Luque ; A Legacy of Love ( continued )
The Luques welcomed four more children over the next ten years while they resided on the Ewa Plantation on Oahu . The family of nine departed Oahu in April 1921 in hope of better opportunities . Their destination — California . “ This time they traveled first class ,” O ’ Malley said , “ No steerage , first class .”
Not long after their arrival in San Francisco , their youngest child died from measles . While mourning their loss , the family persevered , and thanks to Rosario ’ s money handling skills , they were able to purchase a home on Freelon Street . Rosaria and Guillermo remained there throughout their sixty-five year marriage .
After decades of sacrifice , uncertainty and loss , the Luque family not only survived , they thrived . With the celebration of the centennial anniversary , the family is keeping their ancestors ’ story alive . “ We are business owners , landowners , attorneys , medical professionals , entrepreneurs , educators , and civil servants , all because my great grandparents — who had nothing — took this journey ,” Corvi said . “ There were ten siblings , two passed away , and our grandfather was the oldest of the eight , so it ’ s kind of all their story that we ’ re honoring .”
Fifth generation Vincent Palladino , O ’ Malley ’ s son , developed a deep connection to his ancestors after producing a tribute video honoring them , which premiered at the celebration . “ I ’ ve realized just how beautiful their story is and how it needs to be told ,” Palladino said . “ Because keeping the flame of remembrance alive is the best tribute we can give to them .”
To honor his ancestors ’ pursuit of the American dream , and their contributions to Hawaii and California , Palladino requested letters of recognition and commendations from state , federal , and local officials . The result was overwhelming and included responses from George W . Bush , Jimmy Carter , Senator Dianne Feinstein , Congresswoman Jackie Speier , Hawaii ’ s Senator Mazie Hirono , and numerous others . “ The letter of commendation from Hawaii ’ s Congressman Ed Case formally recognizes and commends the Luque family ’ s significant contributions to Hawaii ’ s lucrative sugarcane industry ,” Palladino said with pride .
“ The whole purpose is so people understand the sacrifice they made … because as the generations go down , they don ’ t know the whole story … so it ’ s like we ’ re giving them a gift , the legacy of our great grandparents who wanted a better life for their family , so they took that risk ,” O ’ Malley said
ABOVE LEFT : Life-size images of Rosario and Guillermo Luque welcome six generations of decendents to the Luque Family Centennial celebration . CENTER : The fabulous Luque Sisters ! Their father was Frank Luque , Guillermo and Rosario ’ s eldest son . From left to right : Denise ’ s mother Laura Boragno , 97 ( October 2021 ), Guillermo & Rosario ’ s eldest grandchild , Rose Dal Poggetto , 100 ( September 22 , 2021 ), Lisa ’ s mother and Vincent ’ s grandmother , Betty Shattuck , 94 , and Sylvia Monahan , 82 . RIGHT : The Corvi Farm was beautifully adorned with color , historical displays , and family hierlooms for all to enjoy . LOWER LEFT : 4th generation Robert Boragno made a special port to honor the 100 year legacy of the Luque family . NEXT : Denise Boragno Corvi and Mike Corvi celebrate the family in style . NEXT : Fifth generation and family historian / tribute video producer , Vincent Palladino with friend and day-of-event photographer , Kimeka enjoying a break in the action during the Centennial celebration . LEFT : Luque family special guests , Patricia Ruiz Steele ( 2nd from left ), author of “ The Girl Immigrant ”, and Steven Alonzo ( right ), Administrator of the Hawaiian Spaniards Facebook Community , with friends .
34 FALL 2021 gmhTODAY Magazine gmhtoday . com