FilCom pays tribute to Sakada Day with special film screening

FilCom honors Sakada Day with ‘The Sakada Series’ screening | Photo by Donald Tong/Pexels

Historically, Sakada refers to Filipino contract laborers recruited from the Philippines to work on Hawaiian plantations during the early to mid-20th century. By the 1930s, Filipinos comprised 70 percent of the plantation labor force, becoming its primary backbone.

In 2015, the Hawaii State Legislature approved a bill establishing Dec. 20 as “Sakada Day” annually. This designation pays homage to over 100,000 Filipinos who were predominantly perceived as instruments of production, undertaking labor-intensive roles with comparatively lower wages.

And in observance of the day, the Filipino Community Center has arranged a special screening and discussion of “The Sakada Series.”

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FilCom took to their Instagram to share the news, “Commemorate Sakada Day with us, on Saturday, December 16th at 10 am for The Sakada Series film viewing. Refreshments and discussion after the film.”

This screening focuses on an award-winning documentary film that captures the stories of three individuals from the last cohort of sakadas, showing their personal narratives, challenges, and triumphs.

The event, conducted in collaboration with the Filipino-American Historical Society of Hawaii, highlights the enduring contributions of sakadas and the broader Filipino community in Hawaii and promises an intimate portrayal of the experiences that defined this chapter in Filipino migration history. 

Among other awards the documentary bagged, “The Sakada Series” received the “Award of Merit” from Impact DOCS Awards for its creative portrayal, grit, and determination in addressing topics that raise awareness globally. It was also honored with the “Best Documentary Short” distinction from the Honolulu Film Awards in 2018. 

On Dec. 16, attendees can anticipate a journey through time and an opportunity to connect with the enduring spirit of the sakadas for free. The screening will be held at the FilCom Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.