Native Hawaiian Culture Group. Social Science Research Paper

NATIVE HAWAIIAN CULTURE GROUP
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Niihau people
Population size and where they are located
Niihau people inhabit the westernmost Hawaiian island. It is the seventh largest inhabited island of the Hawaii state. According to the 2010 census, the population of the Niihau people is 170. The island is privately owned by the Robinson’s family following a purchase from the Hawaii kingdom in 1864. The Niihau natives are of Polynesian origin like most indigenous people inhabiting the pacific islands. The Niihau natives speak Hawaiian as their primary language. They have also developed their own Hawaiian dialect known as the Niihuan dialect.
Economic system
The main source of income for the Niihuan people is trade especially with the tourists who visit the island. Though the island does not have a hotel or tourist accommodation, the visitors who often come to the island purchase jewelry and sea shells. The island also hosts some naval military equipment and the natives also trade with the naval officers stationed on the island. The Niihauan natives sell jewelry and pupu shells CITATION Car15 \l 1033 (Herreria, 2015). The shells wash ashore during winter and they are highly valuable because of their rarity. Previously, the Niihauan natives were employed by the sole owner of the island, the Robinson’s family in their ranch. The Robinson’s family reared cattle and sheep and had employed most natives. The ranch shut down in 1999 following many years of loss-making. The islanders also ventured into selling charcoal which was mainly for export. The business became unsustainable following Mexican price competition. Today, they have turned to fish farming.
Modes of reproduction, children and social aspects
Population growth is relatively very low. The population of the island in 1999 was estimated to be 160 people and in 2010 was 170 people CITATION USC10 \l 1033 ( U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). The Robinson’s family have restricted access to the way of life for the natives. It is likely that their cultura...