Sakada Day Highlights Filipino Grit, History, and Pride in Hawaiʻi

Philippine Consul General Arman R. Talbo joined educators, students, and community leaders at the annual Sakada Day celebration held December 13 at the historic Hawaii Plantation Village on Oahu. The event honored the enduring legacy of the sakada Filipino laborers who migrated to Hawaiʻi in the early 20th century and helped shape the islands’ plantation economy.

The celebration featured student-led exhibits, interactive booths, a fashion show, and stage performances that explored themes of migration, labor, and Filipino identity. The presentations served as the culminating activity for high school students enrolled in Filipino History and Culture classes, showcasing months of research and creative work.

The program was organized by the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawai‘i, the Filipino Curriculum Project, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Center for Philippine Studies, with support from several community partners. Organizers said the event aimed to connect classroom learning with community engagement while strengthening intergenerational understanding of Filipino American history.

Event Chair Bennette Misalucha, CPS Co-Director Dr. Patricia Halagao, PCCCH Chair Jerry Felicitas, and FCP Founder Marissa Halagao welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of giving young people a platform to share their understanding of the sakada experience and its relevance today.

Hawaiʻi Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi also attended the event, highlighting the value of integrating Filipino history and the sakada legacy into public school curricula. He praised the students’ work and expressed support for similar educational initiatives.

In his remarks, Consul General Talbo drew parallels between the sakadas’ journey and the aspirations of today’s youth, urging students to pursue their goals with courage while carrying forward the values exemplified by the sakadas hard work, unity, and hope.