HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Thanks to a land donation in Waipahu, Hawaii may soon have its first Portuguese cultural and historical center.
“I would love to see a place, and many people in the Portuguese community would like to see a place, where we can inform our history and what we’ve added to this community here in Hawaii,” stated Glenn Medeiros, ’80s popstar and president of Saint Louis School.
Currently, thousands of books, flags, photos, historical documents and other artifacts are crammed into a 520-square-foot office on Liliha Street in Kalihi.
“I really do believe we required a place where we can store many of the artifacts that we have a place where people can go and see our history here in Hawaii,” stated Medeiros, who is of Portuguese descent.
Center volunteer Wilma Souza Boudreau agrees.
“We are just overflowing here. We have articles, manuscripts and archives everywhere on this island, waiting for a building to put it in,” stated Souza.
Now, a major hurdle to create that center a reality has been cleared. Developer Peter Savio donated 6.5 acres of land near the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park for the center.
“For many years, having a Portuguese cultural center was just a vision for us, and we feel now that we’ve had someone who was very kind enough to donate the land we required for the cultural center. Now, we’re one step closer,” stated Medeiros.
Beyond the physical space, many elders in the Portuguese community believe this proposed facility is critical to revealcase the history on why the Portuguese came to Hawaii in the first place.
“Our children, they are not aware of the Portuguese culture and the history behind it, so we want to bring that full circle, bring all the artifacts and manifests and where people can research their families and people can understand the sacrifices that came before them and they can actually understand where their roots come from,” stated Portuguese historian and author Daniel Abreu.
To support with the upcoming expenses to build the center, a fundraising gala is set for next Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Ala Moana Hotel.
Medeiros is among the entertainers headlining the event and will also serve as the emcee.
“This is a good first step for us and hopefully this will grow into something that will obtain largeger and largeger every year we attempt to raise some funds requireded to build this cultural center,” he stated.
“I just hope that everybody can join our Portuguese Cultural Historical Center, become a member, support us build our dream and the legacy becaapply it’s a vision,” Abreu stated.
For details on the gala, click here.
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