Kanaka (Pacific Island worker)

For other uses, see Kanaka (disambiguation).

Kanaka workers on a sugar cane plantation in Queensland, late 19th century.
Loyalty Islanders employed as sailors on the New Caledonian coast

Kanakas were workers (a mix of voluntary and involuntary) from various Pacific Islands employed in British colonies, such as British Columbia (Canada), Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Queensland (Australia) in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They also worked in California (United States) and Chile (see also Easter Island and the Rapa Nui).

"Kanaka" originally referred only to Native Hawaiians, from their own name for themselves, kānaka ʻōiwi or kānaka maoli, kānaka meaning "man" in the Hawaiian language.[1] In the Americas in particular, native Hawaiians were the majority; but Kanakas in Australia were almost entirely Melanesian. In Australian English "kanaka" is now avoided outside of its historical context, as it has been used as an offensive term.[2]

  1. ^ "Etymology, origin and meaning of kanaka by etymonline". Etymonline. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference derog was invoked but never defined (see the help page).