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Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders Profile

(Map of the US with the states that have significant
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations according to the Census Bureau)

HI - UT - WA - NY - FL - TX - CA

HHS Plan for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health Read more on how HHS will raise the visibility of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders health issues.

Overview (Demographics): This racial group refers to people having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands. According to the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, there are roughly 1,371,564 Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders who reside within the United States. This group represents about 0.4 percent of the U.S. population. Out of that number, about 341,000 Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders reside in Hawaii. Some other states that have a significant Native Hawaiian/Pacific islander population are: California, Washington, Texas, New York, Florida, and Utah. It is also significant to note that 35 percent of this group is under the age 18.

Most recent data from the 2010 Census show overall populations for the following U.S. Territories: American Samoa 55,519; Guam 159,358; Northern Mariana Islands 53,883. United Nations estimates for other territories in 2010 are: Federated States of Micronesia 111,000; Marshall Islands 54,000; Republic of Palau 20,000.

Educational Attainment: In 2010, 88.5 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, alone or in combination, have high school diplomas or higher, as compared to 91% for Whites. 20.1 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders have a bachelor's degree or higher in comparison to 31 percent of Whites. 5.3 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders have obtained graduate degrees in comparison to 11.7 percent of Whites. 30 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders speak a language other than English at home.

Economics: According to the 2010 Census Bureau, the average Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander family median income was $59,521 in comparison to $67,892 for non-Hispanic White families. In 2010, the U.S. Census bureau reported that 17 percent of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander families, in comparison to 10.6 percent of non-Hispanic Whites were living at the poverty level.

Insurance Coverage: In 2010, 60.9 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders in comparison to 75.1 non-Hispanic Whites used private health insurance. Also in 2010, 28.1 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders in comparison to 28.0 percent of non-Hispanic Whites relied on public health insurance. Finally, 17.4 percent of Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, in comparison to 10.9 percent of non-Hispanic Whites, were uninsured.

Full Census Reports:

The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population: 2010 [PDF 4.83MB]

We the People: Pacific Islanders in the United States [PDF | 651KB]

The American Community Survey - Pacific Islanders: 2004 [PDF | 3.5MB]

Census Bureau, 2011. Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010 [PDF | 2.3MB]

Other Resources:

United Nations Population Information Network

U.S. Territories Summary Statistics and Estimates

U.S. Territories Health Contacts

U.S. Territories - Offices of Health or Minority Health

HHS Region IX Office of Minority Health: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, U.S. Associated Pacific Basin: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau

Health: It is significant to note that in comparison to other ethnic groups, Native Hawaiians/ Pacific Islanders have higher rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity. This group also has little access to cancer prevention and control programs. Some leading causes of death among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders include: cancer, heart disease, unintentional injuries (accidents), stroke and diabetes. Some other health conditions and risk factors that are prevalent among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.

Other Health Concerns: The infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) for Native Hawaiians in 2002 was 9.6, higher than the rate for all Asian-American/Pacific Islander groups combined (4.8) and for all population (7.0).The tuberculosis rate (cases per 100,000) in 2010 was 8 times higher for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, with a case rate of 16.6, as compared to 2.0 for the White population.

Quick Facts

All Topics A-Z

• Data for all health topics

Cancer

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Diabetes

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Heart Disease

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HIV/AIDS

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Infant Mortality

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