Commemoration of 120 Years of Sakadas in Hawaii Features Dance, Music, and Fashion

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An engaging event is taking place to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the arrival of the first Filipino plantation workers, referred to as sakadas, in Hawaii. The House of Gongs is presenting “DARAT: A Dance Runway in Five Movements,” which is being highlighted during Filipino American History Month at the East-West Center.

The production, named after the Ilocano word for flowing sand or land, creates an immersive ceremonial environment that links ancestral memories to modern dance. The performance consists of five segments featuring four fashion collections from Lydia Querian, a Sakada descendant and interdisciplinary artist, through her brand Elle Karayan. It will showcase live kulintang and Indigenous rock music, alongside a cast of over 30 dancers, models, and culture bearers, primarily from the Filipino diaspora.

Querian conceived, directed, and choreographed the event, with music direction provided by Kevin Calamayan. Described by organizers as a unique barbell-style runway, the presentation incorporates plantation textures and traditional kapasiti altars. This blend of contemporary dance, live music, and sustainable fashion aims to communicate a “walking prayer of collective reclamation.” Additional features include tables displaying replica ships inscribed with the names of the original sakadas, honoring their legacy. The event is scheduled for Oct. 18, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. and the program starting at 3 p.m. at Keoni Auditorium, Imin International Conference Center, Jefferson Hall on the UH Manoa campus. Special guests will include Jon Luigi, Jae Tioseco, and Sama culture bearer Al-Raffy Harun. Tickets can be purchased through the provided link.