Crossing East: Hawaiians in the Pacific Northwest

William Naukana left Hawaii to become a guide and interpreter with the Hudson Bay Company in the mid-1800s. His many decendants are scattered across the Pacific Northwest. Crossing East hide caption

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Crossing East

As part of the Crossing East series on Asian-American history, producers Dmae Roberts Sara Caswell Kolbet report on descendants of Hawaiians who live in the Pacific Northwest.

Hawaiians first came to the Northwest as fur traders, escaping tribal violence or just acting on the urge to see the world. Many generations later, their progeny still carry on some sacred Hawaiian traditions.