A Documentary Premiere in Malaga

Hawaii: A BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENTARY

(Photo posted from previous event...because I cannot post tonight’s til tomorrow)

Cine Albéniz is a beautiful and historic cinema near the Roman Theater in Malaga.  It seemed the perfect place to show the documentary about the Spanish immigrants and their descendants who sailed on the first of six ships from Spain to Hawaii.  Since I arrived in Spain this time, I learned more of the fascinating history of the Immigrant ships and the Hawaiian agents who lured them from a starving Spain with the promise of work, houses, medical and schools in exchange for a specific time of commitment to work in the sugar cane fields in the islands.

Actually,the first ship Heliópolis sailed from the port in Malaga, but the government was angry when they learned how horrible the situation was on the ship such as sleeping arrangements, cleanliness and rancid food.  They would not allow Hawaiian agents to advertise afterward, nor allow another immigrant ship to leave its port.  But, the agents were slick...the remaining five ships sailed from the Rock of Gibraltar, which is English owned so they did not yield to the Spanish government’s
ban on recruitment.  So, that is where the Orteric, Willesden (2) Harpalion and the Ascot sailed from, loaded with Portuguesa and Spanish families headed for Hawaii between 1911 and 1913.

The documentary focuses on the immigrant exodus and how it affected the descendants both in America and those left behind in Spain.  I read excerpts from my book about the immigration story titled The Girl Immigrant (Historia de una niña emigrante in Spanish translation) And it was used as narration in a large part of the documentary.  I was overwhelmed with pride and felt humbled by the experience.

Afterward, we returned from Malaga too late to post photos and tell you about the beautiful documentary.  Mañana...tomorrow, I will describe the special evening and post photos.