Filipinos in Hawaii

People of Filipino descent are a big and growing part of Hawaii's population. In 2000, they were the third largest group. By 2010, they became the second largest group in Hawaii, after Whites.

According to the 2000 Census, Hawaii had over 275,000 Filipinos. Most lived on the island of Oahu. Many were immigrants. Filipinos were also a big part of the Asian Pacific Americans group. They were the majority in Kauaʻi and Maui counties.

In 2002, leaders opened the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu. By 2010, Filipino Americans were the largest Asian group in Hawaii. Many Filipino immigrants lived in the Honolulu area.

History

Studies show that the Philippine Islands might have been a home or stop for ancient people called Austronesian-speakers, ancestors of Polynesians, thousands of years ago. This is based on DNA findings from chickens raised in Polynesia that can be traced back to the Philippines.

19th century

A few Filipinos, called "Manila men," settled in the Kingdom of Hawaii during the 1800s. They mainly worked as cooks and musicians in the Royal Hawaiian Band. No planned movement of Filipinos to Hawaii happened during this time.

One important but often forgotten "Manila man" was Jose Sabas Libornio. Born in Manila on December 5, 1858, Libornio was a key figure in Hawaiian history. He led the Royal Hawaiian Band during the time when the Hawaiian Kingdom was taken over in 1893. Libornio was a close friend of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last ruler of Hawaiʻi. After the takeover, Libornio moved to Peru where he became a music director.

Manila men

The Manila men were some of the first Filipino overseas workers. They were the first Filipinos known to have come to North America.

Early- to mid-20th century

See also: Sakadas

From 1906 to 1946, many Filipinos called “Sakadas,” meaning “Filipino migrant workers,” were brought to Hawaii. About 125,000 Filipinos from certain areas of the Philippines were recruited to work on sugar and pineapple farms. They were brought in to replace Japanese workers who were on strike over low pay and bad conditions. The Filipino workers were chosen because they had farm experience. These workers were on three-year contracts and planned to return home, but many stayed. They worked long hours for very little pay and lived in simple housing. Over time, more families joined them. The last group in 1946, called the Sakada ‘46, included more women and children.

Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association

See also: Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association

Many Filipino farm workers came to Hawaii in 1906 thanks to the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association (HSPA). They were sent to work on sugar farms. The sugar business was growing, and Hawaii and the Philippines were used to help support it.

By the 1920s, about 7,600 Filipinos were arriving in Hawaii each year. Many thought they would only stay temporarily until around the 1940s. The HSPA liked hiring Filipinos because they were hard workers.

Treatment

From 1906 to the 1940s, many Filipino workers (Sakadas) moved to Hawaii for better jobs. As more arrived, they began to see themselves as a group, but others treated them unfairly. Many people made wrong and hurtful assumptions about Filipinos. These ideas made it hard for Filipino-Americans to feel respected.

Most of the workers were men, and some people called them rude names. Books and media at the time often showed Filipinos in a bad light.

Impact on Hawaii's working class

Some Native Hawaiians also worked on the sugar farms. Since sugar was a big job source, many different groups were needed to fill the jobs. American farm owners could not get enough Native Hawaiians to work, so they brought in people from other places.

Late 20th century

The United States Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 let more Filipinos bring their families to Hawaii. This brought more Filipino women to the state. In the 1970s, Filipino students did not do as well in school as others, possibly because of the unfair treatment they faced.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos lived his last years in Hawaii after losing power in the Philippines in 1986. He brought many valuable items with him, including jewelry, watches, pearls, gold, and money.

Demographics and socioeconomics

The 2010 census showed that Filipinos became the largest racial group in Hawaii. There were 342,095 Filipinos and 312,292 Japanese. Surveys showed Filipinos overtook Japanese between 2007 and 2008.

By 2020, there were 383,200 Filipino Americans in Hawaii. In 2019, Filipino Americans were the second largest group after European Americans. Many worked in service jobs and lived in homes with several generations together. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino Americans made up about a fifth of all cases in Hawaii. The 2023 Hawaii wildfires affected many Filipino Americans in Lahaina.