Filipino food was brought to Hawaii in 1906.

In 1906, the first Filipino workers were recruited to Hawaii from the Philipines to work as laborers in the sugar cane and pineapple fields.

More workers were recruited when US law banned immigrant workers in 1909. Since the Philipines was a commonwealth of the US, it was easy for interested Filipino workers to migrate to Hawaii.

It was not an easy life for these workers. Most left their families behind, worked long hours, and for minimal wages.

Over the years, the lot of the Filipino immigrants in Hawaii improved. Children of the laborers were better educated and slowly paved the way for a much better quality of life for the coming Filipino generations.

The proof of it was personified by Benjamin Cayetano, the son of a former laborer from Pangasinan province. He was elected Governor of Hawaii in 1994. The first Filipino American to become governor of a state in the United States.

One common recreation during their time off was to gather together for parties.

Filipino food is absolutely delicious! The recipe below is one of our family favorites!

PANSIT

8 ounces long rice
4 large dried Shiitake mushrooms
1/2 pound lean pork
1/4 pound shrimp
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans chicken broth, 14 oz.
2 T patis (Filipino fish sauce)
1/4 t pepper
8 ounces fried egg noodles
lemon wedges

Soak long rice and mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes; drain.
Cut long rice in 3 inch lengths.
Remove stems from mushrooms; dice caps.
Slice pork into thin strips.
Shell, clean, and cut shrimp into small pieces.
In a skillet,heat oil. Saute garlic and brown pork.
Stir in shrimps and mushrooms. Saute 1 minute.
Add broth, patis and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Add long rice and noodles, stirring lightly until noodles are heated.
Serve with lemon wedges. Makes 6 servings.

More filipino food found in this cookbook I wrote.