Gala honors contributions
NAWILIWILI — Lynne Nagaoka, normally the human resources director at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort and Beach Club, donned the food and beverage uniform for Saturday night’s Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Gala.
“I’m working tonight,” Nagaoka said as she monitored the flow of people working through the buffet lines.
About 750 people turned out to celebrate one of the signature events hosted by the Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Committee.
“The highlight of this event is the recognition of the tremendous contributions made to our community by outstanding Filipino citizens,” states Kaua‘i mayor Bryan Baptiste in a printed message. “These ‘Centennial Award’ recipients truly deserve the honor they are receiving for they have had a positive influence on all our lives.”
Over 60 of Kaua‘i’s Filipino residents were honored for their contributions to the community in a range of services, from government to the arts.
Ariel Abadilla, consul general of the Philippines, states in a written statement, “The dedicated men and women of the KFCCC are to be commended for organizing this momentous centennial event in order to give honor to the legacy of the Filipino sakadas who were the pioneers of the Filipino community in Hawai‘i. This is a celebration of the hard work and sacrifices of the sakadas — a fitting example to the new generation of Filipinos in Hawai‘i to nurture and be proud of their cultural heritage and identity as a people.”
Oscar Portugal, chairman of the KFCCC, said the event was designed to showcase some of the talented Filipinos who live here and have gone on to make their mark in the field of entertainment.
“This is an evening in which we have prepared some moments of nostalgia, some moments for reflection, and even some moments for audience participation when you, too, must become a part of the essence of ‘things Filipino,’ ” Portugal said.
Gov. Linda Lingle said in her proclamation that the first 15 sakadas came to Hawai‘i on Dec. 20, 1906, to work the sugar cane fields.
The sakadas became instrumental not only in the growth of the plantation industry, but in the success of the labor movement in Hawai‘i.
Today, the Filipino community makes up approximately 24 percent of the state’s population with nearly 5,000 immigrants arriving to Hawai‘i annually, Lingle said. Filipinos contribute immensely to the social, cultural, political and economic life of Hawai‘i and their infinite vision and dedication makes them one of the most successful ethnic communities, the governor added.
Bryan Andaya, president of the United Filipino Council of Hawai‘i, said the story of Filipinos on Kaua‘i continues to inspire people.
“Over 80 years ago, Pablo Manlapit began a struggle to improve conditions for Filipino plantation workers,” Andaya states in his message.
“In 1924, Manlapit organized a strike in Hanapepe to further the struggle for Filipinos. Although it ended tragically with the deaths of 16 Filipino workers who were shot, the spirit of those who gave their lives would inspire future generations to strive for the empowerment of Filipinos.”
Andaya said exactly 50 years later in 1970, Eduardo Malapit of Kaua‘i became the first mayor of Filipino descent in the nation, solidifying the legacy of Manlapit’s struggle to empower Filipinos.
The Kaua‘i Filipino Centennial Chorale, under the direction of Helen Sina, opened the festivities hosted by a variety of people including J. Robertson, Diane Andres Melchor, Jennifer Sandrowski and Scott Lopez.
Anabel Portugal, chairwoman of the souvenir book committee, said the next event in the year-long celebration will be the Terno Ball in September.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
