Some of the first Filipinos to come to Hawaii were the sakadas or contract laborers who arrived in 1906 to work on the sugar plantations. Since then, Filipinos have become the fastest growing ethnic minority in the state. The main reasons for the rapid growth of Filipinos are "continued immigration from the Philippines and high birth rates in the Filipino community." Each year, approximately 3,500 immigrants come to Hawaii from the Philippines, most of whom are children ("A Brief History"). Approximately 25.1% of the population of the State of Hawaii, or approximately 342,095 people, is of Filipino origin (US Census Bureau, 2010). The three largest groups of Filipinos in Hawaii are the Ilokanos (also spelled "Ilocano") who come from northern Luzon in the Philippines, the Visayans who come from the southern Philippines, and the Tagalogs. Of these three groups, the Ilokanos are the most numerous and make up at least 85% of Filipinos in Hawai'i ("A Brief History"). With a large number of Filipinos in Hawai'i, it is important to know how to communicate with them. One of the national languages ​​of the Philippines is Filipino, based on Tagalog. However, Ilokano speakers constitute the majority of Filipinos in Hawaii ("A Brief History"). Ilokano language classes are offered on some University of Hawaii campuses, and the only public school in the United States that offers Ilokano language classes is Farrington High School on O'ahu (UH Mānoa 10). Ilokano language classes should be offered in Hawaii public schools so that all students can have the opportunity to learn Ilokano. Providing Ilokano language classes in Hawaii public schools will teach students a skill that will be useful in Hawaiian society, help increase academic interest and achievement of...... middle of paper .... .. studies on pine. Internet. October 20, 2011. Nadal, Kevin L. Filipino American Psychology: A Handbook of Theory, Research, and Clinical Practice. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2011. 9, 21. Print. Tanji, Melissa. "Michigan students interview Maui Sakadas." The Maui News. The Maui News, June 7, 2006. Web. November 30, 2011.University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Direct the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and the Department of Education to develop, offer and expand Filipino language courses. Representative of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Internet. November 13, 2011. United States Census Bureau. “Maui Island Filipino Population by Census Tract: 2010 (Race Alone or in Combination).” Map. Hawaii.gov. Hawaii State Planning Office. Internet. October 20, 2011.Zialcita, Fernando N. Authentic but not exotic: essays on Filipino identity. Quezon City, Philippines: Anteneo De Manila UP, 2005. 8-9, 25. Print.