Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage
Honoring the Legacy of Hawaii's Portuguese Community — Keeping Culture, Tradition, and Memory Alive
Our Heritage
Honoring the Legacy of Hawaii's Portuguese Community — Keeping Culture, Tradition, and Memory Alive
Our HeritageHawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Honolulu, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating the rich Portuguese cultural heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. Portuguese immigrants — primarily from the Azores and Madeira — began arriving in Hawaii in the 1870s to work on the sugar plantations, and their descendants have played a profound role in shaping the culture, language, music, and food traditions of modern Hawaii.
Our mission is to honor the contributions of Hawaii's Portuguese community, preserve the traditions and history of Portuguese culture in Hawaii, and foster pride and connection among people of Portuguese descent and all who appreciate this vibrant heritage. We envision a Hawaii where the Portuguese legacy is recognized, celebrated, and passed on to future generations as an integral part of the islands' multicultural identity.
The Portuguese community has given Hawaii many of its most beloved cultural gifts — including the ukulele, the malasada, and a rich tradition of music and dance. Yet this heritage is at risk of being forgotten as generations pass. Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage exists to ensure that the stories, traditions, and contributions of Hawaii's Portuguese community are preserved and shared for generations to come.
The Portuguese community has left an indelible mark on Hawaii's culture, language, music, and cuisine. We celebrate and preserve this extraordinary legacy.
Documenting and preserving the history of Portuguese immigration to Hawaii, including oral histories, photographs, genealogical records, and the stories of the families who built new lives in the islands.
Annual festivals, feasts, and cultural events celebrating Portuguese traditions — from the beloved malasada to traditional music, dance, and the vibrant costumes of the Azores and Madeira.
Educational programs for schools and community groups sharing the history of Portuguese immigration to Hawaii, the cultural contributions of the Portuguese community, and the connections between Hawaii and Portugal.
Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage has worked for decades to ensure that the Portuguese legacy in Hawaii is not forgotten. Through our festivals, educational programs, historical preservation efforts, and community partnerships, we have helped thousands of people connect with their Portuguese roots and introduced many more to the remarkable story of how Portuguese immigrants helped shape the Hawaii we know today. The ukulele — Hawaii's most beloved instrument — was brought to the islands by Portuguese immigrants, and it stands as a symbol of the enduring gift that the Portuguese community has given to Hawaii and the world.
Join us to celebrate and preserve Hawaii's Portuguese heritage. Our events are open to all who share a love of Portuguese culture and history.
Whether you are of Portuguese descent, a lover of Portuguese culture, or simply someone who appreciates the rich multicultural heritage of Hawaii, we welcome you to join the Hawaii Council on Portuguese Heritage. Together, we can ensure that this extraordinary legacy endures for generations to come.
Become a MemberWe would love to hear from you — whether you have questions about membership, our events, or the history of the Portuguese community in Hawaii. Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch.