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Soliz.org - Learning about your Latin Heritage
Strangers In Paradise
| On December 6, 1899, the Southern Pacific
train carrying a group of Puerto Ricans crept towards El Paso. They were
heading to the West Coast to board a ship to the Hawaiian Islands.
Just months before, August 8, 1899, hurricane San Ciriaco
destroyed the entire coffee crop in the southwestern area of Puerto Rico.
Nearly 3,400 people died in the tragic event, almost all livestock
parrished, property and worldly belongings completely gone, the Puerto
Rican people looked to rebuild.
Puerto Rico became a U. S. possession during the same
time the United States annexed Hawaii in July 1898. It was during
this time the Hawaiian Sugar Platers' Association (HSPA) organized the
recruitment and tranport of Puerto Ricans to Hawaii.
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Puerto Rican Heritage Society of Hawaii
Puerto Rico Emigrants - 1901
| Surname |
Birth |
Descendants/Donors |
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| Jose Rodrigues Acevedo |
Lares |
John Rodrigues |
| Juanita Torres |
Adjuntas |
. |
| Juan Jose Torres |
. |
. |
| Juana Torres Torres |
Adjuntas |
. |
Luis Rodrigues Almodovar
+Luis Rodrigues Almadova |
Yauco |
. |
Margara Andujar Lopes
+Margaret Lopes Almadova |
Ponce |
Louis Troche |
| Josefa Lopes De Ojo |
. |
. |
Monserrate Almodovar
+Monserrate Almadova |
Ponce |
. |
Isabel Almodovar
+Isabel Almadova |
Yauco |
. |
Casimiro Andujar
+Cazimero Andujar |
Yauco |
. |
| Juan Angel |
. |
. |
Miguel Echevarria
+Miguel Chevarrea |
. |
. |
Concepcion Irizarri
+Concepcion Yrizarriz |
Mayaguez |
. |
+ indicates AKA - For
a complete list email your request to csoliz@aol.com
continued
In history, this was the first time the
transfer of migirant labor was made
between one U. S. colony to another.
The majority of Puerto Ricans came from the hardest hit
area's PONCE, UTUADO, ADJUNTAS, LARES, YAUCO, ARECIBO AND MAYAGUEZ.
It looked good, the pay - after many months of
not having any income to survive - the cash was a promise of future survival
and a bright future.
Passage was made to Hawaii - three years of full employment
- starting with $15.00 per month for the first year and moving to
$17.00 in year three: free housing, fuel, schooling and medical attention.
Plus, the bonus - $72.00 at the end of the third year.
Employment was also made available for women and children. |
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Strangers In Paradise
United Puerto Rican Association Parade
 Who
are they? Need a hint? 1940's well known
Puerto Rican Boxers! |
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| continued
One Hundred-Forteen people boarded the SS Arkadia in San
Juan on November 22, 1900. The first group of Puerto Ricans
were from Arecibo, with few from other areas. The approximately
67 men and 47 women and children arrived in New Orleans and were delared
to be American citizens by an agent of the U. S. Immigration Department.
December 23, 1900 in Honolulu, Hawaii the first group
waited to make this new land their home. Spending Christmas in quarantine,
they boarded an ocean going ferry for the overnight trip to Maui.
It was here they started their 3 year work agreement for Pioneer Mill in
Lahaina.
Only 56 men, women and children made the first trip on
the SS Rio De Janeiro to Hawaii. The remainder were turned back because
of News Paper reports of "Kidnapping Slaves from Puerto Rico", this
held the total group from boarding the ship to Hawaii. |
| Continued in our next issue. |
| A few translations .... |
How many tamales would you like?
Cuántos tamales usted tiene gusto? |
Do you speak any English?
Usted habla inglés? |
Where can I get a taxi cab?
Dónde puedo conseguir un taxi? |
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