List of Native Hawaiians
This is a list of notable Native Hawaiians. To be included on this list, they must be notable and be of the Indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands, or their descendants.
Academia and science
[edit]- Isabella Abbott (1919–2010), educator, phycologist, and ethnobotanist; she was the first native Hawaiian woman to receive a PhD in science
- Lilia Wahinemaikaʻi Hale (1913 – 2003), educator, musician, and prominent champion of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
- John Dominis Holt IV (1919 – 1993), writer, poet and cultural historian
- Kamakahukilani (1937–1999), Native Hawaiian educator, poet, and activist
- Kauanoe Kamanā (born 1954), ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi educator
- Cliff Kapono, scientist, surfer, journalist; his work is focused on researching ocean conservation and sustainability at University of Hawai'i at Hilo
- Samuel Kamakau, historian and scholar of Hawaiian culture and language, author
- John S. K. Kauwe III (born 1980), geneticist and 11th president of Brigham Young University–Hawaii (BYU–Hawaii)
- Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, professor, writer, and activist
- David Malo (1795–1853), Native Hawaiian historian of the Kingdom of Hawaii
- R. Keao NeSmith, Native Hawaiian linguist, educator, and translator
- Mary Kawena Pukui (1895–1986), Hawaiian scholar, author, composer, hula expert and educator
- Nainoa Thompson, Polynesian navigator, Trustee for Kamehameha Schools
- Haunani-Kay Trask (1949–2021), Hawaiian nationalist, educator, political scientist, author, and professor emeritus at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
- Native Hawaiians in academia and science
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Arts and entertainment
[edit]- Sam Choy, chef, restaurateur, and Food Network television personality
- Marcus Coloma (born 1978), television and film actor
- Sasha Colby (born 1985), drag queen, beauty pageant winner, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race
- Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and singer[1]
- Frank De Lima (born 1949), comedian and Catholic deacon
- William De Los Santos (born 1965), author, poet, screenwriter, film director and film producer
- Solomon Enos, artist, illustrator, and activist
- Brian Haberlin (born 1963), comic book artist, writer, editor and producer
- Kelly Hu (born 1968), actress, former fashion model and beauty pageant queen
- Maren Jensen (born 1956), former model and actress; known for starring in the 1970s television series Battlestar Galactica
- Herb Kawainui Kāne (1928-2011), artist, historian, author, architect, and a principal figure in the Hawaiian Renaissance
- Kaliko Kauahi, television actress
- Gilbert Lani Kauhi (1937–2004), often credited as Zulu, actor who starred in the television series Hawaii Five-O
- Al Kikume (1894–1972), actor and stuntman
- Brook Mahealani Lee (born 1971), actress, television host, model, Miss Universe 1997
- Patrick Makuakāne (born 1962), kumu hula, cultural preservationist, and MacArthur Fellow 2023
- Jason Scott Lee (born November 19, 1966), actor and martial artist[2]
- Steve Leialoha (born 1952), comic book artist
- Agnes Lum (born 1956), gravure idol, bikini model, actor, and singer
- Jarah Mariano (born 1984), model
- Maxine (born 1986), model and professional WWE wrestler
- Janet Mock (born 1983), television host, director, producer, writer, and transgender rights activist
- Jason Momoa (born 1979), actor[3]
- Kellye Nakahara (1948–2020), actress, starred in the television show M*A*S*H
- Cheryl Moana Marie Nunes (born 1971), former Oakland Raiderette, television presenter
- Adrienne Keahi Pao (born 1975), photographer and artist
- Keanu Reeves (born 1964), actor; Canadian born
- Rap Reiplinger, Emmy-award winning comedian[4]
- Nicole Scherzinger (born 1978), singer-songwriter and television personality
- Wini Shaw (1907–1982), actress, singer[5]
- Shannyn Sossamon (born 1978), actress[6]
- David Strathairn (born 1949), actor
- Napua Stevens (1918–1990), entertainer, singer, hula dancer, musician, teacher, radio-television personality, event producer and author
- Kiana Tom (born 1965), television host, fitness expert, author, actress, and businesswoman
- Ed Parker (1931–1990), martial artist, actor, grandmaster, and founder of American Kenpo karati
- Herman Wedemeyer (1924–1999), actor, football player, and politician; starred in Hawaii Five-O (1972–1980)
- Native Hawaiians in the arts and entertainment
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Business
[edit]- William Heath Davis (1822–1909), merchant and trader; early pioneer of the city of San Diego, California
Literature
[edit]- Kaui Hart Hemmings, novelist, author of The Descendants (2007)
- George Kanahele (1930–2000), author of books about Native Hawaiians, activist
- Kirby Wright, novelist and poet
Media and journalism
[edit]- Jeff Chang, journalist, author and music critic; of Hawaiian-Chinese ancestry
Music
[edit]- Kealii Blaisdell (born 1972), musician of Native Hawaiian music
- Don Ho (1930–2007), entertainer, musician, best known for the song "Tiny Bubbles"
- Hoku Ho (born 1981), Bubblegum pop singer
- Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu (born 1959), musician, contemporary Hawaiian chanter and kumu hula
- Anuhea Jenkins (born 1985), singer-songwriter, musician
- Dick Jensen (1942–2006), Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and Gospel singer and actor
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole (1959–1997), musician, singer-songwriter, and Hawaiian sovereignty activist
- Irmgard Farden Aluli (1911-2001), prominent composer
- Keali'i Reichel (born 1962), singer-songwriter, musician
- Mary Kaye (1924–2007), musician, guitarist, singer
- Kūkahi (born 1999), musician, singer-songwriter, record producer
- Eric Lee, musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer
- Joey Moe (born 1985), hip hop and pop singer and producer; Danish-Hawaiian descent
- Ruban Nielson (born 1980), musician, New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician
- Gabby Pahinui (1921-1980), Slack-key guitarist and singer
- Dennis Pavao (1951–2002), Hawaiian falsetto singer and musician; one of several Hawaiian musicians who during the 1970s, led the Hawaiian music renaissance
- Kalani Peʻa (born 1983), Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, entertainer, and educator
- Marlene Sai (born 1941), Hawaiian classic-style female solo singer, actress
- Brendon Urie (born 1987), lead singer of Panic! at the Disco
- Native Hawaiians in music
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Politics, military, and civil service
[edit]- Duke Aiona (born 1955), politician, 10th Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii from 2002 to 2010
- Daniel K. Akaka, (1924–2018), politician, United States Senator from Hawaii from 1990 to 2013
- D. G. Anderson (born 1930), politician, real estate developer and businessman; Hawai'i State House of Representatives from 1962 to 1966; Hawai'i State Senate from 1967 to 1983
- S. Haunani Apoliona, banker, activist for the Hawaiian sovereignty movement
- Gordon Chung-Hoon (1910–1979), first Native Hawaiian flag officer in the US Navy and Director of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
- Faith Evans (1937–2014), Hawaii state legislator and one of the first women to serve as a United States Marshal
- Brickwood Galuteria, politician, former member of the Hawaii Senate from the 12th district from 2008 to 2018; former radio host and actor
- Clayton Hee (born 1953), politician, Member of the Hawaii Senate from the 23rd district
- Victor Stewart Kaleoaloha Houston (1876–1959), politician, Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii Territory's At-large district from 1927 until 1933
- Curtis P. Iaukea (1855–1940), politician, court official, army officer and diplomat of the Kingdom of Hawaii
- Kaialiʻi Kahele (born 1974), politician, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd district from 2021
- Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole (1871–1922), politician, Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii Territory's At-large district from 1903 to 1922
- Quentin Kawananakoa (born 1961), politician, Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives from the 26th district, great-grandson of Prince David Kawānanakoa
- James Kealoha (1908–1983), politician, first Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
- Esther Kia'aina (born 1963), politician, United States Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas from 2014 to 2017; Member of the Honolulu City Council from the 3rd district from 2021
- Samuel Wilder King (1886–1959), politician, Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's at-large district from 1935 to 1943; 11th Territorial Governor of Hawaii from 1953 to 1957
- Joseph Nawahi (1842–1896), politician, Native Hawaiian nationalist leader, legislator, lawyer, newspaper publisher, and painter
- Herbert K. Pililaau (1928–1951), United States Army soldier and a recipient of the Medal of Honor
- Henry Hoʻolulu Pitman (1845–1863), Union Army soldier, one of the "Hawaiʻi Sons of the Civil War"
- William S. Richardson (1919–2010), attorney, political figure, and chief justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court from 1966 to 1982
- Myron "Pinky" Thompson (1924–2001), Native Hawaiian community leader and trustee of Bishop Estate
- Suzanne Vares-Lum (born 1967), first female Native Hawaiian General officer, and first Native Hawaiian president of East–West Center
- John D. Waiheʻe III (born 1946), politician, fourth governor of Hawaii from 1986 to 1994
- Robert William Kalanihiapo Wilcox ("Iron Duke of Hawaiʻi"; 1855–1903), politician, delegate to Congress
- Native Hawaiians in politics, military and civil service
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Sports
[edit]- Benny Agbayani (born 1971), baseball player
- Maui Ahuna (born 2002), baseball player
- Eddie Aikau (born 1946), surfer
- Ikaika Alama-Francis (born 1984), football player
- Kala Alexander (born 1969), surfer
- Jocelyn Alo (born 1998), softball player
- Travis Browne (born 1982), mixed martial artist (MMA)
- Brian Cabral (born 1956), football player and coach
- Timmy Chang (born 1981), football player and coach
- Brian Ching (born 1978), soccer player
- Madison Chock (born 1992), ice dancer
- Norm Chow (born 1946), football player and coach
- Micah Christenson (born 1993), volleyball player
- Ron Darling (born 1960), baseball player
- Kamalani Dung (born 1997), softball player
- Caprice Dydasco (born 1993), soccer player
- Kaʻimi Fairbairn (born 1994), football player
- Megan Faraimo (born 2000), softball player
- Harry Field (born 1911), football player
- Joe Francis (born 1936), football player
- Jon Francis (born 1964), football player
- George Freeth (born 1883), surfer
- Makoa Freitas (born 1979), football player
- Rocky Freitas (born 1945), football player
- Harry Fujiwara (born 1934), professional wrestler and manager
- Blane Gaison (born 1958), football player
- Sunny Garcia (born 1970), surfer
- Kurt Gouveia (born 1964), football player
- Kamu Grugier-Hill (born 1994), football player
- Brandon Hardin (born 1989), football player
- Kamaka Hepa (born 2000), basketball player
- Coco Ho (born 1991), surfer
- Derek Ho (born 1964), surfer
- Mason Ho (born 1988), surfer
- Michael Ho (born 1957), surfer
- Max Holloway (born 1991), mixed martial artist (MMA)
- Michael Hoomanawanui (born 1988), football player
- David Hughes (born 1959), football player
- Henry "Honolulu" Hughes (born 1907), football player
- Moana Jones (born 1999), surfer
- Kila Kaʻaihue (born 1984), baseball player
- Duke Kahanamoku (born 1890), surfer and swimmer
- Samuel Kahanamoku (born 1902), swimmer
- Sargent Kahanamoku (born 1910), swimmer
- Natasha Kai (born 1983), soccer player
- Charles Kalani Jr. (born 1930), professional wrestler
- Maiola Kalili (born 1909), swimmer
- Manuella Kalili (born 1912), swimmer
- Montgomery Kaluhiokalani (born 1958), surfer
- Jason Kapono (born 1981), basketball player
- Tom Kaulukukui (born 1913), football player and coach
- Pua Kealoha (born 1902), swimmer
- Warren Kealoha (born 1903), swimmer
- Hau'oli Kikaha (born 1992), football player
- Olin Kreutz (born 1977), football player
- Fred Kuhaulua (born 1953), baseball player
- Jesse Kuhaulua (born 1944), sumo wrestler
- Lo'eau LaBonta (born 1993), soccer player
- Trevor Larnach (born 1997), baseball player
- Keith Luuloa (born 1974), baseball player
- Micah Maʻa (born 1997), volleyball player
- Malia Manuel (born 1993), surfer
- Kalei Mau (born 1995), volleyball player
- Kevin Mawae (born 1971), football player
- Butch May (born 1941), volleyball player
- Misty May-Treanor (born 1977), volleyball player
- Tetairoa McMillan (born 2003), football player
- Yancy Medeiros (born 1987), mixed martial artist (MMA)
- Samuel Mokuahi (born 1934), professional wrestler
- Carissa Moore (born 1992), surfer
- Don Muraco (born 1949), professional wrestler
- Kai Nacua (born 1995), football player
- Puka Nacua (born 2001), football player
- Samson Nacua (born 1998), football player
- K. J. Noons (born 1982), mixed martial artist (MMA)
- David Nuuhiwa (born 1948), surfer
- Henry "Prince" Oana (born 1910), baseball player
- Kealia Ohai (born 1992), soccer player
- Danny Ongais (born 1942), race car driver
- Rachel Kealaonapua O'Sullivan (born 1950), diver
- Raquel Pa'aluhi (born 1990), mixed martial artist (MMA)
- Jeff Pahukoa (born 1969), football player
- Noah Pang-Potjes (born 1991), professional wrestler
- Dominic Raiola (born 1978), football player
- Donovan Raiola (born 1982), football player and coach
- Dylan Raiola (born 2005), football player
- Heimana Reynolds (born 1998), skateboarder
- Alohi Robins-Hardy (born 1995), volleyball player
- Chadwick Rowan (born 1969), sumo wrestler
- Bronson Sardinha (born 1983), baseball player
- Ray Schoenke (born 1941), football player
- Meleana "Mana" Shim (born 1991), soccer player
- Mana Silva (born 1988), football player
- Bill Smith (born 1924), swimmer
- Sam Staab (born 1997), soccer player
- Logan Tom (born 1981), volleyball player
- Mel Tom (born 1941), football player
- Tani Tupou (born 1992), football player and rugby player
- Shane Victorino (born 1980), baseball player
- Kimo von Oelhoffen (born 1971), football player
- Zach Wilson (born 1999), football player
- Kailee Wong (born 1976), football player
- Kean Wong (born 1995), baseball player
- Kolten Wong (born 1990), baseball player
- Bill Woolsey (born 1934), swimmer
- Native Hawaiians in sports
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Royalty and nobles
[edit]- Bernice Pauahi Bishop (1831–1884), aliʻi (nobility) of the royal family of the Kingdom of Hawaii and a well known philanthropist
- John Papa ʻĪʻī (1800–1870), ali'i (nobility), 19th-century educator, politician and historian in the Kingdom of Hawaii
- King Kalākaua (1836–1891), known as The Merrie Monarch, last king of Hawaiʻi
- Kamehameha the Great (1782–1819), first king of Hawaii
- Kaumualiʻi (c. 1778–1824), last independent aliʻi nui of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau before joining with Kamehameha I
- Princess Abigail Kawananakoa (1926–2022), descendant of aliʻi, a member of the House of Kawānanakoa
- Princess Kaʻiulani (1875–1899), daughter of Likelike, and the last heir apparent to the Hawaiian Kingdom
- Princess Likelike (1851–1887), mother of Kaʻiulani and 2nd in line of succession after her sister Liliʻuokalani
- Queen Liliʻuokalani (1838–1917), last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi
- Native Hawaiians royalty and nobles
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Others
[edit]- Charles Kekumano (1919–1998), Roman Catholic priest and first papal chamberlain of native Hawaiian ancestry
- Helio Koaʻeloa (ca. 1815–1846), Hawaiian Catholic lay missionary, called as the "Apostle of Maui"
- Harry Maitey (1807–1872), first Hawaiian person to travel to Prussia
- Freddie Tavares (1913–1990), inventor, helped design the Fender Stratocaster and other Fender products, steel guitarist[7]
- Mililani Trask (born 1951), leader of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and a political speaker and attorney
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Daniel, Diane (November 17, 2016). "What to See in Hawaii? Ask Auli'i Cravalho of Disney's 'Moana'". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ Jason Scott Lee Interview - IGN, August 29, 2005, retrieved May 13, 2021
- ^ Garvey, Marianne (August 15, 2019). "Inside Jason Momoa's fight for a sacred Hawaiian mountain". CNN. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Rap: Hawaii's Comic Genius". HawaiiNewsNow.com. April 10, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ "Wini Shaw". Oxford Reference. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
- ^ Nepales, Ruben V. (August 11, 2017). "A Fil-Am actor's life: Shannyn Sossamon". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- ^ "All About… Freddie Tavares". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
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