The Journey Continues: Lives of Portuguese Immigrant Descendants, 2018

Evening Presentation:

In September 2017 the Hawai‘i Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 140^th anniversary of the arrival of Portuguese immigrants to Hawai‘i.  Commemorative events included special performances by local actors enacting living histories of some descendants of the 1878 immigrants.  The scripts that featured their life stories were prepared by retired UH-Hilo drama professor Jackie Pualani Johnson, who interviewed the descendants themselves in order to capture the values and lifestyle of the Portuguese in East Hawai‘i. 

Featured in the living histories are Norbert and Erma Serrao (of Hilo and Pa‘auilo, respectively), portrayed by Beth and Edward Andrade of Hilo; and Dolores Tavares (formerly of Lahaina and Pāhoa), personified by Gabriella Cabanas of Hilo.  Their performances give us a feel for what life was like for these Portuguese families, sharing tidbits from earlier generations about everyday activities and the choices they made to build families and careers.  Anecdotes about life on the Big Island tell of devotion to family and church, including the sacrifices made to ensure a better future for the next generation. 

Enjoy these heartfelt portrayals on either of two occasions: Monday evening, February 18, or the following afternoon, February 19.

Admission to these wonderful programs is free to Museum members, and $3.00 for nonmembers.  Please support the Museum by becoming a member, and enjoy all Saigo Series programs, all year round, at no charge!  Seating is limited; first come, first seated.  ON MONDAY EVENINGS ONLY, additional parking is available next door at Hilo Union School, Kapiolani St. entrance; park, then walk through our green gate in the rock wall. 

On Monday evenings, doors open at 6:30PM.  E komo mai!