Maui Kicks Off 110th Anniversary of Filipinos in Hawaiʻi

100th Anniversary Celebration of Filipinos in Hawaiʻi.

The Filipino community on Maui kicks off a year-long celebration on Sunday, Dec. 20 to mark the 110th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Sakadas in Hawaiʻi. 

The celebratory event features a brief program, entertainment, and free heavy pūpū at the Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center in Kahului. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

“With Governor Ige’s signing of the law establishing December 20 each year as ‘Sakada Day’ and the upcoming 110th anniversary of the first Sakadas from the Philippines, it’s fitting and important that Maui celebrates our historical roots to the first Sakadas,” said Vince Bagoyo, Jr., chairperson of the organizing committee for the event.

“We have prepared an excellent program of food and entertainment, including several contests,” said Bagoyo in an event announcement.

Dec. 20 was designated as “Sakada Day” in the State of Hawaiʻi pursuant to HB 604, which was signed into law as Act 7 by Gov. Ige on May 22, 2015. Through the legislation, the Hawaiʻi lawmakers recognized that “the Filipino community has contributed significantly and substantially to the history, economy, culture, and heritage of Hawaiʻi.”

100th Anniversary Celebration of Filipinos in Hawaiʻi. Event flyer.

Attendees at the upcoming Maui event are encouraged to wear Filipino attire as cash prizes ($125 for 1st place and $50 for 2nd place) will be awarded for the best female and male Filipino attire.

Prizes will also be awarded for the People’s Choice Parol Contest: 1st place-$200; 2nd place-$150; and 3rd place-$100. A parol is a Filipino Christmas lantern that is often star shaped. Parol contest entries must be dropped off at the Binhi at Ani center by 10 a.m. on Dec. 20.

The program will also include remarks by Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and Bagoyo.

Scheduled entertainers include Aunty Iola and Hālau Hula O Keola Aliʻi O Ke Kai, Bailes de Pilipinas, Dance International Production, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church Filipino Folk Dance Troupe, Maui Filipino Community Council, Timpuyog, Sharon Zalsos, Miss Hawaiʻi Filipina 2015 Chelsea Guzman, Miss Hawaiʻi Teen USA Joahnnalee Ucol, Miss Teen Maui Filipina 2015 Kawena Kan Hai, and more.