Collection Guide
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Korean National Association in Hawaii and related lawsuits collection
3004
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries East Asian Library
Title: Korean National Association in Hawaii and related lawsuits collection
creator:
Chang, Roberta
Identifier/Call Number: 3004
Identifier/Call Number: 948
Physical Description:
.5 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1915-1945
Abstract: By the year 1905 more than 7,000 Koreans populated the Territory of Hawaii. In 1909, the Korean National Association in Hawaii
was established, along with a main headquarters in San Francisco, with a purpose for uniting all Koreans in the United States
in a common cause. This small collection comprises lawsuits filed by the KNA and affiliated persons living in Hawaii between
the period of 1915 and 1945, as well as some non-KNA related cases, unified by the struggle for political leadership in the
Korean community in Hawaii under the rising power of Syngman Rhee.
Folders are arranged chronologically.
The Korean National Association in Hawaii and related lawsuits collection, 1915-1945, consists of twelve folders of photocopied
legal documents, correspondence, and articles. The majority of folders within the collection comprise legal documents in
the form of lawsuits filed primarily by the Korean National Association of Hawaii (KNA) or persons affiliated with the organization,
many of which were held in first circuit Territory of Hawaii court. There are also a few matters pertaining to individuals
unaffiliated with the KNA, such as one against Republic of Korea president Syngman Rhee. The remainder of the collection consists
of two folders of non-court related documents, pertaining to both the KNA and the United Korean Committee in America in the
form of correspondence, articles, and research.
Korean immigration to Hawaii has been a constant in the 20th century. The first large group of Korean immigrants arrived in
January 13, 1903, travelling on the RMS Gaelic, which landed in the United States before they took up residence on various
islands in the Territory of Hawaii. By 1905, more than 7,000 Koreans populated Hawaii. Many early immigrants of this period
had some contract with American missionaries in Korea. For some, immigrating to the Territory of Hawaii was considered useful,
in part, to help them in the modernization of their homeland.
The Korean National Association (KNA) was established in 1909 in both Hawaii and San Francisco for the purpose of uniting
all Koreans in the United States in a common cause. The KNA in Hawaii was composed primarily of Korean sugar-plantation workers,
who sacrificed their wages to support the Korean liberation movement. At the same time, the KNA broadened its goals to support
the needs of the Koreans in Hawaii and expanding the educational opportunities of the children. The KNA also focused on the
struggle for political leadership in the Korean community in Hawaii, in which Syngman Rhee largely prevailed.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Curator of the Korean
Heritage Library. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Korean Heritage Library as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
[Box/Folder# or Item name]. Korean National Association in Hawaii and related lawsuits collection, Collection no. 3004, Korean
Heritage Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Sold to David Hyun by Roberta Chang and subsequently gifted to USC.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Actions and defenses -- Hawaii -- Archival resources
Circuit courts -- Hawaii -- Archival resources
Immigrants -- Korea -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Korean Americans -- Hawaii -- History -- Archival resources
Korean Americans -- Hawaii -- Archival resources
Koreans -- Hawaii -- Archival resources
Correspondence
Legal documents
Research (documents)
Chang, Roberta -- Archives
Kungminhoe (Hawaii) -- Archives
Rhee, Syngman, 1875-1965 -- Archives
United Korean Committee in America -- Archives