U.S. House Resolution Honors 120 Years of Filipino Immigration to Hawaiʻi

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a resolution recognizing the 120th anniversary of Filipino immigration to Hawaiʻi and honoring the enduring legacy of the pioneering Filipino plantation workers known as the Sakadas.

House Resolution 1330, introduced on May 29, 2026, commemorates the arrival of the first 15 Filipino laborers to Hawaiʻi in 1906. Their journey marked the beginning of sustained Filipino immigration to the United States and laid the foundation for what would become one of the most influential communities in Hawaiʻi.

The resolution highlights the sacrifices made by the Sakadas, who worked in Hawaiʻi's sugar and pineapple plantations under difficult and often exploitative conditions. Lawmakers noted that Filipino workers endured low wages, long hours, racial discrimination, and harsh living conditions while helping drive the islands' economic growth.

Despite these challenges, Filipino laborers played a pivotal role in advancing workers' rights. The resolution recognizes their efforts in organizing labor movements and uniting workers across ethnic lines to fight for better wages and improved working conditions.

Among those honored is labor leader Pablo Manlapit, who arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1910 and became a leading advocate for Filipino plantation workers. Manlapit organized labor strikes and championed workers' rights, though his activism eventually led to his arrest and deportation to the Philippines in 1934.

The measure also acknowledges the cultural contributions of Filipino immigrants, who brought languages such as Ilokano and Cebuano to Hawaiʻi and helped preserve Filipino traditions while building strong communities throughout the islands.

Today, Filipino Americans comprise approximately one-quarter of Hawaiʻi's population, making them the state's largest non-White and Asian American ethnic group. Their contributions span agriculture, education, healthcare, tourism, business, government, arts, and civic life.

The resolution states that the arrival of the first Sakadas in 1906 represents the beginning of sustained Filipino immigration to the United States and recognizes the profound impact Filipino Americans have had on Hawaiʻi's social, economic, and cultural development.

If adopted, the resolution would formally commemorate the 120th anniversary of Filipino immigration to Hawaiʻi and honor the Sakadas for their lasting contributions to the history and identity of the Aloha State.

Hawaiʻi currently observes Sakada Day each year on December 20 to remember the sacrifices and achievements of these pioneering Filipino immigrants.