The 1907-1913 spanish Immigrants to Hawaii: Hawaiian Spaniards' Legacy; Gateway to California

In 1907, the sugar industry in Hawaii needed more workers; this time they turned their faces towards Europe. An amazing account of the historic voyages some lasting up to 54 days out at sea. In a four year period, over 8,000 farm workers, immigrants from Spain; came to work at the sugar cane industry in Hawaii between 1907 and 1913, with the promise of gold coins for wages, free housing and acreage of land, healthcare and education. These ships were cargo ships, and not fit for human cargo. The SS Heliopolis in 1907, SS Orteric 1911, SS Willesden 1911, SS Harpalion 1912 , SS Willesden 1913, and SS Ascot 1913. Read of the struggles the immigrants encountered on their way to find a better life for their children and posterity, a voyage which began in Southern Spain and would eventually end years later in California. A must read if you are a descendant of those pioneers who crossed two continents in search of a better life.ADVERTISERHonolulu, Hawaii TerritorySunday, April 28, 1907THE DONS ARE A GOOD PEOPLETHE SPANISH IMMIGRANTS ARE MAKING A FINE IMPRESSIONA better looking and more contended lot of immigrants never landed on these shores than the two thousand and odd who came ashore yesterday morning from the S.S. Heliopolis after she had tied up at the Channel wharf. Their voyage had been a good one and few of the newcomers had complaints to make, but they were delighted to feel the solid earth once again beneath their feet and expressed their joy in prayers, of thanksgiving and in songs of satisfaction. All day yesterday the newcomers underwent examination at the hands of the Immigration officials, going through the tiring process without grumbling and being as tractable as the officials could have wished. The Spanish were easily distinguished from the Portuguese, because of their headgear and corduroy clothing. The hats were wide brimmed, full-crowned affairs and the corduroy of many colors, ranging from dark brown to snuff-yellow, showed hard usage and age in nearly every instance. They all looked, with a few exceptions, to be people from agricultural districts. One or two were dapper, as if they hailed from some city. Read more