HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

281

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the arrival of filipinos to hawaii and recognizing the contributions of the filipino people to hawaii's economy, culture, and history.

 

 

WHEREAS, the global diaspora of Filipinos has greatly impacted the economy, culture, and history of many cities and countries throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the year 2006 marks one hundred years since the arrival of Filipinos in Hawaii, which the Legislature recognized in 2002 by creating the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission that was tasked with planning for the celebration of the life and experiences of Filipinos in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the Commission kicked off its yearlong, statewide observance on December 10, 2005 in honor of the fifteen sakada pioneers who arrived in Hawaii on December 20, 1906, and were assigned to the former Ola'a sugar plantation on the Big Island; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that the story of Hawaii's Filipinos includes sacrifice, hard work, success, and families in search of the American dream, whose rich culture and proud heritage have contributed significantly and substantially to Hawaii's diverse multicultural society; and

WHEREAS, subsequent generations of Filipinos have built upon the foundation established by the sakadas, taken advantage of educational opportunities, and continue to contribute to the political, social, and economic life of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, more than 273,000 residents of Filipino or part-Filipino ancestry, or twenty-three per cent of the State's population, comprise the fastest-growing ethnic group in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, commemorative events, exhibits, educational opportunities, conferences, and other venues to learn about the history and achievements of Filipinos have taken place throughout Hawaii, at our nation's capitol in Washington, D.C., and in the Philippines; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that this body commemorates the one hundredth anniversary of the arrival of Filipinos to Hawaii and recognizes the contributions of the Filipino people to Hawaii's economy, culture, and history; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

100th Anniversary of Filipinos in Hawaii