some wives of sugarcane plantation workers were contracted to work alongside their husbands, and thus had to work at the same intensity as men. Wives not bound by labor contracts with their husbands still had to work on other tasks such as weeding fields, watering the land, removing dry leaves from sugarcane, or cutting off new shoots. They also took on the responsibility of taking care of children.
2. From which ports did the Korean immigrants leave Korea?
There were two ports, Incheon (formerly known as Jemulpo) and Busan. Incheon, a major port city near Seoul, was one of the main departure points for Korean immigrants. It served as a key hub for international travel during the early 1900s. Busan, located on the southeastern coast of Korea, was another important port where many Korean immigrants began their journey to Hawai'i and other destinations. These ports played a crucial role in the labor migration and immigration to various regions, including Hawai'i, during the early 20th century.
3. How important was sugarcane in Hawaii at the time, and why did they recruit so many workers?
Sugarcane was extremely important to Hawai'i's economy in the early 20th century. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became one of the most crucial agricultural products, driving economic growth and trade. Most of the population, except for a few fishermen on the Big Island, worked in sugarcane fields.
Sugarcane cultivation and processing were very labor-intensive, requiring many workers to plant, care for, harvest, and process the crop. The demand for labor was a key reason for recruiting large numbers of workers. As the sugar industry expanded, there was an increased need for a stable and reliable workforce. However, the local labor supply in Hawai'i was insufficient to meet the growing demand, so plantation owners turned to other regions, including Asian countries, for workers.
Discussions Points
-
Former Mayor Harry Kim talks about how he wishes he had been a better, smarter, and wiser person when he was younger. Why do you think he has these regrets?
-
What makes a good leader in a time of crisis?
-
Do you agree with former Mayor Harry Kim's statement that the most important thing in life is family?
-
How does preserving the natural environment contribute to understanding and maintaining history? Discuss the significance of environmental preservation in protecting historical heritage and cultural values.
-
Given that both Korean immigrants and the Kalapana community were compelled to leave their homes due to external factors such as economic hardships, political conflict, and natural disasters, how do you think you would have felt if you were in their situation?
Film · book recommendation
Minari (2020)
by Lee Isaac Chung
A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.