“Mabuhay with Aloha – The Hawaii Filipino Experience 1906–2006”
set to air in June 2006

HONOLULU (April 6, 2006) –EMME Inc. has been commissioned to produce a television documentary that will commemorate the journey, the struggles, and accomplishments of Hawaii Filipinos. “MABUHAY WITH ALOHA – THE HAWAII FILIPINO EXPERIENCE 1906 – 2006,” is a two-hour special which will air in two parts on KHON Channel 2.

Part One:  Wednesday, June 28, 2006 9-10PM
Part Two:  Thursday, June 29, 2006 9-10PM

The first hour will focus on the first 50 years and trace the journey of the sakadas or plantation laborers from the Philippines to Hawaii. It will highlight their plantation lifestyle, the struggles in Hawaii through labor disputes and the loneliness of being away from their homeland, to finally finding a “place” and a home in Hawaii.

The second hour continues with the next 50 years and the future of Hawaii Filipinos. In this hour we feature the accomplishments and achievements of Filipinos in business, politics, labor, entertainment and many contributions Filipinos in Hawaii have in our island community.  The documentary will also look at some of the issues that still face the 3rd largest ethnic group in our State.  Finally, we look to the future of Hawaii Filipinos and the role they will play in the next one hundred years.  

Since last summer we have had a team of volunteers who began the process of researching and locating photos and film clips dating back to the early 1900’s.  Our team of writers, historians and producers consist of:

Emme Tomimbang – Executive Producer/Co-producer/writer/President of EMME Inc.
Lisa Altieri – Director/Editor *Edited Eddie Kamae Special, Airang-Korean Centennial
Pepi Nieva – Writer *Filipinos 75th Anniversary in Hawaii
Belinda  Acquino, Virgilio Felipe- Historians
JP Orias-Artistic director
Clevan Cabuhat, Kristane Gaspar - Research Assistants