Following an introduction in which the concept of culture in its various aspects is defined, this 1980 book deals with major ethnic groups in Hawaii in the order of their arrival in the state, with a chapter devoted to each. The story of each group discusses the history of immigration, traditional culture, stereotypes that need clarification, the contemporary situation of the group in Hawaii (and in some cases, the homeland), and mental health issues particular to the group. Cultural and psychological dimensions are thus seen in relation to mental health and the problems of living in an interethnic society. Acculturation and problems of adjustment to life in Hawaii are discussed. Attitudes toward education and educational attainment are discussed for most of the ethnic groups. The following chapters present group profiles and general information about assimilation and cultural patterns: (1) "Introduction" (John F. McDermott, Jr.); (2) "The Hawaiians" (Benjamin B. C. Young); (3) "The Caucasians" (Thomas W. Maretzki and John F. McDermott, Jr.); (4) "The Chinese" (Walter F. Char, Wen-Shing Tseng, Kwong-Yen Lum, and Jing Hsu); (5) "The Japanese" (Terence A. Rogers and Satoru Izutsu); (6) "The Portuguese" (Eugene W. Carvalho); (7) "The Okinawans" (William P. Lebra); (8) "The Koreans" (Young Sook Kim Harvey and Soon-Hyung Chung); (9) "The Filipinos" in three parts: "Introduction: The Philippine Background" (Danilo E. Ponce), "Hawaii's Immigrants from the Philippines" (Sheila Forman), and "Mental Health Implications" (Danilo E. Ponce); (10) "The Samoans" (Richard A. Markoff and John R. Bond); (11) "The People of Indochina" in three parts: "Introduction" (Cheryl Tack), "The Vietnamese" (Nguyen Dang Liem and Dean F. Kehmeier), and "The Hmong from Laos" (Bruce Thowpaou Bliatout); and (12) "Toward an Interethnic Society" (John F. McDermott, Jr.). (Contains 235 references.) (SLD)