Day 190: Tongan Community, Salt Lake City, Utah
📌APIA Every Day (190) - Salt Lake City, Utah, has a substantial Tongan population, with approximately one-quarter of all Tongans in the U.S. residing there. This makes Utah the second-largest Tongan community in the U.S., behind California and ahead of Hawai’i. As of 2010, the Tongan population in Utah was about 13,235, representing approximately one-eighth of Tonga’s total population. This is a notable concentration, with Salt Lake City having a higher Tongan population than all but the three largest cities in Tonga.
The Tongan community began forming in Utah in the 1950s when the first immigrants arrived as Mormon converts. They sought to integrate with the existing Mormon community. Over time, they were joined by additional family members and friends, attracted by educational and economic opportunities. Changes in U.S. immigration policy in the mid-1960s facilitated family reunification, leading to an increase in the Tongan population. Economic factors, such as Utah's lower cost of living compared to states like California and Hawaii, also contributed to this migration.
Currently, Utah's Tongan community faces several challenges, including economic difficulties and health issues such as high obesity rates. Religious institutions play a significant role in the community by providing support and preserving cultural practices through native language services. The community maintains its cultural identity through various events and organizations, including the annual Polynesian Day Celebration and Friend Islands Festival hosted by the National Tongan American Society. These institutions help to sustain Tongan traditions while adapting to life in Utah. How can place-based historic preservation practices be approached when considering the unique communities formed by Pacific Islander ethnic neighborhoods such as the Tongan community in Salt Lake City?
LEARN MORE:
Salt Lake City Tribune: One of every four Tongans in U.S. calls Utah home
Utah History Encyclopedia: SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS IN UTAH
I Love History Utah: Pacific Islander Communities
National Tongan American Society
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