Exploring the Filipino Places of Worship in Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful and diverse place, and its Filipino community is no exception. From the first sakadas recruited in 1906 to the present day, Filipinos have been an integral part of the past, present, and future of Hawaii. In this article, we'll explore the most popular Filipino places of worship in Hawaii and how they have evolved over time. The Hawaii Sugar Planters Association (HSPA) was the first to recruit Filipino agricultural workers to work on Hawaii's sugar plantations in 1906. These workers were predominantly men, and upon their arrival, stereotypes such as “using knives” and the derogatory use of their terms of kinship (in the native Filipino language) emerged. Despite these difficulties, their numbers continued to increase. In 1926, a book called Temperament and Race focused on the temperamental qualities of people and used it to compare the traits of several races, more specifically Filipinos.

This book helped to shape the perception of Filipinos in Hawaii. By 1940, the perception of working in Hawaii had changed from one of difficulty to one of glory. This led to an influx of Filipinos wanting to stay in Hawaii. The majority of these immigrants were from the Philippine regions of Ilocos and Visayas. Hawaii's current Filipino community has its roots in this period. The majority of Filipino workers were employed in hospitality roles, such as hotel workers.

Many prominent labor leaders from the hospitality and other sectors have emerged from the Philippine ranks over the years. In addition, Hawaiian media, such as the Honolulu Daily newspaper (Honolulu Star-Bulletin) and radio, specifically focused on Filipinos as the main perpetrators of violence, exposing their convictions on the front pages, encouraging the denigration of Filipinos. Subsequently, these stereotypes were frequently disseminated, according to which Filipino men were more likely to be charged with misdemeanors and murder, in addition to being the number one race in Hawaii to receive the death penalty in the first half of the 20th century.

Popular Filipino Places of Worship in Hawaii

Today, Filipinos are still a very dynamic community and a fundamental part of Hawaii's culture. There are many churches that cater to this community. Here are some of the most popular Filipino places of worship near Honolulu:
  • Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
  • St. Augustine's Catholic Church by the sea in Waikiki
  • On July 27, 1968 Brother Eraño G.

    Manalo led them to the first service of worship to God in Ewa Beach

These churches provide a place for Filipinos to come together and celebrate their faith. They also provide a sense of community for those who may feel isolated or disconnected from their homeland.

Conclusion

The Filipino community has been an integral part of Hawaii's history for over a century. From sakadas recruited in 1906 to present day immigrants, Filipinos have made a lasting impact on Hawaiian culture.

Today, there are many churches that cater to this community and provide a place for them to come together and celebrate their faith.