By Lehia Apana
Special to the Herald
A cane knife, a pair of canvas pants, a pineapple planting iron, a water can and kaukau tin were a few of the items displayed around the altar during a special Sept. 3 Mass at Christ the King Church in Kahului honoring the legacy of Maui’s sakadas — Filipino immigrant workers.
The objects were simple reminders of a century of grueling work by determined men in the Valley Isle’s sugar cane and pineapple planations.
Workers both living and deceased were honored. This year is the 100th anniversary of the first Filipino immigrants to Hawaii.
The guests of honor, dressed in white shirts and adorned with kukui nut leis, took their places in the front pews, while the standing-room-only crowd filled every seat and aisle and spilled out each door.
Politicians and dignitaries were among those who came to pay their respects. Among them was Governor Grace Padaca of the province of Isabela in the Philippines, the original home of many of the migrant workers.
Many of the sakadas of a century ago brought with them the hopes of reaping enough income to send home to their impoverished families in the Philippines. While promises of wealth brought many Filipino workers to the islands, once here, their daily reality often included harsh working conditions with little compensation. One dollar for a day’s work was common.
Since those difficult times, the Filipino community has grown to thrive as one of the largest ethnic groups in the state.
Richard Aldito Sr., 93, remembers the long days, harsh working conditions and low wages he and his fellow sakadas endured. Despite those hardships, he said, Filipinos have risen to become productive citizens.
“We have been here for 100 years and have managed to contribute many great things to this island and to this state. Today we see Filipino doctors, lawyers and judges in our community; we have come a long way,” said Aldito.
After Mass, guests gathered in the school cafeteria to celebrate. The colorful festivities included an array of Filipino dishes and desserts, traditional dances, musical performances and more.
Christ the King pastor, Father Efren Tomas, presented the sakadas with a certificate of achievement and thanked each for his years of dedication. At 98, Bartoleme Sablas is the oldest sakada on Maui. He proudly accepted his award with his family by his side.
Governor Grace Padaca greeted the crowd with an enthusiastic “Mabuhay!” and proceeded to quietly praise and thank the sakadas for their efforts to make a better life for themselves and their families.
“I am honored and thrilled to be here celebrating the legacy of the sakadas,” she told those assembled. “They are wonderful examples of the Filipino spirit and dedication.”
Ernesto Guerrero, 78, worked in the fields for most of his life, but was meeting many of his fellow sakadas for the first time that day.
“I’m very happy to be here for this celebration because I’ve been meeting a lot of these men for the first time,” Guerrero said. “It has been an honor to be a part of this history and I hope we can celebrate the sakadas for years to come.”