Observed annually on December 20th in Hawaii.
Sakada Day honors the first Filipino contract laborers (the “Sakadas”) who arrived in 1906 to work on sugar plantations, recognizing their sacrifices and vital contributions to Hawaii’s history, economy, and culture, with celebrations featuring Filipino food, music, and cultural displays.
The day commemorates the arrival of the first 15 sakadas on the SS Doric and serves to acknowledge the Filipino community’s significant, yet often overlooked, legacy.
Filipino Americans form a large part of Hawaii’s population but have historically faced underrepresentation, making this recognition important for cultural preservation and acknowledgment.
“Sakada” is a Visayan word for seasonal farm worker, reflecting their initial role on the plantations.
