Hubbry Logo
Fijian AmericansFijian AmericansMain
Open search
Fijian Americans
Community hub
Fijian Americans
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Fijian Americans
Fijian Americans
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Fijian Americans refers to Americans citizens who are native to or descendants of people from the Fiji Islands. Most of Fijian Americans are of ethnic iTaukei or Indo-Fijians descent. Fijian Americans are considered Pacific Islanders in the United States Census. There are 32,304 Fijian Americans living in the U.S. as of 2010, with 75% of them living in the state of California alone, especially in Sacramento County.[2][3] The American Community Survey 2015-2019 counted a Fijian immigrant population of 47,000. In the 2020 census 54,006 people acclaimed to be of "Fijian" descent while another 377 acclaimed to be of Rotuman descent.[1]

History

[edit]

Fijians began to migrate in small numbers to the United States in the early 1950s. It was not until 1959 that Fijians began to emigrate in large numbers, emigrating 71 Fijians to the US in this year. In the 1960s more of 400 Fijians emigrated to the United States (mostly in 1968, when emigrated 368 Fijians). Since then the number of Fijian immigrants admitted to the United States has ranged from hundreds to a few thousand people each year.[citation needed]

During the 1970s and 1980s, the number of Fijians emigrating legally to the United States rose significantly. In the 1970s, the number increased between 1976 and 1979, rising from 132 to about 1,000 people. In the 1980s, the number rose from 712 people in 1983 to more than 1,200 people in 1987.[citation needed]

Later, in 1996, 1,847 more Fijians arrived in the US and, in 1997, 1,549 Fijians arrived with legal status.[4]

Demographics

[edit]

There are 32,304 Fijian Americans in the United States according to the 2010 US Census. California has the largest population of people of Fijian nationality, enumerating 19,355 residents (0.06% of the state's population). The largest Fijian communities are in Sacramento County, Sonoma County, and Alameda County. There is a sizable community of Fijian Americans in Modesto (0.6%; 1,109 residents).[2] These communities may include Indo-Fijians. According to the 2015-2019 American Community Survey, there were 47K Fijian immigrants in the USA, the top counties of residence being:

1) Sacramento County, California - 11,000

2) Alameda County, California - 5,100

3) San Mateo County, California - 3,400

4) Stanislaus County, California - 3,000

5) Los Angeles County, California - 2,500

6) San Joaquin County, California - 1,900

7) Contra Costa County, California - 1,600

8) Snohomish County, Washington - 1,300

9) Santa Clara County, California - 1,300

10) Sonoma County, California - 1,000[5]

Fijian Americans have several associations, including the Fiji American National Association, FANA in Hayward, California,[6] and the Fiji American Welfare Association.[7]

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Fijian Americans are individuals of Fijian ancestry residing , encompassing both indigenous iTaukei (native ) and Indo-Fijian descendants, who form a small but vibrant ethnic community within the broader Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) population. According to the 2020 Census, the Fijian alone or in any combination population was 54,006, representing a modest share of the roughly 1.6 million NHPI residents, with over 70% concentrated in —particularly Sacramento County, home to the largest such community at 11,780 individuals. Immigration patterns trace back to the early 1980s, when political instability in , including the 1987 military coups, spurred significant ; approximately 60% of Fijian emigrants during that period headed to and the U.S. West Coast, driven by economic opportunities and ethnic tensions affecting both iTaukei and . Subsequent waves continued through the and amid further coups and economic challenges, with many arriving via , visas, or programs. In the U.S., Fijian Americans have established tight-knit communities centered on cultural preservation, often through Methodist and other Christian churches that serve as hubs for traditional practices like kava ceremonies, meke dances, and communal feasts featuring dishes such as kokoda (marinated fish) and palusami (taro leaves in coconut milk). Sacramento's Fijian population, for instance, thrives via faith-based organizations, caregiving professions, and festivals that reinforce bula (a greeting embodying health and welcome), while smaller enclaves in Washington and Hawaii maintain ties through associations like the Fijian Community of Seattle. Demographically, the group skews toward working-age adults, with a median age of around 40, reflecting post-immigration family growth and integration into sectors like healthcare, transportation, and education. Challenges include navigating multigenerational households, language retention (Fijian, Hindi, and English), and advocacy for NHPI visibility in policy, yet their contributions highlight Fiji's multicultural legacy in American diversity.

History and Immigration

Early Contacts and Migration

The earliest contacts between and the occurred in the early through American maritime activities in the Pacific. traders arrived in as early as 1804 aboard ships like the Marcia and Fair American to harvest sandalwood, marking the initial economic interactions that drew American interest to the islands. By the 1820s and 1830s, American whalers frequently visited Fijian waters, seeking provisions and engaging in trade for bêche-de-mer (sea cucumbers), which were processed for export to . These voyages often involved tense encounters with local communities, including incidents where crew members were killed, prompting U.S. naval interventions such as the 1840 Expedition, part of the broader , to protect American interests and conduct surveys. American missionaries, primarily from Protestant denominations, also began arriving in the 1830s, establishing outposts to convert and document the islands' cultures, though their efforts were overshadowed by British Wesleyan missionaries. The first recorded Fijian arrivals in the stemmed from these maritime contacts, with individuals brought as crew members or captives on American ships in the mid-. A notable early case was Ro Veidovi, a Fijian chief implicated in the 1834 killing of the crew of the American whaler Charles Doggett; he was captured by U.S. forces and transported to the as part of diplomatic and punitive measures, arriving in New York aboard a vessel from the in the early 1840s. By the late , small numbers of Fijians reached U.S. territories as sailors on international vessels docking in ports like , , or , , where they served as deckhands or temporary laborers in the growing Pacific trade networks. These sporadic arrivals were limited, often involving indigenous Fijians recruited for short-term shipboard roles rather than permanent settlement, and reflected the uneven, exploratory nature of early trans-Pacific mobility before formalized migration pathways emerged. A pivotal event influencing U.S.-Fijian relations was the 1874 visit by the U.S. Navy sloop Portsmouth to Fiji, where Commander Richard W. Meade engaged in gunboat diplomacy by demanding reparations from King Cakobau for alleged damages to American property, including a controversial £9,000 claim. This aggressive action exacerbated political instability in Fiji, pressuring Cakobau and other chiefs to accelerate negotiations for cession to Britain as a stabilizing alternative to potential American annexation, which had been sought by some white settlers since 1869. The subsequent unconditional cession on October 10, 1874, established Fiji as a British Crown Colony, indirectly shaping future migration by aligning Fijian pathways more closely with British colonial networks, though it heightened U.S. awareness of the islands as a strategic Pacific outpost. Fijian involvement in World War II further strengthened personal ties with the , as Fiji served as a key Allied staging base for U.S. forces in the Pacific theater following Japan's 1941 attacks. Approximately 8,000 indigenous enlisted in the Fiji Military Forces, serving in units like the alongside Allied troops, including indirect support for U.S. operations in campaigns such as the and Bougainville, where Fijian scouts provided . These wartime alliances fostered individual connections through interactions with American servicemen, leading to post-war migrations of a small number of Fijians—such as veterans, spouses, or students—who settled in the U.S. via informal channels like military exchanges or educational programs in the late 1940s and 1950s.

Modern Immigration Patterns

Fiji's from British colonial rule on October 10, 1970, marked a pivotal moment that catalyzed increased to the , as both ethnic and pursued enhanced economic prospects amid shifting political dynamics. Although initially fostered hopes for inclusive governance, unfulfilled expectations regarding equitable opportunities contributed to early outflows, particularly among who had long faced socioeconomic disparities. In the ensuing decades, migration pathways centered on under U.S. provisions and visas, attracting professionals in fields like healthcare and . By the early 1980s, roughly 60 percent of Fijian emigrants directed their paths toward and the U.S. West Coast, reflecting the appeal of North America's relatively open policies for skilled migrants. The military coups of May and September 1987 profoundly disrupted Fiji's stability, exacerbating ethnic tensions and prompting a sharp rise in as and ethnic alike sought refuge from and . Annual emigration rates tripled from an average of 2,300 between 1978 and 1986 to over 5,000 from to 1996, with a notable portion channeling into the through refugee and asylum applications. Court records document numerous successful asylum claims by who faced harassment, beatings, and property destruction by ethnic military forces in the coup's aftermath, underscoring the political persecution driving these movements. This period saw over 12,000 depart within two years, many resettling in the U.S. to escape ongoing instability. Subsequent U.S. immigration reforms, notably the , broadened access via the diversity visa lottery program, which allocated visas to underrepresented nationalities including Fijians and facilitated steady inflows throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The program proved particularly beneficial for Fijians, with annual selections ranging from hundreds to over 2,000 entrants in recent lotteries, enabling economic migration for families and workers. By the 2000s, these policies supported consistent annual admissions of several hundred Fijians, blending , employment preferences, and lottery wins to sustain community growth. Post-2010 trends reflect growing economic pressures from , including rising sea levels, , and intensified cyclones, which have strained Fiji's and livelihoods, indirectly boosting to the U.S. as a destination for skilled and family-based relocation. Net emigration from has averaged around 4,000-6,000 persons annually since 2010, with recent increases to over 6,000 in 2021-2024, including several hundred admissions to the U.S. each year. While internal relocations—such as the voluntary moves of four coastal villages by 2019—dominate immediate responses to environmental challenges, has also seen rising international inflows, with migrant numbers in the country increasing to 14,087 (1.8% of ) as of 2020, primarily from other Pacific islands. Discussions on enhanced protections, including potential temporary status extensions for Pacific Islanders, highlight ongoing policy considerations to address climate-induced mobility.

Demographics and Settlement

Population Statistics

The Fijian American population, as self-identified in U.S. data, numbered over 50,000 individuals alone or in any combination in , reflecting a significant expansion from about 7,500 reported in the 1990 ancestry data. This growth underscores the increasing visibility of Fijian heritage within the broader Native Hawaiian and Other (NHPI) category, where detailed demographic reporting captures those identifying solely or primarily as Fijian. In terms of ethnic composition, Fijian Americans include both iTaukei (indigenous Fijian) and Indo-Fijian descendants, mirroring to some extent the diversity in , though U.S.-specific breakdowns are not detailed in available data. The community experienced an increase of over 50% between the and 2020 Censuses, rising from over 32,000 to over 50,000, primarily fueled by chain migration where established family networks sponsor relatives. This upward trend positions Fijian Americans as one of the faster-growing subgroups within the NHPI population, with immigration and family reunification contributing to community stability.

Geographic Distribution

Fijian Americans are primarily concentrated on the West Coast of the , with hosting the largest share of the population. According to 2020 Census data, over 70 percent of individuals identifying as Fijian alone or in combination reside in , making it the dominant hub for the community. This concentration is attributed to established Pacific Islander networks, proximity to Pacific migration routes, and economic opportunities in urban centers. Within California, the Sacramento metropolitan area stands out as the epicenter, with Sacramento County alone accounting for 11,780 Fijians, the largest such population in any U.S. county. Communities also thrive in the and Central Valley. These urban locales foster cultural preservation through churches, festivals, and social organizations, drawing on historical ties to and broader diaspora patterns. Hawaii represents a secondary hub, leveraging shared Polynesian cultural affinities and connections, with approximately 1.7 percent of Fijian Americans—around 1,200 individuals—settled there as of 2020. Smaller but growing populations have emerged in other states since the early 2000s, particularly in the and , often linked to job prospects in healthcare, defense, and agriculture. Washington and together hold about 9.4 percent of Fijian Americans. In , the community is small and concentrated in urban areas like . Overall, more than 80 percent of Fijian Americans live in metropolitan regions, with minimal rural presence beyond isolated early-20th-century labor sites.

Cultural and Social Life

Preservation of Traditions

Fijian Americans maintain their linguistic heritage primarily through familial transmission, with iTaukei descendants speaking the (iTaukei) and Indo-Fijian descendants using (also known as Fiji Baat) in daily home interactions and conversations. These languages, distinct blends influenced by 's multicultural environment, are actively taught to children and grandchildren to foster cultural continuity, as seen in communities where parents and elders emphasize verbal fluency during meals and sessions. However, retention faces hurdles, particularly among the second generation, who often prioritize English due to schooling and , leading to varying levels of proficiency and occasional communication gaps between generations. Religious observance forms a cornerstone of cultural preservation for Fijian Americans, mirroring Fiji's diverse faiths where iTaukei communities predominantly follow Christianity—often Protestant denominations like Methodism—and Indo-Fijians adhere to Hinduism. In the United States, these practices adapt to local contexts, with iTaukei families attending churches that incorporate Fijian hymns and communal prayers, while Indo-Fijian households host simplified rituals for festivals such as Diwali and Holi, complete with traditional vegetarian feasts and temple visits. Some adaptations include interfaith elements, though core devotions like daily pujas or Sunday services remain central to identity reinforcement amid urban American life. Traditional customs rooted in Fiji's communal ethos continue through family-centric events, where iTaukei Fijian Americans perform meke dances—energetic storytelling through song and movement—and conduct sevusevu ceremonies to mark milestones like weddings or reconciliations, drawing on the vanua system of chiefly and reciprocity. Indo-Fijian families complement this by preserving culinary rituals, preparing spice-laden curries and seafood dishes that evoke indenture-era heritage, often shared during gatherings to instill values of hospitality and respect. These practices, though scaled down from village scales, sustain social bonds and cultural pride in settings. Despite these efforts, generational shifts pose significant challenges to tradition preservation, as younger Fijian Americans navigate assimilation pressures, with many identifying primarily as American while selectively engaging in heritage activities like language practice or festival dances. Economic demands and exposure to contribute to cultural dilution, prompting families to innovate through home-based teachings to counter identity fragmentation, though participation in Fijian events remains a key avenue for reconnection.

Community Organizations

Fijian American community organizations play a vital role in fostering cultural identity, providing support services, and facilitating integration within the United States. The Fiji American National Association (FANA), based in Union City, California, serves as a key nonprofit entity dedicated to offering educational support, welfare services, and promoting awareness of Fiji's diverse culture among the diaspora. Similarly, the Fijian Community of California, located in the Bay Area, operates as a nonprofit focused on community-driven initiatives, including fundraising, volunteering, and partnerships to enrich lives and provide resources to individuals with ties to Fiji. Indo-Fijian groups, such as community networks in the San Francisco Bay Area, address diaspora history and cultural preservation for those descended from indentured laborers brought to Fiji during the colonial era. Annual events organized by these groups strengthen communal bonds and showcase Fijian traditions. The Fiji Festival, hosted by FANA, draws thousands of attendees over two days and features cultural performances, sports competitions, and traditional elements like lovo feasts—earth-oven cooked meals symbolizing Fijian hospitality. In Sacramento, which hosts the largest Fijian American population, similar gatherings such as Fiji Day celebrations include awards, dinners, and cultural dances, contributing to broader observances like Asian American and Heritage Month in May, where Pacific Islander communities highlight their histories and contributions. These organizations also engage in support for issues affecting the Pacific region, such as disaster relief efforts. For example, FANA has contributed funds to Fiji's national disaster relief following events like Yasa in 2021. networks, such as the Fijian Student Association at the , connect to raise cultural awareness and provide resources for the Fijian diaspora on campus. Professional chapters support Fijians in fields like , where they form a significant portion of caregivers in , often recognized for their essential role in healthcare. Recent activities include FANA's Fiji Idol singing competition in 2024 and Seniors Appreciation Night in 2025, highlighting ongoing cultural engagement.

Notable Figures and Contributions

In Sports and Entertainment

Fijian Americans have made notable contributions to American sports, particularly in football and rugby, where their heritage often emphasizes physical prowess, agility, and communal teamwork. In , Freddy Keiaho stands out as the first Fijian to be drafted into the (), selected by the in the third round of the . Born in , Fiji, and raised in after immigrating as a child, Keiaho played as a linebacker for the Colts from 2006 to 2009, appearing in 61 games and recording 260 tackles, while also contributing to the team's 2006 victory. His success highlighted the potential for Fijian immigrants to excel in the , drawing on the strength and resilience associated with athletic traditions. In rugby, several Fijian Americans have represented the United States on international stages, blending their Fijian roots with American opportunities. Matai Leuta, born in California but raised in Fiji from age six, returned to the U.S. as a teenager and became a key player for the U.S. men's rugby sevens team, competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Leuta's journey exemplifies hybrid identities, as he credits his Fijian upbringing for instilling a passion for the sport, leading to over 200 World Rugby Sevens Series matches and a gold medal at the 2015 London Sevens tournament. Similarly, Bulou Mataitoga, who moved from Fiji to the U.S. in 2013, has been a prominent forward for the USA Eagles women's rugby team since 2016, selected for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup but ruled out due to injury, and earning accolades for her role in transitioning from touch rugby in Fiji to elite 15s and sevens formats. The Fijian emphasis on communal sports has fostered team success among these athletes, with their cultural values of collective effort translating to professional achievements in U.S. leagues. By 2020, Fijian Americans had secured positions in major leagues like the and , contributing to the growing visibility of players, though exact numbers remain modest given the community's size. In entertainment, Fijian Americans have enriched U.S. media through filmmaking and music, often incorporating indigenous Pacific storytelling. Vilsoni Hereniko, a Rotuman-Fijian (Rotuma being a dependency of ) who immigrated to the U.S. in the , serves as a professor of cinematic arts at the and is renowned for directing Pear ta ma 'on maf, The Land Has Eyes (2004), the first narrative feature film produced in . This entry blends Fijian folklore with contemporary themes of justice and gender, showcasing Hereniko's role in bridging Pacific narratives with American cinema since joining U.S. academia in 1991. His work, including subsequent films like (2010), has influenced indigenous filmmaking by prioritizing cultural authenticity and community involvement. Musicians of Fijian descent have also impacted the entertainment landscape, fusing island with mainstream sounds. George "Fiji" Veikoso, born to Fijian parents and raised in , emerged as a pioneering artist in the 1990s, releasing albums like Island Princess (1994) that popularized reggae-infused music across the U.S. and Pacific. Veikoso's career, spanning over 20 albums and collaborations with artists like , emphasized Fijian themes of love and heritage, earning him recognition as a cultural until his death in 2025. These contributions underscore how Fijian Americans in entertainment preserve and adapt traditions, influencing broader audiences with authentic Pacific voices.

In Politics and Business

Fijian Americans have increasingly engaged in entrepreneurship, particularly in sectors like healthcare and trade that leverage cultural ties to the Pacific. In California, where a significant portion of the community resides, numerous Fijian-owned businesses operate, many focusing on home care services to meet the state's growing demand for caregivers amid an aging population. These enterprises often employ fellow Fijian immigrants, with Fijian caregivers recognized as a vital "backbone" of the health care workforce due to their emphasis on compassionate, community-oriented care. Notable examples include the Divine Fijian Group, founded by Poasa Koroitamana and headquartered in , which operates Divine Fijians Home Care alongside other ventures like finance and retail, providing employment and support services to hundreds of since its establishment in 2023. Similarly, Fijian Angels Homecare in Berkeley offers in-home health services tailored to elderly and disabled clients, drawing on Fijian cultural values of and respect for elders. Bulafiji Caregiving Agency, also in , specializes in non-medical with a focus on personalized support, ensuring high-quality staffing from the Fijian community. These agencies, emerging prominently since the amid waves of Fijian migration, employ many individuals from Pacific backgrounds, fostering economic integration while facilitating remittances and investments back to . In trade and import-export, Fijian Americans contribute through organizations like the Fiji , established in 2024 to connect businesses with opportunities in both countries. The chamber supports Fijian-owned enterprises importing goods such as , handicrafts, and agricultural products, while promoting bilateral investments; its member businesses in the have driven capital flows to , highlighting the community's role in strengthening economic ties. Politically, Fijian Americans remain underrepresented in elected office, with no prominent figures at the federal or state level as of 2025, reflecting the community's relatively small size of approximately 50,000 nationwide per the 2020 Census. However, they participate through diplomatic and advocacy roles, such as Vinod Bhindi, a Fijian Indian American entrepreneur based in , who serves as Fiji's Honorary Consul in since 2021, facilitating , consular services, and cultural exchanges between the and . Community leaders also engage in local activism, including environmental advocacy for Pacific island resilience; for instance, members in have supported initiatives aligned with the Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN), pushing for policies on sea-level rise and relocation support for vulnerable Fijian communities post-2010s cyclones. These efforts underscore an emerging presence in civic life, often channeled through business networks to influence policy on , , and issues affecting the .

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.