As Hawai'i's Filipino community celebrates its centennial in the Islands, two timely children's books illuminate the Filipino immigrant experience.

In his two latest picture books, San Francisco children's book author Anthony D. Robles writes about Lakas, based on his real-life son. Though Lakas' adventures take place in California, Hawai'i children will find plenty to relate to.

"Geographically, we may be in different places, but the stories have a common thread — hard work, community and struggles," says Robles, who was in town last week to promote his book and speak at the Filipino American National Historical Society Conference.

"The struggles here in Hawai'i and on the Mainland are a part of our history. It's embracing that, and telling stories, it's good for the children and their self-esteem. Because there's really not much for Filipino-Americans in children's books."

Although born and raised in San Francisco, Robles knows Hawai'i well. His father married a woman from O'ahu, and he spent his senior year of high school here, graduating from Waipahu High.

"I was the kahili bearer in the king's court," Robles said, chuckling.

He was in Waipahu on Friday, to read to children at the public library.

Robles' books are bilingual — he wrote them in English and had them translated into Tagalog. His intense cultural pride and a deep appreciation for the history of San Francisco's Manilatown seep through the pages of "Lakas and the Manilatown Fish" and "Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel."

An activist and published poet whose uncle was one of the original Manilatown manongs (Filipino men), Robles' next book will be for adults — the poetry collection "Brown Boy on the Fourth of July," out later this year from San Francisco publisher Tiboli Press.

"LAKAS AND THE MANILATOWN FISH" by Anthony D. Robles, illustrated by Carl Angel; Children's Book Press, ages 4-8; $16.95

"Lakas and the Manilatown Fish" begins with a note to adults about how young children will eventually discover "that the old-timers came to America for a better life, that their bones cracked like coconuts under the weight of hard work." But for those children now, Robles takes us on a whimsical journey with a magic fish through the streets of San Francisco's Manilatown, "past their restaurants, grocery stores, pool halls and barbershops."

It starts when Lakas dreams of a man who tells him about a fish that can talk in Tagalog and English. When he awakens, Lakas heads to Manilatown with his father. At the Happy Fish Market, Lakas hears a voice inside a fish tank call, "Hoy, hoy, Pilipino boy!" The fish jumps from the tank and gives the Happy Fish man a big wet kiss. "The Happy Fish man fell dizzy in love."

The fish runs away, and a chase ensues to a bus, past the International Hotel, the Lucky "M" Pool Hall and the Silverwing Café. The chase has a happy ending at the bay.

"LAKAS AND THE MAKIBAKA HOTEL" by Anthony D. Robles, illustrated by Carl Angel; Children's Book Press, ages 4-8, $16.95

Robles' new book, "Lakas and the Makibaka Hotel," stars the same spirited youth and a colorful cast of street performers infused with the spirit of Makibaka — of struggle, hope, laughter and song.

Lakas discovers that his friends may soon be homeless — the landlord of the hotel where they live plans to sell the building. When the landlord refuses to change his mind, Lakas and the street performers begin a fiery protest that cannot be ignored.

An afterword explains how this story is based on the real-life 2002 struggle of the tenants of the Trinity Plaza Apartments in San Francisco.

Lively, colorful illustrations accentuate both stories, which also tout a Filipino-American team of author, illustrator and designer.

Teacher's guides are available online at www.childrensbookpress.org.