New York – Although the air distance between Puerto Rico and Hawaii is almost 6,000 miles and a flight between both jurisdictions exceeds 15 hours, the economic and social challenges faced by Puerto Rican residents of the state and those of the territory are not so different, particularly since August of last year.
On August 8, 2023, Puerto Ricans living on the island of Maui, Hawaii, experienced a tragedy that changed their lives: a chain of wildfires left them homeless.
The fires caused at least 101 deaths. It is not clear if there are residents of Puerto Rican origin on the list of deceased.
Local authorities estimated 3,000 properties were destroyed by the fires, which mainly impacted Lahaina. Losses were estimated at more than $5.5 billion.
Almost a year after the traumatic event, some of the affected Puerto Ricans, like members of other communities, have not been able to repair their homes.
As in the case of those affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, which hit the archipelago in September 2017, for Puerto Ricans in Hawaii, rising from the catastrophe has required an unprecedented effort amid the slow and limited aid from the Government.
According to data from the US Census Bureau from 2022, some 48,406 Puerto Ricans reside in Hawaii; while in Maui County, the figure rises to 5,785.
November Committee mobilizes for Puerto Ricans in Hawaii
November Committee, a New York-based nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting the culture and contributions of Puerto Ricans around the world, decided it was time to act beyond borders.
“At the November Committee we are always aware of what is happening around the world regarding Puerto Ricans, and it was our turn, because we saw that there is a community in Hawaii, especially in Maui, of Puerto Ricans who are there in the third and fourth generation. When that happened, we started a fundraiser, and we sent (the money),” said Teresa Santiago, president of the organization with more than 35 years of existence, in an interview with El Diario.
The impediments that Puerto Ricans experienced in accessing federal aid were also experienced by members of the community in Hawaii, Santiago confirmed.
“I spoke with the president of the association (Maui Puerto Rican Association). She (Deborah Francis) was telling me that they had never been through anything like this. And, as happened in Puerto Rico with Hurricane Maria, they didn’t know what was happening. They told me that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) and the Red Cross were asking them for information, and as happened in PR, they did not have the deeds (ownership of the affected homes). To the people who requested help, all that was burned. They did not have that information, just as it happened in PR. They went through the same thing that happened in Puerto Rico (with the hurricanes),” added the interviewee.
“I was seeing that people were suffering, and many people died,” lamented the activist. “It is important that people know that this is a humanitarian crisis,” she said.
Another similar challenge between both groups of Puerto Ricans is that some have had or had to stay in hotels while the process to build their homes again or get a new one was completed. Mainly, after Hurricane María, dozens of Puerto Ricans who migrated to states like Florida and New York spent months sheltering in hotels while they tried to find safe and permanent housing. Many did not make it and had to return to the island.
“It’s been almost a year and not much has been done (for recovery and reconstruction in Hawaii). There are still families who do not have a home, who are living in hotels. They take them out of one hotel and put them in another, and now they are not giving any more money, neither FEMA nor the Red Cross. They already gave what they were going to give, which is also very little. When you lose an entire house in a fire, FEMA gives very little. Many of these people did not have home insurance, so now they have no way to rebuild their homes. “It has affected a lot,” Santiago warned.
It should be noted that, precisely this month, President Joe Biden announced that he amended the disaster declaration that applies to Hawaii to provide more help to those affected by the fires. The above means an increase in federal funding for urgent protective measures for an additional period of 90 days.
El Diario tried to interview representatives of the association, but it was not possible because they were in transit to NY to participate in the parade this Sunday with the November Committee entourage.
In this 67th edition of the “parade”, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) recognizes, among other personalities and entities, the legacy of Puerto Ricans in that state since the beginning of the last century (1900).
Speaking to Hawaii News Now, Francis said she was excited about the recognition of Puerto Rican communities. However, the feeling is bittersweet because it is inevitably linked to the fire disaster.
Despite the above, the community leader considered that the parade is the perfect platform to expose how, 10 months after the incident, the inhabitants of Maui continue to struggle to obtain the necessary financing to rebuild their homes and get back on their feet.
The president of the association added that the Western Region Puerto Rican Council has donated nearly $12,000 dollars, money that has helped seven families and at least four individuals impacted by the tragedy.
Fundraising event in New York
November Committee led a fundraising event this Thursday, from 5 pm to 9 pm, at the United Federations of Teachers headquarters in the Bronx. All proceeds will go to the Maui Puerto Rican Association.
If you were unaware of the activity or for other reasons could not attend, you can send your donation directly to the entity through the following link: https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/a57d54a2-b07e-45d0-af19- 5446703b8c2f
Donations to Maui Wildfire Disaster Relief aim to assist survivors by supporting established aid channels, as well as providing information to connect people with essential services and vital supplies.
Santiago indicated that the reception of the diaspora in NY to the fundraising efforts has been positive.
He attributes this in part to the fact that, as members of the November Committee, they have sought to educate the general public about the historical reality of Puerto Ricans in Hawaii.
“It is important, because our people must know our history throughout the world, not just what happens in PR or the diaspora in New York. The Puerto Rican community is on every corner, and it is important that our story be told. Why a migration to Hawaii? Why are there Puerto Ricans in Hawaii? What were the reasons why they moved? Santiago argued.
History of Puerto Ricans in Hawaii
The impact of Hurricane San Ciriaco in 1899, a year after the American invasion of the island as a result of the Spanish-American War; The fall of the sugar industry, and the need for workers in view of the discontent of Japanese workers on these plantations in Hawaii, led Puerto Ricans to begin migrating.
The writing “Trabajo y Tristeza – Work and Sorrow: The Puerto Ricans of Hawaii 1900-1902”, written by Blase Camacho Souza, a second-generation Puerto Rican, recounted the causes of migration and the vicissitudes that Puerto Rican workers had to go through.
The co-founder and first president of the Puerto Rican Heritage Society of Hawaii said that, apart from the fact that there were no jobs, no houses, or education on the island, the majority of the population had no money.
“The salaries were too low. Workers in the city received 30¢ a day. Women received less. The maids were paid between $3.00 to $3.60 per month; maids received between S3.60 to $4.20. A first-class cook who also did the marketing received $6.00 to $7.00 a month. Workers in rural areas were in an even more precarious position. The daily compensation for picking coffee fluctuated between 15 to 30 cents. Usually, these workers were not paid in cash, but in basic products such as cod or banana…” Camacho Souza listed in the document published in 1984.
By June 30, 1901, there were about 1,772 men and 623 women working on 40 plantations distributed on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai.
In most cases, Puerto Ricans, who at that time did not have US citizenship, faced cultural shock, particularly when they were not able to integrate with members of other communities such as the Japanese. Additionally, they moved from plantation to plantation, since the promises of reasonable pay were not fulfilled.
“Borinki” is the term currently used in Hawaii to describe residents of Puerto Rican descent.
A 2001 Centro Journal article titled “Borinki identity in Hawaii: present and future” noted that Puerto Ricans in Hawaii are disappearing, primarily due to high levels of intermarriage coupled with the small size of the population itself.
The analysis also found that the extent to which Puerto Ricans in Hawaii identify as such varies between generations, and depends in part on the ethnicity of their parents, as well as who they marry.
Despite the above, on a general ethnic level, Puerto Ricans in Hawaii maintain part of their background through cuisine and music. It is not uncommon to see them preparing traditional food such as “ganduri rice” (rice with pigeon peas), “pateles” (cakes) and cod salad. As for music, many enjoy listening to “jíbaro” music, which they call “kachi kachi.”
Other efforts of the November Committee in favor of Puerto Ricans on the island
November Committee responded immediately after Maria’s onslaught to help Puerto Ricans on the island. Immediately after the event, the entity along with other community organizations and business partners joined together to develop the “I am with Puerto Rico” initiative. The efforts led to the raising of more than half a million dollars to impact more than 115 nonprofit organizations and small businesses across the island. Some 150,000 people benefited from the project.
Additionally, every year they carry out a volunteer trip to help vulnerable communities.
This year, a group of 35 activists will travel to the island to bring food and basic items to older adults in care centers as part of the 19th day.
They also plan to do infrastructure work in these spaces.
“One of the things we want to do is raise the economy and we buy everything in PR,” Santiago said.
In the opinion of the president of the November Committee, strengthening ties between the diaspora and Puerto Ricans on the island is a central part of the initiative.
“For us the trip is very important, because some of the people who go have never been to PR. They go with us and it is like an awakening. And we tell them, ‘if you want beach and sun, let’s go one day; This is a voluntary project to contribute, help, know and learn from our culture ‘… There are people who are going to come from Arizona, Ohio, Philadelphia,’ he revealed.
November Committee in the Puerto Rican parade in NY
During the parade this coming Sunday, members of the organization will also walk the streets of Fifth Avenue with students from two campuses of the University of Puerto Rico.
“With the links that we have made in PR with these trips there will be the University of Puerto Rico of Humacao and its Band (Marching Band of the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao). There are 55 young people who are going to come who raised the funds to be with us in the parade. The Tuna from the University of Puerto Rico is coming, but in Río Piedras, and they are also going to parade with us playing typical songs from the float,” explained Santiago.
Representatives of the “Mesón del Amor” organization, based in Río Piedras, will also be part of the delegation. This entity donates food to young university students in financial need.
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