Wailuku in Maui County, Hawaii — Hawaiian Island Archipelago (Pacific Ocean)
Arrival of Puerto Ricans in Hawaii
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 7, 2025
1. In celebration of the centennial of the arrival of the Puerto Ricans in Hawaii Marker
Dedicated on December 16, 2000 in celebration of the centennial of the arrival of the Puerto Ricans in Hawaii on December 23, 1900
Back Of Marker - English
The Puerto Ricans
In December 1900, the Puerto Ricans came from their hurricane battered island of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean to the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific, seeking work with the hope of a better life for themselves and their children.
They freely shared values of their homeland - hard work, music, dance, food and friendship - adding further richness to the wealth of multi-cultural diversity among Hawaii's
Here, their labor and sacrifice earned for their descendants the right to be equal participants in Hawaii's social structure.
Today and for all time, their tears and sufferings are honored, their contributions remembered, their lives revered.
With love and gratitude, we, their descendants, pledge that they shall never be forgotten.
Los Puertorriqueños
En el mes de diciembre de 1900, los puertorriquenos llegaron de su isla de Puerto Rico del Caribe devastada por el huracán a las islas hawaianas
this page online
Libremente, compartieron la cultura - de su patria --trabajo duro, música, baile, comida y amistad aumentando mas riqueza a la plenitud de la diversidad multicultural entre la gente de Hawai.
Aqui, su trabajo y sus sacrificios le ganaron a su descendencia el derecho de tomar parte igual en la estructura social de Hawai.
Hoy y para siempre, se hace honor a sus lagrimas y sufrimientos, se recuerdan sus contribuciones, y se veneran sus vidas.
Con amor y agradecimiento, nosotros, sus descendientes, prometemos que nunca quedarán olvidados.
Erected 2000 by The Maui Puerto Rican Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Hispanic Americans • Immigration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 23, 1900.
Location. 20° 52.991′ N, 156° 32.141′ W. Marker is in Wailuku, Hawaii, in Maui County. It can be reached from Iao Valley Road west of Aulii Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 7, 2025
2. In celebration of the centennial of the arrival of the Puerto Ricans in Hawaii Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Lahaina and West Maui. Globally, it is in North America, in Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean, in North Pacific, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In Commeration of the Arrival of the First Japanese Immigrants to Hawai'i (a few steps from this marker); In Commemmoration of the 200 Years Since the First Arrival of the Chinese in Hawaii (a few steps from this marker); Monument of Christian Faith (a few steps from this marker); Chinese Exhibit (a few steps from this marker); Early Chinese Immigration to Tan Heong Shan: The Sandalwood Mountains (a few steps from this marker); Sun of Maui (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Exhibit (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean Emigrants (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wailuku.
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 7, 2025
3. In celebration of the centennial of the arrival of the Puerto Ricans in Hawaii - Back of Marker
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, December 7, 2025
4. In celebration of the centennial of the arrival of the Puerto Ricans in Hawaii Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 88 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 1, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
