Utah's Maori population hovers around 500, according to state Pacific Islander Affairs chief Bill Afeaki.
"Initially the (LDS) church brought them here. And the later waves followed families and job opportunities. Utah is good for Pacific Islanders: The pace is good, not too fast. The people are friendly, for the most part," Afeaki said.
The 2000 Census counted 15,145 Pacific Islanders in Utah, including 6,587 Tongans, 4,523 Samoans and 1,251 Native Hawaiians.