Events honor contributions of Filipino-Americans
GEORGE F. LEE / 2016
At a time when they made up only 8 percent of Hawaii’s population, 4,000 sakadas, or Filipino immigrant plantation laborers, were among the 10,000 Hawaii residents who served in World War I. “Sakadas and Soldiers,” which chronicles their experiences, is on display at Aiea Public Library, 99-374 Pohai Place.
It’s Filipino American History Month, with events celebrating Filipinos’ roles in local history:
>> “Filipino Heroes,” an exhibition featuring local military and labor movement members as well as Philippine national figures Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini, can be viewed at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu library, 91-1001 Farrington Highway in Kapolei.
>> “Sakadas and Soldiers,” chronicling the sakadas, or Filipino immigrant plantation laborers, is on display at Aiea Public Library, 99-374 Pohai Place. At a time when they made up only 8 percent of Hawaii’s population, 4,000 sakadas were among the 10,000 Hawaii residents who served in World War I.
>> The Filipino Community Center, 94-428 Mokuola St. in Waipahu, will host the premiere of “Hawaii Masters of Eskrima” during an event from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 29. The film features expert practitioners of the Filipino martial art from nine eskrima schools on Oahu. The documentary is funded in part by the Hawaii Council for the Humanities and the UH-Manoa Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
All the programs are free and open to the public.
Info: 277-9538 or email fahsoh808@gmail.com.
