Aloha,
The month of December is filled with holidays and cultural observances. The big ones are, of course, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and many celebrate the end of the year, like the Japanese with Omisoka.
Director Editor Joy Chong-Stannard searched through our extensive video and film archive and found a short film clip (without audio) showing a Christmas celebration on the Ola‘a Plantation, circa 1946.
I’m reminded that sugar workers and their families had much to celebrate in December 1946. The historic sugar strike that began on September 1 and lasted for 79 days was a major victory for the union, with substantial increases in pay and the end of the paternalistic “perquisite system.”
In addition to the traditional holidays, we urge the celebration of Human Rights Day, December 10, the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is a day to recommit to the struggle to make these rights real for everyone!
Joy and I extend our very best wishes to all during the upcoming holiday season and offer a special thanks to the many who have made donations to the AQ documentary, The Struggle Never Ends, and the companion website: www.laborhistoryhawaii.org!
Mahalo Nui Loa,
Chris Conybeare,
Executive Producer