I lived in HI for about 13 years, spread out from 1970 to the late 80s. (Lived a few years elsehwere, then returned.) I lived on Oahu, Kaui, Maui and the Big Island. I can attest that black people were few and far between. Called “popolo” in Hawaiian pidgin.
Oops - should have pinged you too, RB.
We always heard it as PU-Pua!
Popolo??
Small black berry, that when squeezed, it let off a stink?