Ethnic Communities Part I: HNL & ANC

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Hello, here's a mini series entitled: "The Changing Faces of Honolulu & Anchorage"

This is where we will explore some of the newer immigrant waves that are making an impact in these two cities by way of media (TV & Radio programs or webpages), publications (newspapers, magazines, etc), organizations, places of worship (churches, temples, etc), restaurants, businesses, events/festivals, community or cultural centers, etc.

For the introduction of this mini-series we will look at one ethnic/ancestral groups for each city then continue on as time goes on. Please feel free to comment or add information especially for Anchorage!

BRASILEIROS NO HONOLULU

H O N O L U L U

In Honolulu the Brazilians are rapidly establishing themselves and making their mark in the community as a relatively new face in the ever-changing ethnic landscape, here are some examples. An interesting note as that the Brazilian diaspora is a global thing among many other groups of people that are migrating to the US or other industrialized nations in growing numbers. The world is trully becoming a smaller place thanks to "Globalization".

The Brazilian Community now has a Brazilian Cultural Center called "The Brazilian Cultural Center of Hawaii"

There's also Brazilian Radio Programs on atleast 2 radio stations "Ax

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Another featured story about the Brasileiros in Honolulu County:

UNITED NATIONS: BRAZIL

Part five in a series of ingredients from the North Shore cultural melting pot

Source: Surfline http://www.surfline.com/mag/pulse/2000/dec/12_27_brazil.cfm

Trailing Shane Beschen in the waning moments of their second round heat during the 2000 Mountain Dew/Pipeline Masters, Renan Rocha came blasting out of a cavernous barrel and from Off-the-Wall to Ehukai the crowd erupted. For most surfing spectators, that means a mild hoot and a few choice expletives but certainly no rise from a comfy seat in the sand. But Rocha is Brazilian, and a 30-strong pack of fellow countrymen had gathered amid the Masters' throng. When the spit cleared and he was awarded the first perfect 10 of the event, they went hysterical, slapping each other on the back and screaming in Portuguese at the top of their lungs, not settling down until halfway through the next heat. As word filters home of the new standard set by Rocha, another generation of youngsters will set their sights on paradise.

No one would dispute the beauty of Brazil's beaches, but a lack of economic opportunities and crumbly surf and are perennial bummers. The first Brazilian surfers to stumble upon the North Shore in the early 1970s returned claiming to have found paradise, and the migration has been on ever since. Despite the obvious allure, fitting in has been anything but rosy.

"Ten years ago, you couldn't even speak Portuguese around here," Renan Rocha, a veteran of 11 seasons, "but after a while they realized we had respect for them." During the late 1980s, the population of Brazilians along the Seven-mile Miracle exploded, spearheaded by a bunch of aggressive yet inexperienced chargers and a pack of female bodyboarders. No one was complaining about beautiful girls flippering along in g-strings, but the guys had their share of troubles.

"The locals, that's the hardest thing to deal with," says WCT stalwart Peterson Rosa, who this season was involved in a Rocky Point scuffle. Brazilians by nature are fiercely competitive and refuse to back down to a challenge. Hawaiians, already leery of outsiders, don't take kindly to their combative character, and while they have learned to accept the Brazilian presence, they aren't exactly inviting them over for a luau.

"We're born in a fight," claims rising WCT star Guilherme Herdy of the conditions back home. "We have the same warrior blood as the Hawaiians, and we want respect, too. We understand they have the whole world coming here to surf every year, but we give them respect."

Even with the hassles in the water, Hawaii offers everything a Brazilian could ask for, and the number of transplants continues to multiply. "In three or four years, this is going to be a full Brazilian place," explains Rocha, as more and more of his countrymen continue to set up camp. Decreasing airfares make it even easier to get here, and with several affordable options, finding a place to stay is no harder than at home. "Guys are coming over here, getting houses and renting rooms to Brazilians. It's in our nature to stick together, and because of the language barrier it is even better." The ingrained sense of community won't help dissolve any barriers with locals, but it does make them feel at home.

The ever-growing presence in the lineup has led to a spike in performance levels despite the lack of anything resembling a North Shore training ground back in their homeland. Fabio Gouveia won the Hard Rock Cafe World Cup at Sunset back in 1991, but conditions were closer to Trestles than the North Shore. Since then it's been a struggle, finally reaping dividends this winter. In November at Makaha, unknown Pedro Henrique upset a cast of established hotshots to earn the title of Billabong World Junior Champion. Then at Haleiwa, Jacqueline Silva took out the WQS G-Shock Hawaiian Pro to solidify her position on the 2001 WCT. Finally, at the Pipe Masters, Rocha grooved an unshakable salsa rhythm all the way to the semifinals.

Outside the ASP framework are some of Brazil's most fearless hellmen. Carlos Burle and Rodrigo Resende displayed their mountaineering prowess when they combined to win the Reef Big-wave World Championships at Todos Santos in 1998. Both are standouts at Waimea, and Burle is the first Brazilian to earn a coveted invite to the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau.

Even better prospects are still rising, the new crop created with equal parts style and explosiveness. 20-year-old Edgar Bishoff has already shown promise at sizable Sunset and Haleiwa while Raoni Monteiro, Paulo Moura and an endless cast of other young chargers hope to build on the accomplishments of Rocha and Burle.

Brazil's fascination with sports is legendary, and while surfing doesn't rank alongside soccer or tennis, its popularity continues to rise. The current national hero, number-one-ranked tennis player Gustavo Kuerten, is an avid surfer who, like an increasing number of Brazilians, planned his holiday around the North Shore season to take advantage of the surf and to cheer on his fellow countrymen in the Vans/G-Shock Triple Crown. Regardless of the pitfalls, to them it is paradise, and the legend grew infinitely this season. According to Rocha, it's obvious. "You can stay in Hawaii for the same amount as a vacation in Brazil, so whattya gonna choose?" -- Jason Borte

The Rhythmic Sounds of Brazilian Music

By Paul Kolbe http://kapio.kcc.hawaii.edu/archive/v37/23/brazil.html

There is something carnal about Brazilian music. It seems to just overtake one's soul, forcing the feet to move, and the rump to shake.

KCC students will have the chance to experience this feeling live, when Aloha Brasil plays the Ohia Cafeteria during the International Festival. The band, with all four members from Brazil , plays a mix of Brazilian music; including samba, axe', pagode, lambada and forro. They have been playing regularly, in and around Honolulu , for about a year.

"None of us are musicians, we like music," Cesar Jube, a member of the band said. "This is a way for us to keep our culture close, since we're so far from Brazil ,"

Some might care to argue this claim of being non-musicians, since Aloha Brasil has become a popular band amongst local Brazilians, and locals in general; playing frequent gigs at Studio 1, as well as two of the members playing every other Sunday night at Fox and Hounds in Kahala. They have also become a main attraction at Mardi Gras time, playing the Ward and Nu'uanu block parties.

The band seems to be riding high on the coattails of a surge in Brazilian cultural imports throughout the islands. Many Brazilians have made Hawai'i their new home, sighting the similarities in climate, beaches, and a laidback outlook on life. All these have allowed Brazilians to assimilate rather easily into the local culture. Local restaurants and clubs now have regular Brazilian nights, and there is even a new Brazilian clothing store on Waialae Avenue , specializing in Brazilian style swimwear and clothing for women.

Adapting to their new surroundings, Aloha Brasil has incorporated some local music into their repertoire, taking songs like, "Hawaiian Super Man," by Israel Kamakawiw'ole, and converting them into a samba format.

"If we find a local song that fits, we put it in," Jube said. "But the life of the band is the drums and the beat."

Aloha Brasil plays Wednesday, March 17 in the cafeteria, from 1-2 p.m.

There are also sports teams like Aloha Amazon (soccer/football), Futevolei (foot/volley ball), etc

Cesar & Samba Forro

A few other bands or entertainers: DJ Caju, Batucada, Samba Axe dancers, Afrizilian Brazil dancers, Shakasamba, Mistura Brazilian Jazz Band, etc

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Brasileiros meet Hawaii's newest wave of immigrants

Source: Hana Hou Magazine

Marcus and Michele Santos are among the thousands of Brazilians who now call Hawaii home.

>story by Julia Steele

>photos by Sergio Goes

Leonardo "Japa" Naito is one of several capoeira experts in the Islands.

Maybe it was Brazil Night at this year

[Tiger Beer]

Very cool! I was able to live by teaching English in Brazil for 6 months awhile back.. I absolutely love the place! I particularly miss the Brazilian music!!

Great news they are coming to Hawaii and there are radio stations playing Brazilian music as well! Makes sense though with the Brazilians love of the ocean, the beach, and music that Hawaii would be a destination - oh yeah, and the surfing too!

Man, I'd love to live in Hawaii!

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Tokelauans in Honolulu

Most Tokelauans here trace roots to Olohega

About 1,000 people of Tokelauan descent live in Hawai'i, many of them having arrived here in the 1950s.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Tokelau consists of populated atolls